Title: The Krishna Key
Author: Ashwin Sanghi
Publication: Westland Ltd
Genre: Thriller
Pages: 464
‘So, when the Mahabaharata spoke of a Brahmastra – the deadliest weapon known to mankind in those days, was it talking about an atomic bomb?’ asked the senior engineer.
….‘An even more relevant question, dear team members, is this: did the Brahmastra cease to exist after the time when the Mahabharata war took place? Or does it still exist, hidden away from plain sight?’
Ashwin Sanghi is definitely not the “you have read one, you have read it all” kind of author. The Rozabal Line, Chanakya’s Chant and now, The Krishna Key are proof of the writing genius of this gentleman who pushes himself to the limit, exploring all horizons with not just his style of writing but also with the diligent research that goes into his books.
When I read and reviewed Chanakya’s Chant I was greatly impressed. In fact, it delighted me no end when part of my review was selected to be published in the following edition of Ashwin Sanghi’s Chankya’s Chant along with some other reviewers. This time, when I read The Krishna Key, I was not just impressed. I was simply floored!
Making use of the theme of Kaliyug or The Dark Age, the book unravels the mysteries of Indian history during the life of Krishna that lie hidden from ignorant masses who believe (at least, a section of them) that history is just a story, a myth. Ashwin, with his deep winding research and a deeply effective narrative style creates a thriller wrapped up in the mystic sheets of belief.
As we read along we travel with the thoughts of the main protagonist Ravi Mohan Saini, a professor of Mythology in a reputed college. The reader learns as he reads, traversing the different ages of history, absorbing the mystery behind several unknown myths.
What I liked best about this book were the narrative bits that introduce each chapter. By making Krishna narrate it in the first narrative, the tale becomes more interesting to read and reaches out to the reader as if Krishna was talking to them! You kind of get a personal connection with Krishna.
“Ekkam satya vipra bahuda vidhaante. It means Truth is one, God is one, although sages may call him by a variety of names. This is the essence of Vedic philosophy.”
The Syamantaka or the Philosopher’s Stone is what is being ultimately searched for in the novel. It is to acquire the magical properties of this jewel that the thriller, The Krishna Key makes the reader race along ravaging his mind and soul.
“You obviously do not much about mystical numbers, said Saini…”
“Among Hindus, 108 is considered the holiest of numbers. You will find that 18, 108, 1008 – and further similar variations are all considered sacred. The Mahabharata has 18 chapters; there were 18 Yadava clans of Krishna; Jarasandha attacked Mathura 18 times; the Mhabharata war lasted 18 days; 18 armies fought the great battle; there are 18 chapters in each of our Vedas; there are 18 Puranas; there were 18 Maharathi – or exalted – warriors in the Mahabharata war; there are 18 chapters in the Bhagwad Gita…”
With The Krishna Key, Ashwin Sanghi goes one step further letting us into a mind-blowing world that thrashes myths and opens up new horizons for the faith-starved, cynically prejudiced and saviour-hungry world.
Don’t miss this book!
This review is a part of the <a href=”http://blog.blogadda.com/2011/05/04/indian-bloggers-book-reviews” target=”_blank”>Book Reviews Program</a> at <a href=”http://www.blogadda.com“>BlogAdda.com</a>. Participate now to get free books!
Muse n' Motivation - Sharing Space 
Nice review. Here’s my take – slightly different one 🙂
Hi Sapna,
Glad you liked the review. Will definitely read your review and get back…Thanks for dropping by.
Good review Shail! Should read the book that deftly interweaves mythology and history in a thriller plot.
Hi Sudha, thanks. I am sure you will love this book. Exactly the same things that you mentioned enchant me in a book…
I heard his “Chanakya’s Chant” is even better??
Hi Ashwaty. I did read and review that book too. And it was really good. In fact, Ashwin liked my review enough to include part of it in the second/third edition of his book….
Wow! Really? Awesome 🙂
well one this is sure in our mythology what they have talked about weapons and all , they were far advanced for those days WE THINK.. but is it the other way round, we are LESS advanced now.. as if the arrows for ex. we take as missiles then .. We have just made ours now 🙂
you get my point
Got it Bikram:)
A wonderful response to my review. Loved it….
Just finished reading Rozabal Line. I’d like to first read Chanakya’s Chant and then Krishna Key ….
Yeah Geeta. Do it that way. Although all the books are not related to one another. But you kind of get an idea how the author has moved on from his first book to the third, etc.
Very good review.
I am fond of such unravelling of the original meaning of the myths. I used to wonder about the science of Pushpaka Vimanam, may be the modern aeroplane, with which the historical heroes flew with their spouse and the arrows which spit fire, water, chemicals, etc.(as seen in films & serials).
Reg. Brahmastra, you can interpret it the other way also. Brahmastra was the ultimate weapon and was considered divine. When Hanuman was targetted with a Brahmastra, he bowed at it as it would be an insult to Brahma. It should not be used again, which means the first one were useless. The very feature that it can be used again could mean it would not be an atom bomb, which is a serial killer but may be a Chemical bomb which would destroy masses but not spread like the atom bomb.
A review on your review: If it was a review from a reporter in any newspaper or magazine, I would have concluded that they are not writing from their heart and their intention is to sell the book.
As it is from Shail, its true and it tempts me to read the book (though I am a poor reader). Because in some reviews you have been judiciously critical. It would be interesting to correlate these myths with the explanations from Tao of Physics (which I have been longing to read for years).
Regards,
J. Balaji.
The author Ashwin Sanghi tweeted about this review of his book:
@shaelraghuvansh thanks Shail! Your review has motivated me to speed up work on my next novel. Many thanks indeed! 🙂
09:09 PM – 01 Nov 12
Thank you Ashwin for giving us such wonderful books to read and ponder upon. Keep writing.
Yes Ashwathy. Felt really good about that!