Shriman Yogi (Marathi Edition)

गावागावातल्या ओढ्या-नाल्यातल्या गरीब, मध्यमवर्गीय पहिली चार वर्ष सरकारी मराठी शाळेत, पुढली सहा वर्ष सरकारी माध्यमिक शाळेत घालणाऱ्या खाकी चड्डी, पांढरा शर्ट, गांधी टोपी घालणाऱ्या पोरांसारखं हे पुस्तक पारायणं केल्यासारखं मी हि खूपदा वाचलं. ऐतिहासिक कादंबरीला थोडा कल्पनेचा हातभार असतो, तथ्य आणि सत्याची अपूर्ण माहिती असताना काही गोष्टी रंजक बनवण्यासाठी लिहाव्या लागतात हे जरी खरं असलं, तरी रणजित देसाईंचं लिखाण, त्यांची अगदी वाजवी आणि प्रमाणबद्ध अलंकारिक भाषा मला खूप भावते. ह्या अश्या महान माणसाच्या भूमीत जन्म घ्यायला, मागचा जन्म असतो कि नाही माहित नाही, पण असला तर मी त्या वेळी काहीतरी पुण्य केलं असलं पाहिजे. पुलंच्या एका भाषणात ते म्हणाले होते कि, शिवाजी महाराजांसारखी थोर माणसं मराठीत बोलतात हि खूप सुखावणारी गोष्ट आहे. हे पुस्तक आणि हा इतिहास पुस्तकाच्या आणि इतिहासाच्या पलीकडला ठेवा आहे माझ्यासाठी. Translation: Like all poor, middle-class village dwelling boys of mainland Maharashtra, who spend first four years in government Marathi school, the next six in government secondary school wearing khaki shorts, white shirt & gandhi cap, I also read this book as if it was a recitation of religious scripture many many times. Historical novels have to have a component of fiction in them because of lack of artifacts and proofs, because of the need to make the text exciting to read. Nonetheless, I like the language Ranjit Desai uses, with just adequate & proportionate use of adornments and figures of speech. I can't say if there is any previous life to the one we have, but I must have done something good to deserve being born in his land. Like Pu La Deshpande said once in his speech, great people like Shivaji Maharaj speaking in Marathi, is a deeply satisfying fact. This book and the history it represents is a treasure for me, beyond any book and any histories.

First of all, Maharajanna namaskar. The book is a masterpiece of Maratha history and the way the book goes is not less than a thriller movie starring OUR OWN MAHARAJ!

How to become a great leader and a good human being. A great example “Chhatrapati Shivaji” ! Nice book, every conversation feels like it is happening in front of us. Thank you

This book is beautifully written! As kids we were all enthralled by Shivaji and his exploits and Ranjeet Desai transports us back to the days when history was made and the seeds of the powerful Maratha empire were sown. This is the first Marathi book I own on my Kindle and fittingly so.

Ranjit Desai is a writer above par and Shriman Yogi is his masterpiece

Bought it for my parents. Their review - "I like, it made me proud with amazing power of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaja. Har har Mahadev. May God enlighten our sprit"

Nice read. While reading you never feel to put the book down. Must read for reading enthusiasts. After reading this book my respect for Raje has been increased.

Nicely written . Highly reccommended