In a time when storytelling frequently flirts with spectacle but shies away from substance, Ansh Saini’s Purushartha emerges as a blazing arrow of purpose. Blending Hindu mythology, dystopian futurism, and philosophical depth, the novel is not merely a work of fiction—it is a clarion call to examine the soul of civilization. A story that reverberates with the echoes of ancient wisdom while staring boldly into a shattered future, Purushartha speaks to every reader questioning the place of righteousness in a world ruled by chaos.
Set in the year 2989 A.D., when Earth has been reshaped into a single, authoritarian supercontinent named Zenkali, Purushartha introduces a reality where Dharma—the cosmic order—has been dismantled, and Adharma—the force of disorder and corruption—reigns supreme. It’s a world suffocating under the shadow of Kali Purush, a terrifying immortal figure whose demonic rule enforces a brutal caste-based rank system. Through this dark, techno-mythic lens, Saini reimagines the eternal battle between good and evil, not as a relic of ancient scriptures but as an imminent conflict etched into our collective future.
A Hero Rises: The Tale of Raghav
At the center of this futuristic epic stands Raghav, an orphaned boy born into suffering who rises to become a divine warrior. His transformation is catalyzed by a mystical encounter with a sage, who unlocks his potential and guides him onto a path of self-realization and spiritual warfare. Raghav’s journey is both cosmic and personal: he is a character burdened by trauma, hardened by injustice, and yet illuminated by a burning sense of purpose. His evolution from a helpless child in the slums of Zenkali to the liberator of imprisoned gods is nothing short of mythic.
The narrative device of Raghav’s long conversation with Lord Indra, whom he frees from a mystical lock-up, is especially powerful. It allows for a retrospective meditation on Dharma, destiny, and deception. When Indra himself questions the moral ambiguity of divine victories—such as the infamous episode of Samudra Manthan—the book achieves a rare philosophical maturity. “Victory without virtue is just survival dressed in gold,” Indra muses, exposing the gray spaces even among gods.
World-Building at its Best
What makes Purushartha particularly engaging is Saini’s meticulous world-building. The city of Zenkali is not just a setting—it is a fully imagined dystopia. Governed by the Zenkali Rank Protocol System, citizens are categorized based on biometric and psychological data tracked by a Medical Observation Device (M.O.D.). The “Dominants” enjoy elite pleasures, while the “Burdened” and “Enslaved” live lives of horror, stripped of dignity and voice. The Nexus-9, a torture facility masquerading as pleasure chambers, and Weapon Flare Tech, a genocidal experimentation lab, are not distant science fiction—they’re haunting allegories for systems of oppression in our real world.
Saini deftly uses futuristic motifs—AI surveillance, pleasure-based ranking systems, mind-control weapons—not only to entertain but to critique. His message is clear: the more technologically advanced we become, the easier it is to forget our moral compass. The technological horrors of Zenkali mirror our own society’s flirtation with dehumanization, data manipulation, and authoritarianism.
Mythology Rebooted: Dharma vs. Kali
Where Purushartha truly shines is in its fearless reimagining of Hindu cosmology. Drawing from the Vedas, Puranas, and Itihasas, Saini brings alive tales of Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and the Devas—not as distant gods, but as flawed entities struggling to uphold cosmic balance. The story of Samudra Manthan, narrated in vivid detail, becomes not just a historical episode but a philosophical discourse on truth and illusion. The appearance of Mohini, Vishnu’s enchantress avatar, and the origin of Rahu and Ketu are retold with cinematic grandeur and narrative precision.
Yet, the book refuses to offer easy binaries. Kali Purush, the antagonist, is no one-dimensional villain. Born from cosmic rejection and social exclusion, he is a tragic anti-hero who embodies society’s refusal to accept difference. His hatred is not without reason; his war against the gods stems from a perceived injustice. While his methods are monstrous, his motives spark unsettling questions. In Kali Purush, Saini has created a character who challenges not only the heroes but the very morality of the universe they defend.
Language and Style
Stylistically, Purushartha is rich and evocative. The prose oscillates between poetic description and cinematic action. Saini’s command over dramatic pacing is evident in scenes like Raghav’s meditation at the Eternal Lock-Up, the churning of the ocean in Samudra Manthan, or the horrific human testing chamber in Zenkali. His imagery is often overwhelming in the best sense: arrows streaking like rivers of fire, a sky splitting open with divine war cries, or a peacock feather appearing as a symbol of divine intervention. These are not just visual moments—they’re emotional anchors.
The book also includes Sanskrit shlokas, mantras, and philosophical aphorisms, adding authenticity and spiritual gravity to the narrative. Verses like “Andhakāraḥ kṣaṇikaḥ syāt, dharmaḥ tu nitya evaca” (“Darkness is temporary; Dharma is eternal”) are not only thematically resonant—they elevate the story to a timeless meditation on resilience and righteousness.
Social Relevance
Beyond mythology and adventure, Purushartha is a mirror to our times. The gender violence of Nexus-9, the trauma of orphaned children, the use of propaganda by rulers, and the commodification of human life are deeply uncomfortable but necessary truths. Raghav’s emotional breakdowns, his memories of helplessness, and his silent guilt for not being able to save a young boy, are not just plot points—they are reminders of the price of silence in the face of evil.
In the age of digital manipulation, religious polarization, and systemic inequality, Purushartha urges its readers to return to Dharma—not as a religious code, but as an ethical compass. It calls for resistance—not through blind rebellion, but through wisdom, compassion, and unwavering resolve.
Final Verdict
Purushartha is not a casual read. It demands attention, reflection, and empathy. It is ambitious in scope and unflinching in its moral stance. While at times its density may challenge readers unfamiliar with Hindu cosmology or epic storytelling, those who stay the course will find themselves rewarded with one of the most profound reading experiences in recent Indian speculative fiction.
It is rare to find a book that balances spiritual philosophy with futuristic imagination, personal pain with epic vision, and myth with modernity. Ansh Saini’s Purushartha does all this and more. It does not simply ask us to read—it asks us to awaken.
By Literature Chronicle