It was last day of my board exam. I was about to leave home for geography paper and my dad gave me something in small bag. I opened it and there was one book about which I was hearing since last 2-3 years . After coming back from exam I started reading it and finished 600+ pages within next 2 days. I was enchanted for next 4-5 days. I suggested this book to my friends and they were in clouds for week after reading it.

             Mrutrunjay (1967) is Marathi book based on Karna, one of the greatest worrier of Mahabharata.This book narrates  Mahabharata from karna's point of view. Auther of Mrutyunjay, Mr.Shivaji Sawant wrote this when he was 27years old. He traveled to places mentioned in Mahabharata as preparation for this book. Reference list on last pages enough to realize his vision and creativity  power.

              The book begins as Karna telling about his childhood in Champanagari, Adhirath and Radha his parents ( foster parents) and his younger brother Kshon. His student phase, Episode of competition between Arjun and Karna in Hastinapur, Becoming king of Angadesha leading him to be an active member of prestigious Kuru royal court and his overall life.Narration of each and every incidence comes in beautiful flow and we start flowing with it.

                As Karna actively participated in major episodes like Draupadi shwayamwar, partition of Kuru empire, gambling in royal court, draupadi vastraharan, attack on Viratnagar and final war, we deeply get into minute details of  psychology of karna during each situation. Sometime we might even feel bad for his decisions but accept it as we are experiencing all situations from his prospective. When Karna comes to know about his real identity from Krishna is so beautifully written as we also start feeling emotional turmoil he goes through.

              Author used highly sanskritize Marathi purposefully so time travelling for 5000 years back becomes easy for us. I was totally able to see live Mahabharata in front of my eyes. At the end, we come to the conclusion that he was indeed a victim of bad luck.

              This book recieved Murti Devi Award of Jyanpith Academy. Why Mr. Shivaji Sawant never received Jyanpith Award for Mrutyunjay is still topic of debate between Maharashtrian readers community.This fantastic book is been translated in most of major Indian languages including English. So guys, if you get any chance to read this book, please try to read in Marathi or in your first language. Many have experience of not getting flavor of this book in English translation. 

                It is among top 5 of  classics of Marathi Literature. You might not believe, in Maharashtra if you claim to be a book lover and haven't read Mrutyunjay, people will mock you.This book sets high standards for Marathi readers .It will always remain among first 5 favorites books list.

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