Goddess of the River

By: Vaishnavi Patel

Narrated by: Sneha Mathan

A powerful reimagining of the story of Ganga, goddess of the river, and her doomed mortal son, from Vaishnavi Patel, author of the instant New York Times bestseller Kaikeyi.

A mother and a son. A goddess and a prince. A curse and an oath. A river whose course will change the fate of the world.

Ganga, joyful goddess of the river, serves as caretaker to the mischievous godlings who roam her banks. But when their antics incur the wrath of a powerful sage, Ganga is cursed to become mortal, bound to her human form until she fulfills the obligations of the curse.

Though she knows nothing of mortal life, Ganga weds King Shantanu and becomes a queen, determined to regain her freedom no matter the cost. But in a cruel turn of fate, just as she is freed of her binding, she is forced to leave her infant son behind.

Her son, prince Devavrata, unwittingly carries the legacy of Ganga’s curse. And when he makes an oath that he will never claim his father’s throne, he sets in motion a chain of events that will end in a terrible and tragic war.

As the years unfold, Ganga and Devavrata are drawn together again and again, each confluence another step on a path that has been written in the stars, in this deeply moving and masterful tale of duty, destiny, and the unwavering bond between mother and son.

Critic reviews

“A deeply raw and honest retelling, Goddess of the River bravely dives into the moral complications of war and responsibility, painting these larger-than-life characters as human, flawed and brilliant.” —Aparna Verma, author of The Phoenix King

“Like the best stories, this engaging portrait will move you to take another look at the things you think you already know.”—The New York Times on Kaikeyi

“A powerful, feminist retelling of the epic...Patel resets the balance of power, creating an unforgettable heroine who understands that it isn’t necessarily kings or gods who change history.”—Washington Post on Kaikeyi

“[A] thoughtful, feminist reclaiming of one of the most despised queens of Indian mythology from the epic poem the Ramayana.”—Paste Magazine on Kaikeyi

"A powerful examination of a woman maligned by myth and men. Patel’s imagination takes a hammer to the image of a stonehearted villainess and reveals the woman within, whose choices sparked immortal legends. Compulsively readable and infinitely compassionate, this is the story I’ve been yearning for all my life."—Roshani Chokshi, author of The Last Tale of the Flower Bride on Kaikeyi

"Sneha Mathan gives a dramatic performance of this story about Ganga, the Hindu mythological goddess of the river. Mathan's resonant voice adds emotional depth to her portrayal of Ganga, who experiences mortality before she is transformed back into a goddess who is unable to shed her bonds with the human experience--or the mortal son she has been forced to leave behind."—Audiofile Earphone Award Winner

Compelling!

It was wonderful to revisit the Mahabharata from this perspective. And for those who are not familiar with the story- this is an amazing way to be introduced to it. Brava!

Quick read excellent narration

Very well narrated, easy and quick read. Need to be knowing Mahabharata before reading this.

Fantastic Great Mythology

I loved this story! A goddess, gods, and mortals . . a mother's love . . . a son's honor . . . war and forgiveness. Takes a bit to get into it but it's well worth it!

Power Is Complicated

I already read Kaikeyi (also stunning read) and couldn’t be more excited for another book from this author. I know absolutely nothing of the tales in this book and this reimagining from a female perspective is always interesting. I can’t wait for another.

Like mother like son

If you’re a fan of Indian “mythology”, you won’t be disappointed by this. Growing up, The Mahabharata was household staple, so I was already familiar with the overall story and characters. This novel allowed me to appreciate a different perspective and/or insights I didn’t already know of the story. A little slow in the beginning but picks up quickly. All in all, worth the listen.