This is the author Aditi Banerjee’s praiseworthy attempt to make texts and stories from the Itihasa and Puranas more accessible to modern audiences. The book introduces the readers to many popular Hindu love stories such as the romances of Shiva-Parvati, Krishna with Rukmini and RadhaRani respectively, and Urvashi-Pururavas. It also includes lesser known fables such as those of Skanda and his two wives, as well as that of Leela And Padma. I recommend reading the book twice over a period of time. Why? Simply because certain nuances and philosophical concepts may elude one during the first read and another reading truly helps in having a better grasp the second time around.

I must admit that I have undergone a shift in perspective in my understanding of the word ‘love’. There can be no higher praise than that for the book, than the fact that it has significantly altered one’s worldview or changed one’s conception of certain crucial concepts. Much of my understanding is in some sense shaped by modern-day depictions of love in cinematic and literary cultural products. The popular notion of ‘soul mates’ is Western in nature with accompanying glorification of romantic infatuation. The emotional roller coaster, the highs and lows, the outward proclamations of it, much of which is true in certain cases, but is also highly exaggerated in others. While the author doesn’t dismiss this version of love, she only points out some of its shortcomings.
Moreover, the notions of sacrifice, devotion, and duty have been omitted from modern-day depictions of love and it has instead become rather self-serving. She illustrates through stories from our Itihasa and Puranas, that there are other more noble versions and shades of love which allow us to ‘rise’ rather than merely ‘fall’ in love. ‘Rising’ in which both parties strive to attain a higher state of spiritual consciousness. To some, this may easily come as a shock as being spiritual and being in love are considered mutually exclusive. However, from these stories, it is clear that being a renunciate is not the only mode of spiritual progress; and there is little need to deny ourselves love and longing, provided it is channelled correctly. When the Devas and Devis themselves are exemplary examples, who are we mere mortals to disagree?

While the author had taken a few creative liberties in her earlier work, ‘The Curse of Gandhari’, she insists on taking little to none here. A quote from the preface :

 “My purpose is not to create anything new or add anything to the original; there is nothing to be added. This book is merely an attempt to make accessible to a modern audience texts they may not otherwise read.”

It is clear then that her intent is to transmit the lores, in as pure a form as possible, to a new generation of readers. There is something here for one and all to learn. It is both entertaining and educational, which is no mean feat.

Each shade or type of love is roughly divided into multiple sections. We have stories of Separation, Sacrifice, Devotion, ‘Rising not falling in love’ and others based on the motif of love being fleeting and those of the physical kind alone. While there is no moral prudery on display as stories are being frankly depicted for what they are, there is a clear demarcation that Kama must be satiated only in adherence to Dharmic dictates. The tales of Bhakti were soaked in devotion but also pointed to how love and human attachments could be turned into a potential stepping stone for spiritual purposes.

One of my favourite stories was that of Hemalekha and Hemachuda.

Here, a spiritually nascent husband who was enamoured with worldly pleasures slowly finds himself tiring of it and seeks his beloved wife’s advice. She is no ordinary woman and is one of great spiritual attainment. It is worth mentioning that the man was initially besotted with her but dismissed her wisdom and insights as being ‘ramblings of a woman’. Notwithstanding his impudence and ignorance, she gradually guides him away from Maya despite the initial scepticism and initiates him into truths of a higher order. This a perfect example of rising through love for a partner rather than merely limiting it to physical attraction and emotional attachment.

The well-known tale of Savitri is beautifully penned down in the author’s lucid and lyrical writing style. While all Bharatiyas know of her great devotion as a wife, this version highlights her faithfulness and showcases her other virtues such as her composure during trying conditions, her agile mind and quick thinking, and of course, her spiritual prowess as she shares pearls of wisdom in a conversation with Yamraja. As the lord of death arrives to take away her husband, Satyawan in line with a prophecy, she does not break down and weep. Despite her great grief, she knows she must keep her calm and find a way to alter her husband’s destiny. Her composure is admirable. Moreover, this version is lovely and the conversation between the two characters wherein Savitri skilfully manoeuvres her way into receiving boons from Yamraja is well worth reading. An old tale rendered in lovely prose.

The story of Bhamati was the one that kept me in a reflective mood the longest. She was a wife who faithfully commits her duty to her husband due to which she then had a seminal text of Advaita Vedanta named in her honour. I will not delve deep into the details (please read it to fully appreciate it) but suffice it to say that it made me alter my views of love. The Dharmic lady choose to be dutiful and devoted of her own volition, was not coerced by anyone into serving her husband faithfully, and did so without a word of reproach or remorse. Despite her father initially not being too keen on the marriage and the bridegroom himself not being inclined to marry anyone, she was willing to wed him. Her primary motivation in doing so was as she was impressed with his commitment to writing lengthy commentaries and pouring all his time, effort, and energy into writing, reading, and reflecting. He is known to have interrupted himself only to eat, bathe and answer nature’s calls.

While I loved these short stories, it would be remiss of me to miss mentioning the excellent preface and afterword penned down by the author. It neatly lays out the context as to what the reader should expect from these stories, what Dharmic lessons to imbibe and retain, and, most importantly, why the Hindu view of love is distinct from our modern understanding of the word.

Another quote from the book:

“What relevance then do these stories from thousands or hundreds of years ago hold for us today? Is it that we are expected to become like Savitri or Bhamati or Vishnupriya Devi? Is it that we should, like Ruru, give up half of our lifetimes for the sake of our beloved?
No, that would be too simplistic. Rather, it is to understand and appreciate that these ideals exist, that there is another way to conceive of and approach love, one that leads us closer to enlightenment and self-realisation, that brings us contentment and gratitude rather than the dizzying peaks and valleys of an emotional rollercoaster that wreaks havoc with our psyche and self-esteem. And to find inspiration and motivation from these legendary and iconic figures without necessarily imitating them.”

These are stellar essays in their own right and should be read by one and all. I loved the author’s previous two books and couldn’t resist purchasing this one as well. While ‘The Curse of Gandhari‘ remains my favourite of the three that I infrequently return to re-read, this book does not disappoint.

Final Rating: 4/5 Stars 

Highly recommended.