Parva

A month back I read an entirely different version of the Mahabharata known as Parva. Previously I had read the Rajaji version and obviously seen the never ending series on television! However this version by SL Bhyrappa(a kannada writer) took an entirely different approach. The entire epic was made devoid of any divinity or magic and had substitutions which explained what exactly had happened in totally different ways. For instance, previously I thought Kunti had learnt some mantra through the use of which she gave birth to her 3 sons-by praying to 3 different gods. However in Parva, there is a concept known as Niyoga ceremony. When the husband is dead, or incapable of making his wife conceive, the husband can authorise a Niyoga ceremony in which some learned elder,sage or rishi has intercourse with the wife for the sole purpose of carrying on the race! This was totally mind-blowing!

The book also has chapters with PoVs(as a friend of mine says!) or Point of Views! It deals with the story from various view points such as Draupadi, Bheema, etc. Reading this book has rejuvenated my interest in books- I just watched the LOTR movies once again and I am planning to re-read them all yet again!