The Book of Satyabhama

Krishnavatara #5

by Kanaiyalal Maneklal Munshi

Kanaiyalal Maneklal Munshi's versatility and achievements were in a way unique. He was an eminent lawyer, one of the framers of India's Constitution and a seasoned statesman. Coming under the inspiring influence of Sri Aurobindo during his student days, Munshi had been an ardent fighter for India's freedom, working at different stages in close association with Jinnah, Tilak, Besant, Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel, Rajagopalachari and Pandit Nehru. His achievements as Home Minister of Bombay in 1937, as India's Agent-General in Hyderabad before the Police action, as India's Food Minister and as Governor of Uttar Pradesh had been characterised by rare courage and decisive energy. Acknowledged as the foremost writer in modern Gujarati literature, he has to his credit a vast and varied literature including novels, dramas, memoirs and history in Gujarati, as also several historical and other works in English, notably Gujarat and Its Literature, Imperial Gurjaras, Creative Art of Life, To Badrinath, The End of an Era, Krishnavatara, Bhagavad Gita and Modern Life, Saga of Indian Sculpture, Bhagawan Parashurama, Tapasvini, Prithvi Vallabh, The Master of Gujarat and Lomaharshini.

Genres: Mythology, Fiction

231 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1970

About the author

K.M. Munshi is one of Gujarat's most well-known literary writers. His historical novels have contributed profoundly to the sense of past that Gujarat lives with. A multi-faceted personality, he was a prominent lawyer, freedom fighter and politician. He was also the founder of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.

Reviews

[Janakiraman TK · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would rate Fifth book of the Krisnavatara slightly below the previous ones, purely because of the inconsequential nature of events that are covered in this book. Nevertheless it cements the idea of Krishna in the viewers mind. How Krishna is attached to people who are attached to their Dharma, forms the central theme of this book. Its a rather small book, through which the reader can breeze through. Sathyabama and Rohini(Jamabavathi), two of the ashtabharyas of Krishna make their entry into the story in this book. The key thing to notice through this book is that how Krishna is forced to prove himself time and again that all his actions are pure and towards dharma, even after all that he has done previously. In fact at a point Krishna realizes that this is required for keeping people in check and follow dharma. Looking forward to a read the next to understand where his dharma would lead him to.

[Sumeetha Manikandan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book stands out in this series as the most romantic one. You have jungle adventure, chivalry and passion that might just put any other romance book to shame.

Krishna is back in Dwaraka for good. He is happy that he has finally seen his cousins settling into a life that they so well deserve. But there is some resentment among the Yadavas, who had to give away some of their riches to help the Pandava brothers settle in Indraprastha. The chief among the grumblers was Satrajit, whose intrigues and politics irk Krishna’s supporters.

Sadly for Satrajit, his own daughter Satyabhama is hopelessly in love with Krishna. She appeared as a minor character in the third book, Five Brothers where she kidnaps Satyaki and saves him from assassins. Breathtakingly beautiful, spunky, passionate yet misguided Satya is resolved to have Krishna as her husband.

Krishna comes to meet Satrajit who berates him for bankrupting Yadavas just so that his cousins can enjoy kingly comfort. Krishna counters him and asks him to share his ever-growing wealth with the Yadavas by delivering the divine jewel, Symantaka over to him. Satrajit is disturbed and worried about Krishna’s demand.

Things come to a head when the Symantaka jewel is stolen and the blame falls on Krishna. Disheartened and depressed with the turn of events, Satya decides to leave her home to follow the clues to get back the jewel and save her beloved from blame. She seeks Satyaki’s help and they follow the clues into the jungle but her father believes that she has eloped with his enemy’s son.

Krishna follows them into the forest and their adventures begin. The divine jewel Symantaka is taken by Jambhavan into his kingdom of bears (supposedly a wild forest tribe that roams around naked with long hair). Sathya and Satyki are held prisoners there while Jambhavan wants Krishna to marry his daughter. Krishna safely rescues Jambavati, Satya and Satyaki from the wild tribe and they make their way out along with the Symantaka.

In Munshi’s expert hands, Sathyabhama blossoms from an impetuous girl to a mature and understanding woman. She realizes that Krishna can be won over only through total surrender and selfless love that transcends physical passion.

I loved this book for the sheer passion of Satya’s love for Krishna.

[Mercedes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A vivid narrative of a seldom told story, fleshed out in this fest of classical story telling that is the Krishna Avatar series. This book is even better as its heroine is a woman.

[Sriti Patra · Rating 5 out of 5]

The krishnavtar series never ceases to surprise me, a very insightful experience.

[ASHIS KAR · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Book of Satyabhama

The book is excellent reading for every Hindu who wants to know his ancient religion. Only an outstanding scholar like Shri K M Munshi could have penned such a masterpiece.
Ashis Kumar Kar .

[Hridundan Shivaramakrishnan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thought this book was a bit weird. I just find it strange how Satyabham fell in love with Krishna when she was six. The plotline was alright, and Satrajit was a bad guy I'd done well. It's not my favourite of the series, though.

[Chandni · Rating 5 out of 5]

The plot was cute and simple enough to follow through. I was surprised at how many wives Krishna has though.

[Dr. Charu Panicker · Rating 3 out of 5]

സത്യഭാമയ്ക്ക് ശ്രീകൃഷ്ണനോടുള്ള ആദരത്തെ സൂചിപ്പിക്കുന്ന രചനയാണിത്. പുസ്തകത്തിന്റെ അവസാന ഭാഗമാകുമ്പോഴേക്കും ജാംബവാനും പ്രധാന പങ്കുവഹിക്കുന്നു.

[Savita Ramsumair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb

A beautiful book!! This is the first book that deals extensively with the story of Bhagwan Krishna and Satyabama. I have also learnt a lot from this book.

[Ashish Jaituni · Rating 3 out of 5]

The fifth in the series of books of book by K. M. Munshi. It is good but I was wondering why have this volume in the first place but still makes a good read!