The Empress of Indraprastha – Part 2: BUILDING AN EMPIRE by Sonali Raje

Blurb (as on Goodreads)
This is the second part of The Empress of Indraprastha series, a fictional recreation of the Mahabharat, and a sequel to hugely popular The Empress of Indraprastha – Entering Kuruvansh .
We’ve heard endless glories of the five brothers. Now discover the sisterhood between the wives of the Paandavs. Follow Draupadi in action, as she devises and implements financial strategies to jumpstart the economy. Tread delicate waters as Draupadi seeks answers from her husbands for causing the death of a Bhil woman and her five sons to save their own skins in the Vaarnavat fire. Watch her probe Krishna for justification about his role in the destruction of an indigenous asura habitat, simply to satiate Agni’s hunger. Plunge into the depths of her marriage with Arjun, that hits its nadir when she criticizes him for not protecting Eklavya. Explore her relationship with her sons.
The strategist Devika, the epicurean master-chef Valandhara, the mother and devoted wife, Subhadra, the danseuse Karenumati, and the financial analyst, Vijaya unite under Draupadi’s leadership as they toil towards a single-minded goal of building their empire.

Genre: Mythological Fiction
Pages: 228
Format: eBook/Paperback
Price (as on Amazon):
-Kindle eBook: ₹ 230/ $ 2.77
-Paperback: ₹ 295/ $ 13.99

My rating: 4.5/5

A continuation of the first book in the series, this one continues Draupadi’s journey into motherhood, and of being a pillar of foundation in the setting up of Indraprastha. With introduction of new characters, including the wives and their many children, the stand-out point in this part, is how the women support each other, and how they each play a pivotal role in converting a barren land into a prosperous kingdom.

What I liked about the book:

• The transformation of Indraprastha from a barren land to a fertile and prosperous one, is the most inspiring one from this series, we can take many leaves out of. Lessons in leadership, sisterhood, patience and consistent efforts are just some of these.
• We have had many reshares and retellings of this tale, but this one stands different on how it focuses on the women, especially the wives of the Pandaavs and how their differed and combined skills contributed in making the family and the kingdom, a happier one.
• Krishna’s role in the entire book, and how he plays a pivotal role in being the glue during conflicting times, especially in the conflict between Draupadi and Arjun, was most admirable. The thread analogy and the way it was executed, makes not only the characters realize their faults, but also teaches us a lesson in how we need to hold relationships together.
• The series ends on a high note, ending right at the point where our curiosities are peaked. The sneak peek into the next part is a nice touch to add on to our excitement as to what happens next.

What I did not like about the book:

• Draupadi’s character does come off as self-centered, spoilt and arrogant and one might find themselves agreeing with Karn’s reasons to dislike her.

Quotable quotes:

• Human emotions are timeless.
• Righteous conduct, humility, and a compassionate heart, are qualities that transcend time.
• A lack of resources need not stop one from being resourceful
• We have full freedom to carve out our own destiny
• It is ridiculous to carry over vows and pledges if you have made them as immature children. Adults have significantly different responsibilities.
• A sound marriage is a balancing act between a husband and wife taking turns prioritizing themselves and the other person. The well-being of your immediate family should come above and over all else.
• It’s never too late to apologize to someone
• A girl’s conduct is always traced back to her mother
• Being outspoken is one thing. But ranting off your mouth for every perceived slight is something else. It doesn’t make a person look progressive, it just makes them look pig-headed.
• No one can stop the progress of time
• Humans have done nothing besides creating imaginary lines on this single piece of rock that was created by someone or something else. Fighting over the land and its resources… get over yourselves!
• No one can change how other people think.
• Do not ever make the mistake of thinking that a lone woman with a child is weak and defenceless
• “Nakul, no.”
  My respect and love for him magnified and I felt a wave of happiness wash over me as he immediately took his hands off me, at that single word. “Thank you,” I said to him immediately. “
  For what?” he asked surprised.
  “For being manly enough to respect my wishes about this,” I said gently, as I touched his shoulder. “Yes, well, there is no point in it if both people aren’t interested. You don’t have to thank me for doing what is supposed to be done.“
  “Not everyone does what is supposed to be done. Far too many people live under the delusion that marriage gives them unfettered rights over their spouse’s bodies.
• Sometimes, the things you don’t get are the very ones that make you dig deep inside yourself and enable your personal growth.
• Our cuisine isn’t not necessarily superior to or healthier than that of other races, it is just different.
• Highlight your strengths, sure, but don’t be afraid of displaying your weakness.
• No woman can resist a man who is not afraid of showing his weaknesses to her
• Food is one thing that brings everyone together.
• Different is just that — different. It is not the same as weird, or bad.
• One of the most important lessons a person should learn is that everyone is equal. You stand up for yourself and do not be intimidated by anyone. No one should be ashamed of where they are born — no one can control it.
• Trying to find a way in which people will not feel the need to fight is just difficult.
• Children who were missing their front teeth and had runny noses could teach us valuable life lessons just as well as elders with white hair and beards. We should just be willing to have an open mind, that was all.
• As long as there was no conflict between the household members, we could deal with anything from the outside world.
• A person can have all the luxuries of life and still feel worthless. Everyone needs a purpose in life, constructive tasks, or chores, which are meaningful.
• Why create drama when you could get what you wanted while your husband thought you were listening to him?
• Love is just an emotion. It is not a basket of mangoes to be rationed out in bits and pieces.
• Love cannot be quantified and there is no right way of loving anyone,
• Words mean nothing; a person cannot control their feelings for anyone else, but they can control their actions.
• Change is inevitable, it is the one constant law of nature. Old ways must give in to new ones, only then can there be progress. Everyone can continue to live their life practising their cultural beliefs as they wish.
• Someone else’s talent need not be interpreted as a lack of skills on your part.
• Every person needs to be treated with dignity, irrespective of their station in life.
• A good leader always treats everyone with dignity.
• What is important is that we raise children to become mature adults. People who can sort their own problems and eventually be responsible for their own actions
• When we take up a task, we should try our very best to complete it successfully, we should not quit just because things get difficult.
• Sometimes things must get worse before they get better
• There is no quantification of love.
• A house and its rooms are just physical spaces. Living under the same roof does not define love, feelings are not constrained by physical distance.
• Each one of us is born with a purpose
• If you work towards finding a peaceful solution you will find it.
• There is nothing wrong in finding a mutually beneficial solution without bloodshed or robbing anyone of their dignity.
• The future is always uncertain. You should be careful in placing your trust in anyone who claims to foresee events in the far future, no matter how much of a clairvoyant they may claim to be.
• The last thing you need to do is to worry about the future, it is always best to live in the present
• A a good leader should not seek to constantly put themselves in the limelight but strive to ensure that all the members contributing to the welfare of a kingdom should get credit for their ideas. That was the only way we could all move forward together for the greater glory
• Every person always gets what is meant for them. This is no coincidence.
• The universe always bides its time and yet inevitably finds a way to deliver what is meant for us.
• There is no such thing as a trivial, menial job. Every member of society is valuable, and each role is critical for its seamless functioning.
• Never forget the duties associated with the title.
• Some people were just not meant to be a part of our life, no matter how much we might admire them, or wish for it
• I hated people who asked for the price of everything that others owned. Why couldn’t they just look after their own affairs?
• Being a good mother was the single most challenging task — ever.
• I am responsible for what I say and do, not how others interpret my words or actions
• No one can control the future, why not control what you can control, in the present?
• People tend to ignore the reality of any situation and solely focus on the one narrative that suits their purpose.
• One must understand and realize the value of time and the impact of your words on people
• One good deed does not nullify the other nasty aspects of someone’s personality.
• There is a time for peace and there is a time for violence. It is important to know the difference as to which tool needs to be implemented in which situation.

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