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Shiva Trilogy by Amish Tripathi: Sharing Experience
Overview
Shiva trilogy is basically the journey of one of the most revered Hindu god - Lord Shiva, who is portrayed as a simple human being – to becoming of god by his deeds for mankind. The trilogy is about the battle between the two most powerful forces in the universe which are the good and the evil
The books in series under the trilogy are:-
‘The Immortals of Meluha’
‘The Secret of the Nagas’
‘The Oath of the Vayuputras’
The concept which I had found very amazing is the connection of characters with the true mythological figures which are portrayed as mere mortal human beings. The entire series made the reader very curious about what is going to happen next, one have no choice but to get involved with Shiva and Sati’s entourage as they set sail on their quest to banish all evil. The language of the books is simple- easy to understand English.
All I can say is Mr. Amish Tripathi is at his best, he is sole element of the trilogy, who uses the creativity in the best manner which is the biggest positive side of the series. The biggest challenge he took is to showcase the beliefs and tales that most Indians have grown with a tinge of logical twist executed with some well researched dash of history. After going through the story all I can say is Amish is an excellent storyteller praised by some famous Indian personalities and organizations.
‘I wish many more would be inspired by Amish Tripathi’ - Amitabh Bachchan
‘It’s a labour of love…. Amish also humanizes his characters, something which most popular writers fail miserably at.’ - Mint
‘Amish is India’s Tolkien’ - Business Standard
‘Amish is … the Paulo Coelho of east.’ - Business World
‘Compelling narrative style’ - Shashi Tharoor
The Immortals of Melhua
Sitting at the shelf of bookseller with punch line “The Story of the man, whom legend turned into a god” at the back cover raises my curiosity to experience the story and after going through the journey of The Lord, I can say that the punch line covers the entire journey. The cover contains the map of India in 1900BC stating every province and rivers, which tells that focus is kept on short detailing to make it perfect.
The beginning which starts with introducing Shiva, who has been portrayed as a real man, with a trident, hair in locks, Rudraksh beads and battle scars, the Tibetan Barbarian hailing from the warrior tribe named as Gunas. But his tribe has to fight by the Mansarovar Lake for their mere existence and being the chief of tribe he has to take the full responsibility of their safety but he hates these frequent fights and wants a way out. And the way is waiting in the form of commander Nandi of Meluha who is seeking immigrants at Mansarovar. The tribal chief decides that adaptation to the alien culture which may give a deserving life to his tribe. So he head with his tribe across the mountains of Meluha towards his destiny.
He arrives in the fictional city of Meluha where his tribe is welcomed with a warm hospitality from the people who call themselves as Suyavanshis led by their King Daksha. But Shiva has met with a bizarre incident when Somras, a life enhancing elixir ends up giving him a blue throat and to his surprise he has now become the Neelkanth who according to the Meluhans is the living god. The one who will lead the Suyavanshis to victory against their arch rivals Chandravanshis which they (Suyavanshis) believe has allied with the Nagas – portrayed as grotesque figures.
But from here also start a softer side of the story, the love story of Sati, daughter of King Daksha, and Shiva, which is one of the main reason the reader get attached to the entire series. But the start of their love story was not very pleasant and the story end with a confused Shiva when he with Suyavanshis army defeated the Chandravanshis because he made to believe that Chandravanshis are evil but the truth is something else. Well am not going to tell you everything as it ruins your curiosity but I do recommend the book strongly.
The best concept is that most of the Hindu gods are portrayed in their best mortal avatars to which I adore the creativity of the author. The narration is at its best with keeping small things in mind like – pausing at the right places for the correct duration – and then riding out to a very pulsating end. The climax makes you feel malaise and made you rush towards the sequel.
The Secret of Nagas
The second in series starts off exactly from where the prequel ended. Sati is attacked by a Naga and Shiva and Sati give a tough chase to the Naga but he escapes and to Shiva’s fortunate the Naga leaves behind a gold coin that leads Shiva to the kingdom of Branga, a very rich kingdom situated in eastern India at the confluence of rivers Brahmaputra and Ganga but yearlong affected by plague and need medicines that only the Nagas make to keep alive. The truth of the medicine came out when Parvateshvar(Meluhan army chief) was badly injured in a mini riot in Kashi and only saved by the medicine provided by the Divodas to which Ayurvati informs Shiva that the medicine had herbs that are only found in Panchavati, the capital of Nagas, to which journey towards Panchavati started.
Shiva decides to go to Branga to reveal a possibility to reach the Nagas, during the preparations of the journey he is gifted with a son, named Kartik. After which Shiva leaves for Branga with his team and Sati stays back in Kashi to help kasha fight against lion terror in the kingdom. Shiva finds out that the Branga’s solely depend on the Nagas for the sake of the medicine and refuses to help Shiva until they get an another source for the medicine to which Shiva came to know that apart from the Nagas only one man can make those medicines – a Bandit by the name of Parashuram, who has a reputation of killing everyone who tries to come near his territory. Left with no option Shiva has to confront Parashuram and after much bloodshed he wins over Parashuram’s army and he readily surrenders after knowing the reality Neelkanth. Shiva came to know that Parashuram is a Vasudev pandit (Shiva’s guides and philosophers) and his story from a pandit to a bandit and the harsh reality that may be the Nagas are not evil
.
While in Kashi, Sati goes to fight the pride of lions that were killing villagers with a group of soldiers where she was outweighed by the strength lions in the pride and to her surprise she was rescued by the Nagas. After which she came to know that she was related with the Nagas.
The story is merely a path breaker for someone who has grown up on Indian Mythology because of truly different concept. The book slightly dims the glory factor when compared to its prequel as it more on the truth revealing side but you can’t say that it strokes away the attention of reader.
The Oath of Vayuputras
As a reader I always dislike the end of a series, as it is the end of all the visualization and attachment with the story. But unfortunately end is inevitable. Well to start the end, Shiva finally knows the name of the evil as the truth has been shown to him, so the legend of the Neelkanth continues his quest to find whether the balance between good and evil really tilted or not. He goes forward to meet the Vasudevs, a secret tribe left by Lord Ram, where the picture became clearer to Shiva and he finally decides to take battle forward to its protectors.
Battle lines are drawn up on both ends, for the war between the beliefs of Neelkanth vs. the system of Meluha, loyalties are getting divided on both sides and India is readying up to witness the god’s battle. After nearly winning it all Shiva’s army met with the biggest loss to which he left with the only option – The Vayuputras, creators of Neelkanth left by Lord Rudra. Shiva seeks some aid in the form of Daivi Astras (modern day nuclear weapon). But in this search he left behind Sati, Ganesh, Kartik, Kali and the allied forces who are rendered with a conspiracy which left whole of place under firestorm. Well what happens in the end is the immediate question in your mind to which just give a shot to the Shiva trilogy by Amish Tripathi.
Har! Har! Mahadev