The Cowherd Prince

by Krishna Udayasankar

Govinda Shauri always has a plan.

Govinda, son of Nanda-one of the many cowherds in the verdant kingdom of Surasena, in Aryavarta-was content with his tough but wonderful life. That was until the king’s men came looking for him and his brother, Balabadra, spewing death and destruction in their wake.

Forced to leave behind those they love in order to save them, the brothers are now on the run-all the while being hunted by the tyrant king, Kans, and his bloodthirsty adviser, Chanuran, who will stop at nothing to kill them.

Even as their journey reveals Govinda’s true identity as a prince and the rightful heir to the Surasena crown, it pulls them deeper into the murky secrets surrounding the throne-and its bloody legacy.

What will it take for an ordinary cowherd boy to grow into a master strategist who will always have a plan?

352 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2020

Reviews

[Vishnu Chevli]

If you have read my review of books based on Mahabharata, you must be aware that I rarely skip book that is remotely related to epic. The very first retelling I read was from Krishna Udayasankar, and I was delighted. Unfortunately, I missed a chance to get two more books from that series. The God was gracious; I got 3rd party of that trilogy and was impressed by the author's work. And when I came to know that prequel to the series is about to get released, I didn't want to miss the chance. I like to thank the author for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Those who have read Mahabharata or any book on Krishna avatars knew most of the author either stretch Krishna's childhood days or after he met Pandavas. Rarely you will find a book which talks about what happened during his younger days, how he became a prince from a common cowherd. Thanks to Krishna (author), I got a chance to read a novelty. This book is more focused on that part of Krishna's life.

As usual, the book started with the background/prologue of firstborn v/s firewrights. Those who have read the series are aware of the concept. For first-timers, the author has shown two knowledge sects, which makes the building block of the plot for 3 books. As I mentioned, the story covers the part of Govinda's life that gave him the title of a great leader and politician. The author has introduced suspense and thrill by bringing Govinda's missing family and his revenge into the story. Few major characters apart from Govinda, who has shone brightly, were Balbhadra, Yuyudhana, and Nanda. Each chapter brought a new set of characters or plot; you won't find repetition. Throughout the book, you will enjoy changes that come with a new chapter.

There are thousands of authors trying to recreate or Hindu mythological stories. But only a few got success. It requires a good combination of plot conceptualization, political inclusion, connection with original epics, theological or philosophical aspects. I have read more than 100 books on mythological fiction, but if I have to recommend the top 5 books series, Aryavarta Chronicles has made its place along with Meluha by Amish & Ajaya by Anand.

Coming to writing style, the story progresses at a medium to fast pace. Krishna's usage of language is mixed type, I mean not too plain at the same time not too difficult. If you are a fan of such books, I strongly recommend this book to you.

The series is good enough to be adopted. I think I saw the news that screening rights were auctioned to Sonam Kapoor, but I haven't seen any further news. If time permits, I will make a video for this series.

Overall 4.75 out 5 to this wonderful book.

[Sahitya]

It’s probably more of a 4.5.

This is a very common term that I use in my reviews - “as a self proclaimed Mahabharata fan” - but it is true because I love reading any versions of the epic I can get my hands on. One such reimagination that really captivated me was the Aryavarta Chronicles, so when I saw that the author was releasing a prequel featuring my favorite character from the trilogy, I knew I had to read it. It was disappointing to see that the book didn’t have a US release but the author was very sweet and sent me an eARC, and I’m so thankful for the opportunity.

Govinda Shauri was an absolute enigma in the original trilogy and I was completely in love with his character, and this book only cemented my love for him even more. The author doesn’t start off the story from his birth or from his parent’s imprisonment like most Krishna’s stories go - this describes only a few important incidents that lead to Govinda’s first trip to Mathura, and I thought it was a great choice by the author. This makes for a very fast paced plot, with life changing events happening at breakneck speed, keeping me totally hooked and unable to put the book down. And just like the trilogy, there are also a lot of political and philosophical arguments which I thoroughly enjoyed, and some of the themes related to oppression, the greed for power, the importance of building movements for and by the common people - these all touched a nerve, especially in the aftermath of the American election and all the shenanigans happening around.

Govinda as a character is hard not to love - he is charming, intelligent, has a way with words that can convince anyone, a strong conviction to defy the laws of the land put forth by the powerful and do something bigger for the welfare of the many - this sense of justice in his heart is so well articulated by the author in the dialogue that I felt mesmerized and kept wishing him to succeed in all his schemes. Balabhadra on the other hand may seem like he doesn’t like the person his brother is becoming, but their bond is unbreakable and I enjoyed watching them anticipate each other’s thoughts and act accordingly. There were quite a few other impactful side characters, but I particularly enjoyed the banter between Govinda and Yuyudhana, and how their relationship changed from being adversaries to one full of trust.

In conclusion, this is very engaging tale of how a common man came to be a master strategist and kingmaker within this world of Aryavarta, and it is full of memorable characters and intense situations, and even more unforgettable thought provoking discussions that feel very relevant to our real world. I really hope that the author has plans to continue this prequel into a series because I’m not ready to let it go yet.

[Viju]

The epic Mahabharata fascinates me. I also believe that one can never get enough of the epic. There have been many many adaptations of the epic with many interpretations. There have also been narratives from different characters’ points of view. Those who follow me on Goodreads will be aware that Yuganta, Bhima – Lone Warrior and Yajnaseni are three of my favorite Mahabharata reads.

In late 2014 and early 2015, I chanced upon Krishna Udayasankar’s Aryavarta trilogy (review for the third book Kurukshetra here). The Aryavarta trilogy gave yet another dimension to the already ‘epic’ epic in the form of background tales of ‘FireWrights’ and ‘Secret Keeper’. I had written - "A retelling of the Mahabharatha standing in a very stable way in a very new realm, including a (fictitious) plot point that mostly works, Aryavarta Chronicles is a wonderful journey from start to finish." So when I learnt that the author had written a prequel to the trilogy called The Cowherd Prince, I was quite intrigued to read up about it and read it as well. The author (and the publisher) were kind enough to provide me with a eARC (electronic Advance Read Copy).

Most interpretations of Mahabharata about Krishna’s birth and upbringing focus on the time that Krishna spends in Gokul as a part of his childhood. This is mostly seen as a jolly good time with him eating butter, being the cowherd, saving the village from heavy rains by lifting the Govardhanagiri and using it as a shelter, attacking the multi-hooded snake Kaliya and the like. All of this are prior to him heading to Mathura to seek revenge on his uncle Kamsa/Kans. It is this interim period in the life of Govinda (or Krishna) that is captured in The Cowherd Prince.

The book begins with a (sort of) fight between the dwellers of one of many villages in Surasena and possible spies from Mathura (which is revealed later) and sets the stage for the rest of the book. The equation between Govinda, his father Nanda and his brother Balabadra is set very earlier on in the book. The approach taken by the book following the initial search by the king’s men, why the king’s men came looking for him, who are the master strategists in the kingdom, and the search by Govinda for his family (including his sister) is what forms the book.

The aspect of the book that worked for me in terms of the storyline was the non-deification of Govinda (as seen in many adaptations) and the realistic portrayal of him as both a cowherd and an ‘accidental prince’. He is not perfect and has a range of desires, but has a planned course of action to seek revenge for his family. He is ably supported by Balabhadra, Akuran, Yuydhana and the brothers Dhaumya and Devala against the king Kans and his men. There are multiple places where the strategy by Govinda gets a little convoluted but at the end of the day, the victory is achieved by them.

The second aspect of the book that works well, as is the case with Krishna Udayasankar’s other books is the language. It is not overtly complex nor overly simple and the reader is able to focus on the happenings in the book than be bothered by sentence construction or unfamiliar words. The research that went into the book in the form of the references and the path at the author followed to write the book also makes for good reading (definitely shows the author believes that the Mahabharata has many a story to be told).

One thing I would like with the book is perhaps a dramatis personae type write up or a family map, since it can get confusing for some people who may not be familiar with Mahabharata as such and/or may know the character names slightly differently.

I enjoyed the book in two sittings and I certainly hope there is a sequel to this since there is definitely the Jarasandha piece of the story that needs to be told.

Nov 16: Detailed review coming up.

Between a 3 and 4. Getting back to Mahabharata after long :-)

[Deepan Maitra]

“The Cowherd Prince” strikes a chord in a sense befitting of a premise, that leads up to a meticulously crafted adventure to follow—which is the Aryavarta Chronicles. Not having read the series, I majorly wanted to inhale the scent of the book like I inhale the fragrance of an unknown wildflower in my known garden. A confusion came to me—do I take this book as something to be read after someone has read the books in the Aryavarta Chronicles, or is it to be devoured as a fresh start to something exciting? Turns out, a reader can choose to do both.

Over the years, Krishna has garnered immense sophistication—as the god who is sometimes seen beside his beloved Radha, sometimes dancing with the calves with a flute, but also as a warrior deft in the art of military warfare and politics. Govinda is also seen as a master tactician, with intelligence like a gleaming edge of a sword, who convinces and enchants people by his charm—to ultimately become a figure who induces awe and devotion.

Contrary to the other deities, I had always kept Krishna on a somewhat friendly pedestal, someone who is a charismatic companion to all sorts of people. His mischief that glints like gold among his mature decisions, his friskiness and playfulness, and also his comfort at wielding worldly power, bestowed upon him as a bright incarnation. All these made Govinda stay with me ageless and without any hesitation, sparking curiosity and joy.

Udayasankar’s Govinda is a manifestation of all philosophies that Krishna has been associated with over the years, with such associations decorating her character with gleaming traits and distinctions. Quite far from setting up Krishna as a flawless deity who roots for devotion, Udayasankar’s Govinda is an identity negligibly divine, but with the same promising charm. Govinda’s character shines bright through his effortless charisma, through his utter kindness and luminous acceptance. His sense of justice, his affection for his dear ones, his anchorage at dignity and his innocence— time after time we are reminded of these, as the author sets us off into an adventure hard to forget.

The books stepping stone in every segment is always a transition from one dramatic setting to another, with the characters moving in and out of the stage crafting conversations and administering ploys. A lot in the book is told through its mastery in constructing immaculate, diverse strategies and innovative, jagged backdrops to make the events resonate even more. Within every part of the story, there is a vibrating thrill of something building up in the hindsight, of some conspiracy happening parallelly and some sub-plot starting to show its true colours. Truly enough, “The Cowherd Prince” strikes a chord with its massive innovation and well-supervised emphasis on building the story and taking it forward.

The riskiest part of the story was perhaps recasting Krishna into the humane Govinda, without indulging in alterations which might make the characterization essence barely recognizable. There could also have been much toil in making this fictitious retelling curve itself around some basic standpoints which define the main mythical tale, but also adding in embellishments to modernize the perspectives. Udayasankar’s book can therefore be cited as an exemplary work where there is bewilderment in demarcating innovation from all things traditional, and defining the differences between what is told and what is made of it. Creative liberty dances in the pages, but the fragrance of textual adherences often wafts in.

Even with the avalanche of information sometimes taking the liberty to baffle the readers a little, Udayasankar’s story maintains a stronghold in its execution. She lets her characters play around in bounded zones of moral dilemmas, but she also sometimes lets them wander off into unfamiliar arenas teeming with surprises. This seepage of carefully arranged sub-plots into one another, coupled with a progressive lift that allows the main climax to come closer and closer—urges us to witness the story, and not just read it on paper.

Refinement and balance are the pillars supporting the storyline like no other. The character set is distinct and solid, each equipped with shades of clarity and fuzziness, providing a comfortable blend of their respective roles into the primary plot. Their web of allegiances and loyalties is complex both in physical and emotional senses, and it is hard to place them in zones of black or white. Unpredictable and marvellously agile, these characters are hard to forget. In this colourful mythical fantasy, the psychological transition of Govinda from a cowherd boy to an ‘accidental prince’ is what is most attractive. This is the side of Krishna which is often rushed or overlooked, and in the original tale, we are almost never given the freedom of gazing at Govinda as he transforms his agencies to suit the need of the hour, and the welfare of his kinsmen. ‘The Cowherd Prince’ attempts to provide to us just that—a teleportation into the surroundings that shape and mould Govinda, and makes him assert his choices while keeping true to his promises.

Thanks to the author for the review copy.

[Priyaranjan Mohan]

Spell bounding Book !!


I never thought it would be such a great novel, finished it in one day. The author Krishna Udayasankar has written the book brilliantly and each character is beyond perfect and you would get drowned in their world. There are very few authors who can create an image of the characters in front of your eye and tell a story like you are watching a movie.  Portrayal of all the characters are effortlessly brilliant. The language  of the book is simple and easy to understand. The cover of the book is apt to the story of the book. Simply unputdownable.


Highly recommended!!

[Prashant Singh]

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗮 𝗕𝘆 𝗞𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗻𝗮 𝗨𝗱𝗮𝘆𝗮𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗮𝗿.

The story revolves around Krishna/Govinda, his set of experiences and every little thing about him. It shows a deep understanding of his relationship with his brother Balabadra. He had a love-hate relationship with him because of the difference of opinions on numerous occasions but no disdain ever existed between them. This book is a prequel to another excellent book ‘Govinda’ and that’s why, this story focuses more on his upbringing, youth and other significant events in his life.

How is it unique in comparison with different books based on Krishna? All things considered, this book keeps itself mostly consistent with the occasions of Mahabharata but this book concerns more about his personal journey from being a cowherd to a leader, politician and a prince. If you read this book, at that point, I bet you'll come to think about a ton of occasions that formed Krishna and regardless of whether you're mindful of a couple of even then one would enjoy perusing it from an alternate point of view.

I’d say that an incredible depiction of characters, good pace, and how the writer has composed the story will keep you hooked throughout. I must not forget to mention the epic action scenes the story has. You’ve to read it to feel it. When I was reading the story I nearly lost myself and felt I'm there in the story who is encountering each rush of it. Finally, I'd say that a ton of authors delve into the niche of mythological fiction. However, only a few of those make something worth reading out of it. In this case, Krishna Udayasankar has truly outdone himself. Worth a read. MUST BUY.

[Anitha Perinchery]

THE MAKING OF A GOD

I returned to Indian litt sometime in 2013/2014 because of Aryavarta Chronicles. What a thrill it was to finally read the same story of awesome heroism with none of the absurd/supernatural (or both) excuses offered for morally gray acts and all of the politics—dirty and otherwise—scrutinized under a microscope. I’ve been waiting for Cowherd Prince since then.

The book was worth the wait. ***SPOILER TERRITORY*** Let me start by saying I’m very happy the author chose to present Govinda in his late teens rather than the clothes-stealing butter thief. The opening scene should be very familiar to those who know the Krishna story, but the book pulls you into a world very different from the calendar backgrounds we’re used to. The reader is almost a part of the crowd watching the encounter with Kaliya. It only gets better from there with some characters from Aryavarta Chronicles showing up to give us a hint of the politics of the land. We meet the usual suspects from the various Yadava clans through Govinda’s eyes—Kubja, Yuyudhana, Kans, and of course Nanda and Balabhadra.

With Govinda, we are pained by the injustice happening all around. We’re there when he decides he will not give up without a fight. We’re there when Govinda, the cowherd, becomes Govinda Shauri, warrior and philosopher, leader and politician, man and myth.

Rating and recommendation: 5/5, highly recommended.

P.S. The point where the book ended makes me hopeful there will be a follow up story.

P.P.S. I loved the small glimpse of Panchali (or the girl who would be her).

[Read 4 Me]

The story is all about Krishna/Govinda, his experiences and everything. Their relationship with Balabadra reveals a profound understanding. He had a love-hate relationship with him on several occasions due to the disparity, but there was never any disdain among them.
🙏Krishna has been highly sophisticated over the years, often dancing with the calves with the flute, but also as a warrior committed to military warfare and politics alongside his beloved Radha. Govinda also sees him as a master tactician, mentally as gleaming as a sword that persuades people with his charisma and enchants them—to eventually becoming a figure that contributes to respect and dedication.
🙏In introducing Govinda's missing family and vengeance into the plot, the author has brought tension and thrill. Apart from the luminous Govinda, Balbhadra, Yuyudhana and Nanda were some of the main characters. There is a new collection of characters or story for each chapter; there will be no replica.
🙏The best thing about this book is the lovely prose that makes you feel like you live there. What I thought was an indication that a novel will excel. You'll get lost in the book. You love this book whether you're a mythology or Mahabaratha lover.

[Bharathi Ramasubban]

''Because I can.' ❤️
I was actually hesitant to read the cowherd prince. It's been 6 years since the last book of the Aryavarta chronicles. So much has changed. I have changed. Would Govinda have changed as well? Would I still love him as I had before? How well would we pick up where we left off? But Krishna and Govinda always have a plan! The eternal universe conspired to make me love this conflicted hero all the more.

As someone who has read a lot of Indian mytho fiction, I can confidently say Krishna Udayasankar's writing is one of the most nuanced. Case in point: the meeting of Govinda and Kubja or Trivakra.

Weaving in issues like migration for livelihood, the plight of the urban poor and social justice seem organic and not forced. It doesn't seem impossible to believe for centuries or millennia we have been making the same mistakes and never learning from them.

The cowherd prince was such a fabulous read! Did a one sitting book after such a long time and it was totally worth it! Now after that epilogue, I'm waiting for more. I hope not for too long.🤞🏼

[Salmaa Gafoor]

I am a big fan of Mahabaratha and I always enjoyed reading retellings of it.And The Cowheard Prince is one of the best I've read.

Cowherd prince is the prequel of the book Govinda ,Which in looking forward to read next .

Udayashankars story telling is par excellence and she has weaved the plots in a fascinating way that you will never find a lag .You will easily get hooked to the book.

This book revolves around Krishna and his brother Balabadra.Govinda is loved by everyone and reading this book will increase your love for him.In this book you will get to know a different side of him.

The bond between Krishna and Balabadra is beautifully portrayed despite of the contrasting opinions and behavior.The still remain inseparable.

The best thing about this book is the beautiful writing, it makes you feel like your living in that moment. Which I believe is a sign of success for a book.You will get lost in the book.

If you are a fan of mythology or Mahabaratha you will love this book.

[Divya]

Do you love the epic story of Mahabharata? How about Krishna's childhood story? Here you go with this book!!

The Cowherd Prince: The Prequel to Govinda by author Krishna Udayasankar is a mythological tales about Govinda and his brother Balabadra. It also tells about various characters and each of them are well defined.

His childhood battles with mystic demon Kesi and seprant Kaliya and many small events has beautifully put down by the author.

The narration of the book is amazing with a crisp and interesting writing style. The language used is simple and lucid.

Overall good book to know about Govinda's childhood life events.

Read this book to discover more about Govinda's mythological tales.

[Namrita Sharma]

This is the story about Govinda, a cowherd in the Surasena kingdom in Aryavarta. One day, king's men came in his village to search him and his brother Balabadra. Then another story starts with Akruran, commander-in-
chief of kingdom and the other one was of Chanuran, advisor of king. And when all meet together, the battle becomes amazing.

Overall, the story was really good to read and the book cover was also very attractive. I loved the way the stories unfolded and then jumbled across to give a proper closure to everything. The writing style is phenomenal and the character building is also commendable. The language was a bit tough for me but soon I got hold to it as well. Overall, a brilliant book.

[Priyal Agrawal]

The book was good....not exceptional...but good...
In all fairness the book got me out of my reading slump so ...yeah...good...
Also, i couldn't sleep think how the author has used... unusual words...like ire and some other such which made me wonder if the author used the thesaurus quite a bit...but yeah good...I'm sure it would increase the vocab of alot of people...
All in all...good book....would love to read more work by this author

[Srinivas Nidugondi]

The writing by Krishna Udaya Sankara where she humanises all characters of Mahabharata makes for fascinating reading.
The prequel to the trilogy is brilliant - the way she describes Kaliya Mardhan or the killing of Kansa.
I would have loved if the author had continued the story all the way to Dwarka...

[Govind]

It's great to revisit the world of the Aryavarta Chronicles! I would definitely want to read more books set in this universe.

Would like to revisit the older books and refresh my memory of the politics of the series.

[Namitha]

More please

The whole series is excellent. Looking forward for more books in this world, govinda is a inspiration to us al

[R chatterjee]

A fast paced narrative in a world devoid of magic and myth but draws heavily on the epic to add depth to essentially shallow characters.