Deepak Chopra Presents India
Authentic Volume 1: The Book Of
Shiva (v. 1) by Saurav Mohapatra
That Was Amazing
There exists a world beyond our mortal comprehension that tells the story
of life before man. These are stories of the gods and goddesses who reign
over humanity and wield the forces of the Universe. These are the stories
that lay the foundations of a country a billion strong. These are the stories
of INDIA AUTHENTIC. Deepak Chopra presents the tales of the immortal
gods: Indra, Kaali, Ganesha, Uma and Shiva, whose stories are not mere
fairy-tales but lessons in understanding ones own existence. Read the
legends created before legends even existed, the legends that are
authentically India...
Personal Review: Deepak Chopra Presents India Authentic
Volume 1: The Book Of Shiva (v. 1) by Saurav Mohapatra

I don't know what to say about "The Book of Shiva", other than I am
renewing my love to Shiva. I mean, I love and adhere to all aspects of the
Trinity, and I bow to the power of Vishnu to preserve the world. But Lord
Shiva... I don't know. There's something within that Hermit of Kailash that
amazes me. Perhaps His matted hair, from which Mother Gangga flows.
Perhaps His hermit stage. Not His snake... not His snake...
But one thing for sure that makes me admire Shiva: His love to Lady Uma/
Parvati. So beautiful, so sweet... A while ago, I wept the first time I learned
that He too was broken hearted when Sati died. Now, after reading the
story again here, I was crushed again. Shiva is the God who knows pain of
separation. And the way Shiva expressed His feelings as He watched the
All-Mother Uma turned into Kali: "It pained me to see my Uma like this. I
wept when she howled like a wild beast... and turned on the blood-
spawns."
Kudos to Saurav Mohapatra's script and Deepak Chopra's ideas. I really
love the painting-like arts inside of the book - Tayade, Singh, and
Subramanian did amazing works. My favourite part was when Shiva
stopped the enraging Kali: "Uma, this cannot be. You must fight her." And
then, the most beautiful painting, as He holds Uma's unconscious form and
said: "The Sleeper slumbered again. For it was Uma who opened her
eyes. Perhaps it was the fatigue of battle that quelled the primal will.
Perhaps it was the power of the All-Mother. But sometimes I like to
think...maybe... Just maybe... it was me."
Sweet, romantic Shiva...
My only nitpick is that Shiva was shown smiling only in 1-2 panels,
particularly when Uma was around. I mean, yes - Shiva has the dark
Rudra side, the destructive side. But He also has His sweet, beautiful side.
The Dance of Life, as the Nataraj dances it, is danced with love. His love:
sweet, tender, beautiful love. Such spirit is not really shown here, hence
might mislead new readers or those who are not familiar with the Vedic
tradition, that Shiva is the all-angry God who destroys everything.
Personally, I would rather have the cover depicting the benevolent Shiva,
He who smiles peacefully as He watches the world from the top of Kailash.
But I understand why from the sale point of view, the artists and creator
preferred the scarier form of Shiva. Here's the hope for the second volume,
where Shiva is depicted with gentler smile, as sweet and gentle as He
gazes lovingly at Lady Parvati.
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