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युगंधर
Yugandhar is another Novel of Shivaji Sawant based on the life of Krishna, a great character in Mahabharata and other narrative epics as well as the God of the Hindus.Yugandhar is one of the best and most famous Novel of Marathi language and it is awarded with many of the prizes and awards given by the Sahitya Academy.
880 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2000
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10244 people want to read
About the author
Shivaji Sawant
17 books546 followersAfter extensive research he wrote a book Mrityunjay (English: Triumph Over Death) based on Karna, one of the leading characters of the epic Mahabharat. This book was translated in Hindi (1974), English (1989), Kannada (1990), Gujarati (1991), Malayalam (1995) and received numerous awards and accolades. In 1980 he wrote a book Chhava based on Sambhaji's life.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
October 11, 2012
I recently finished reading this novel “Yugandhar” by Shivaji Sawant the 6th time. But each time I read it, I get a totally new meaning from the same lines n words which I have read twice before. Well, you’ll say that I must have mugged up the atleast 3/4th of the novel uptill now, n that is true! But still when I take it in my hands, I automatically get eager to read it once again, to know whether there is some more of the Krishna which I have not yet understood even after reading so many times...... He Preached so many examples n teachings by first following it himself, the importance of Mother, Friend, Lover, Husband, Brother, King, each n every role played by a human being in his life. Such a different meaning of every small thing .....
August 26, 2025
A Majestic Portrait of Krishna the Man, Not the Myth. Shri Krishna, written by the legendary Marathi author Shivaji Sawant, is not just a retelling of Lord Krishna’s life. It is a philosophical, socio-political, and deeply humanized reimagining of one of the most iconic figures in Hindu civilization.
Unlike traditional portrayals that focus on Krishna’s divine miracles, Sawant chooses to explore the man behind the myth—a thinker, a strategist, a friend, a lover, a statesman, and above all, a visionary bound by the changing tides of his era. Through Krishna, Sawant doesn’t preach religion or impose philosophy. Instead, he offers life lessons in the simplest, most grounded ways possible, without ever sounding didactic.
What makes Yugandhar especially powerful is its multi-perspective narrative. Each voice be it that of Satyaki, Arjuna, Draupadi, Daruka, Uddhava, Rukmini, or Krishna himself adds a unique lens to the world he shaped and the burdens he bore. This multi-POV format doesn't just glorify Krishna with divine hues, but allows readers to witness the man who, even amid chaos and tragedy, remained steadfast and luminous.
I had this book with me for four years. For reasons I can’t fully explain, I delayed picking it up perhaps intimidated by its depth, or simply lost in the noise of everyday life. But now that I’ve read it, I realize what a treasure I had been ignoring all this while. No review of mine can truly do justice to the magnitude of this work.
Reading Yugandhar reminded me of the poignant Sanskrit verses composed by scholar Shatavadhani R. Ganesh, who so beautifully encapsulated Krishna’s paradoxical life:
कारागारे प्रसूतिर्निजपितृविरतिः शैशवं गोपघोषे
राज्ञां मध्येऽपमानो विवसितवसतिः प्रत्यहं प्राणभीतिः ।
पत्नीभिस्तर्जनं च प्रकटितकलहो बन्धुषून्मत्तपुत्राः
सूतोद्योगश्च मृत्युश्शबरशरभवोऽप्यात्मतुष्टिस्तवाऽसीत् ॥
Born within prison walls, separated from parents at birth,
you spent your childhood among cowherds;
You were insulted by kings; constant death-threats; driven out constantly from your own land and country;
Family feuds, cantankerous wives, intoxicated sons
You had to work as a charioteer and die an insignificant death by a hunter's stray arrow,
yet you were so content, self-satisfied!
Shri Krishna(or Yugandhar)has made me sit in awe of Krishna not as an incarnation, but as a timeless embodiment of wisdom, detachment, and grace. This isn’t just a novel. It’s an experience, One that transforms the reader as much as it reveals its central character.
Unlike traditional portrayals that focus on Krishna’s divine miracles, Sawant chooses to explore the man behind the myth—a thinker, a strategist, a friend, a lover, a statesman, and above all, a visionary bound by the changing tides of his era. Through Krishna, Sawant doesn’t preach religion or impose philosophy. Instead, he offers life lessons in the simplest, most grounded ways possible, without ever sounding didactic.
What makes Yugandhar especially powerful is its multi-perspective narrative. Each voice be it that of Satyaki, Arjuna, Draupadi, Daruka, Uddhava, Rukmini, or Krishna himself adds a unique lens to the world he shaped and the burdens he bore. This multi-POV format doesn't just glorify Krishna with divine hues, but allows readers to witness the man who, even amid chaos and tragedy, remained steadfast and luminous.
I had this book with me for four years. For reasons I can’t fully explain, I delayed picking it up perhaps intimidated by its depth, or simply lost in the noise of everyday life. But now that I’ve read it, I realize what a treasure I had been ignoring all this while. No review of mine can truly do justice to the magnitude of this work.
Reading Yugandhar reminded me of the poignant Sanskrit verses composed by scholar Shatavadhani R. Ganesh, who so beautifully encapsulated Krishna’s paradoxical life:
कारागारे प्रसूतिर्निजपितृविरतिः शैशवं गोपघोषे
राज्ञां मध्येऽपमानो विवसितवसतिः प्रत्यहं प्राणभीतिः ।
पत्नीभिस्तर्जनं च प्रकटितकलहो बन्धुषून्मत्तपुत्राः
सूतोद्योगश्च मृत्युश्शबरशरभवोऽप्यात्मतुष्टिस्तवाऽसीत् ॥
Born within prison walls, separated from parents at birth,
you spent your childhood among cowherds;
You were insulted by kings; constant death-threats; driven out constantly from your own land and country;
Family feuds, cantankerous wives, intoxicated sons
You had to work as a charioteer and die an insignificant death by a hunter's stray arrow,
yet you were so content, self-satisfied!
Shri Krishna(or Yugandhar)has made me sit in awe of Krishna not as an incarnation, but as a timeless embodiment of wisdom, detachment, and grace. This isn’t just a novel. It’s an experience, One that transforms the reader as much as it reveals its central character.
June 4, 2022
Storytel audiobook : various readers
I finally finished this gem of a book & I can't stop praising it. Originally written in "Marathi" & translated into many Indian languages along with English, this one is a very well researched book with most accurate descriptions of those times.
"Yugandhar"(meaning-Ever Lasting) tells us the story of Lord Krishna's life from childhood to his death. It considers "Krishna" as a normal human being who because of his "karma" ( Deeds) attained an irreplaceable place in everyone's heart.
Told through multiple POVs made it an intriguing read, epitomizing Krishna's glory with miraculous aura. Without being religious & preaching philosophy, it tells you how to live life in the simplest ways possible.
"Love is the only true thing, Love is infinity" says Krishna. Krishna is incarnation of God Vishnu himself.
Sometimes in the past I couldn't understand the perspective of Mahabharata. Being a God, Krishna should have stopped The Mahabharata (the big Indian Mythological war) from happening . Oh boy, could i have been more wrong.
First thing, Krishna wasn't the reason behind the great Indian war that took place at Kurukshetra. He was just an observer. Nothing was missed by his keen eyes. He never even once interfered in the affairs of others. If he hadn't been in the scene at all, the war would have happened much earlier.
Secondly, the war didn't happen just for a single reason or coz of wrong doings of a single person. It was result of multitudes of misconducts happened over a period of decades which lead to the final warfare & ultimate cataclysm.
There is a shloka in Mahabharata roughly translated to - "Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice, and a predominant rise of irreligion—at that time I descend Myself."
Krishna did what he had to do, what he had promised to do, when he realized the inevitablity of the war. He helped to get Justice for the rightful & punished the wrongdoers & offenders by the means of the war.
I recommend this, if you are interested to know about Krishna & his life & a part of Mahabharata.
I finally finished this gem of a book & I can't stop praising it. Originally written in "Marathi" & translated into many Indian languages along with English, this one is a very well researched book with most accurate descriptions of those times.
"Yugandhar"(meaning-Ever Lasting) tells us the story of Lord Krishna's life from childhood to his death. It considers "Krishna" as a normal human being who because of his "karma" ( Deeds) attained an irreplaceable place in everyone's heart.
Told through multiple POVs made it an intriguing read, epitomizing Krishna's glory with miraculous aura. Without being religious & preaching philosophy, it tells you how to live life in the simplest ways possible.
"Love is the only true thing, Love is infinity" says Krishna. Krishna is incarnation of God Vishnu himself.
Sometimes in the past I couldn't understand the perspective of Mahabharata. Being a God, Krishna should have stopped The Mahabharata (the big Indian Mythological war) from happening . Oh boy, could i have been more wrong.
First thing, Krishna wasn't the reason behind the great Indian war that took place at Kurukshetra. He was just an observer. Nothing was missed by his keen eyes. He never even once interfered in the affairs of others. If he hadn't been in the scene at all, the war would have happened much earlier.
Secondly, the war didn't happen just for a single reason or coz of wrong doings of a single person. It was result of multitudes of misconducts happened over a period of decades which lead to the final warfare & ultimate cataclysm.
There is a shloka in Mahabharata roughly translated to - "Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice, and a predominant rise of irreligion—at that time I descend Myself."
Krishna did what he had to do, what he had promised to do, when he realized the inevitablity of the war. He helped to get Justice for the rightful & punished the wrongdoers & offenders by the means of the war.
I recommend this, if you are interested to know about Krishna & his life & a part of Mahabharata.
July 3, 2014
खरं तर "मृत्युंजय"काराच्या या पुस्तकाला 4 stars द्यायची माझी लायकी नाही. पण मृत्युंजयचा मनावर इतका मोठा पगडा आहे, की हे पुस्तक त्यापुढे थोडं फिकंच वाटतं. कृष्णाला एक माणूस म्हणून दाखवायच्या केलेल्या प्रयत्नात त्याने केलेल्या चमत्कारांचं विश्लेषण कुठेतरी कमी पडतं. उदा. द्रौपदीच्या वस्त्रहरणाच्या वेळी त्याने तिला वस्त्रे कशी पुरवली हे कळत नाही.
शिवाय या पुस्तकात मला कर्णावर झालेला अन्याय हा कृष्णाच्या भूमिकेतून बघायचा होता. मृत्युंजय वाचल्यानंतर पांडवांबद्दल जो राग मनात होता तो हे कृष्णायन वाचून कमी होईल असं वाटलं होतं. पण तसं घडलंच नाही. अर्थात हा फक्त माझा युगंधराकडे बघायचा दृष्टिकोन झाला. एक पुस्तक म्हणून हे अप्रतीम आहे, हे मी वेगळ्याने सांगायची गरज नाहीच.
शिवाय या पुस्तकात मला कर्णावर झालेला अन्याय हा कृष्णाच्या भूमिकेतून बघायचा होता. मृत्युंजय वाचल्यानंतर पांडवांबद्दल जो राग मनात होता तो हे कृष्णायन वाचून कमी होईल असं वाटलं होतं. पण तसं घडलंच नाही. अर्थात हा फक्त माझा युगंधराकडे बघायचा दृष्टिकोन झाला. एक पुस्तक म्हणून हे अप्रतीम आहे, हे मी वेगळ्याने सांगायची गरज नाहीच.
July 14, 2015
Yet another masterpiece by Shivaji Sawant.. This book gives us a different perspective to look at the life of Krishna.. NOT as a HERO or GOD but as a HUMAN who wanted to let people know that the greatest power in the world is love. He considered all living beings as his own beloved. He lived to his teachings by spreading PREMYOG in the then Aryawat. What I loved most about this book is it gave me completely agreeable and practical possible reasons behind the CHAMATKARS by Krishna. The reasons why Krishna loved Arjun and Uddhav more are fascinating. The novel gets a bit slow in between but all in all its worth everything!
November 23, 2019
Great book on Shri Krishna!
Read
August 12, 2013Complete life of Shri Krushna written by impeccable hands of Shri. Shiwaji Sawant.
September 2, 2012
I felt like believing every word in this book. I am going to reread it soon.
October 5, 2024
Unpopular opinion - I think the translation didn't work for me and it felt unorganized for me
July 14, 2021
I picked up this book because it had been ages since I read mythology and I missed all those profound lessons and larger than life characters. I have read Mrityunjay by Shivaji Sawant and it was an amazing book. Karna is my favourite from Mahabharata and it was great reading in detail about his life. Yugandhar is about Krishna’s life, the mastermind behind the Kurukshetra War. I didn’t know much about Krishna before other than the basics and was looking forward to Shivaji Sawant’s narration of his life. This edition was translated by his daughter Kadambini Dharap.
I had two images of Krishna in my mind – one was the innocent, naughty boy who loved milk and milk products and the other was the manipulative adult who never gave a straight answer but made sure things worked out in a way that he had planned. From Amar Chitra Katha comics and the oral stories that we hear in our homes, I liked the baby Krishna and kept my distance from the adult one. This book is told from six perspectives. We start with Sri Krishna and his childhood – his pleasant life in Gokul which is filled with love, laughter, and companionship. His platonic relationship with Radha, his first sakhi, is described here. The characteristic peacock feather which adorns Krishna’s crown is placed there by the loving Radha. The Vaijayanti flower garland which he wears always is also given by her. This part of Krishna’s life is the ideal childhood. He leaves Gokul for Mathura and annihilates his evil uncle, Kansa and liberates his biological parents and the dwellers of Mathura from Kansa’s demonic clutch. Balaram Dada, Krishna’s elder brother is with him all along. Then comes along Jarasandha and his constant attacks on the city of Mathura which is cradled by the Yamuna river. Krishna’s life moves ahead with several incidents most of which consist of eliminating the tyrants from Bharatvarsha. The most crucial amongst these fights of ‘good vs evil’ is without a doubt the war of Kurukshetra war which was fought between the Kauravas and the Pandavas where more than 40 lakh soldiers and several royal members of the Kuru clan lost their lives. Bhagvad Gita, which is one of the Holy Scriptures in Hinduism is told by Krishna to a disheartened Arjun on the battlefield. Krishna justifies the war with several reasons, but I think there could have been ways of averting the war and still ensuring justice in a peaceful manner given that he was an avatar of a God and very powerful.
We meet Rukmini, Daruka, Draupadi, Arjuna, Satyaki, and Uddhava in the book. Their voices are distinct and it is refreshing to see Krishna’s life in patches through these different people who were close to his heart. However, because of a multi-perspective approach, some things get repetitive. Some interesting things that I learnt from this book: The golden city of Dwarka was beautiful and so very well planned. Krishna was a Jalapurusha, someone who is very adaptable like water and also who likes water. Two other Jalapurusha’s in his age were Bhishma and Karna. Along with Bhagvad Gita, there is also something called as Ashwa Gita which consists of Krishna’s conversations with his horses of the Garudadhwaja chariot. The end of the Yadava clan was also something I had no idea about. The concept of Krishnasopana was amazing – having a staircase with each step dedicated to someone close in his life. Premayoga, which was Krishna’s guiding philosophy, made sense to me.
Today, I assert that the essence of life is Premayoga. Love has no limit. It is endless. The human race has been created only for spreading love. Hatred comes to an end. When one person hates another, that hatred ends with the death of the other person. In short, hatred ends at some point of time. Till it comes to an end, the individuals, castes, groups and kingdoms on both sides suffer tremendous irrecoverable loss. That is not the case with love. The more one gives love, the more it multiplies. It never gets reduced by giving.
I enjoyed reading the book but it took me very long to finish it so by the end I was just waiting to get it over with. I am sure that the original Marathi version is much more impactful. Nevertheless, I am really thankful that I got to read it in English. The book, like Krishna’s life, is grand and filled with many thoughtful proclamations.
I had two images of Krishna in my mind – one was the innocent, naughty boy who loved milk and milk products and the other was the manipulative adult who never gave a straight answer but made sure things worked out in a way that he had planned. From Amar Chitra Katha comics and the oral stories that we hear in our homes, I liked the baby Krishna and kept my distance from the adult one. This book is told from six perspectives. We start with Sri Krishna and his childhood – his pleasant life in Gokul which is filled with love, laughter, and companionship. His platonic relationship with Radha, his first sakhi, is described here. The characteristic peacock feather which adorns Krishna’s crown is placed there by the loving Radha. The Vaijayanti flower garland which he wears always is also given by her. This part of Krishna’s life is the ideal childhood. He leaves Gokul for Mathura and annihilates his evil uncle, Kansa and liberates his biological parents and the dwellers of Mathura from Kansa’s demonic clutch. Balaram Dada, Krishna’s elder brother is with him all along. Then comes along Jarasandha and his constant attacks on the city of Mathura which is cradled by the Yamuna river. Krishna’s life moves ahead with several incidents most of which consist of eliminating the tyrants from Bharatvarsha. The most crucial amongst these fights of ‘good vs evil’ is without a doubt the war of Kurukshetra war which was fought between the Kauravas and the Pandavas where more than 40 lakh soldiers and several royal members of the Kuru clan lost their lives. Bhagvad Gita, which is one of the Holy Scriptures in Hinduism is told by Krishna to a disheartened Arjun on the battlefield. Krishna justifies the war with several reasons, but I think there could have been ways of averting the war and still ensuring justice in a peaceful manner given that he was an avatar of a God and very powerful.
We meet Rukmini, Daruka, Draupadi, Arjuna, Satyaki, and Uddhava in the book. Their voices are distinct and it is refreshing to see Krishna’s life in patches through these different people who were close to his heart. However, because of a multi-perspective approach, some things get repetitive. Some interesting things that I learnt from this book: The golden city of Dwarka was beautiful and so very well planned. Krishna was a Jalapurusha, someone who is very adaptable like water and also who likes water. Two other Jalapurusha’s in his age were Bhishma and Karna. Along with Bhagvad Gita, there is also something called as Ashwa Gita which consists of Krishna’s conversations with his horses of the Garudadhwaja chariot. The end of the Yadava clan was also something I had no idea about. The concept of Krishnasopana was amazing – having a staircase with each step dedicated to someone close in his life. Premayoga, which was Krishna’s guiding philosophy, made sense to me.
Today, I assert that the essence of life is Premayoga. Love has no limit. It is endless. The human race has been created only for spreading love. Hatred comes to an end. When one person hates another, that hatred ends with the death of the other person. In short, hatred ends at some point of time. Till it comes to an end, the individuals, castes, groups and kingdoms on both sides suffer tremendous irrecoverable loss. That is not the case with love. The more one gives love, the more it multiplies. It never gets reduced by giving.
I enjoyed reading the book but it took me very long to finish it so by the end I was just waiting to get it over with. I am sure that the original Marathi version is much more impactful. Nevertheless, I am really thankful that I got to read it in English. The book, like Krishna’s life, is grand and filled with many thoughtful proclamations.
February 28, 2020
|| श्रीकृष्णार्पणमस्तु ||
युगंधर हा शिवाजी सावंत खूप प्रामाणिक प्रयत्न आहे. या भव्य कृतीसाठी लेखकाचे आभार मानावे तितके थोडेच.
पण कृष्ण इतका भव्य आहे की कितीही मोठा लेखक असला तरी त्रुटी ह्या आल्याच!
काही गोष्टी खटकतात.
कृष्णाला माणूस म्हणून मांडलेला फारसा रुचत नाही.
कृष्णामधला प्रेमभाव वगळता इतर पैलू व्यवस्थित उलगडत नाहीत.
कृष्णामधला शिवाजी सावंत यांचा योद्धा इतका प्रभावी वाटत नाही.
कृष्णाला चिकटलेलं काल्पनिक पात्र `राधा` सावधपणे रंगवण्याचा, रास व इतर काही गोष्टी जमलेल्या दिसत नाहीत.
पांडवांप्रतीचा अखडुपणा, कर्णाविषयीच्या कल दिसतो.
काही पात्रे, सखी म्हणून द्रौपदी, कृष्णाचा चुलत बंधू उद्धव खूप छान जमली आहेत.
युगंधर हा शिवाजी सावंत खूप प्रामाणिक प्रयत्न आहे. या भव्य कृतीसाठी लेखकाचे आभार मानावे तितके थोडेच.
पण कृष्ण इतका भव्य आहे की कितीही मोठा लेखक असला तरी त्रुटी ह्या आल्याच!
काही गोष्टी खटकतात.
कृष्णाला माणूस म्हणून मांडलेला फारसा रुचत नाही.
कृष्णामधला प्रेमभाव वगळता इतर पैलू व्यवस्थित उलगडत नाहीत.
कृष्णामधला शिवाजी सावंत यांचा योद्धा इतका प्रभावी वाटत नाही.
कृष्णाला चिकटलेलं काल्पनिक पात्र `राधा` सावधपणे रंगवण्याचा, रास व इतर काही गोष्टी जमलेल्या दिसत नाहीत.
पांडवांप्रतीचा अखडुपणा, कर्णाविषयीच्या कल दिसतो.
काही पात्रे, सखी म्हणून द्रौपदी, कृष्णाचा चुलत बंधू उद्धव खूप छान जमली आहेत.
April 29, 2023
ഈ പുസ്തകത്തിലൂടെ ശ്രീകൃഷ്ണ ഭഗവാന്റെ മറ്റൊരു രൂപമാണ് കാണാൻ കഴിയുക. വളരെ വ്യത്യസ്തമായ അവതരണം വായനക്കാരെ പിടിച്ച് ഇരുത്തുകയും മഹാഭാരതയുദ്ധവും അതുമായി ബന്ധപ്പെട്ട പല സംഭവങ്ങളും ശ്രീകൃഷ്ണ ജനനം മുതൽ സമാധി വരെയുള്ള കാര്യങ്ങളും വളരെ വ്യക്തവും സ്പഷ്ടവുമായി അവതരിപ്പിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നു.
August 10, 2016
A beautiful book, Yugandhar depicts the life of Sri Krishna through the various phases in his life. The book is split into chapters, each chapter being narrated by important individuals in his life, in first person. This gives different perspectives, since the range of people includes his beloved wife Rukmini and his saarthi (charioteer) Daruk.
Apart from giving a fairly detailed account of his life, it also had a surprisingly calming effect, and left my feeling rather peaceful even after reading as little as two pages.
Highly recommended to anyone who can read Hindi.
Apart from giving a fairly detailed account of his life, it also had a surprisingly calming effect, and left my feeling rather peaceful even after reading as little as two pages.
Highly recommended to anyone who can read Hindi.
March 1, 2013
Stunned by Marathi literature. The layers, the depth, the characters. A book which is NOT a page turner. Quite the opposite,You savour it, taking in all that is laid out for you with a painstaking deliberateness.
Being an atheist, I found this book extremely enjoyable and was absolutely delighted when the author proclaimed that all the characters are too be viewed as fallible, human rather than the gods they are.
Must read for All and especially Maharashtrians.
Being an atheist, I found this book extremely enjoyable and was absolutely delighted when the author proclaimed that all the characters are too be viewed as fallible, human rather than the gods they are.
Must read for All and especially Maharashtrians.
March 1, 2015
Yugandhar- is a brilliant piece of work from Shivaji Sawant. Author tries hard to contain the protagonist within human sphere but also surrenders to the divinity at appropriate places. Immense detailing takes the reader into that era. It is a long long piece of text but something worth having and passing onto generations.
February 10, 2014
just simply says miraculous story of krishna with human touch to it .. fall in love
April 14, 2023
What can I say about this masterpiece ! A truest and most authentic depiction of my beloved Kanha ♥️♥️
January 31, 2021
सबसे पहले आपको बता दूँ, आपके धैर्य की कसौटी करता है यह उपन्यास। बहुत सुना था मैंने शिवाजी के प्रथम और अति प्रचलित उपन्यास 'मृत्युंजय' के बारे में ; मगर जो मुझे खींच के यहाँ लाया वह एक ही फैक्टर था, कृष्ण। और ऐसे मैं चल पड़ा ये सफर पर। हालाँकि शुरुआत में बड़ी तकलीफ़ हुई इस पुस्तक की ठेठ शुद्ध अलंकारिक हिंदी से अवगत होने में। शब्दकोष के सहारे सहारे बढ़ चला मैं, और थोड़े ही पन्नो में मेरी गाड़ी ट्रेक पर आ गई। सावंत जी ने अनोखी तरह से विभाजन किया है कहानी का, जो एक के बाद एक पात्र के मुख से, आत्मकथानक कही गई है। सबसे पहले श्रीकृष्ण, फिर रुक्मणि, दारुक, द्रौपदी, अर्जुन, सात्यकि और आखिरकार उद्धव के मुख से हम महाकाव्य का एक और पहलू सुनते है।
कहानी का बहाव बहुत सही चलता है जब तक हम द्रोपदी के प्रकरण पर पहुँचते है। पता नहीं क्यों, पर द्रोपदी और अर्जुन के प्रकरण पढ़ते पढ़ते कसौटी हो जाती है आपके धीरज की, क्युकी घटनाए जो पहले के पन्नो पे घट चुकी है, वो फिर से, नए नज़रिये से पेश की जा रही है। जो वेल्यू एडिशन न बन के, रेपेटिटिव अफेयर हो जाता है। आखिरकार जब हम सात्यकि की कथानक पर पहुँचते है, कहानी वापिस मार्ग पकड़ लेती है ; और वह भी बहोत रफ़्तार से। महायुद्ध का एक एक दिन का वर्णन खूब किया गया है।
फुल मार्क्स देना चाहूंगा [हालांकि मेरी कोई हैसियत नहीं है ] मैं लेखक के डेडिकेशन को और रिसर्च को। जिसकी वजह से ये 'एक और महाभारत का पुनर्कथन' बन के नहीं रह जाता। पर छोटी सी छोटी डिटेल्स, जैसे धृष्तद्युमना के रथ का नाम, द्रोण के शंख का नाम, रण में कौन से व्यूह से कब लड़ाई हुई; ऐसी माहिती, कि जो बहुत हद तक अनजान है। कई अमर दृश्य, जैसे कृष्णा सुदामा का मिलाप, द्रोपदी का अपमान, अभिमन्यु का दर्दनाक अंत, भीम का बदला - ऐसे बहोत प्रसंग इस प्रकार आलेख किये गए है की आप डूब जाते हैं भावनाओ में।
बस मेरी यही शिकायत है की अपनी अप्रतिम कृष्ण भक्ति से ओतप्रोत हो कर लेखक ने कही कही गदगद होकर बहुत कुछ लिख दिया है जो हालांकि एक भक्त के नज़रिये से बहुत भावनात्मक है, मगर उपन्यास की दृष्टि से बाधक बनता है। श्रीकृष्ण कही विजय पाकर द्वारिका लौटते है, तो उनके स्वागत में पैराग्राफ्स भरे गए है जो वारंवार रिपीट होते है। हिंदी अनुवाद करने में भी पुरातन से शब्द बाधक बनते है (अब भला आपकी 'गर्दन' से क्या दुश्मनी थी कि बार बार ग्रीवा ही उपयोग हो रहा है। एक पैराग्राफ नीचे दे रहा हु, मेरे फ़्रस्ट्रेशन का अंदाज़ देने..
>>>>दीर्घ श्वास लेते हुए उन्नत वक्ष को कुरुक्षेत्र के विशुद्ध वायुतत्त्व से भरकर उन्होंने अपनी शंखाकार, नीलवर्णी ग्रीवा को ऊपर उठाया। नेत्र बन्द किये। कुरुक्षेत्र के अनन्त, सुनील नभ से अपनी नीलवर्ण मुद्रा को एकरूप किया! श्रीकृष्ण वासुदेव यादव ने तपःसाधना से जीवन-भर निर्मल, विशुद्ध रखे अपने शरीर की बहत्तर सहस्र धमनियों पर क्षण-भर में ही अधिकार जमा लिया। उनका अद्वितीय आत्मतत्त्व-देहतत्त्व फूल उठा। कण्ठ की नसें स्पष्ट दिखाई दे रही थीं–और इस प्रकार उन्होंने पूरी प्राणशक्ति से अपने पांचजन्य शंख को बजाया।<<<<
मगर, फिर भी, मैं कहना चाहूंगा, यह पुस्तक अपने आप में एक अनुभव है। अगर आपको मेरी ऊपर कही गई तकलीफो से आपत्ति नहीं है, तो जरूर से पढ़ना चाहिए, युगों से चले आ रहे उस युगन्धर से अवगत होने के लिए, इस धरोहर को जानने के लिए।
कहानी का बहाव बहुत सही चलता है जब तक हम द्रोपदी के प्रकरण पर पहुँचते है। पता नहीं क्यों, पर द्रोपदी और अर्जुन के प्रकरण पढ़ते पढ़ते कसौटी हो जाती है आपके धीरज की, क्युकी घटनाए जो पहले के पन्नो पे घट चुकी है, वो फिर से, नए नज़रिये से पेश की जा रही है। जो वेल्यू एडिशन न बन के, रेपेटिटिव अफेयर हो जाता है। आखिरकार जब हम सात्यकि की कथानक पर पहुँचते है, कहानी वापिस मार्ग पकड़ लेती है ; और वह भी बहोत रफ़्तार से। महायुद्ध का एक एक दिन का वर्णन खूब किया गया है।
फुल मार्क्स देना चाहूंगा [हालांकि मेरी कोई हैसियत नहीं है ] मैं लेखक के डेडिकेशन को और रिसर्च को। जिसकी वजह से ये 'एक और महाभारत का पुनर्कथन' बन के नहीं रह जाता। पर छोटी सी छोटी डिटेल्स, जैसे धृष्तद्युमना के रथ का नाम, द्रोण के शंख का नाम, रण में कौन से व्यूह से कब लड़ाई हुई; ऐसी माहिती, कि जो बहुत हद तक अनजान है। कई अमर दृश्य, जैसे कृष्णा सुदामा का मिलाप, द्रोपदी का अपमान, अभिमन्यु का दर्दनाक अंत, भीम का बदला - ऐसे बहोत प्रसंग इस प्रकार आलेख किये गए है की आप डूब जाते हैं भावनाओ में।
बस मेरी यही शिकायत है की अपनी अप्रतिम कृष्ण भक्ति से ओतप्रोत हो कर लेखक ने कही कही गदगद होकर बहुत कुछ लिख दिया है जो हालांकि एक भक्त के नज़रिये से बहुत भावनात्मक है, मगर उपन्यास की दृष्टि से बाधक बनता है। श्रीकृष्ण कही विजय पाकर द्वारिका लौटते है, तो उनके स्वागत में पैराग्राफ्स भरे गए है जो वारंवार रिपीट होते है। हिंदी अनुवाद करने में भी पुरातन से शब्द बाधक बनते है (अब भला आपकी 'गर्दन' से क्या दुश्मनी थी कि बार बार ग्रीवा ही उपयोग हो रहा है। एक पैराग्राफ नीचे दे रहा हु, मेरे फ़्रस्ट्रेशन का अंदाज़ देने..
>>>>दीर्घ श्वास लेते हुए उन्नत वक्ष को कुरुक्षेत्र के विशुद्ध वायुतत्त्व से भरकर उन्होंने अपनी शंखाकार, नीलवर्णी ग्रीवा को ऊपर उठाया। नेत्र बन्द किये। कुरुक्षेत्र के अनन्त, सुनील नभ से अपनी नीलवर्ण मुद्रा को एकरूप किया! श्रीकृष्ण वासुदेव यादव ने तपःसाधना से जीवन-भर निर्मल, विशुद्ध रखे अपने शरीर की बहत्तर सहस्र धमनियों पर क्षण-भर में ही अधिकार जमा लिया। उनका अद्वितीय आत्मतत्त्व-देहतत्त्व फूल उठा। कण्ठ की नसें स्पष्ट दिखाई दे रही थीं–और इस प्रकार उन्होंने पूरी प्राणशक्ति से अपने पांचजन्य शंख को बजाया।<<<<
मगर, फिर भी, मैं कहना चाहूंगा, यह पुस्तक अपने आप में एक अनुभव है। अगर आपको मेरी ऊपर कही गई तकलीफो से आपत्ति नहीं है, तो जरूर से पढ़ना चाहिए, युगों से चले आ रहे उस युगन्धर से अवगत होने के लिए, इस धरोहर को जानने के लिए।
May 27, 2021
An epic by Shivaji Sawant in which he has tried to describe the life and thoughts of Krishna in about a 1000 pages. The book is written in first-person narrative, but the narrator keeps changing. Shivaji Sawant has divided the life of Krishna in 7 broad phases and each of this phase has been narrated by an individual who played a key role in that phase:
1. Krishna narrates his own childhood
2. Rukimini, the first wife of Krishna talks about the next phase of Krishna’s life
3. Daruk, the charioteer of Krishna, narrates the 3rd phase
4. Draupadi, wife of the Pandavas, takes us through the next phase
5. Arjun talks about the 5th phase which majorly revolves around the battle of Mahabharata
6. Satyaki, a warrior in the Yadava army, narrates the final phases of the battle of Mahabharata
7. Uddhav, a cousin and the closest friend of Krishna, narrates the final phase of Krishna’s life
One of the most important aspects of this book is that Krishna isn’t described as a supernatural being or God, but as an extraordinary human being, a charismatic leader and a philosopher-warrior. The book describes how he takes up many roles during his entire lifetime, and how every person he gets in touch with gets to understand only a part of him. In the end, the reader is left trying to weave all these parts of him together to try and figure out who Krishna was and why he did the things he did.
For me, the book started with Krishna being an enigma and I ended up with Krishna being even more of an enigma than he was before I started reading the book. Though I was much more aware about the events which take place in his life, but I couldn’t really understand the entire personality, which is also the note at which the book ends – Uddhav asking himself if anyone actually understood who Krishna really was.
It’s difficult to imagine the sheer effort, understanding and knowledge which would have gone into creating this book. Needless to say, it demands a lot of time and effort to read as well.
1. Krishna narrates his own childhood
2. Rukimini, the first wife of Krishna talks about the next phase of Krishna’s life
3. Daruk, the charioteer of Krishna, narrates the 3rd phase
4. Draupadi, wife of the Pandavas, takes us through the next phase
5. Arjun talks about the 5th phase which majorly revolves around the battle of Mahabharata
6. Satyaki, a warrior in the Yadava army, narrates the final phases of the battle of Mahabharata
7. Uddhav, a cousin and the closest friend of Krishna, narrates the final phase of Krishna’s life
One of the most important aspects of this book is that Krishna isn’t described as a supernatural being or God, but as an extraordinary human being, a charismatic leader and a philosopher-warrior. The book describes how he takes up many roles during his entire lifetime, and how every person he gets in touch with gets to understand only a part of him. In the end, the reader is left trying to weave all these parts of him together to try and figure out who Krishna was and why he did the things he did.
For me, the book started with Krishna being an enigma and I ended up with Krishna being even more of an enigma than he was before I started reading the book. Though I was much more aware about the events which take place in his life, but I couldn’t really understand the entire personality, which is also the note at which the book ends – Uddhav asking himself if anyone actually understood who Krishna really was.
It’s difficult to imagine the sheer effort, understanding and knowledge which would have gone into creating this book. Needless to say, it demands a lot of time and effort to read as well.
September 28, 2024
"കർണ്ണൻ " എന്ന പുസ്തകത്തിലൂടെ നമ്മുക്കെല്ലാം സുപരിചിതനായ മറാഠി എഴുത്തുകാരൻ ശിവാജി സാവന്തിന്റെ മറ്റൊരു masterpiece. ശ്രീകൃഷ്ണൻ, രുക്മിണി, ദാരുകൻ, ദ്രൗപതി, അർജ്ജുനൻ, സാത്യകി, ഉദ്ധവൻ എന്നിവർ നമ്മോട് നേരിട്ട് കഥപറയുന്ന രൂപത്തിൽ ഏഴു അധ്യായങ്ങളിലായി ആണ് പുസ്തകം രൂപകല്പന ചെയ്തിട്ടുള്ളത്. ജനനം തന്റെ ബാല്യം എന്നീ ഭാഗങ്ങൾ ഒന്നാം അധ്യായത്തിലൂടെ നമ്മോട് നേരിട്ട് പറഞ്ഞു തരികയാണ് ശ്രീകൃഷ്ണൻ. ജരാസന്ധ വധത്തിനുള്ള ശ്രമങ്ങൾ, ശ്രീകൃഷ്ണന്റെ അഷ്ട വിവാഹങ്ങൾ എന്നീ ഭാഗങ്ങൾ കുറച്ചു കൂടി വിശദമായി എഴുതാമായിരുന്നു എന്ന് തോന്നി.
പുസ്തകത്തിന്റെ രണ്ടാം പകുതി പ്രധാനമായും പാണ്ഡവരുയെയും ഹസ്തിനാപുരിയെയും ഇന്ദ്രപ്രസ്ഥത്തെയും ചുറ്റി പറ്റി മുന്നോട്ട് പോകുന്നു.
വളരെ മികച്ച ഒരു വായനാനുഭവം നൽകുന്ന ഈ പുസ്തകം പരിഭാഷ ചെയ്തത് പി. കെ. ചന്ദ്രനും, പ്രസിദ്ധീകരണം കേന്ദ്ര സാഹിത്യ അക്കാദമിയും ആണ്. എടുത്തു പറയത്തക്ക വിധം അച്ചടി പിശകുകൾ ഈ പുസ്തകത്തിൽ കാണാനാകും.
" രുക്മിണി ചേച്ചിയുടെ സ്വരം മുരളീരവം പോലെ മധുരതരമായിരുന്നു. അവർ എന്നെ പോലെ വെളുത്തിട്ടായിരുന്നില്ല. രക്തം തുടിക്കുന്ന ഒരു വെളുപ്പായിരുന്നു"( പേജ് 574). ദ്രൗപതി കറുത്ത നിറമുള്ള ആൾ ആണെന്ന് കുറച്ചു മുമ്പ് ആയിരുന്നു പറഞ്ഞു വെച്ചത്. " അവർ എന്നെ പോലെയായിരുന്നില്ല വെളുത്തിട്ടായിരുന്നു " എന്നായിരുന്നു വേണ്ടിയിരുന്നത് . ഇതുപോലെ പേജ് 854 ൽ ഇങ്ങനെ കാണാം " ഇത് കേട്ടതും യുധിഷ്ഠരർ വിദുരരുടെ കൈ വിട്ടു. അദ്ദേഹം ഇരു കൈകളും നീട്ടി ചിലമ്പിച്ച ശബ്ദത്തോടെ പറഞ്ഞു ' വരൂ പ്രിയപ്പെട്ട ഭീമസേനാ, മകനേ എന്നെ കെട്ടിപ്പുണർന്നാലും' " - ധൃതരാഷ്ട്രർ വിദുരരുടെ കൈ പിടിച്ചു വന്നു എന്ന് തൊട്ടു മുന്നത്തെ പേജിൽ പറയുന്നതും ചേർത്ത് വായിക്കുമ്പോൾ പിശക് മനസ്സിലാകും. ഇത്രയും ബ്രിഹത്തായ ഒരു കൃതി അതി മനോഹരമായി പരിഭാഷപ്പെടുത്തിയിട്ടും നല്ല ഒരു എഡിറ്ററെ കിട്ടിയില്ല എന്ന് ചിന്തിക്കുമ്പോൾ വിഷമം തോന്നുന്നു. ഇനി വരുന്ന പതിപ്പുകളിൽ ഈ തെറ്റുകൾ തിരുത്തി കാണാൻ ആഗ്രഹിക്കുന്നു.
പുരാണങ്ങൾ ഇഷ്ടപ്പെടുന്നവരും ശ്രീകൃഷ്ണനെ ഇഷ്ടപ്പെടുന്നവരും തീർച്ചയായും വായിച്ചിരിക്കേണ്ട പുസ്തകം ആണിത്.
പുസ്തകത്തിന്റെ രണ്ടാം പകുതി പ്രധാനമായും പാണ്ഡവരുയെയും ഹസ്തിനാപുരിയെയും ഇന്ദ്രപ്രസ്ഥത്തെയും ചുറ്റി പറ്റി മുന്നോട്ട് പോകുന്നു.
വളരെ മികച്ച ഒരു വായനാനുഭവം നൽകുന്ന ഈ പുസ്തകം പരിഭാഷ ചെയ്തത് പി. കെ. ചന്ദ്രനും, പ്രസിദ്ധീകരണം കേന്ദ്ര സാഹിത്യ അക്കാദമിയും ആണ്. എടുത്തു പറയത്തക്ക വിധം അച്ചടി പിശകുകൾ ഈ പുസ്തകത്തിൽ കാണാനാകും.
" രുക്മിണി ചേച്ചിയുടെ സ്വരം മുരളീരവം പോലെ മധുരതരമായിരുന്നു. അവർ എന്നെ പോലെ വെളുത്തിട്ടായിരുന്നില്ല. രക്തം തുടിക്കുന്ന ഒരു വെളുപ്പായിരുന്നു"( പേജ് 574). ദ്രൗപതി കറുത്ത നിറമുള്ള ആൾ ആണെന്ന് കുറച്ചു മുമ്പ് ആയിരുന്നു പറഞ്ഞു വെച്ചത്. " അവർ എന്നെ പോലെയായിരുന്നില്ല വെളുത്തിട്ടായിരുന്നു " എന്നായിരുന്നു വേണ്ടിയിരുന്നത് . ഇതുപോലെ പേജ് 854 ൽ ഇങ്ങനെ കാണാം " ഇത് കേട്ടതും യുധിഷ്ഠരർ വിദുരരുടെ കൈ വിട്ടു. അദ്ദേഹം ഇരു കൈകളും നീട്ടി ചിലമ്പിച്ച ശബ്ദത്തോടെ പറഞ്ഞു ' വരൂ പ്രിയപ്പെട്ട ഭീമസേനാ, മകനേ എന്നെ കെട്ടിപ്പുണർന്നാലും' " - ധൃതരാഷ്ട്രർ വിദുരരുടെ കൈ പിടിച്ചു വന്നു എന്ന് തൊട്ടു മുന്നത്തെ പേജിൽ പറയുന്നതും ചേർത്ത് വായിക്കുമ്പോൾ പിശക് മനസ്സിലാകും. ഇത്രയും ബ്രിഹത്തായ ഒരു കൃതി അതി മനോഹരമായി പരിഭാഷപ്പെടുത്തിയിട്ടും നല്ല ഒരു എഡിറ്ററെ കിട്ടിയില്ല എന്ന് ചിന്തിക്കുമ്പോൾ വിഷമം തോന്നുന്നു. ഇനി വരുന്ന പതിപ്പുകളിൽ ഈ തെറ്റുകൾ തിരുത്തി കാണാൻ ആഗ്രഹിക്കുന്നു.
പുരാണങ്ങൾ ഇഷ്ടപ്പെടുന്നവരും ശ്രീകൃഷ്ണനെ ഇഷ്ടപ്പെടുന്നവരും തീർച്ചയായും വായിച്ചിരിക്കേണ്ട പുസ്തകം ആണിത്.
July 27, 2024
4.5/5
A beautiful read. The only part that bored me a bit was the description of Krishna's children narrated in Uddhav's chapter. As such the names are all so confusing and they do not appear again in any significant way except for one. Otherwise a very good flow of Krishna's life at various stages through the characters present in those stages of his life - Krishna, Rukmini, Daruk, Draupadi, Satyaki, Arjun and Uddhav. I gave this a 0.5 points less because I liked Mrityunjay a bit better.
A beautiful read. The only part that bored me a bit was the description of Krishna's children narrated in Uddhav's chapter. As such the names are all so confusing and they do not appear again in any significant way except for one. Otherwise a very good flow of Krishna's life at various stages through the characters present in those stages of his life - Krishna, Rukmini, Daruk, Draupadi, Satyaki, Arjun and Uddhav. I gave this a 0.5 points less because I liked Mrityunjay a bit better.
October 28, 2024
I read the translation in English by Kadambini Dharap.
The translation is excellent and I enjoyed reading the book very much. There were so many details that I didn't know about.
The translation is excellent and I enjoyed reading the book very much. There were so many details that I didn't know about.
August 9, 2020
The only reason I am rating it 3 is for the idea and the original text. This translation is a major let down and does not do one bit justice to the original composition.
Shivaji Sawant does a wonderful job of describing Sri Krishna the orchestrator of the entire Mahabharata, his motives, his life and his kingdom. But much is lost in this English translation and I felt a lot was left desired for.
The excessive veneration for Lord Krishna and even more excessive is the adjectives used for most characters, that puts me off. This translation is dealt with as a holy text and not as a Novel and that's the major let down. I am not reading about Krishna the God but Krishna the human with a lot of clarity about life, politics and valour.
This translator treats it with reverence but this book could have been handled better. I wish the publisher had managed to stop when they could.
Leaves me disappointed, this translation.
Shivaji Sawant does a wonderful job of describing Sri Krishna the orchestrator of the entire Mahabharata, his motives, his life and his kingdom. But much is lost in this English translation and I felt a lot was left desired for.
The excessive veneration for Lord Krishna and even more excessive is the adjectives used for most characters, that puts me off. This translation is dealt with as a holy text and not as a Novel and that's the major let down. I am not reading about Krishna the God but Krishna the human with a lot of clarity about life, politics and valour.
This translator treats it with reverence but this book could have been handled better. I wish the publisher had managed to stop when they could.
Leaves me disappointed, this translation.
September 24, 2013
सर्वस्व दिले जाते, मनापासून केले जाते तेव्हाच या प्रकारची साहित्यकृती निर्माण होते.
कृष्णाचे चरित्र काय ? माहीतच आहे असे स्वाभाविकपणे वाटते.
पण वाटणे आणि असणे यातील फरक अशा ग्रंथांमुळे लक्षात येतो.
शिवाजी सावंतांची शैली खरोखर वेड लावणारी आहे, पण असे वेड लागणेही चांगलेच असावे.
चमत्काराशिवाय कृष्णचरित्र मांडण्याचे अद्वितीय कार्य या कादंबरीद्वारे झाले आहे.
कादंबरीतील उद्धवाची व्यक्तिरेखा विशेष स्पर्शून गेली,
परंतु कर्णाला कृष्णा इतकाच मोठेपणा मृत्युंजय च्या प्रभावामुळे द्यावा लागला असे कुठेतरी जाणवले.
अप्रसिद्ध प्रसंग, सात पात्रांद्वारे मांडणी हि वैशिष्ट्ये आहेतच,
पण त्या काळातील घटनांची आजच्या काळातील घटनांशी जुळणारी साधर्म्यता
हा एक शाब्दिक चमत्कार आहे.
कृष्णाचे चरित्र काय ? माहीतच आहे असे स्वाभाविकपणे वाटते.
पण वाटणे आणि असणे यातील फरक अशा ग्रंथांमुळे लक्षात येतो.
शिवाजी सावंतांची शैली खरोखर वेड लावणारी आहे, पण असे वेड लागणेही चांगलेच असावे.
चमत्काराशिवाय कृष्णचरित्र मांडण्याचे अद्वितीय कार्य या कादंबरीद्वारे झाले आहे.
कादंबरीतील उद्धवाची व्यक्तिरेखा विशेष स्पर्शून गेली,
परंतु कर्णाला कृष्णा इतकाच मोठेपणा मृत्युंजय च्या प्रभावामुळे द्यावा लागला असे कुठेतरी जाणवले.
अप्रसिद्ध प्रसंग, सात पात्रांद्वारे मांडणी हि वैशिष्ट्ये आहेतच,
पण त्या काळातील घटनांची आजच्या काळातील घटनांशी जुळणारी साधर्म्यता
हा एक शाब्दिक चमत्कार आहे.
July 27, 2016
Can't find any words to review this book. This book has somewhat changed my thinking about Indian religion and Gods. Even the Gods have to obey all the natural laws when they come to this planet as an Avatar. Even they have to face good times and tough times just as we do. So why should we complain.?All we can do is to keep doing our Karma and leave the result on the almighty. After reading this book I feel so blessed to know how to read Hindi .
December 21, 2018
Its a story of SriKrishna told by himself and persons close to him Rukmini, Daruk , Arjun , Draupadi ,Satyaki and Uddhav. I i immersed myself into the life of Srikrishna as i read the book and enjoyed it.
Its a masterpiece.
Its a masterpiece.
Read
August 31, 2012i like it...
May 5, 2013
It gives a different perespective to see our own life in different way
January 29, 2015
Very Good
October 15, 2015
Very nice novel.
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