Saturday, 2 September 2023

THE EMPRESS OF INDRAPRASTHA PART - II

  

 


 Author : Sonali Raje

Publisher: Vishwakarma Publication

Genre: Mythology and History

Buy the book in Amazon : here

Written by the author Sonali Raje the book “The Empress Of Indraprastha – Building An Empire – Part II”  with  nineteen chapters and more than 200 odd pages is very interesting one. It makes the reader to recall the characters of the great epic MahaBharata the most voluminous work in this world.  Though it is weaved with the real themes taken from that famous epic, the author innovatively elaborated the incidents, celebrations, conversations which can’t be found in the original.  Especially the women characters particularly the character of Draupadi was portrayed in befitting manner.  Here the important phrases are being reviewed to feel and cherish the aesthetic pleasure of this fine novel literature.

The cover page was well designed by the illustrator which make the readers to visualize the Character of Draupadi.   

The author Sonali Raje works as an associate professor of chemistry at Towson University.  “The Empress Of Indraprastha – Building An Empire is a sequal to her debut novel, ““The Empress Of Indraprastha – Entering Kuruvansh.”

The mastery of her thoughts with the Indian Epic literature will elate the readers throughout the book. This book provides many life lessons which will motivate and inspire the readers to take up tough tasks and face challenges in their lives. Here is an example:

I quote from page 9: "A lack of resources need not stop one from being resourceful".

This statement echoes the wise sayings "क्रियासिद्धिः सत्त्वे भवति महतां नोपकरणे" "प्रारब्धमुत्तमगुणाः न परित्यजन्ति" "Success of action never depends on the tool but on the will".  "Noble people never stop from their tasks which are assigned to them though they face impediments."

"A lack of resources need not stop one from being resourceful": This statement highlights the importance of creativity, innovation, and determination in overcoming challenges. It suggests that even if someone doesn't have all the necessary resources at their disposal, they can still find ways to achieve their goals by utilizing their ingenuity and adaptability. This concept aligns with the wise saying "Success of action never depends on the tool but on the will", which emphasizes that the key to success lies in one's determination and resolve rather than the specific tools or resources they have. When faced with limited resources, individuals who are determined and resourceful can find alternative solutions, workarounds, and creative approaches to achieve their objectives.

"Noble people never stop from their tasks which are assigned to them though they face impediments.” This saying underscores the idea that truly noble individuals are committed to their responsibilities and objectives, regardless of the obstacles they encounter. It implies that a person of integrity and honor remains steadfast in their pursuits even when faced with challenges. This principle is closely related to the notion that "A lack of resources need not stop one from being resourceful", as it reflects the idea that noble individuals, when confronted with limited resources or impediments, will use their resourcefulness to continue working towards their goals. The key characteristic here is persistence despite difficulties.

These statements collectively emphasize the importance of determination, resourcefulness, and unwavering commitment to achieving one's objectives. They highlight how individuals with a strong will and a creative approach can overcome obstacles and carry out their tasks, even in the face of limitations or challenges.

Here is a concept of geographical feature contextually described when the shyambala a female clan of Naaga, argued with Krishna about owning a land.

 "Humans have done nothing besides creating imaginary lines on the single piece of the rock that was created by someone or something else." These lines from page 22 conveys a perspective on human actions and achievements in the context of the larger natural world. Let's break down the statement to understand its meaning:

"Humans have done nothing besides creating imaginary lines." This part of the statement suggests that many of the actions and accomplishments of humanity might seem insignificant when viewed from a cosmic or geological perspective. "Creating imaginary lines" could refer to various human constructs such as borders, boundaries, maps, and divisions that have been established to organize societies, nations, and territories. These constructs, while significant to humans for administrative, cultural, and political reasons, may appear inconsequential when considering the vastness and complexity of the universe.

Overall, this statement invites contemplation about the relative scale and impact of human activities in the context of the Earth's history and the vastness of the universe. It suggests that while humans have accomplished many remarkable feats, their actions are just a small part of a much larger and older narrative that includes the formation of the planet itself. It's a reflection on the humbling reality that the Earth and its processes were already in motion long before humans came into existence and started creating their own structures and divisions.

I quote from page 35 -"Fair too many people live under the delusion that marriage gives them unfettered rights over their spouse's bodies.  People should learn from you.”

One can connect the two statements by addressing the concepts of autonomy, mutual respect, and communication within a marriage or partnership.  This situation exemplifies the importance of recognizing each other's autonomy within a marriage. Just as marriage doesn't grant one unlimited control over their partner's body, it also involves understanding and respecting the physical and emotional well-being of each individual. Your approach of considering your partner's exhaustion and readiness for another pregnancy demonstrates a healthy dynamic, where decisions are made through mutual understanding and communication. It's a reminder that true partnership involves honouring each other's needs and feelings, rather than assuming entitlement. This perspective on autonomy and respect can positively shape a relationship, fostering a deeper sense of understanding and empathy."

 "Different is not the same as weird." From page 64 of the book throw clear light on the difference between the two words. It is better that every reader pays a definite attention to this point.

Different: "Different" simply means that something is not the same as something else. It signifies a variance or distinction from the norm or from what is commonly expected or known. In essence, it acknowledges diversity and uniqueness.

Weird: "Weird," on the other hand, carries a somewhat negative connotation. It refers to something that is strange, unusual, or unconventional in a way that may make people feel uncomfortable or perplexed. It often implies that the thing being described deviates significantly from societal norms or expectations.

The statement emphasizes that just because something is different does not necessarily mean it is weird or unusual in a negative sense. It reminds us that diversity and uniqueness are natural and should be accepted without judgment. People, ideas, cultures, and behaviours can all be different from one another, but that doesn't automatically make them weird or wrong. It encourages an open-minded perspective that embraces and respects differences, recognizing that what is different to one person may be entirely normal and meaningful to another.

 "I agree that Ekalavya and Karna were both deceitful" Page 101.  Here Draupadi condemns the partiality of Dronacharya. This finds a similarity with  the phrase "शिष्यहितैषिणः गुरवः" from Dharma Sastra, a teacher should always strive for the sake of his disciples without partiality.

"We show respect to our elders.  Chandralekha is much older than all of you and you will speak to her respectfully" These lines are from Page 109- speaks about "अभिवादनशीलस्य नित्यं वृद्धोपसेविनः। चत्वारि तस्य वर्धन्ते आयुर्विद्या यशो बलम्।।" A person who respects the elders is going to be grown up with the increment of Life-span, knowledge, fame and strength.

 The chapter Team work echoes the idea of 11th verse from 3rd Chapter of Gita "परस्परं भावयन्तः श्रेयः परमवाप्स्यत" "Memorandum of understanding with each other attain the elevation." Which is an essential tool for all the professional ones.

Like these are numerous messages for the readers and people at large. This book is worth reading and is successful in keeping the readers hooked till the end. Though the major plot of the work is very well known the fictional tale is intricately woven into a fine fabric.

(This blogpost is a part of BlogChatter's Book Review Program)

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