The Five Brothers by Kanaiyalal Maneklal Munshi

The third part in series, the book brings in the story of Pandavas and how their life gets intrinsically entwined with that of Krishna’s and his goal to establish an empire of dharma in Aryavarta. Eventually does he grasp it? Does the man become god? I suggest to read the book to find out for yourself. This book is a beautiful journey through the conscience of Krishna while he tries to grasp dharma. One could simply argue all Duryodhana wanted was to ascend the throne after his father was that wrong? was that not dharma? If not! then the question that needs to be answered is - what is dharma? This is the theme of the book. Actions of Krishna if looked upon without appropriate context looks like adharma for example - he had disowned Radha and moved to Mathura, Killed Kamsa his maternal uncle, stops Balarama from killing Jarasandha the tyrant Monarch, abducted Rukmini from her Swayamvara and the list goes on. Author stops short of saying some of the actions are justified. Author K M Munshi in his own unique way has tried to show the reasoning behind the antagonists' actions.

The mercurial nature of political paradigm in Aryavarta is illustrated in a way which makes it not too difficult to keep track of all the parallel threads A great achievement in itself. Third Book of Krishnavatara is as astounding as the previous two if not better. The seventh and concluding volume, incorporating 7th part and unfinished 8th part, is titled The Book of Yudhishthira. The Fourth is titled The Book of Bhima, Fifth part The Book of Satyabhaama, the sixth volume The Book of Vyaasa, the Master. The third part is entitled The Five Brothers and ends with Draupadi's Swayamvara.

The second volume, which ends with Rukmini Haran, is named as The Wrath of an Emperor, as the central theme is the successful defiance by Sri Krishna of Jarasandha, the Emperor of Magadha. The first part, which ends with the death of Kamsa has been named The Magic Flute, for it deals with his boyhood associated with the flute, which hypnotized men, animals and birds alike, sung with such loving tenderness y innumerable poets. Wise ad valorous, he was, loving and loved, far-seeing and yet living for the moment, gifted with sage-like detachment and yet intensely human the diplomat, the sage and the man of action with a personality as luminous as that of a divinity. Krishnavatara is a 7-volume reconstruction of Krishna's life and adventures by weaving a romance around him.

The Five Brothers by Kanaiyalal Maneklal Munshi