Pingal Devayan (Vol. 1): Brahma Kalpa (Vol. 1)

The first volume covers five Mandalas (books). The Book of the Deva (Gods), the Book of the Rishi (Sages), the Book of the Yagna (sacrifice), the Book of Biti (divine powers) and the Book of Pragatha (son of Rishi Kanwa). Deva Mandala describes how the epic is manifested, the beginning of creation, the births of Gods and Demons, their fights, the birth of the God of Truth - Satyadev and creation of the Time Wheel. The Rishi Mandala details the life of sage Vashishta and destruction wreaked by the sage Vishwamitra. It also describes of the work of the dark forces of the night (Nakta) and the establishment of psychic being Bitihotra. The Yagna Mandala describes how the sages sought the help of the God of Fire, the Agni, to commence a divine sacrifice to invoke Satyadev, God of Truth, who had disappeared from creation due to the presence of dark forces. These chants are the Hymns to the Mystic Fire to bring again truth to the creation. Biti Mandala narrates about the powers of the divine deities, and the purification of Bitihotra (psychic being). After purification, the psychic being identifies with the Truth. This happens in the presence of the divine trinity - Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara together with other Godheads, sages and the four divine powers - Maheshwari, Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Saraswati. Pragatha Mandala describes the family of Kanwa rishi, and the marriage of his son, Pragatha with Gathini. They are the parents of Kali, the deity of the Iron Age. The book covers detailed stories of Kali's childhood and how he became anti-divine. The story of the birth of Trita and Dwita, sons of Rishi Aptya, who would restrict the influence of Kali during the absence of Satyadev is also included.

Review(s)

About the Author(s)

Dr. Hazari was born in Khulna, now in Bangladesh, on 16 September 1917. Khulna is also the birthplace of Sri Aurobindo. At the age of eighteen, Dr. Hajari followed his Guru, Sri Aurobindo to his Ashram in Pondicherry. He dedicated his life to the ideals of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother and lived there till he passed away on 23 December 1978. He served as a homeopathic doctor and gained fame by healing patients with incurable diseases. Sri Aurobindo's magnum opus, Savitri, was completed just before the master passed away on 5 December 1950. Three months later, Dr. Hajari had a vision, in which Sri Aurobindo appeared to him. This is how Dr. Hajari became the medium to receive the epic Devayan, a compendium and interpretation of all Indian legends. ABOUT THE TRANSLATOR: Amita Nathwani was born in Dehra Dun, India in 1944. Deeply influenced by Sri Aurobindo, she went to live at Pondicherry in 1963. She is married and since 1973, she is living in Europe. After working In India, Africa and Europe she has decided to dedicate her life to transcribing the twelve volumes of Devayan.