देवकी का बेटा

by रांगेय राघव, Rangeya Raghav

हिन्दी के प्रख्यात् साहित्यकार रांगेय राघव ने विशिष्ट कवियों, कलाकारों और महापुरूषों के जीवन पर आधारित उपन्यासों की एक माला लिखकर साहित्य की एक बड़ी आवश्यकता को पूर्ण किया है। प्रस्तुत उपन्यास 'देवकी के बेटा' में उन्होंने जननायक श्रीकृष्ण का चरित्र ऎतिहासिक दृष्टि से प्रस्तुत किया है। इसमें श्रीकृष्ण के जीवन के साथ संबद्ध अनेकानेक अल

130 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2018

About the author

रांगेय राघव हिंदी के उन विशिष्ट और बहुमुखी प्रतिभावाले रचनाकारों में से हैं जो बहुत ही कम उम्र लेकर इस संसार में आए, लेकिन जिन्होंने अल्पायु में ही एक साथ उपन्यासकार, कहानीकार, निबंधकार, आलोचक, नाटककार, कवि, इतिहासवेत्ता तथा रिपोर्ताज लेखक के रूप में स्वंय को प्रतिस्थापित कर दिया, साथ ही अपने रचनात्मक कौशल से हिंदी की महान सृजनशीलता के दर्शन करा दिए।आगरा में जन्मे रांगेय राघव ने हिंदीतर भाषी होते हुए भी हिंदी साहित्य के विभिन्न धरातलों पर युगीन सत्य से उपजा महत्त्वपूर्ण साहित्य उपलब्ध कराया। ऐतिहासिक और सांस्कृतिक पृष्ठभूमि पर जीवनीपरक उपन्यासों का ढेर लगा दिया। कहानी के पारंपरिक ढाँचे में बदलाव लाते हुए नवीन कथा प्रयोगों द्वारा उसे मौलिक कलेवर में विस्तृत आयाम दिया। रिपोर्ताज लेखन, जीवनचरितात्मक उपन्यास और महायात्रा गाथा की परंपरा डाली। विशिष्ट कथाकार के रूप में उनकी सृजनात्मक संपन्नता प्रेमचंदोत्तर रचनाकारों के लिए बड़ी चुनौती बनी।


Rangeya Raghava, birth name Tirumalai Nambakam Vir Raghava Acharya, was born in Agra, a city of Uttar Pradesh state, India. A prominent Hindi writer of the 20th century, he completed his post-graduation studies from St. John's College, Agra, and later completed his Ph.D. on Guru Gorakhnath and his times. He started writing at the age of 13 years, and during his short life of 39 years, he was endowed with a number of prizes.

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Reviews

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devaki Ka Beta by Rangeya Raghav- novel- Hindi- In order to understand the story, background should be informed. In the Vedic age, cows were the only means of livelihood. Yadavs and Gops moved from one place to other in search of green pastures and water near the river bed. Shurasen Yadav settled in the area near Yamuna river. Ugrasen and Devak were his brother. Devaki was Devak’s daughter. Devaki was married to Vasudev.Gops from Vrishni Vansh also settled with them. Yadavs were from mixed blood of Asur and nags. These were Aryan races while Nag, Asur, Vanar, Danav, Rakshas etc were non-aryan races. Their culture and language were different. Chapter 1- This Book narrates the story of Shrikrishna and Balram, during his growing years at Gokul. Shri Krishna has been shown as a dark but attractive child who observes, keeps silent, thinks a lot, plays in group, cracks a joke and enjoys to remain with cowherds for the whole day. In Nand Gop and Yashoda’s house, gopis and servants are in plenty. Keeping slaves and serfs was customary in Vedic era. Kansa and Kalia nag are dreaded villains. Kansa is from Andhak vansh. Vasudev’s 13 wives and about 56 children also lived near Nand Gops family. Nag is a community which is engaged in business through boats which ply on the river Yamuna. Their names are Chitragandha, Madira, Bhadrawaha, Rochana, Subhadra, Rangveni, Soudamini, Sehdeva, Devrakshita, Mandakini, Vallari, Kushwahasamant Gop, Kaliya nag, when this Book begins, attack on the life of Krishna by wet nurse, Putna and pulling down of Yamala and Arjun trees is over. After the trees were uprooted, Yakas came out and thanked Krishna. Nand Gop gave them gifts. Shrikrishna has been informed that he is son of Nand Gop and Yashoda. Residents keep murmuring behind his back that Krishna does not know that he is son Vasudev and Devaki and belonged to Vrishni Vansh and he was not from Gop vansh. Presently, Andhak and Vrishni vansh were at loggerheads. Chapter 2- Mathura was ruled by a sabha of Yadavs and city elders. After Kansa is the son in law of King of Magadh, Jarasandh took over the reigns as dictator. Kansa felt that because of killing of 8 children of Devaki, public opinion was against him. Therefore, he released Vasudev and Devaki from prison and kept them in the residence of her father Devak with instruction that they will not leave from this place. Jayashva is the time keeper in-charge of the palace of Kansa. He visits the residence of Devak and meets Vasudev and Devaki. Devaki is losing her youth but is still attractive and wears heavy jewelry. She remembered how they had passed 10 years in jail losing all her 8 children. Vasudev’s has secretly left his family to live in Gokul near Nand Gop’s house. Kansa’s men and his non-aryan friends make efforts to kill Krishna and members of his family. Brothers of Vasudev are living in Mathura without showing any activity. Kansa’s wives Asti and Prapti encouraged him to increase his empire. Vrishni and Andhak Vansh members were agitated by actions of Kansa. During these 10 years, Vasudev never prayed to Kansa to spare any of his children. He kept quiet and calm. Kansa was unable to tolerate the calm of Vasudev. His subjects moved from Mathura to take shelter in Panchal, Kekey, Shalva, Vidarbh, Videh, Kosal and other neighbouring countries. Rohini was asked to visit Vasudev in jail. She came attired as a man. Here Balram was transferred from the body of Devaki to the body of Rohini. Later Kansa was informed that Devaki’s conceived child could not take birth. The book narrates “How new born Krishna was transferred from Jail in Mathura to Gokul”- four persons hatched the plan- Devak, Janush, Jayashva, Nand Gop- Januk provided sweet alcoholic liquor to guards of the jail, thus the guards fainted. Vasudev reached Yamuna river bank with the help of two Vrishni community members, Devak had arranged for a boat with Sheshkul Nags, they reached the other side of the river, Nand Gop took the child Krishna in his arms and in exchange gave his daughter to Vasudev, Vasudev returned in the same way reached the jail, gave the daughter of Devaki. Gates of the jail were locked and information about birth of 8th child was provided to Kansa. Kansa came to his sister Devaki. This was the first time when Devaki was giving someone else’s child to Kansa. She struggled with her brother. When Kansa took the child, Januk said in a loud voice- “Lord Indra has changed the children. This daughter is not of Devaki. The child who will kill you has already taken birth.” Kansa heard and sat down on the ground. Kansa left the child on the ground. Lamp flame went down. When the lamp was burnt again, the child was not there. Januk again said, “Indra has taken the child away. “ The guards ran away from the door of the jail. Kansa called them. Guards said that all this was anger of the Gods. Kansa must release both husband and wife immediately. Kansa obliged to release them. Vrishni’s and Brahmin community people came to the jail gate to show their anger and disagreement with Kansa. Kansa army ordered them to disperse. On instructions of Kansa, Chanur has killed Januk. Devaki was sad that she had lost Yashoda’s child. Now, how can she ask Yashoda to return her son? Nand Gop and Yashoda are spending their wealth on upbringing of Krishna. Jayashva informed that (1) Kansa has recruited some non-aryan soldiers in his army. (2) He plans to kill his father Ugrasen. (3) I have come to take you to meet your elder brother Ugrasen. Chapter 3- Kansa is in a chamber viewing the dance of an almost naked dancer named Chimura. He is drinking alcoholic liquor served by his maid servant Peeluka. After the dance performance was over, Chimura was called near Kansa. Peeluka provided her some liquor which she drank. Shamath was his servant who arranged for young girls for Kansa. Viewdora and Lapetika were his maids who looked after the girls who were brought by force to Kansa’s chambers. Vartula is the girl who was married a week back and has been kidnapped and brought to Kansa’s chamber. Kansa arranged for liquor to be forced in the mouth of Vartula. Kansa raped her and threw her out of his chamber. he called Peeluka to bring in Chimura. Here Jayshava and Devak left for jail to meet Ugrasen. They inform that Krishna is able to kill the Rakashas sent by Kansa to kill him. Krishna is growing up as a popular leader of young gops. His education is not proper like a prince. On hearing some noise, they leave Ugrasen. On the way, Devak finds that Vartula is about to be raped by Kamath. Devak kills him. Asti returns back to the palace. On the way, she sees Kubja meets Kansa who is lying with Chimura. Chimura rises and serves Asti. Asti had more sources of information about who is against Kansa. She informs that Ugrasen wishes to become king again. She has brought may guards and soldiers from her father’s house. The chariot driver of Asti brings a packet for them. When the packet is opened, the cut head of Shamath is found. Kansa gets Vartula’s husband arrested and throws him to wild dogs as food. Someone shoots an arrow and kills one his guards in his presence. Chapter 4- Kansa sends more of his non aryan men to kill Krishna but they fail. Kalia Nag also fails. Jayashava meets Balahak. Balahak is a nag. He has collected information that all Kansa’s men who were sent to kill Krishna were killed by Krishna. Balahak visits the palace and informs about acts of Krishna, Balram and Nand gop. Akrur is minister of Kansa. He is also sitting along with Jayashva. Asti and Prapti suggested that more ministers should be invited to Mathura from her father’s territory Magadh to take the place of Kansa’s ministers. Akrur opposes this proposal that local yadav, Andhak leaders should remain ministers. Kansa leaves for the prison to meet his father Urgarsen. One informer Propak visits the durbar and informs about failure of all attempts on the life of Krishna. He also informs that people who support rebellion are within the palace also. Third he informs that dealing with Nand gop is difficult because of Gokul being a forest area with which Kansa’s men are not aware while Gops are aware of the route. Kansa questions about list of 43 persons in Mathura who support Nand Gop. In the list he shows the name of Jayashva. He produces a ring of whose replica is with all non- supporters of Kansa. Such a ring is found with Jayashava also. Kansa orders to kill Jayashava. Kansa goes to the prison to witness the killing of Jayashava. Jayashava shouts that Kansa will soon be killed by Krishna. Krishna does not know that he is the son of Devaki and Vasudev. Soon he will know this fact and attack Mathura. Magadh Ministers ponder on the question about how to invite Krishna to Mathura. They conclude that minister Akrur should be assigned with this duty of inviting Nand gop and his sons to Mathura for a yagna.

From this chapter, this book turns the story about insiders in the Kansa palace. Not much is written on this subject. This is the first book to view from Kansa’s side of the story.

Chapter 5- Moving with cowherds, Krishna accompanies the Gops, faces and annihilates the killers sent by Kansa. He does not understand what is a dictator. He understands the love which is showered on him by cows, gops and gopis. Radha is also a friend. He plays different tunes on his flute at different times. One thing is clear to him that family of Vasudev belong to Mathura. They are staying here for a short time. They will return back with Balram to Mathura, when they feel it is safe. They all will be educated. Sandipani is a well- known teacher. They may go attend his gurukul. For Krishna son of Nand gop will remain in Gokul among the green pastures on the banks of Yamuna. Servants of Kansa and brahmins consider themselves superior to others. From Mathura, some people visited Nand gop, later they were killed by Kansa’s men. In Madra Kingdom, a woman is free to live with any man and change from one man to another. Rules governing women vary from one land to another. Lord Indra, Sun, Yam, Ashwini Kumar control human life. Who controls the Lords? What is destiny? Krishna slept in the open area of Nand gop’s residence. He about to fall asleep when Radha daughter of Vrishbhanu enters his house and comes near Krishna. Radha keeps looking at him with affection. Krishna questions her about why she has come at this time in the night? Radha has been recently married. Krishna addresses her as Bhabhi. Krishna questions her about birth, youth, old age, death, karma, paap, punya, re-birth. Radha placed her head on Krishna’s shoulder. Krishna enquired what is soul? Just then, lightning strikes, Radha clings to Krishna. Rain pours. Both entangled do not run for shelter. They drench in the rain. After the rainy season is over, Krishna, Balram, Shridama, Stokekrihsna, Varuthap, Tejaswi, Vishal, Sund’s daughter Sunanda and other gop friends take their herds out. Gops came for rest under a tree and told Krishna that they were hungry. Krishna advised that nearby brahmins from Mathura are performing a yagna and they can go and ask to provide food. Gops go near the Brahmins and ask for food in the name of Krishna son of Nand gop. No Brahmin looks at them. Krishna asks them to visit Brahman yagna women’s chamber and ask for food. Soon, Brahmin yagna women come to the place where Krishna is resting with food. Women know that Nand gop has stopped pay to Kansa. They provide food for all gops. Just then, the group is informed that one yagna woman has committed suicide because her husband did not allow her to go to Krishna with food. Mathura society consists of Brahmins, yadavs, Vrishnis, Andhaks, Kshtriya and others. Krishna plans to give respect of Brahmins after Kansa is overthrown. First, they will oppose Lord Indra Puja. This will hit the roots of Kansa thinking. Krishna requests the women to return and support the revolution against Kansa. Each year Lord Indra puja was organised for better rain and crops. This year also Lord Indra puja was planned but Krishna was against this. Shrutashruta a messenger from Devak visits Nand gop, meets both Vasudev and Nand gop families, stays until the heavy rains settle, then returns back to Mathura and reports to Vasudev and Devaki about the meeting. Chapter 6- Preparations for Lord Indra puja start. Krishna and other gops question Nang gop about why we should not start Goverdhan Puja in place of Indra Puja. The argument is that gops are neither Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaish or Shudra. Gops move with cowherds from one place to another. Indra Puja is urban city-based Puja started by Kansa. The hills and other natural species are helpful to gops in life. Therefore, we should start Govardhan puja. Krishna thought about a uniform society. All participated. After Govardhan puja, gifts were provided to all including Chandals, beggars, servants and others. Brahmins read mantras for destruction of Kansa empire. Krishna sat under a tree. Radha came and sat near him- happy with the decision of Govardhan puja. Shrutashruta told this story to Devak, Devaki and Vasudeva. Shrutashruta continued. Just then, it started to rain heavily, river Yamuna swelled, cows, gops, gopis started drowning. Krishna and all able gops jumped in the river and threw them out of the river. Krishna asked all to move in the caves of Govardhan hill. He guided all of them to the caves for safety. After the rain ebbed, reconstruction work was started with the help of all. Krishna helped to construct houses of Chadals and of forest dwellers. All gops proposed to honour Krishna. In a ceremony, He was honoured by all. On Purnima, Krishna blue his flute and all gopis danced all night. Gops decided not to tolerate Kansa anymore. One servant, Sudumna entered. He was hurt. He informed that Kansa has sent Minister Akrur to inviter Nand Gop, and Gop, Krishna, Balram and gops with the promise that he will listen to all their demands and settle in their favour. Kansa’s Magadh army men arrive to arrest Devaki and Vasudev., Balram and gops with the promise that he will listen to all their demands. Chapter 7- Asti and Prapti are returning to Magadh because Kansa has been killed by Krishna. Minister Akrur visits Gokul and informs Nand gop that Kansa has invited them but they should not go as he doubts that Kansa will attempt to kill them. Krishna asks Nand gop that they will take the challenge and go to Mathura. Akrur is happy and praises Krishna as an able son of Devaki. Krishna is shocked. He falls on the feet of Yashoda and weeps. Yashoda informs that actually he is son of Devaki but she has brought him up as her son. Rohini informs Balram that she had worn male attire and visited the jail to meet Devaki. From the jail, she had hidden Balram in her clothes and brought Balram with him to Gokul. Balram also comes to know that both are sons of Devaki. All gop families have gathered. Krishna thanks all