ARJUNA : Journey towards Heaven, Ending in Hell by Dhanika Sharma
ARJUNA : Journey towards Heaven, Ending in Hell
by Dhanika Sharma
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My Rating 4.4/5
Synopsis
The Mahabharata like you’ve never known it before! In this contemporary retelling, Sarita
Sharma narrates the story of India’s grandest epic from an insider perspective, in this case, from the perspective of the great warrior-hero, Arjuna.
In the last years of their life, Arjuna, his siblings and wife set out to attain moksha. To his shock, Arjuna finds himself in hell, for reasons he cannot fathom. Alone in a numbing darkness, he has all the time to introspect on his life, relationships, accomplishments and failures. Arjuna’s narrative strings together a series of character profiles of his family members and other prominent characters from the epic. It’s a no-holds-barred, psychological interpretation of their personalities, motivation and behaviour, warts and all. Interspersed with these recollections are fascinating, little-known back stories from the epic, set against the backdrop of the cities and forests of Aryavarta.
Courage and honour, dharma and power, love and sacrifice, anger and pride—the Mahabharata’s celebrated themes weave through Arjuna’s narrative as it goes back and forth in time, its ancient wisdom enlivened with modern touches.
Sharma narrates the story of India’s grandest epic from an insider perspective, in this case, from the perspective of the great warrior-hero, Arjuna.
In the last years of their life, Arjuna, his siblings and wife set out to attain moksha. To his shock, Arjuna finds himself in hell, for reasons he cannot fathom. Alone in a numbing darkness, he has all the time to introspect on his life, relationships, accomplishments and failures. Arjuna’s narrative strings together a series of character profiles of his family members and other prominent characters from the epic. It’s a no-holds-barred, psychological interpretation of their personalities, motivation and behaviour, warts and all. Interspersed with these recollections are fascinating, little-known back stories from the epic, set against the backdrop of the cities and forests of Aryavarta.
Courage and honour, dharma and power, love and sacrifice, anger and pride—the Mahabharata’s celebrated themes weave through Arjuna’s narrative as it goes back and forth in time, its ancient wisdom enlivened with modern touches.
My Thoughts
I have rarely delved into the world of Indian Mythology – at least not to the extent that I have with Greek Mythology. This was quite an amazing book filled with interesting story of Mahabharata. I really enjoyed it, it was truly inspiring to read Dhanika’s work.
A completely original plot brilliantly amalgamating mythology, history and fiction to create a mesmerizing saga. I would like to give 5/5 for the imagination of the author. The author has fictionalized and simplified the mythology to such an extent that it can easily be followed by all, thereby increasing its reach extensively.
After reading this book, I was wondering, perhaps the 'page-turner' term was coined for such books. This book completely lives up to the term. Definitely one of the stories which will remain with the readers for a very long time.
After reading this book, I was wondering, perhaps the 'page-turner' term was coined for such books. This book completely lives up to the term. Definitely one of the stories which will remain with the readers for a very long time.
A must read for sure!
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