The Immortals of Meluha

For quite some time now, I been searching for and collecting books on Shiva. I have Kramsrisch's 'The Presence of Shiva', Suzanne Fisher Staples' 'Shiva's Fire', Mohapatra's 'The Book of Shiva'... I like those books, tho Mohapatra's depictions of Shiva was the closest one to my liking. But something was lacking in that book of Shiva in the comic format. Shiva wasn't really smiling. Too serious. He was romantic alright, just the way I pictured Him to be. But he wasn't so cheerful. At least, smile a bit. Shiva isn't Krishna, but at least some smiles would not hurt.Amish' Shiva gave me the Shiva I identified with the most. Tho I don't mind a bit of swearing, he swears too much to my taste. But since the premise was human-turned-to-god anyway, it's not a big deal for me. Other than the swearing, I really like this Shiva. He was so humane and approachable. He made mistakes and learned from them. He became humble because of them, and rose above them. He seriously defended humanity, but he still enjoyed life and made jokes around as well, while he could. He had his demons in the past... and I hope he eventually made peace with them.And how can I tell you how mesmerised I was whenever I read about Shiva's interactions with Sati here? Amish wrote them just the way I picture Shiva-Sati relationship. Shiva with all his passions and thinly veiled disappointments whenever Sati refused him again... and Sati with her facade, trying not to need him yet in the end could not resist him. The love between Shiva and Sati was exactly as I pictured in my mind all these years. A beautiful eternal dance of love.But perhaps the most impressive scene was when Shiva met the old beggar in Ayodhya. I won't give away anything here, but suffice to say that Shiva actually deserved the surprise. The last chapter with the Pandit was very interesting too. I cannot wait for the Naga book to arrive!I know this is not Purana, but since it brings me closer to Shiva, what difference does it make? I love the book so much, it's difficult for me to lend it to my friend who also wants to read it (a bit difficult to find this book outside of India. Mine was the last Amazon copy). I wish I can give more stars, but since I can't... so it's five stars for the book.

This book is...different. I don't even know what category to put it in. It was recommended to me by a friend in India as a popular Indian science fiction trilogy. However, I do not think it qualifies as science fiction, at least in this first book.The novel is a pretty good read though and definitely a look at the world through a non-western lens. I am learning a lot about Hindu mythology, although I am not sure what is part of the standard mythology and what is the novel's own invention.In Immortals of Meluha, one of the main Hindu gods, Shiva, is actually a mortal human and chieftain of a small tribe in Tibet. He and his tribe are invited by the Meluhans to immigrate into their country, which is peaceful and prosperous, unlike the area where Shiva is from where his tribe is constantly waring with neighboring tribes and struggling for survival. Once they reach Meluha, each member of the tribe is given a medicine which rids them off all illness and confers virtual immortality. In addition, Shiva develops a blue throat indicating that he is of special importance to the Meluhans. A prophecy indicates that he will deliver them from their enemies.At this point, Shiva is not a god, he's just a regular guy trying to deal with a new culture that has huge expectations of him. The basic question facing him is what is the difference between good and evil?There are some science fictiony aspects. The Meluhans, while just entering the bronze age, seem to have very sophisticated knowledge of medicine and chemistry. They understand anti-oxidants, for instance. They don't have gun powder or even crossbows, but there is some reference to divine weapons that could even be nuclear.I'm going to read the next book. I'm interested in where this is going.

It is 1900 BC. In the land starting with heavenly Kashmir, a land we modern people "mistakenly" call the Indus Valley, a land called Meluha. It is a perfect empire created more than a thousand years earlier by the great emperor Lord Ram. But all is not well. Meluha and its proud Suryavanshi rulers are fighting on various fronts - the drying up of its primary river Saraswati, terrorist attacks from the Chandravanshis and the Nagas. But when a tribal leader from the shores of Lake Manasarovar, Shiva, appears, with a throat that's turned blue, the Suryavanshis see hope in an ancient legend - the legend of Neelkanth. Is this Shiva really that saviour, and will he be able to save them from disaster?The book is a fast paced read, written in an easy-going flowing manner. The ancient and the revered mixes nicely and effortlessly with modern concepts, and makes you smile. Shiva's portrayal as a strong and mighty fighter at times conflicts with his easy banter and almost juvenile interactions with his friend, but in some sense, that's partly where the fun is. Descriptions of government, registration desk, soap, toilets, and yes, the "maika", lend an interesting angle to the modern-meets-ancient thread throughout the book.Shiva's love affair with Sati, also known as Parvati, their furtive flirting against the law of the land, is also very interestingly presented!Overall, a good start to the trilogy, one of the few English novels written by Indian authors that I have enjoyed reading!

"The Immortals of Meluha" by Amish takes readers on a mesmerizing journey back to 1900 BC, exploring the land of Meluha during the Indus Valley Civilization. Amish's imaginative reimagining of history and mythology is truly inspiring. The concept of a once-great empire facing peril and the emergence of a hero amidst chaos captivated my imagination from the very beginning.The story's relatability lies in the portrayal of the protagonist, Shiva. A rough-hewn Tibetan immigrant, Shiva's internal struggle between destiny, duty, and love resonates with the modern reader. This relatability adds depth to the character and allows readers to connect with his journey on a personal level.Amish's writing style is engaging and seamlessly blends historical and mythological elements. The intricate setup of the world and the political turmoil of Meluha paint a vivid picture of the era. The fusion of historical details with mythical elements creates a unique reading experience that keeps you hooked."The Immortals of Meluha" is an intriguing mix of history, mythology, and adventure. It presents a fresh perspective on ancient legends and questions the essence of heroism. The book's ability to transport readers to a bygone era, coupled with its relatable characters and engaging narrative, make it a remarkable read. Personally, I expected a blend of mythology and history, and the book exceeded my expectations by adding an element of suspense and intrigue. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a unique spin on mythology and history, intertwined with a captivating tale of heroism and destiny.

I’m loving this book. It brings an interesting twist to mythological characters and I’m loving it.

A friend recommended I read the trilogy. I bought book1 as a used item and it truely was near new !!The book itself is fantastic .. its written really well and as a result I've so enjoyed reading it. Am now on book 2 and already ordered book 3 ... also a used item .

Ich bewerte hier alle drei Bücher ( The Immortals of Meluha, The Secret of the Nagas und The Oath of the Vayuputras) Guter Lesestoff für lange Abende....lohnt sich die drei Romane mehrmals zu lesen.

Very Nice Story, time will past by in a hurry.If you like a hero Story you will Love it