On the request of  krishna-sahacharini

Book name: Rise Of Dharma

Author: Semanti Chakraborty

Published on: 2021

Review by _RulerOfHearts_

Synopsis: The book majorly focuses on the protagonist Yudhishthir, the eldest son of Devi Kunti and King Paandu, and the part of Lord Dharma. The trails he goes throughout the journey right from childhood till him being the Chakravarthy Samrat of Aaryavart, is attempted to be depicted. Yudhishthir is a very rare choice as a protagonist for majority of authors working on fictions based on Mahaabhaarat, and the author claims to have taken an insight from the authentic versions of the Epic.

The Story and Accuracy: The story almost follows the account of the Mahaabhaarat and its events, and not much distortions have been made. The author roughly follows the entire sequence in order more or less, and incorporated some figments of imaginations on her own.

But yes, there are a few major stuffs I would like to point out; since the author has followed the authentic versions, the Pandavas already knew about Draupadi's past birth and her being Nalayani, and the decision which Yudhishthir arrives to ask Draupadi to marry the five is actually because of this reason(a very strong reason); this was completely removed from the book with that they had only heard about Draupadi and Dhrishtadyumn being fire born and that her Swayamvar would be held shortly.

The fact that Yudhishthir has a passive aversion for weapons and lacks experience; The five of them were given the training of DhanurVed from Kripacharya majorly, there is no situation where Yudhishthir lags in the basics of arms. He is brilliant in using the various forms of weapons, the plus point being his spear and his skill in driving chariots. He was no ways a poor warrior in any respect. Even before arriving at Hastinapur, it was stated that Pandu taught the five of them the art of weaponry; so him shown having a passivity for weapons is not true. 

The fact that Yudhishthir doesn't participate in the Gurudakshina war- The BORI CE mentions that all the Princes, including the Pandavas and Kauravas had participated(Mentioned in Jatugriha Daha Parva), and Arjun was the one who captured Drupad(This part is mentioned in Harivamsa)

Arjun's exile story has completely been fictionalized. The authentic texts and majority of Mahaabhaarat texts claim how he had violated the norms and entered the chambers of Yudhishthir and Draupadi-but here some other reasons are given; Yudhishthir sends Arjun away in order to get more allies on the backdrop that Takshak was creating difficulties for them. Whereas in reality, Yudhishthir repeatedly attempts to stop Arjun from leaving for the twelve year exile-

Other than this, the story and the accuracy more or less works fine and is quite better than most of the books out there.

The Writing And The Character Of Yudhishthir: I needed to club these two sects together because both of them are interdependent on each other.

The writing of the story has been from Yudhishthir's Point Of View. Often first POV writing play a lot in depicting the internal conflicts and thoughts, actions and execution process of the protagonist in a VIVID manner. 

And the author seems to have lacked back in this attempt. The portrayal of Yudhishthir as per her writing LACKS character strength and vigor, which almost makes it somewhat a monotonous read. We all are aware of the story of Mahaabhaarat, its nothing new--we want to see what a character feels when it journeys through the epic with its own given characteristics and way of action; and everything depends on the writing style of the book.

The writing is simple, its not that the simplicity that wasn't the lack of excitation--it was the lack of witty writing; which makes Yudhishthir almost look like a stoic individual who is just describing the events and responds in a monotonous manner, his feelings and emotions are ended in a line or two--without actually delving deep into to and analyzing the nuances. 

When you start feeling for the character, instantly it is over and you're surprised with it-like, now only I started feeling a bit about it and boom! There was a scene change-and you do not find a grip over the situation or feel anything about Yudhishthir- the entire book is extremely fast paced for a first person's pov; one does not get time to grab and understand the nuances or feel Yudhishthir's actions or thoughts while sitting on his foot. 

His elation, sadness, confusion or pride over his brothers just falls flat and gives an aura of passivity in his own POV. 

Another thing that was a down-point was his chemistry with the other four Pandavas. Yudhisthir was known to be fond of Bheem a lot, but there brotherhood is hardly portrayed in an exciting light, and so with Arjun and the twins. Yudhishthir at times, most of the times I would say seems so cut off from his brothers that it feels that the four of them are alien to him. The five of them are said to inserables, Yudhishthir himself claims from BORI Ce how he isn't anything without the four of them; yet such a gripping part appears to be shoved away, his sense of pride and love for his brothers could have been shown more vividly instead of jumping from one event to the other.

This clearly dwindles the interest of the readers who aren't able to connect with him. The lack of witty writing and smart choice of words to portray Yudhishthir's character is clearly missing; which degrades the intensity of the trails and tribulations he faced.

The 'Yudhishthir Supremacy' and the other characters: I completely understand that the book is based on Yudhishthir and his life, but there is such a weirdness in the tone of him shining everytime is kind of off-grid. Specially Bheem, who is shown like a glutton and the one who cannot control his temper in any situation. Arjun's humility and kindness is shoved away, and Madreya twins barely gets time to shine, specially Sahadev.

 Again, it is the reason because the author doesn't delve much into them, the chemistry between the five is so weakly portrayed-there are hardly times where the intelligence and views of the other Pandavs are portrayed in a positive manner-almost all of them are refused by Yudhishthir in some or the other manner. 

The only character that seems fleshed out better than the others is Draupadi, from all other books she shines the best in this book. Her real character is mentioned, and she isn't the hot headed temptress who is in her full ego mode, but a kind and composed woman who doesn't leave the side of her husbands in any manner. Even the manner in which she handles her Empress duties is mentioned well, and her assisting Yudhishthir.

I am also happy with the portrayal of Kunti as a mother, the books I have read which downright shuns her to be a scheming individual like a typical mother in law from tv-serials has not been incorporated.

The Chemistry between Draupadi and Yudhishthir: Just like a said, the author mentions the correct qualities of Draupadi, but instead of vividly portraying them out with a few example sequences, she just blatantly states them. Still better executed than the chemistry between Yudhishthir and Pandavas, I still feel their first night could be executed better and not rushed, and so did Yudhishthir's view about his feelings for Panchali. 

Yudhishthir had always been vocal about his love for her, specially in the Vanvaas parts where he goes on praising her how she is the beloved of the Pandavs and how they all should care for her; but here even though he admires her, things fall passive due to the writing style. The formality between the husband wife throughout appeared jarring, that you do not root for the couple much. 

Overall review: Like I said, we all are aware of the story of Mahaabhaarat. The only thing that is new to be done is to present the stories in an exciting manner to grab the attention of the audience, the writing had to be done in a more amicable, smart manner; so that the entire book doesn't become another collection of events and monotonously boring.  

Still, it was a better read than many books which has done a massive character slandering of the righteous characters.

I would like to rate the book a straight up 2/5. 

Review by @mysticalsiya1468

The Rise of Dharma
Author: Semanti Chakraborty
Publishing Year: 2021

About the Story:

The first book of the Samrat Trilogy, the book revolves around a young Yudhishtir, who lost his father due to an unfortunate curse and his rise to be the able and just emperor he is known as. It talks about the ethical dilemmas and is a narration of the Mahabharata from the eyes of one of the heroes of Mahabharata.

Character Portrayals and Accuracy:

The accuracy of the events described in the book is questionable and to some extent may annoy you of how a likeable and awe-inspiring character like Yudhishthira can be made dislikeable. This book has portrayed Yudhishthira, to have no emotions really when it had to deal with his own conflicts and dare, I say appeared too weak.

This book was supposed to have the reader to understand and appreciate the pragmatic and capable leader in Dharmaraja, but unfortunately what we are served is an ancient version of a non-violence advocator, who just wants to run away from anything and everything in life. And its not the one to avoid war where possible, it’s more like totally avoiding war just like that, to the extent the author found it amusing to show that Yudhishtir did not participate in the Panchal war which was a part of the Gurudakshina the Kuru princes had to give their preceptor Dronacharya. And it does not stop here, Yudhishtir here is more of a passive observer than the one to take any action, it seems as if I was reading the same old Mahabharata with no real insight into the central character.

For example, the author has shown Yudhishtir to be a non-violent person, and the reason given is his philosophical inclination towards dharma. While the real Yudhishtir may have avoided war, he was also well aware and well versed of the various ways in which things works. I mean Yudh (meaning war) is right in his name, and the literal translation of his name means ‘the one who is stable during war’.

Every decision taken by Yudhishtir here seems to be dictated by someone other than the man himself. I don’t see this as a quality of a good leader, while leaders debate and discuss but the final call is always theirs and here well, lets just say he is a puppet used by many people. Something that is highly unlikely of the leader and king like Yudhishtir who thought miles ahead than what everyone else does.
Now let’s talk about the supporting characters, the four younger brothers of Yudhishtir have either been done dirty or completely ignored. Bheem in the book comes across as a snobbish and angry man when in reality he’s the definition of ‘I’ll burn the world for my family’, compassionate and should I say clear headed man who knew how to take his family out of misery, but I don’t see this, Arjun comes across this person who always displays his anger for no real reason, at some points he even appears arrogant and seems to be careless about his family, and the twins have been completely ignored. This being a book on Yudhishtir’s early days, I expected the author to delve a little into the infamous brotherhood of the Pandavas, a beautiful bond explored from the perspective of the eldest would have been beautiful, but unfortunately, we don’t get this. Instead, its dealt with very superficially and we don’t see the eldest brother in Yudhishtir, in fact the brothers appear very detached, a complete contrast to the close knit bond they had in reality.

Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas and the queen along with Yudhishtir, has a very limited time in the book. In the little time she appears to be bossy and goes onto think like a power-hungry woman. She even advises Arjun to use the twelve year exile which by the way is shown as one year in the book, which he undertakes upon invading her and Yudhishtir’s privacy as a tool to gain alliances. Here too you see Yudhishtir just observing and not really protesting and just agreeing when in reality he actually was against it and Arjun convinced his eldest.

There has been no insight into the relationship of Draupadi and Yudhishtira, I so wished to read this, there are hardly any books or sub plots based on this and not exploring this subplot is actually a missed opportunity. I mean they were King and queen together, and even go onto become the Emperor and Empress, so an insight of how the advised and counselled each other, how they stood by each other and aspects of Yudhishthira being a good listener to his wife, the love the two had for each other, there was so much. Agreed this is not a romance novel, but I did wish to know about the most important woman of his life from his perspective.

The other characters, like Kunti, Vidur, Kripacharya, Bhishma and Dronacharya, who responsible for the making of Yudhishtir and inculcating values in him have been given little to no space in the book. You don’t get to see how they influenced him, hell I don’t even get their mentions much about how they influenced him or helped in him shaping to be formidable leader, its not overnight that someone becomes a capable leader, there are many people who inspire and influence them and unfortunately I don’t see this.

Writing and My Views

The writing, well there’s so much to say. While I admire the simple and straightforward style of the author, but that gets problematic as the emotions and feelings of your characters have not been captured well. There were moments in the book where I wished to be at the editing table and say, can you just re-write this because I felt nothing. As if a wrongful and pathetic portrayal of Yudhishtir was not enough, the writing style makes it more pathetic.
A lot of the characters appear stoic and seem to have no depth at all, agreed that all of them were demigods there, but didn’t they live as humans where’s the worry and subtle anger when Bheem is poisoned, where’s the sadness Yudhishtir felt when Arjun was about to leave for the exile, where’s the dignified yet compassionate human at given situation.
All I was served with was, a stoic man who just was confused as hell. This book seemed to be more about why Yudhishtir was not worthy of admiration.
The author assumes you know the Mahabharata and sets the narration. So if you are someone who enters this book without knowing who Yudhishtir is then chances are you may just end up choosing his rival as a worthy heir, because Duryodhana in the book has some really valid points to say and I could not disagree with them.
This book is a great disservice to Yudhishthira and his legacy, he comes across as a dumb guy who has been used by everyone and made the emperor just like that.
My rating: 0.5/5 , the point five is for attempting to tell the story of Yudhishtir and nothing else.

Next is coming the review of Kavita Kane's: The Outcast Queen.....( Let me tell you guys, I am still trying to recover from this book)