Krishna’s Secret | Devdutt Pattanaik | Book Review

Author: Devdutt Pattanaik 

Krishna, the Leela Purushottam, is an unusual God and his story is spread across two epics: the Bhagavata and the Mahabharata.

This book gives us a glimpse of Krishna’s birth, his mischievous activities in childhood (stealing butter, stealing clothes). His early life where he is threatened several times and also the killing of Kamsa( Krishna’s Uncle). It tells us about his immense love for Radha yet his faithfulness towards his wives.

It shows us the important role of Krishna in Mahabharata. His affection towards Draupadi (princess of Panchala, who is no ordinary woman, but Lakshmi) and how he saves her from getting disrobed in public. 

THE WAR at Kurukshetra begins with this incident and here Krishna does not fight but rather serves as a charioteer and guide. He only encourages; the action is left to the Pandavas. At the end Krishna had to console two women: Gandhari, the mother of the Kauravas, and Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas. Both have lost their children.

"His love makes room for the weakest, the cruellest, the most imperfect. This is dharma. When we stop loving, we embrace adharma." 

Thus the Krishna in Mahabharata appeals to our head and helps us in times of crisis whereas cowherd Krishna of the Bhagavata, lord of Radha, appeals to our heart, and awakens a desire for celebration.

P.S. This book also contain beautiful illustrations of various painting of Krishna from all over India.