Dashavatar, Kurma: The Second Avatar
Rating: 4.7/5
Author: Sundari Venkatraman
Publisher: Flaming Sun (Indie published)
Publishing Date: 22 April 2018
Language: English
Genre: Mythology
ASIN: B07CLH9ZGF
Format: eBook
Pages: 34 (print length), 1537 KB (Kindle)
Plot:
Sage Durvasa’s curse makes not just Indra, the Deva king, but also all the other Devas, lose their powers. The completely shaken Devas rush to Lord Vishnu for help. The Blue Lord suggests that they churn the ocean of milk for Amrut, a divine potion, that would help them get back their lost powers and more. For this, the Devas seek the help of their strong half-brothers, the evil Asuras.
With Mount Mandara, as the churning rod and the serpent king Vasuki as the rope, the Devas and Asuras begin the churning of the ocean. When the mountain sinks into the ocean without support, it’s Lord Vishnu to the rescue as Kurma, the tortoise.
This is the story of Samudra Manthan and how Lord Vishnu takes different avatars to save the situation.
Review:
Kurma ('tortoise'), also known as 'Kurma Raja' ('Tortoise King') is an avatar of the Rig Vedic god Vishnu. Originating in the Vedic literature such as the Yajurveda as being synonymous with the Saptrishi called Kasyapa, Kurma is most commonly associated in post-Vedic literature such as the Puranas with the legend of the churning of the Ocean of milk, referred to as the Samudra Manthan.
The second in the Dashavatar series, Sundari Venkataraman’s ‘Kurma’ is a re-telling of the popular Indian mythological fiction that sees the Devas and Asuras who are always pitted against each other, go in for a temporary truce in order to undertake the tedious task of churning of the ocean in search of the nectar that promises immortality. Sage Durvasa gets angry over Devraj Indra , King of Devas and he provides a terrible curse. Vishnu is the only one to provide a solution.
Sundari Venkatraman didn't interfere with the original story written in Sanskrit.
We all know the story but not in a chronological order. Venkatraman presents it with proper introduction, proper context and the conclusion. The book is well-researched and neatly presented. She wrote in details the 14 different appearances from the ocean. The plot line and the writing is simple, for everyone to digest easily.
Venkatraman jots down the story in complete details, especially for the people who are not acquainted with this epic story.
About the Author:
Sundari Venkatraman is an Indie Author who has 40+ books to her credit. These books have consistently featured in the Top 100 Bestseller Lists on Amazon India, Amazon USA, Amazon UK, Amazon Canada and Amazon Australia in both romance as well as Asian Drama categories. Her latest hot romances have all been on #1 Bestseller slot in Amazon India for over a month.
Even as a child, Sundari absolutely loved the fairy tales, Phantom comics and Mandrake comics. It was always about good triumphing over evil and a happy ending after the protagonists surmounted all unexpected obstacles.
Once she entered her teens, Sundari switched her loyalties from fairy tales to Mills & Boon. While she loved reading both of these, she kept visualising what would have happened if there were similar situations happening in India; to local heroes and heroines. And of course, the joy of vanquishing the ubiquitous evil villains! Her imagination soared and she happily ensconced herself in a rosy romantic cocoon for many years.
