The book explores(Lord) Krishna’s relationship with the four of the most important women in his life and his journey towards the final fulfilment in his Human Form - death.
The opening lines of the book - " Sitting beneath the peepal tree, Krishna closed his eyes but the images replayed in his mind. Dwarika Palace…Kurukshetra battle… Draupadi’s swayamvar mandap…Rukmini’s abduction…and the glistening eyes of Satyabhama while leaving for Prabhas Ksetra" - gives you an idea of what would follow.
The book begins with the destruction of the Yadava Clan and the story starts from Krishn’s last moments on earth. It is during these moments, Lynig under a tree, His feet struck by a poisinous arrow, that the Lord introspects or recollects his relationship with the Women in his life-About the many Questions in his human mind, which remained unanswered. Krishna reminisces his relationships about Radha-His Lover and Soulmate, Draupadi-His Sakhi-with whome he thought he shared an ideal Man-Woman relationship, Rukmini-His intellectual better half, Satyabhama - His tantrum throwing teasing wife and also his relationship with Arjuna as his freind, Philosopher and guide.
The Basic theme of the book is about human sufferings, its acceptance and endurance. Lord Krishna, the architect of the principal and philosophy of Karma and also the protagonist, as the writer discovers, is not the Almighty but a common man like us, who bonds with the mortals.
Although a work of fiction with a strong flavour of Mythological references, what stands out is the writer’s excellent Screenplay like narration and carefull etching of each character. Krishna’s human mind churns out thought provoking questions about relationships, human sufferings, Bondage - each one debated in such a delicate and sensitive way, it leaves you spell bound.Certain portions involving Draupadi & Krishna’s thoughts for each other and Krishna’s handling of Balarama leaves you Humbled.
There are many sub-plots, each depicting a period in relationship, which are flawlessly interwoven and connect very well to the main plot - Krishna awaiting his death. The language of the book is simple and yet leaves you very satisfied to have had visualized the Lord in a Human Form. A must read.