A Decent Read (Book Review)

Book: The Code Of Manavas (Maha Vishnu Trilogy – Part 1)

Author: Arpit Bakshi

Publication: Rupa Publications

The Code Of Manavas authored by Arpit Bakshi and published by Rupa Publications is a blend of sci-fi and mythology. My tip to the readers (of this book) this that keep aside all your presumption of Lord Krishna as described in mythology, past, present and future and look at this book with a fresh perspective.

The plot is set in the era which is 2 million years after 2050 AD, which is the Swarnim yug. As per several mythology texts, this cycle of 4 yugs will repeat itself and the world will begin and be destroyed in every cycle. This story is set in one of such cycles, somewhere into the extreme future but borrowed heavily from the past.

Krishna the Chief scientist has been given a task of finding a new habitable planet for the race of humans called ‘Manavas’. The beginning of any book is expected to be a little slow as it focussed more on establishing the plot, however, in this case it was little too stretched. The technical jargons, fusion of mythological and scientific terms (Bhoomidium), protagonist dressed as our mythological characters talking in the modern-day language, terms etc…. it feels a little jumbled up and force -fit in the beginning.  Nevertheless, when you read it from a different perspective, the puzzle pieces start coming in together.

The book has some interesting parts as well, when the hermit – Gopaldas recounts the Bhagvad Gita; or when the protagonist is using sheath mode to mention a few.       

Interestingly, all the male characters are named after Lord Krishna, while female characters after his beloved. This concept for me borrows heavily from Lord Krishna’s avatar of Bhagvad Gita, when He exhibited His almighty universal form; which highlights that ‘He is the beginning and end of everything’.       

The thought and concept of the story is something new and could have been treated in a more interesting way. Though it doesn’t come across as a very fascinating story, it is a decent read.

My ratings: 3 out of 5.

I received a review copy of the book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.