Kevin MissalDharmayoddha Kalki: Avatar of Vishnu (Book 1)

Yada yada hi dharmasya glanirbhavati bharataAbhythanamadharmasya tadatmanam srijamyahamParitranaya sadhunang vinashay cha dushkritamDharmasangsthapanarthay sambhabami yuge yugeMeaning of the above Verse from Bhagavad Gita.Whenever there is decay of righteousness, O Bharata,And there is exaltation of unrighteousness, then I Myself come forth ;For the protection of the good, for the destruction of evil-doers,For the sake of firmly establishing righteousness, I am born from age to age.I was always an AmarChitra katha fan right from my childhood days and remember reading about the 10 avatars of Lord Vishnu but had only got a brief glimpse of Kalki Avatar for obvious reasons that it will happen in the future.But that curiosity always was there within me to get a glimpse of how things would be then.Thanks to Kevin he really gave us a terrific glimpse of it, though fictious.My first mythological thriller and it was the best experience ever.I have decided to complete this trilogy first and then move on to other mythological thrillers but this was the best book and will be the best series I would have read so far in the time to come.The book opens with a Prologue showing Kalki Hari - an avatar of Lord Vishnu sitting in front of a Vishnu statue (somewere in the north) seeking his blessings before he begins his mission starting his journey on the wonderful white horse Devadatta with his ever loving faithful parrot Shuko , his divine sword Ratnamaru as he sets out to destroy Adharma which is the ultimate purpose of his birth.The prologue page starts to create a certain curiosity in the minds of the readers regarding what happens next and that continues throughout till the end of the book.One of the highlights of this book is that Kevin has researched about the characters very well to bring out the story’s flow in an excellent manner which makes you seem that the story is realistic though it is a fictious one.A reader is just able to literally visualise and imagine all events and you just can’t stop turning the pages till the end.Book starts and gives an introduction of Kalki’s nemesis Kali who is on the verge of capturing a Kingdom which are his small steps to accomplish his ultimate desire/goal of position and power.As the story progresses the lives of Kalki and Kali are narrated parallely regarding the challenges they personally encounter in their respective lives.The author gradually introduces us to Kalki’s village Shambhala which is known for it’s good and righteousness, family of Kalki, his parents and sibling, Arjan apart from the love of his life, Lakshmi ,his loyal friend Bala and his mentor Kripa apart from Padma and Ratri who gradually help him overcome all his personal adversities.The personal tragedies faced by a naive Kalki , all these experiences/trances are described very well showing a glimpse of his previous forms or avatars which keep reminding him the ultimate purpose of his life.His guide Kripa as shown in this book keeps insisting to start a journey towards the north in order to meet Lord Bhargav Ram who would prepare him before he actually takes up the ultimate mission in his life to destroy Kali and the prevailing Adharma.Later, we also get a glimpse of major characters in Kali’s life such as his sister Durukti and her hand-maiden Symrin, his loyal brother sister duo generals Koko and Vikoko.Both the characters Kali and Kalki are equally strong and have their own set of challenges before they set out towards their respective goals.Overall the book is divided into 2 major parts Battle of Shambhala and Rise of Kali .The tittle parts are completely justified once the reader starts going through the story.Some of the major highlight sequences in the book.1. Revelation by Kalki’s mentor Kripa about the purpose of his birth.2. Trances that Kalki experiences from his previous forms(avatars) convincing him about his ultimate goal in life.3. A blind sooth sayer predicting Kali’s nemesis who would be as strong as him but will be the greatest opponent ever faced.4. Battle of Shambhala which shows certain glimpses of an untrained Kalki taking on his opponents.5. First face to face Meeting of Kali and Kalki at the city of Indragarh.6. Escape plan of Kalki from Kali’s control.7. The different tribes and their uniqueness are beautifully described by Kevin in the end.Above all the best things that stands out in the book are certain quotes excellently written by Kevin which are so thoughtful just loved them very much(don’t want to reveal all that here which might spoil curiosity of the first time readers).The language is simple and clearly explained and I happened to learn some new words too.The book stops at such a juncture only to generate suspense and huge amount of curiosity which makes the reader feel “how I wished that the book still continued”.In the end book also gives a summary about the next part Satya Yoddha Kalki – The Eye of Brahma.Eagerly waiting for Kevin to release the next part – please don’t delay or postpone it.There is no portion in the book where you get bored.Excellent read overall.

Kalki by Kevin Missal is an mythological fiction, nothing is do with original kalki nor ramayanam/mahabharatham. The story is based on the sayings from Lord Govind, avatar of vishnu “Whenever there is a decline in righteousness and an upsurge in unrighteousness, at that time, I take birth again.”Before the kaliyug getting started the adharm was getting its way higher. Its the time for Lord Vishnu, Gods of gods take his avatar to downfall the adharm and bringing back peace and dharm.Lord Kali is a leader of a clan which is known for its evilness, clan consists of Pisacha, Asur, Rakshahsa, Nagas. This clan have recently captured the Keekatpur. And still trying to establish their empire but due to the illness of their leader kali stayed back in keekatpur, his Drukuti decides to search for soma stones which can cure anything.In mean parallel at the village of shambala situated on the outskirts of keekatpur capital of Indragargh where the Vishnu's 10th incarnate to takes place. One day when Vishnuyath hari's pregnant wife get sick and it can't get curable vishnuyath hear from oldagers that it is curable with the help of soma stones only gettable in the mountains of shambala. He gives soma's to her wife it get the sickness cured and she delivers the baby where they naming the boy as Kalki hari. The boy growing up normal but not as his age kids. He is more stronger, active and smart. When this boy grown up his father vishnuyath hari is kidnapped by Mleechas, tribals in the mountains.During the time of trying to rescue his father he meeting kripacharya, an chiranjeevi who is living from the period of previous avatar and taken part in the Mahayudh. But he can't able to rescue his father but he comes to know his purpose towards this avatar.When the adharm kali and dharm kalki meets each other battle of shambala occurs, good and evil faces each other before that kali gets betrayed by his own troops and kalvi gets training from acharya Kripa.Battle of Shambala and Rise of kali is two major parts. Language is so simple in the way of understanding by all. Also I can see the influence of bahubali, Meluha trilogy by Amish Tripathi. But its more interesting and adventurous more fantasy oriented then history. I can see the writer's concern towards culture and rituals of Manavs an good sign.Also author has created his own world of imagination beautifully with timeline and map. Characters and places where also easily gettable without any complications.Overall, Kalvi by Kevin Missal is an good book to read for all GOT, Lord of rings, Bahubali sort of lovers. I liked the editing which is flawless and narration of author he carried out the 470 pages without boring and irritating.