Book Review - The Secret of the Nagas

Dear Folks,

The Secret of the Nagas, second book of The Shiva Trilogy series by Amish Tripathi continues the journey of the Tibetean Tribal Leader Shiva through the mystic lands of India.

Shiva, now believed to be the legendary Neelkanth (the man possessing the blue throat) by the Suryavanshis (descendants of the Solar Dynasty) as well as their arch rivals Chandravanshis (descendants of the Lunar Dynasty) is confused because his idea of the Chandravanshis being the Evil has been challenged. But, still he is hunting the sinister Naga responsible for the death of his brother Brahaspati and also trying to attack on Sati throughout the first part of the series.

In his search of vengeance and venom, he trusts nobody as he has come to understand that everybody in India have secrets which have been not completely shared with him and Sati. His search for Nagas, take him to length and breadth of the Indian continent including far lands of Branga (present day Bangladesh), which are very beautiful with many rivers and forests and also, to the south of Narmada where the dreaded Nagas reside and no Man was allowed by Manu in his treatise Manusmriti to go South of Narmada. This kingdom of Branga is dying and is held on ransom by Nagas who supply them a miracle drug to save the people. A bandit named Parshuram also has the secret of the miracle drug but he allows no kshatriya to go alive from his land.

This book entails the adventures of Shiva who is now accepted as the legend Neelkanth by practically whole of India, but still there are Powerful puppeteers trying to master the game. Shiva discovers the mysteries of the Maika system of the Meluhans and the devious deeds of the Emperor of India.

The book has fierce battles fought and as the name of the second part suggests Shiva stumbles upon the Secret of the Nagas.

Ideally to be read as the second part of the Trilogy but the book also is a good independent read. It keeps the reader on the edge of the page with its gripping storyline and strong headed characters. Shiva is no longer a happy go lucky man he used to be but has metamorphosed into being The Neelkanth and taking everything head on.

The various characters include Shiva, Sati, Emperor of India Daksha, King of Swadeep Dilipa, Crown Prince Bhagirath, Nandi, Veerbhadra, Krittika, Meluhan General Parvateshwar, Princess Anandmayi, Parshuram (Bandit), Queen of the Nagas, Lord of the People of the Nagas and one of the famous seven sages Maharishi Bhrigu. The book also marks the birth of the son of Shiva and Sati, Kartik.

If you have already read The Immortals of the Meluha, curiosity will lead to this book. Though it can also be treated an Independent Read.

Rating : 4/5. The novelty factor which lead the way in the first book takes that extra rating for the first part. Its still enchanting and compelling in the way it has been narrated.

Cheers
KS :)

Book Review : The Immortals of Meluha

Immortals of Meluha!! The title of the book does not give away the slightest of the hint of the adventure the book offers. It’s a new definition and understanding of the MYTH of GOD!!

 It is the story of a man who is unaware about what is he meant to be till the time he stumbles upon a fact that someplace very far from his existence, there is a whole land of people much more developed and sophisticated than him relying upon him and he is their Legend, their Savior, their Neelkanth.

Yes Neelkanth, the central character of the book is Lord Shiva before becoming the Lord. The premise of the book being Every Individual is a Man, Deeds make him Legend and God.

Based 4000 years back, it’s the journey of a Tibetian Tribal Leader who is a relaxed Cool Dude of a tribe near Mansarovar lake to lands of Meluha present day Punjab, Pakistan, Rajasthan and Gujrat upto the banks of Narmada, wherein he is hailed as the Mahadev or the Supreme God and also the savior of the Suryavanshi clan (rulers of Meluha) from their arch nemesis Chandravanshis (rulers of Swadeep) present day UP, Bihar, Nepal, Jharkhand. The fight is for the divine drink of Gods, the Somras and the waters of the dying River Saraswati without which Somras cannot be prepared.  

Amish, the author has created a great mix of the Legendary Shiva Purana in Sanskrit, fantasy and fiction to dish out a perfect book with doles of suspense mixed with a very intense and passionate love story of Shiva and his divine consort Sati. He has actually also given the book a very international feel with his language and interpretations of various aspects of the Aryan Indus Valley Civilization. The cities described in the cities are also a perfect example of Perfect Cities and the writing actually creates the scene for the reader itself.

The various characters of the book include the Emperor of Meluha Daksha, Meluhan Head of Army Parvateshwar, Meluhan Chief Scientist Bhraspati, Doctor Ayurvati, Meluhan Army Leader Nandi, Shiva’s friend Bhadra, Sati’s maid Krittika and various others.

Take a trip of your life in this enchanting tale of A Man who in the process of trying to find his Karma and Identity becomes revered and a Savior through the developed lands of Meluha and also the passionate and unadulterated love of Shiva and Sati!!

The rights of the book have been acquired for movie making by a leading production house, so enjoy the virgin version of a masterpiece before it is lost the race of being a Box Office success.

Rating : 5/5 if you read it as fiction and not indulge religious sensibilities in pure story telling.