RUKMINI: KRISHNA’S WIFE Paperback – 10 April 2021

This one compels me to acknowledge what they say about books in general, that I feel like I have become more than what I was, before this surreal reading experience. A lot has already been said and praised about this book, but it has become a ritualistic pleasure for me to share about the bliss of creative gifts I come across, so here's my own review of this book..I have already read a book curated by the author before - called 'Unsung Valor', but this is my first book written by her, and from what I had gleaned from my exposure to her insights and approach on social media as an Indic Academy affiliated author, I had my hopes rightly, set high. Her books have had a trend of celebrating as protagonists, the women that find honorable mentions in ancient Indian texts, who happened to be, fortunately or unfortunately, in a position of power, while bearing a righteous spirit amidst harsh patriarchal norms if not also something worse, and how they prevailed, after rising up to right some huge wrongs, ultimately etching their names in history, to even being worshipped as goddesses today. And with this very premise, as a guideline, 'Rukmini: Krishna's Wife' is presented as a chronologically-sliced episodic visualisation, of several key events of Rukmini's life..Diving into the vivid features of this piece of literary delight, you would notice the story-telling is in third-person pronouns, so written in POV of Not Rukmini, but of the reader observing Rukmini, which then goes on, to pleasantly afford us the bare visuals of a full circle of emotions, as we see her laugh in wild abandon, or suppress her tears and at times fail at it, burst into angry reproaches, or wield an insulting smirk, sport a dignified calm of authority to even withdraw in guilt. Every chapter, a palette of myriad expressions that breathes life into the name and legend. But more than that, the author seems to have poured in all her experiences about marital life, with the gradual and nuanced portrayal of Rukmini maturing, into the wife and in all ways an equal, to the much celebrated revolutionary, known as Krishna. She emphasizes that it would have required a courage of another level to make a choice of being Krishna's wife, a life filled with daunting responsibilities, ambushing challenges and the sheer lack of respite, by emulating through her storytelling how Krishna's plans were all actually executed with battles fought on two fronts - with equally big and valuable fights overcome by Rukmini at Dwaraka - their fort and home..However, the best thing about the book for me, was the whole exploration and leveraging of the republican administration of the Vrishni Yadavas, that governed Dwaraka through their daily 'Sudharma' gatherings, in the hall that was less courtroom and more an auditorium, in contrast to the adjoining monarchies and the overarching empire, with even the aspects of diplomacy that it brought. The councillors were the representative members- men and women, of each clan under the Yadava race that still found sanctuary and prosperity under the domain of Shura's descendants, with some well known names like Kritavarma, Saatyaki, Satrajit, Akrur, Vasudev, Balaram among the chief stakeholders, and Mathura King Ugrasen as the presiding titular head of the council. It is so fascinating to see that an ideology so modern and commonplace now, was even practiced in those ancient times, like politicians with different motives clashing in the debates. In 'Satyabhama', my favourite chapter of this book, we see the councillors deliberating investment decisions, talking of the new power-dynamics of Kuru-Panchal with the newly established Indraprastha, and I wondered if it was the author's background as a former investment professional that showed in Satyabhama, the daughter of the wealthy Satrajit, who rose up to to help them tilt towards deciding to support the Pandavas' new capital, by wonderfully stating the investment returns from the four varnas seen in correlation with the four purusharthas!.Special mentions to a few other things I still cherish. I can not imagine a better opening to the book than the Prologue presented by the author- with Rukmini holding up in denial, in the aftermath of the Yadava massacre at Prabhasa that had even claimed Krishna's life, and while Dwaraka was now drowned in the tears of the widowed and orphaned, the sea starts to actually drown Dwaraka, which makes Rukmini take charge and deliver on her final responsibility- evacuation of her people. The chapter 'Durvasa' is a pleasant read too. Even Shishupal gets his due as a bigger villain than just an opportunistic abuser. And the character of Maalathi, the trusted aide of Rukmini since her childhood in Vidarbha, is also carved so lovingly from being the bearer of Rukmini's secret struggles to a dedicated follower with a voice of care and support always beside her..I feel it is so fortunate of modern Hindus, to have authors like her, delving into this gracious trade of offering for a rather humble price, a piece of their mind, in the form of an array of beautifully personalized arrangements of those sacred tales filled with historic intrigues and retrospective lessons, as if reminiscent of the Smriti tradition of disseminating the premium archives to the masses, that was started by our civilization's venerated seers and bards - with Maharshi Vyasa being at the foremost. I can't help but draw a parallel between the author's journey and of Vyasa- who wrote Mahabharata- the story of the great Bharatavarsha centred around the Kurus, & then continued to write Harivamsha Purana - an account on the Yadavas- Hari's Vamsha. In similar lines, after writing a great piece on Mahabharata through the life and perspective of its strong heroine in her book- Draupadi, she seems to have then conceived this brainchild- Rukmini, which effectively covers the Yadava chronicles! Moreover, just as Vyasa compiled Vedic knowledge and curated the tales and encyclopaedic knowledge of shaastras in his Puranas, Saiswaroopa has also indulged in the same, while also training budding authors with the tips of her trade. A shower of applause to such a blissful endeavor, and a prayer to bestow perpetual proliferation on all such ventures!

It's an interesting book, but there is no mention of Radha, Gandhari's curse to Krishna and who killed him (the author just says he is hit by an arrow), what happened to subhadra after dwaraka went under water, how & when rukmini died? I don't know if these are very crucial or adding this would have dragged the book, but it's a great read. But this book has done justice to Rukmini's character and has shown us a different perspective of entire life of Krishna and Mahabharata. A must read for Indian History enthusiasts

The book contains the story of Dwarka and Krishna from the viewpoint of Krishna’s first wife - Rukmini. It starts with when they met in the ashram and goes upto the end of their life when they moved into an ashram, forgetting the sansar and the worldly pleasures.The language and emotions depicted are extraordinary. The way the equation would have been, with krishna’s 8 wives, the way she handles all the fame, glory, all the battles Krishna fought, the mahayuddh, the camaraderie with Pandavas and Draupadi - everything is mentioned here.I love women’s point of view because they, even though see a big picture, but with minute details.Throughly enjoyed reading this one.- Review by Nidhi Bhatt.

After a series of successful books on powerful female protagonists, Saiswaroopa Iyer's latest novel is out. Her previous book was on the most powerful female character of the Mahabharata, Draupadi. This book is on another equally strong female character - Krishna's wife Rukmini.Everyone knows about how Rukmini's marriage was fixed with Shishupala and how she was opposed to it. We know of how Krishna took her away right from the nose of her brother and married her. But how did it all happen? The complete story is presented in the first part of this book and it makes for a racy read.Saiswaroopa has highlighted the politics in Bharatavarsha during those times. The tribulations of the Yadavas, the might and influence of Jarasandha, the helplessness of kings of those times, the importance of Panchala - all these are brought out in a highly interesting way making the book a real exciting page-turner.Another key aspect brought out in this book is the governance in the Yadava kingdom. The book explains the republican form of governance with a detailed exposition on the decision-making process. It highlights the role women played in the republican government.Key incidents like Shishupala's surprise attack on Dwaraka, the hatred for Krishna by Jarasandha loyalists, and the struggles of Krishna are brilliantly brought out.One of the most important highlights of this book is how the author brings out the personality of Rukmini. The intelligence of Rukmini, her valour, her determination, her confidence, her insecurities, her moments of weaknesses, and how she overcome her shortcomings to stand by the man she loves and becomes the saviour of Dwaraka has been brought out excellently.The depiction of Krishna's character is another interesting feature of this novel. He is a God but presented as a normal human, worried about his people, his wife, and of the fate of Bharata. Nowhere does the novel create a larger than life image of Krishna. The enigmatic personality of Krishna is another feature of the book I loved.The story of Rukmini is the story of a queen who stood by her husband at every single stage. If he was the Lord who changed the destiny of Bharata and upheld Dharma, his queen had a key role in it. The book brings out this role. The story of Rukmini is the story of how a strong personality can play a role in changing destiny.If I write more, I will be revealing more about the story, which I don't want to do. If you haven't got this yet, grab it today. It is one of Saiswaroopa's best yet. Whether you revere the Lord and the Goddess of wealth or love the Mahabharata or just simply want to read about a powerful queen, this book is for you!