Ash Talks Books

Anuja Chandramouli’s ‘Ganga’ begins with a prelude— Pralaya or the great deluge. “Sleep continued to elude her as she watched over those who slept. It did not bother her in the least. Why rest when you can flow forever and ever?” Anuja tells the story of the daughters of Himavan and Mena— that of Ganga and Parvati. As a reader, I found the character sketch of Ganga endearing.   Parvati is described as a “quiet child who is perfectly content to be alone with her thoughts,” while Ganga’s “natural ebullience” makes her “spirited and headstrong.” The roles of the sisters in Lord Shiva’s life are etched out, and while Parvati is devout and serious, Ganga is playful and defiant in the way she relates to Him. Anuja tells the story of how Parvati becomes His consort while Ganga delivers the child born of Parvati’s and Lord Shiva’s union. Ganga finds a place in His tresses and is the “other mother” to Kartikeya and Ganesha. When Ganga tells Ganesha that she was the one who told Parvat