Book Review of Krishna: Maha Vishnu Avataar By Kevin Missal

Book Review of Krishna: Maha Vishnu Avataar – An Unusual Take On The Life Of Krishna After The War of Mahabharata Penned By Kevin Missal

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Krishna is one of the most inspiring characters in Indian mythology. Countless writers have written numerous texts exploring his various qualities and actions. However, rarely, if ever, has a writer written about the life of Krishna after the great war of Mahabharata.

Kevin Missal is perhaps the only contemporary writer to do so. His book, Krishna: Maha Vishnu Avtar, chronicles the life of the Yadav Prince in a completely new avatar in the post-Mahabharta world. 

Premise – Krishna: Maha Vishnu Avataar

 

Forty years after the battle of Mahabharata, Krishna has disappeared from Dwarka and nobody knows his whereabouts. His elder son Pradhyumna, rules the land with an iron fist. He is extremely ambitious and power-hungry, which often causes him to make mistakes. Krishna’s other son, Samva, leaves the kingdom to pursue a path of personal vengeance. However, he needs to find his father and learn the truth about his heritage to achieve his objective.

Krishna’s brother Balram is the prime minister of Dwarka and has to find a way to restore peace between the warring clans of Yayatis. In the aftermath of the great battle, Krishna transfers his powers to the Yayatis to make them invincible. The mayhem caused by his actions results in Krishna facing the biggest challenge in his life. As his past haunts him and his future looks bleak, Krishna now faces the painful prospect of killing the very people he loves and cherishes. 

Character Development – Krishna: Maha Vishnu Avataar

Kevin Missal has done a wonderful job of presenting each character in the book realistically. He has managed to highlight the internal struggles Krishna goes through in his human form, despite being an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. He has also presented the vulnerabilities and turbulent family dynamics of Krishna’s clan without overdramatizing things. Be it the selfish nature of Pradhyumna or the hatred that Samva feels towards a personal enemy, the depiction of each character makes the story more interesting.

Plot – Krishna: Maha Vishnu Avataar

The plot narrates the events happening several decades after the completion of the war of Mahabharata. It presents Krishna as a vulnerable individual who regrets his past actions and wants to set things right. It also tells the tale of the internal family struggles that led to the destruction of the Yadav clan. The book, inspired by the Mausula Purana, reimagines the role of Krishna as a repenting individual who has lost his divinity and become a recluse. 

Writing Style – Krishna: Maha Vishnu Avataar

The author presents an immersive combination of fantasy and mythology through this book. The use of insightful reflections and thought-provoking statements throughout the book helps to keep the readers engaged.  

Final Verdict: Krishna: Maha Vishnu Avataar

This is a must-read book for people who love mythological fantasy and I give it 4.5/5.