Reviews

• Despite finding the English translation clunky in parts, I loved the original scenes the author has created, Drapadis' attraction to both Krishna and Karna, Draupadi's love for Arjun, the relations with each husband. Then there is the bigger picture, the motivation for some of the other main characters such as Kunti and Karna, the terrible inevitable war. Draupadi's friendship with Krishna brings up many interesting points about the relations between a man and woman, and indeed between the spiritual and the seeker. The confessions of the Pandavas and Krishna before the war is a particularly refreshing scene. The language is a tad too emotional at times, yet, it still moves especially at the end when Draupadi makes her prayer for the world. A deeply moving book.

• The Mahabharata is my favorite story, and I've always been hungry for more information about it- more than anything, I've wanted to see other people's interpretations of the characters, especially ones that don't get to shine by comparison to the main male protagonists. Yajnaseni is a book that more than surpasses this need of mine. I found this book by recommendation from Amazon while looking for a Karna book- got it for prime shipping, and also because Draupadi is a very interesting character. This book is beautifully written, and gets inside Draupadi's head in a way that really endears her to you, while staying utterly true to the source material. I read another book that tried to do this, and it didn't handle it nearly as well as Pratibha Ray has. I burned through this book in days, and now that I'm finished, I want to go back through and read it again. There are things in Draupadi's character that are brought into better light by Ray's writing, and it's as if endearing an already dear friend to you. Highly recommended reading for anyone who is a fan or even casual studier of the Mahabharata.

• A real way to realise fragments of true life. Inspiring words of Krishna and the bond between Krishna and Draupati. A must read book !

• Sad to see such a gorgeous story ridden with so many grammar and spelling errors. It's not the fault of the author as it is a translation to English but can believe so many mistakes would make it past the publisher.

• I loved this book. I expected it to be written in Odia, but it was in English. I finished it. It is about Draupadi. It will change the notion about Women in this contemporary world.

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