Disclaimer: I’m an agnostic, who detests reading love stories; and I’m reviewing a book based on the love stories of gods (broadly…more or less). Hence, some parts of this review might end up offending the believers (you shouldn’t be though if you’re a rational person…not that I care anyway). So, if you are one of those who can’t even digest a little fun banter on your Gods, stop right here. Go and read one of those thousands of years old comic books instead.

The above information was for those who don’t know me personally, which covers almost the entire Earth’s population (sad face). So, what made me do it, agree to read and review ‘Prem Purana’ that is? Well, it’s written by Usha Narayanan. Need I say more?

That being out of the way, let’s get going.

‘Prem Purana’ is an anthology of sorts, which consists of three completely different stories- all based on mythological characters though (or Historical characters, as many would like to call them).

The first is about the most loved and revered Hindu God, Ganesha; yeah, the same one with the head of an elephant and a body to match. I remember my mother narrating stories about him, his lovable personality, his powers, his triumphs; basically, all things that made him someone who Needs to be worshiped (read: non-humane). I read Ms. Narayanan’s version, and I felt that he’s anything but that. The dude was almost human. Who else but a human would desire (read: lust…or maybe not) each one of the three triplet sisters- that too those of Lord Bhrama, no less- all at the same time? Perv… No, nothing.

The second one tells the not-so-heard story of Mandodri, the wife of the-highly-learned-yet-brain-effed-for-a-supposedly-divine-reason-king-of-Lanka, Ravana. Mandodri’s devotion and unfailing loyalty and love towards her husband is something that is so lacking between partners, in the current times. Maybe, after all, there is indeed something that we can take off of all those myths, and I mean it in a completely gender-neutral way (one can’t afford to mess with the self-proclaimed yet ill-informed feminist nazis nowadays).

The third and the last is a tale about Nala, the ruler of ancient Nishada, and Damyanti, the princess of Vidharba in the ancient Bharat Varsha. While many of us might have read titbits about their story in our earlier school curriculum, none would have known them the way the author has described in this book. This one reinstates the fact that true love always wins in the end (those were olden times, dude; don’t get your hopes up. She won’t lose a heartbeat in dumping you today if you end up before her as an ugly dwarf).

Long story short, if a proclaimed non-believing-ass like me can read and LOVE this book, I’m sure you lesser mortals would fall hopelessly in love with it. So, go ahead and read it. Don’t thank me later, because I’ll be on an anti-mythology treatment, in one of those ungodly institutes that treat vampires and werewolves.

On a serious note, this one is yet another gem from the master storyteller, Usha Narayanan. You have to read it to believe it. As usual, the language is easy and flowing, and the description makes the story almost visual.

I give this book, a full five out of five stars.