Krishnavatara (Set of 7 Volumes) - Krishna Avatara

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Item Code: NAF606
Publisher: Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan
Author: K.M. Munshi
Language: English
Edition: 2021
Pages: 2055
Cover: Paperback
Other Details 7.0 inch X 4.5 inch
Weight 2 kg
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Fully insured
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Shipped to 153 countries
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More than 1M+ customers worldwide
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100% Made in India
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Book Description

ISBN:
Vol-1:9788172764630
Vol-2:9788172764753
Vol-3:9788172764845
Vol-4:9788172764722
Vol-5:9788172764661
Vol-6:9788172764739
Vol-7:9788172764678

Volume I

 

Introduction

Who has not heard of Sri Krishna who delivered the message of the Bhagavad Gita and whom the Bhagavat calls 'God Himself?

From the earliest days that my memories can go back to, Sri Krishna has been, in a sense, dominating my imagination. In my childhood, I heard his adventures with breathless amazement. Since then I have read of him, sung of him, admired him, worshipped him in a hundred temples and every year on his birthday at home. And day after day, for years and years, his message has been the strength of my life.

Unfortunately, his fascinating personality, which could be glimpsed in what may be called the original Mahabharata, has been overlaid with legends, myths, miracles and adorations for about three thousand years.

Wise and 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.

The urge, Therefore, came upon me. time and again, to embark upon a reconstruction of his life and adventures by weaving a romance around him.

It was an impossible venture. but like hundreds of authors in all parts of India for centuries. I could not help offering him whatever little of imagination and creative power I possessed. feeble though they were.

I have called the whole work Krishnavatara, The Descent of the Lord. This, 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 by innumerable poets.

I have named the Second Part. which ends with Rukmini Haran. The Wrath of an Emperor, as the central theme is the successful defiance by Sri Krishna of Jarasandha, the Emperor of Magadha. The Third Part is entitled The Five Brothers and ends with Draupadi's Swayamvara. The Fourth Part is entitled The Book of Bhima and the Fifth Part is entiled The Book of Satyabhaama. The Sixth Part, which is now being serially published in the Bhavan's Journal; is entitled The Book of Vyaasa. the Master.

I hope to carry forward the series till the episode when, on the battle-field of Kurukshetra. Krishna reveals himself as the Eternal Guardian of the Cosmic Law-Saashvata Dharma Gopta-to Arjuna, if it is His will that I should do so.

I have followed the technique since 1922 to reconstruct the episodes connected with Chyavana and Sukanya in Purandara Parajaya (a play). Agastya and Lopamudra, Vasishta and Vishwamitra, Parashurama and Sahasrarjuna in Vishvaratha (a romance), Deva Didheli (a play), Vishwamitra Rishi (a play), Lomaharshini (a romance) and Bhagavan Parashurama (a romance), and now Sri Krishna and the heroes and heroines of Mahabharata in these volumes of Krishnavatara.

Time and again, I have made it clear that none of these works is an English rendering of any old Purana.

In reconstructing Sri Krishna's life and adventures. I had, like many of my predecessors, to reconstruct the episodes inherited from the past. so as to bring out his character, attitude and outlook with the personality-sustained technique of modern romance. I had also had to give flesh and blood to various obscure characters referred to in the Mahabharata.

In the course of this adventure. I had often to depart from the legend and myth. for such reconstruction by a modern author must necessarily involve the exercise of whatever little imagination he has. I trust He will forgive me for the liberty I am taking, but must write of Him as I see Him in my imagination.

 

Contents

 

  Kulapati's Preface v
  Introduction ix
  Invocation xv
  Prologue xvii
1 The Marriae of Vasudeva and Devaki 1
2 Kamsa's Wrath 5
3 Kamsa makes a Plan 10
4 Akrura, the Saintly 15
5 Kamsa's Predicament 20
6 The Prophecy of Veda Vyasa 24
7 The Time draws near in Hastinapura 28
8 Nanda visits Mathura 36
9 Balarama is Born 43
10 The Eighth Child 49
11 Kamsa's Strategy 55
12 And He was named Krishna 62
13 Putana Masi goes to Gokul 68
14 Trinavrit 82
15 Krishna's Musings 93
16 How Women Feel about Clothes ! 101
17 The Miracle of the Twin Trees 108
18 Vasudeva and Devaki return to Mathura 119
19 Radha 131
20 As the Years Passed 142
21 A Mad Adventure 149
22 Kaliya of the Poisonous Pool 160
23 The Betrothal of Radha 172
24 Aiyyan Returns from the Wars 183
25 The Lifting of Govardhan 190
26 The Dying Minister 197
27 Kamsa's Summons 205
28 Summoned to Mathura 213
29 The Goddess of Joy and Beauty 222
30 Krishna Leaves for Mathura 233
31 Andhaka's Warning 242
32 Trivakra, the Thrice Crooked 252
33 The Sacred Bow 261
34 Master of the Elephants 270
35 Kuvalayapida : the Angry Elephant 280
36 Chanur, the Champion 289
37 The Prophecy Comes True 299
  Notes 308
Volume II

 

Contents

 

  Kulapati's Preface v
  Introduction ix
  Invocation xv
  Prologue xvi
  Characters in this story xix
1 A Crown Rejected 1
2 Guru Sandipani 11
3 In the Vortex 20
4 The Five Brothers 30
5 As a Brahmachari 39
6 The Wandering School of Sandipani 47
7 The Punyajan Ship 55
8 Securing the Panchajanya coach 68
9 The City of Light 80
10 A Nagakanya Belongs to Her Mother 92
11 'Asika, Come Back' 104
12 The Flight 118
13 On the way 127
14 Bhargava Rama of the Battle Axe 137
15 Brihadbala Plays the Diplomat 146
16 'Stand up, Garuda' 162
17 Gomantaka Hill 176
18 Balaram's Plough 190
19 Uddhava in 'Hell' 202
20 Shvetaketu's Fall 216
21 Krishna at the Gate 231
22 Shaibya's Wrath 241
23 Jarasandha's New Strategy 250
24 Rukmini on the War-path 260
25 A Warrior Princess 270
26 Bakarana Embanks on an adventure 278
27 Uddhava's Trials 286
28 Balarama on the High Seas 300
29 Bakarama Wins a Bride 307
30 "He is Coming" 317
31 The Triumphant March 330
32 The Honour of the Yadavas 344
33 Brihadbala's Difficulties 356
34 Shaibya Spurns Shvetaketu 369
35 Shaibya's Revenge 382
36 Conquest of Hate 392
37 Women Conspire 405
38 Rukmini on 'The Bater of Cows' 414
39 Shvetaketu's Pledge 422
40 Arrival in Kundinapura 434
41 How Rukmini Wooed Krishna 442
42 Now What ? 457
43 The Yadavas Lose Faith 468
44 The Fateful Decision 478
45 The Exodus 493
46 The Caves of Muchukunda 502
47 Rukmini's Grim Resolve 518
48 He Came and Gave Her Life 526
  Epilogue 536
  Notes 550
  Appendices 554
  Glossary 559
Volume III

 

Contents

 

  Kulapati's Preface v
  Introduction ix
  Characters in this story xv
  Prologue xvi
1 King Drupada's Resolve 1
2 Sandipani Arrives 11
3 The Teacher and the Pupil 19
4 Dronacharya's Decision 27
5 The Uncle's Commands 40
6 Banishment 52
7 The Blow 62
8 Duryodhana is Afraid 71
9 Grandfather Bhishma 79
10 A Gopi in Hastinapura 90
11 Gouri Puja 98
12 The Dowager Empress 110
13 The Best of Munis 118
14 Kampily 132
15 The Loyal Daughter 146
16 Uddhava among the Nagas 161
17 Uddhava's Trials 173
18 In the Land of the Demons 183
19 King Vrikodara 200
20 King Vrikodara Wins a Wife 208
21 King Vrikidara Makes a Decision 221
22 The Miraculous Victory 234
23 The Last Wish of Aryaka 251
24 The Boy who was a Girl 263
25 Invitation to the Swayamvara 280
26 Bhanumati's Devotion 291
27 Uddhava's Mission 305
28 The Master in Rakshasavarta 321
29 King Vrikodara relinquishes the Sceptre 327
30 Krishna is a Predicament 344
31 "What is Dharma?" 354
32 "Dharma has Seized Me" 365
33 Big Brother is Angry 373
34 The Charming Kidnapper 382
35 The Kidnapper's Secret 392
36 Dharma Wins 401
37 Bhanumati Secures a Promise 412
38 How to Win the Bride 418
39 How to Carry off the Bride 429
40 Drupada's Dilemma 442
41 A Gift from the Enemy 454
42 "Share My Burden with Me, Krishnaa" 468
43 Shikhandin Intervenes 484
44 The Night Before 502
45 "Your Pledge shall be Fulfilled" 516
46 Draupadi Goes to the Swayamvara Mandap 522
47 The All Too Familiar Laughter 532
48 Vaasudeva, You have kept your Promise 540
49 The Master Decides 554
  Epilogue 570
  Notes 590
  Appendices 593
  Glossary 599
Volume IV

 

Contents

 

  Introduction ix
  Prologue  
  The Yadavas xvii
  The Kurus xxii
  The Five Brothers xxvi
1 Draupadi’s Bridal Night 1
2 Bhima Takes over 14
3 Arjuna’s Ordeal 25
4 Bhima prepares for the journey 35
5 The Princess with the Flying Feet 47
6 Bhima comes to his own rescue 56
7 Duryodhana Threatens Suicide 67
8 Duhshasana Threatens 78
9 The Decision of the Grandfather 87
10 Bhanumati in Distress 93
11 The Sisters 102
12 Duryodhana Receives the Bridal Procession 110
13 Baliya’s Akhada 117
14 Rekhaa’s Mission 125
15 Shadows of the coming strife 133
16 Jaladharaa Has Her way 141
17 The Aghori’s Hut 148
18 Journey to Kailas 155
19 The Miracle 164
20 Grandfather in Action 171
21 Krishna Gives a Promise 178
22 Bhanumati’s Plight 188
23 Krishna meets Bhanumati 194
24 The Master’s Advice 201
25 The Rajya Sabha 210
26 Yudhishthira’s Pledge 219
27 "He is Gone" 227
28 Bhima in a Fury 235
29 A Dream City 245
30 How to Build a Dream city 252
31 The Strange Award 260
32 How Krishna kept his promise 267
  Epilogue 277
  Notes 285
  Glossary 287
Volume V

 

Contents

 

  Introduction ix
1 Satrajit's Daughter 1
2 Uri, the Cat 12
3 An Empty World 21
4 The Rajya Sabha of the Yadavas 30
5 Satrajit Offers a Deal 44
6 Kshaatra Dharma 53
7 A Strange Happening 63
8 "Leave It to Me" 71
9 Syamantaka is Stolen 80
10 Krishna's Vow of Self-immolation 89
11 Satyaa Disappears 94
12 The Missing Lines of the Song 100
13 Krishna Disappears 109
14 Prasena's Fate 118
15 Uri Does It 125
16 The Sacred Cave 134
17 A Ghost 141
18 The Singing Ghost 151
19 In the Bear-world 161
20 The Black God's Ordinances 172
21 Rohini Wants to Enter the Fire 183
22 Rohini's Wedding 193
23 The Magic of Syamantaka 203
24 The Trail 212
25 The Black God 219
26 Satrajit Throws Away Syamantaka 223
  Appendix 230
  Notes 232
  Glossary 233
Volume VI

 

Foreword

This book, The Book of Vedavyaasa. the Master, should have been the prologue to the whole of the Krishnavatara series.

As I struggled with the reconstruction of Sri Krishna's life recorded in the Epic and the Puranas, I felt that its background, represented by the life span of the sage Veda Vyaasa, was a necessary prologue to Sri Krishna's life and achievements.

The Mahabharata refers briefly to the birth of Dvaipaayana Vyaasa. He emerges about sixty years later as a highly revered sage, the redactor of the Vedas, the embodiment of dharma, whose advice was sought by the Kuru elders and the Pandavas.

I therefore had to reconstruct this period from whatever material I could gather, however scarce. Vyaasa survived the Bharata war and is considered to be the author of the original Mahabharata. on which, with interpolations and additions, the present structure of the Epic rests.

The Puranic literature also attributes most of the Puranas to Vyaasa and contains fragmentary references to some events in his life, sometimes of a very contradictory nature. However, on the whole, he was accepted during his lifetime as the 'Master' (Swami), the great architect of Dharma.

These references are all silent as to how he carne to attain the position he did when he emerged in the world of the Epic.

The Shrauta literature reflects a struggle between the school of Trayi Vidya - Rig. Yajur and Sama - on the one hand and of the Atharvana-Angiras on the other.

The Trayi Vidya school looked upon the Atharvana school with contempt because its lore. among other things, included sorcery (Yatu Vidya). medicinal practices (Bhishag Karmani) and state-craft (Raj Karmani). The Atharvana rishis appear to have been denied the office of Brahmaa, one of the four principal ritualists at the sacrifices.

Evidently this schism ended in favour of the Atharvanas. Their sacred chants were accepted as an integral part of the Vedas and the Atharvana-Angiras rishis were accorded the status of Brahmaa at the sacrifices though they were barred from reciting Atharvana mantras at the sacrifice.

The Puranas give the guru-shishya origin of Veda Vyaasa. According to them. when Vyaasa organized the schools of Vedic lore, the Atharvana lore had won a place in the Shrauta rituals, and Sumantu was Vyaasa's first disciple of the Atharvana school.

The second important thing which can be attributed to Veda Vyaasa is the standardisation of the WORD. the order and the accents of every mantra- a standardisation which has come down to us intact from 3000 years ago.

The Skanda Purana records a conversation between Vatikaa, Vyaasa's wife, the daughter of rishi Jaabaali her son. Sukdev, in which she tries to persuade the latter of the need for grahasthashrama, the founding a home as a stage in a dedicated life.

Sukdev is traditionally believed to have been a Sanyasi. However, according to several Puranas, Hari Vamsa and Devi Bhagvat, he was married and had children. According to Devi Bhagvat, his wife was named Peevaree, by whom he had four sons and one daughter.

The establishment of the Order of Sannyasis, which traditionally accepted to have been founded by Sukdev under the inspiration of his father. Veda Vyaasa himself, has been the firm foundation of a Sanatana dharma for well-nigh 30 centuries. Adi Sankaracharya re-organized the Order under the name Dashanami Sampradaya.

There is no reason to doubt that Vyaasa was the founder of the Order of Sannyasis, which has done and doing so much to preserve the inspiration of dharma and present its spiritual heritage to and nations abroad.

Sannyasis like Dayananda and Vivekananda and even Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and hundreds of other, who have been keeping the flame of Santana dharma alive in modern times. belong to this Order.

Throughout the Mahabharata, Vyaasa advises those in difficulties to go and take their bath at the sacred teerthas and purify themselves. The teertha cult. so unique, has preserved the unity of our country and the consciousness of the country's being one. Veda Vyaasa appears to be the founder of this cult. At any rate, it was he who emphasised the sanctity of the teerthas by attributing purificatory power to them.

The social structure, the four-fold order of society - Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas and Sudras - was in the process of being institutionalised in Veda Vyaasa's lifetime. It was not a rigid social system.

Vasishtha, the greatest of the Vedic rishis, was born of a hetaira. Vishwamitra, the son of a king, became a rishi.

Veda Vyaasa himself was the son of a fisher girl. Sri Krishna's father, Vasudeva and Kunti were born of a Naga princess; some of his ancestors inter-married with the Nagas. Bheema married a Rakshasi named Hidimbaa. AIjuna had Naga wives.

With the advance of Aryan culture in the country, all the people who came within the orbit of the Sanatana dharma, were provided with a social status.

Vyaasa was a mighty figure accepted on all hands as the embodiment of dhanna. In the Bhagavad Gita, Sri Krishna even identifies Vyaasa with himself. The Yogic school accepted him as the ideal Vitraga, though he had a wife and son.

He was considered to be Vishnu with two arms and not four; as Brahma with one face and not four, and as Shiva without the third eye. In fact, several Puranas accept him as one of the avataars of Vishnu.

 

Contents

 

  Kulapati's Preface V
  Introduction IX
  Foreword XIII
  Prologue XIX
1 Come, Father, Come' 1
2 The Parting 10
3 The Field of Ashes 21
4 Dvaipaayana is Reborn 36
5 What Dvaipa learned from his Father 47
6 Visit to Kalpi Islet 57
7 The Field of Wolves 68
8 Maha Atharvan Jaabaali 78
9 Dvaipaayan Eludes the Death Charm 87
10 Empress Meets Dvaipaayana 98
11 Gangeya's Vows 114
12 The Rajya Sabha 123
13 "Here is That Son" 128
14 An Unexpected Ally 137
15 Maha Atharvan Lalys a Deadlier Charm 148
16 Vatikaa Feels Unhappy 162
17 Arrivals 174
18 The Magic Circle 184
19 The Ascent to Heaven 194
20 The Venerable Mother in Distress 206
21 The Master on the Scene 215
22 The Master's Decision 226
23 Take me to Godhuli 236
24 "If The Mother Leaves?" 245
25 "I Bow to your Commands" 250
26 Shuka Creates a Problems 257
27 The son of Mahishaasura, The Buffalo God 266
28 The Mandate of the Gods 278
29 At the Tribal Headquarters 289
30 Mosa Invokes the Divine Buffalo 298
31 Mosa Expiates His Sin 304
32 Mother Sharmi Assumes Charge 310
33 There is Something in a Name 316
34 Mother Sharmi cannot be Disobeyed 325
35 Enter Shakuni 335
36 The Master's Mission 343
  Glossary 351
Volume VII

 

Contents

 

  Kulapati's Preface v
  Introduction ix
  Prologue xv
  Characters in this story xix
1 Yudhishthira's Dilemma 1
2 The Father's Message 9
3 Rajasuya-To Be Performed Or Not To Be Performed 20
4 Meghasandhi's Message 28
5 The Three Visitors 38
6 The Wrath of the Gods 48
7 Bhima Plans A Digvijaya 58
8 A Strange Arrival 67
9 Agrapuja to shree Krishna 77
10 The Chakra 84
11 The Prediction 90
12 Uncle Vidura Brings A Message 98
13 A Challenge to the Master's Prediction 105
14 Draupadi Protests 115
15 Duryodhana Makes a Request 119
16 Yudhishthira seeks a Favour 125
17 The Throne Hall 131
18 Let the Game Begin 315
19 Shakuni at his Best 139
20 We have won 145
21 Draupadi is Dragged into the Throne Hall 152
22 Krishna! Krishna! Where are you ? 159
23 The Supreme Mandate 166
24 To The Forest 169
Volume VIII

 

Contents

 

1 Agrapura 181
2 The Challenge 187
3 The New Shape of Dwaraka 193
4 Mayavati 200
5 Through the Desert 206
6 Face to Face 212
7 The Mugg Fort 218
8 The Prison of Rose Buds 223
9 The Mandate 230
10 On the Battle-Field 238
11 Shalva Laughs 244
12 Prabhavati Makes up her Mind 250
13 The Mother Arrives 257

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