Title
Ganga and Shantanu – A love story written on water
Satyavati and Shantanu – A love story made possible by a son’s sacrifice
Author – Ashok.K.Banker
Publication – Westland
Price – 599/ – Set of 5 Books , 125/- per book
I never feel interested in reading mythology..never felt its my cup of tea. Read a lot abt Ashok Banker’s Ramayana series..some very good reviews from my blogger frens still never get courage to actually get hold of one of his book. Now when blogadda announce that his new series is up for review..i immediately applied and also got selected to review two books ( Ganga and Shantanu And Satyavati and Shantanu ).
Was surprised to see such a short book. Its only 75 pages.
Ganga and Shantanu
Mahabhisha king of ikshwaku clan went to pay homage to lord brahma. Ganga queen of all rivers on earth also came to pray her homage to lord brahma.Typical love at first sight scene from bollywood happen and he fall in love with beautiful Ganga. Lord brahma felt offended by these lovebrids and gave curse to live one mortal life on earth. Same time 8 Vasu also went to a trip and steal the holy cow on persuasion of wife of duoy. They also got curse to spend one year of mortal life on earth and duoy has to spend one fulllifetime in mortal form. Mahabhisha took birth in form of King Shantanu and got married to human form of goddess Ganga and story continues with love lust and betrayal by ganga. Ganga is dutiful wife but has to sarcifice her children year after year. Bound by his vow to not question Ganga, Shantanu never asked any question but couldnt stop himself when ganga gave birth to their 8th child. Ganga gave answer to all his question but left him afterwards.
.
Satyavati and Shantanu
Second book ( Satyavati and shantanu) starts when shantanu return to his capital found a tall young man waiting for him. This man was his son Devarata who later on become a great king of Hastinapur. Shantanu still misses ganga and during one of his hunting trip met fisherman daugther Satyavati on ferri ride and lost his heart. He want to marry satyavati but got down by demand from her father ( fisherman king panchmani) of giving throne of hastinapur to son of Satyavati instead of his elder son devarata. Devarata got to know about this and took two vows to get back his father’s love. He later got famous as Bhisma after taking these vows.
My take on book ;-> First thing – While reading book TV stars who portrayed these character were coming to my mind 🙂
We have read the Mahabharta stories from our elder during lazy afternoon after school hours..but this is fresh take on old stories with modern-day outlook and language. However there is a lot of lust involved in language that you keep on wondering is this true love or just body desire of God and Goddess. I wish author has added some of his creative take on old stories. We know these stories by heart and just adding physical attraction touch doesnt make it an intersting read.
Other Title from the Series ->
Satyavati and Shantanu
Amba and Bhishma
Devayani, Sharmishtha and Yayati
About Author -> Ashok Kumar Banker is internationally acclaimed epic reteller whose work is published in 56 countries.His writing is used as a teaching aid in management and educational courses worldwide. His e-book venture akbebooks.com is India’s first best-selling e-bookstore and e-publisher. Ashok is 48 years old and lives with his family in Mumbai.
My Rating – 3.5/5
This review is a part of the biggest Book Review Program for Indian Bloggers. Participate now to get free books!
Just Another Mommy 
Leave a Reply