Book Review – The Man From The Egg: Unusual Tales about the Trinity

Growing up in a family where everyone loves stories has its advantages. Bed times, meal times, picnics, trips to and back from school – everything becomes fun when you have storytellers accompanying you everywhere. Be it your grandparents, parents, siblings, cousins, uncles or aunts – everyone has a story to tell, and no matter where you are and with whom, you are always happy listening to stories. It also helps when you grow up, because there is a lot of wisdom in folklore and a certain sense of humour, which teaches you a way of taking life and its trials with a pinch of salt.

As children when you listen to stories, your imagination works overtime and your perception of the stories you hear leaves a vivid imprint on your mind. So that when you grow up, and maybe hear the same stories, you are instantly transported to the land where you spent your childhood! As an adult when you tell these same stories to your young ones, that land comes alive once again – and the fact that this time, you are sharing it with someone really special, makes it superbly satisfying.

But what happens when you grow up and get busy, and time and work and travel prevent you from sharing with your young ones the stories that you grew up with? Ouch! Right?

Well, the good news is – to every problem, there’s a solution! And I have the solution for this problem right here!

What if, there was a book (or even better – a set of books) that had all those stories that you have grown up with, nicely packaged for your young ones to enjoy? What if, someone, like your grandparents, has taken care to tell them in a simple, lucid language that your young ones understand? What if, these stories were short enough to read in just a few minutes (of course, you could discuss about them for hours later,) and what if they were told in an interesting way to hold your young ones’ attention and lead them into the same magical world that you enjoyed as a child? 

Now that would be awesome! Right? What’s more, even you would want to sit and read such a book yourself! Right?

Then wait no more! Because The Man From The Egg – Unusual Tales about the Trinity by Sudha Murty, is exactly that book!

This is a collection of wonderfully short, crisp stories from the time of our ancestors that take us on a magical journey to a land of gods, demigods, asuras, rakshasas, handsome valiant princes, beautiful, strong-willed princesses, learned sages, proud kings and a lot more! These stories talk of the holy Trinity in Hindu Mythology – Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. And while they are all about gods and goddesses and princes and kings, their ancientness ends right there. These stories are as much relevant today as they were in the earlier times. Because these stories really are about feelings, emotions – and those don’t change no matter how ancient or modern the times are.

And as a plus, they are unusual tales – stories that aren’t necessarily commonplace.

We all know, for instance that there are several temples dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu. And not so many dedicated to Brahma. But how many of us know the reason why?

How many of us know the man who was born out of an egg?

How many of us know why Shiva lives in the freezing conditions of Mount Kailash or why he wandered as an ascetic?

We all know that Shiva has a third eye, which when opened, can turn anything to ashes within seconds! But how many of us know if he has actually done that? And when?

We all know of the diplomatic prowess of Vishnu. But how many of us know that he is indebted to Kubera, the treasurer of the Gods? And how many of us know why he took that debt?

And while we all know that Vishnu and Lakshmi are meant for each other, how many of us know that Lakshmi stays away from Vishnu here on earth, separated; and why?

And then there are folk tales! Do you know the story of Bedara Kannapa? Do you know the story of Kodagasu? Do you know how the bael tree came to be?

Oh, there are so many stories in here, I can go on and on and on!   

These stories teach morals, life lessons and show how you can look at life positively if you have faith and you tread the path of righteousness. But all these morals are hidden in the magic and curses and the boons that abound in here.

A beautiful, and nostalgic (for those who have heard some of these stories growing up) read for parents and a must read for children!

P.S. I was lucky enough to get the author signed copy one day before the launch of this wonder! And what I was told by the legendary author, was that these stories are meant for parents as well as children – parents first, so they can read and appreciate them, relive a bit of their childhood, and then pass it on, with full gusto, to their young ones.

P.P.S Although they are independent stories to a large extent, it is best to read them in order, at least for the first reading. Later on, of course, there will be favourites and you can read accordingly.

So, go ahead, pick this one up and I guarantee, you will keep turning pages till you have reached the end and then start all over again! 

Happy reading :)