Tales of Love and Devotion – 3 In 1 (Harischandra, Savirtri & Kannagi): Comic Book

Indian mythology and literature is replete with stirring tales that tell of men and women who scaled the heights of love and devotion in their lives. Amar Chitra Katha brings together three such stories in this special collection.

King Harischandra, whose unflinching devotion to honour caused untold suffering to him, his wife and their little son.

Savitri, who walked in Yama’s footsteps as he took away her husband’s soul and forced that Lord of Death to pay heed to her sorrow.

Kannagi, whose anger at the unfair killing of her husband burnt down the city of Madurai as she raged justice.

Even the gods were charmed by this most honourable of kings. Fate had snatched away his palace, his wealth, his wife and his son. Worse sorrows were to pour down on him and yet Harischandra would not abandon the righteous path. He revealed the true mettle of a great king, protecting his honour – and that of his family with single-minded determination.

Even the merciless Lord Yama is charmed by Savitri. This gentle, beautiful princess is admired by gods and king, the rich and the poor, the young and the old. But when the shadow of death hangs over her husband she is filled with courage spurred by her selfless love for him. She strives for a miracle – with amazing success!

Life is unfair: the virtuous Kannagi deserves a loving husband but selfish beauties and foolish kings combine to rob her of happiness. Her patience snaps, eventually. Pure in her love, this gentle woman is transformed into an avenging angel, raining death and doom on all her foes, until the gods are forced to intervene. llango Adigal’s Tamil classic, Shilappadikarani, presents life with all its flaws, but also with hope Life is unfair: the virtuous Kannagi deserves a loving husband but selfish beauties and foolish kings combine to rob her of happiness. Her patience snaps, eventually. Pure in her love, this gentle woman is transformed into an avenging angel, raining death and doom on all her foes, until the gods are forced to intervene. llango Adigal’s Tamil classic, Shilappadikarani, presents life with all its flaws, but also with hope.