Adaptations of our itihasas has over the years evolved into a powerful genre of writing. Retaining the essence of itihasas while subtly delivering the message and underscoring its relevance, Indian authors strived to maintain a perfect balance. This nuanced writing of connecting the current generation to the exquisite ancient repositories of knowledge played a tremendous role in enhancing general understanding and appreciation of Indic civilisation. Such writings have been on an ascendant in the recent past.
KM Munshi’s Bhagavan Parshuram, the English
translation of a Gujarati novel of the same name is amongst the front-runners
of Indic writings. Bhagavan Parshuram revered as the sixth avatara of Bhagavan
Vishnu is held in high esteem. Considered to be an immortal (Chiranjeevi)
and believed to be living on the Earth even till day, Parshuram is among the
category of six other legends that evokes intrigue and fascination. Acclaimed
as slayer of Kshatriyas who wavered path of dharma and reckoned as his act of cutting-off
of his mother’s head upon father’s command for harbouring unchaste thoughts,
Parshuram, the revered Brahmin rishi is renowned for aggression, martial
skills, serenity, prudence and patience.
Mirroring the unique traits of Bhagavan
Parshuram, KM Munshi in his novel, an adaptation of Dasarjana of Rg Veda-The
Battle of Ten Kings, scripts a fiction which diligently intertwines the stories
of Rishi Vishwamitra and Parshuram. The fast-paced novel, comprising of several
plots and sub-plots staged in the Rg Veda era, centres around the River
Saraswati.
Unambiguously rebutting the pernicious Aryan
Invasion theory, the novel is in part an ode to the Saraswati civilisation that
has been the defining aspect of the Indic civilisation. Outlining the framework
of Rg vedic society which rested on the pillars of the Rta (Law of
Righteousness), Tapas and Dharma, KM Munshi introduces various clans of the
Vedic era which includes- the Bharatas, the Bhrigus, the Trishtas, the Dasyus, the
Yadavas, the Nagas, the Haihayas and the Aghoras.
Termed as Sapta Sindhu, the land through which
Saraswati flows, the region was considered extremely sacred and held in great
esteem. The residents of the region were deemed to be virtuous or designated as
Aryans. Aryans firmly believed in the Law of Rta as opposed to Dasyus who
defied it. This became the reason for
incessant fights between the Aryans and Dasyus.
Aryans which included the Bharatas, Bhrigus,
Trishtas took upon themselves the task of defending Law of Rta. Introducing the
rich lineage of Bhrigus which traces its origins to Maharishi Bhrigu, KM Munshi
in his novel, eloquently begins the story from Sage Richika, the father of
Jamadagni.
First part of the book details the close
familial relationship between Jamadagni, Vishwaratha (who eventually gains
acclaim as Vishwamitra), Vashishta, the brother of Sage Agastya, Sudasa, son of
the Trishta King Divodasa. Incidentally all of them the advocates of Law of Rta
study together at Agastya Ashram.
But the destiny of the Aryans takes a drastic
turn with the kidnapping of Vishwaratha, the inheritor of Bharatas by Dasyus.
During his captivity at Tugra Fort, Vishwaratha falls in love with Ugra, the
princess of Dasyus. Pledging life-long support and companionship Vishwaratha to
her, he not only challenges the existing societal order but also attempts to
transform the deeply entrenched divide between the Aryans and non-Aryans.
Advocating the assimilation of Dasyus into
Aryan society, Vishwaratha earns the love of Dasyus and wrath of Aryans. But
eventually with his eclectic persuasion powers he manages to bring the two
tribes together. In the process, Vishwaratha becomes renowned as Vishwamitra
(friend of all). Unfortunately, this semblance of assimilation gets disrupted
with the abduction of daughter-in-law of Sudasa by Dasyu successor Bheda.
While the second part of the story delves into
the extraordinary martial skills, valour, patience and phenomenal commitment of
Parshuram or Rama, as he is popularly called towards Dharma. Since his young
age, the valorous Rama demonstrates his unflinching conviction towards
upholding dharma.
As a saviour of the weak and emancipating the
oppressed, Rama wins the hearts of the people living along the fringes of the
society. Parshuram’s efforts to resurrect the Yadava clan and upliftment of
Nagas and his encounters and friendly overtures with the man-eating Aghoras and
his extirpation of the Haihayas who violates all the precepts of Dharma with
impunity vividly exemplifies the overarching traits of Bhagavan Parashuram.
Parashuram who leads a nomadic life with his love Lomaharshini, sister of
Sudasa, makes unrelenting efforts to establish Dharma wherever he goes.
Indeed, the two parts of the book attempt to
portray two different leaders-Vishwamitra and Bhagavan Parashuram who in their
own ways attempt to establish the Law of Rta.
Understandably, Dharma has been the moral compass for these torch
bearers who fought for inclusivity and aspired for the well-being of the
society.
Interestingly, the two parts of the book revolve around River
Saraswati of Sapta Sindhu and River Reva of Anupdesh (present day Gujarat)
respectively. River Reva is considered as sister of River Saraswati. Replete
with so many familiar legendary characters the novel certainly stirs up the
curiosity of readers. Published seven decades ago, KM Mushi’s lucid Bhagavan
Parshuram can be an excellent inspiration for modern writers aspiring to work
on Indic themes.
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