Rankshetram part 5

Rankshetram #5

by Utkarsh Srivastava

आर्यावर्त के विभिन्न राज्यों के एक एक प्रांत में सात सात मायावी असुरों को भेजा गया। तीन प्रमुख नीतियों द्वारा मानव को मानव का शत्रु बनाकर उनकी संस्कृति को तुच्छ सिद्ध करके असुर संस्कृति के व्यापक फैलाव का षड्यंत्र रचा गया। कितने ही राजा या तो मारे गये, या अपना सिंहासन छोड़कर भाग गये। पाँच असुर महारथियों की रची प्रपंच कथाओं ने असुरेश्वर दुर्भीक्ष को भी ये विश्वास दिला दिया कि भटके हुये मानवों को असुर संस्कृति के आधीन करना आवश्यक है। इस उद्देश्य की पूर्ति हेतु दुर्भीक्ष ने अपने एकमात्र बचे वंशज विदर्भराज शत्रुंजय को सम्राट बनाने का संकल्प लिया। उसके इस संकल्प का प्रतिरोध करने और मानव संस्कृति के रक्षण के लिए पौरवराज भरत अपने सारे मित्र राजाओं को लेकर विदर्भ से युद्ध की घोषणा कर देते हैं। वहीं असुरेश्वर दुर्भीक्ष भी अपनी समस्त सेना जुटाकर युद्ध की चुनौती स्वीकार करता है। युद्ध से पूर्व दुर्भीक्ष ब्रह्मऋषि विश्वामित्र के पास आकर उनके दिये हुये वचन का स्मरण कराता है। विश्वामित्र उसे विश्वास दिलाते हैं कि युद्ध के अंत में उसके समक्ष दो विकल्प आयेंगे। उस समय अपने माने हुये धर्म का अनुसरण करते हुये यदि दुर्भीक्ष ने उचित विकल्प का चुनाव किया तो वो स्वयं उसके एकमात्र वंशज शत्रुंजय का रक्षण करेंगे। तत्पश्चात दण्डकारण्य की भूमि पर आरंभ होता है ऐसा भीषण महासमर, जिसमें रणचंडी के युगों की प्यास बुझाने का सामर्थ्य है। क्या होंगे वो दो विकल्प जिसका चुनाव केवल दुर्भीक्ष का ही नहीं अपितु समग्र मनुजजाति का प्रारब्ध तय करेगा?

Unknown Binding

First published January 27, 2021

Reviews

[Vishnu Chevli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rankshetram by Utkarsh Shrivastava has covered the longest distance in terms of storyline and characters. I haven't come across any such novel with so many subplots and characters in modern Hindi literature. With its 5 volumes, the series has developed a giant storyline. I think it is an ideal candidate for animation adaption for the younger generation.

Coming to the latest part in the series, that is "Dandkaranya Sangram". Utkarsh has given proper weight to the finale. He has used the stage of the finale to bind all loose ends of the series. As mentioned in the blurb, the war was inevitable, and Durbhiksh decided to support Asura, Danava & Rakshasa. But his good deeds were not washed away completely, merits of his good deeds earned him consideration from mighty Vishwamitra, read the book to know more.

I have shared already in reviews of the previous 2 parts, how the author and series evolved with each part. The maturity of writing plots, fights, and conversation are visible. The best proofs are conversations of various characters over philosophical and social topics. Weaknesses that I found in numbers initially became rare as the series progressed.

If you love to read Hindi action series then you should try this one.

Rating for this part 3.75 out of 5
Rating for whole series 3.5 out of 5

[Literature World · Rating 5 out of 5]

दंडकारण्य संग्राम रणक्षेत्रम कथा का पांचवा व अंतिम भाग है। दंडकारण्य संग्राम पौरवो व असुरों के बीच अंतिम महासंग्राम है। कहानी की शुरुआत में असुरों द्वारा मानव जाति के बीच षड्यंत्र फैलाया जाता है जिससे मानव ही मानव का दुश्मन बन जाता है अपने राज्य में अराजकता फैलते देख राजा वहां से भागने लगते हैं और असुर अपना आधिपत्य जमाने लगते हैं। पांच असुरों द्वारा झूठी कथा सुनाकर दुर्भिक्ष को यह विश्वास दिलाया जाता है कि भटके हुए मानवों को वश में करना आवश्यक है और दुर्भिक्ष शत्रुंजय को सम्राट बनाने का संकल्प लेता है। वहीं दूसरी और पौरव राज भरत मानव जाति के रक्षण के लिए युद्ध की घोषणा करते हैं और असुरों व पौरवो में महासंग्राम प्रारंभ होता है । आगे क्या शत्रुंजय या भरत में से कौन सम्राट बनेगा ? दुर्भिक्ष का क्या होगा? किसकी विजय होगी?

पुस्तक की लेखन शैली उत्कृष्ट है लेखक ने कहानी को हर नजरिए से लोगों के सामने प्रस्तुत किया है। अगर आप इसका एक भी पार्ट पढ़ेंगे तो आप पूरे पार्ट पढ़े बिना नहीं रह सकेंगे।

[Garima Bhatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Rankshetram (Part - 5) Dandkaranya Sangram", is the fifth and the last book of the astonishing series we went through. I am very positive that all of those who read the past books of this series would not miss reading this one too.
Utkarsh Srivastava's books caught my attention immediately and I can't put them down.
In this book, a conspiracy is spread by the Asuras among the human race, due to which the human becomes the enemy of the human being, seeing the chaos spreading in his kingdom, the kings start running away and the Asuras start to establish their hegemony.
By telling a false story by the five Asuras, Durbheeksha is made to believe that it is necessary to tame the misguided human beings and Durbheeksha resolves to make Shatrunjaya the emperor.
On the other hand, Paurav Raj Bharat declares war for the protection of mankind and a great battle begins between the Asuras and the Pauravas.
Most part of the final volume is based on the stories of the Seven Days' War and the night associated with it.
Great hidden messages in these stories, perfect for teaching younger readers, and reminders for older readers.
Author Utkarsh Srivastava has written all the parts of Rankshetram beautifully and the readers will never get bored of.
Since the first day of reading the first book of this series, I had drawn great interest towards it and I must admit, it's all worth it.

I would definitely recommend this book of the Rankshetram series to everyone out there. I am very sure that you will love all the books in this series.
Take a step to read amazing mythological stories by Utkarsh Srivastava.

[Sheetal Maurya - Godse (Halo of Books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book opens up with the death of King Dushyant. Meghvarn, Chandraketu, Digvijay, Sarvdaman, Mahabali Akhand, and others are discussing the violence increasing in different parts of the country. So they make a plan to combat this.

After this, they conclude that Bhairavnath is behind all these things and soon they got to know that the spirit of Subahu is in the body of Shatrunjay but Durbheeksh has vowed to protect his nephew. Still, they inform Durbheeksh about this, but he doesn’t believe in them.

Soon, they got to know that Digvijay’s sister has been killed by Upnand. Citing all these reasons and creating a country under one leader, the decision of war is declared.

Soon, the day of war has arrived and many of the innocent lose their life.

But who is going to win? What would be the fate of Durbheeksh? Where is Rakshraj Markesh? Will the country come under one leadership? Read this book to know the answers.

My perception:

This book series is a great saga, this book takes the readers to a different realm where everyone is fighting to keep their existence alive. The story of Danav, Rakaksh, Manav, Gandharv is beautifully portrayed by Utkarsh. Writing a series like this is not easy but Utkarsh has managed it, Kudos to you Utkarsh for writing this beautiful series and giving me a chance to read it.

You must have read various international fantasy books, but this regional fantasy book series is something which you need to read soon. I would like to see this series as a film or animation. 😊

I hope Utkarsh will bring another great series again. Till then, readers do not forget to read this book, this is a must-read.