Title: Jaratkaru
Language: English
Genre Specifics–Mythological Fiction-Novel.
Publisher: Evincepub Publishing (2023)
ISBN: 9789356731356
Formats : Kindle Edition-150/-, Paperback-375/-, Hardcover-455/-
Style : Narrative (Contemporary, Informal)

The Author:

Dr Priya Dandage is a doctor by profession and a writer by passion. She has a BHMS, DCJ, and CCCT. She has been writing since her teenage and has won numerous writing contests. She has also contributed essays and stories in Marathi to top publications. She is a gifted speaker and a devout zoophilist and works for the rural women’s NGO Swayamsidha.

The Title:

Jaratkaru: Central character.

The Book Cover:

Pivotal and has a hands-on woman-centric theme. 

The Theme:

The women from Mahabharata praised and written about were either Brahmins or Kshatriyas. Jaratkaru, despite her sacrifice and devotion, remained unknown to many people. The author has picked up her inspiration from her character.

When King Janmejaya announced Sarpa Satra-a sacrifice that would destroy all living serpents, nobody came forward to help the Nagas. A genocide, the first of its kind in the kingdom of Aryawarta.

The storyline is engagingly woven around princess Jaratkaru. Her awe-inspiring courage, selfless determination, and how she sets out to save her clan from the inevitable doom.

It takes on from the back story—Arujuna burning Khandav Vana to build Indraprastha. In that inferno, the King of Nagas, Takshaka, lost his kingdom, people and beloved wife, Ikshumati. He vowed to take revenge. After years, Takshaka succeeded in poisoning king Parikshita, grandson of Arjuna. Janmejaya, Parikshita’s son, vowed to wipe out the Naga clan. He attempted this by performing a great Sarpa Satra.

The inevitable looming large, Takshaka, the Nagaraja, went to Indra’s kingdom to save his life and to prevent an attack on his new kingdom Takshasheela. Vasuki, king of nagas, went to Brahmdeva to consult about the looming calamity upon the Naga kingdom. Brahmdeva suggested Vasuki get his sister, princess Jaratkaru married to two hundred years old sage Jaratkaru. Brahmdeva told Vasuki that king Janmejaya was in debt to sage Jaratkaru and that sage’s son from this marriage will end Sarpsatra.

Following Brahmdeva’s advice, Vasuki proposed this marriage to his darling sister, who was just seventeen. Jaratkaru initially refused the proposal but later came forward with the proposal to save her clan.

The Narration and Style:

The author has told the story in the limited third-person POV. The language is simple and told in a narrative style that seems conversational. 

Whose read:

With its simplistic approach, the book can be enjoyed across age groups. However, anyone looking for Mythological Fiction must go for it.

Not as much:

There is nothing left out in the book as it has some in-depth research and a meticulous ensemble of events. A well-balanced mix of dialogue and narration leaves no room for comment. 

My appraisal:

The review is based on the specific genre to match it evenly. 

Narrated in the third-person POV. Written in a contemporary Narrative style built on a mythological framework. The book revolves around the female protagonist Jaratkaru and deserves to be read by bibliophiles across genres and niches.

Having read and enjoyed the book, I don’t hesitate to recommend it to my mythological fiction aficionados, and neither would you. Must grab your copy and check it out, folks!

End Note:

Many man hours, hard work, emotions, love, care and in-depth musing have been put into writing the book; kudos! Thank you, Dr Priya, for giving us a fantastic book. Keep up the excellent work. Cheers! 

Drop in your comments on this review.

Ciao!

– Bobby George