The All-Eater (Sacrifice the World #1)
Author: Satya Moses
Genre: History, Philosophy, Mythology
Pages: 393
MRP: Rs. 449/-
1. Introduction to the Work
The All-Eater is the first book in a series titled Sacrifice the World, a sweeping epic by Satya Moses that draws from a rich tapestry of spiritual and mythological narratives. The title itself, The All-Eater, invokes images of omnipresence, destruction, and consumption, setting the tone for a story that seeks to traverse the boundaries between the divine, the mortal, and the cosmos. Written in a deeply reflective style, Moses' work feels like both a modern meditation on ancient literature and a personal retelling of humanity’s perennial struggles.
Drawing inspiration from India's Mahabharata, Moses is not just retelling a well-known epic but reinterpreting it, injecting new life and relevance into its timeless themes. The narrative centers around universal questions of dharma (righteousness), desire, power, and the inevitable chaos that follows war.
Author’s purpose and justification for retelling the Mahabharata
In The All-Eater, Satya Moses provides a compelling justification for his decision to retell the Mahabharata. Moses acknowledges that he has no "special claim" on the epic and does not see himself as culturally Hindu. However, he feels deeply connected to the story, having grown up with it as a constant presence. His parents’ spiritual journey, which led them to Hindu philosophy and practice through their connection to Swami Sivananda, exposed him to the teachings and stories of the Mahabharata from an early age.
Moses likens his relationship with the Mahabharata to A.K. Ramanujan’s observation that "no Indian child hears the Mahabharata or the Ramayana for the first time." This sentiment applies to Moses as well, who cannot recall a time when he was unaware of the epic. The Mahabharata, he says, has always been with him, and it has lived in his heart and imagination since childhood.
Although he is not part of the traditional culture that reveres the Mahabharata, Moses explains that his personal spiritual and philosophical alignment with Vedic thought gives him the grounding he needs to approach the story. His upbringing in a family that practiced yoga and meditation, combined with his exposure to Indian ancient history and pilgrimage experiences in India, created a fertile environment for his fascination with the epic to grow.
The Mahabharata, for Moses, is an addictive story, full of contradictions, complexities, and iconic characters that continue to draw him in. His decision to adapt the Mahabharata into ‘Sacrifice the World’ came after many years of contemplating the epic's significance, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when he lived in isolation in Vermont. It was during this time that he felt an insistent urge to write his version of the epic.
Moses’ adaptation is driven by his belief that the Mahabharata is a story for the modern world. He sees the epic's themes—such as fatalism, moral dilemmas, and the inevitability of destruction—as highly relevant to the current era, particularly for younger generations who feel a sense of despair about the state of the world. In his view, the Mahabharata offers timeless wisdom, speaking to the human condition in a way that transcends religious and cultural boundaries
2. Plot and Themes
The All-Eater introduces a mythical world set at the junction of cosmic and human events. The prologue serves as a haunting and poetic entry point, offering readers an allegorical tale that revolves around desire—the desire that initiates life, creation, and eventually destruction. This idea of desire as a driving force is central to the unfolding events of the narrative.
At the heart of the book is a family feud that mirrors the Mahabharata's Pandava-Kaurava conflict. Moses imbues the story with moral ambiguity, which gives depth to characters who operate within the constraints of fate and divine will.
One of the key themes is dharma, an elusive concept that governs actions in the epic. The characters are constantly grappling with what it means to act according to dharma in a world that is filled with uncertainties, moral dilemmas, and divine manipulations. Krishna, in his trickster form, plays a crucial role in demonstrating the fluidity of morality. His actions, like many in the book, reveal the grayness of ethical choices, showing that righteousness often requires compromise.
The theme of cycles—of time, birth, death, and creation—is prevalent throughout the narrative. The story unfolds within a cosmos governed by the eternal recurrence of eons (yugas), offering a lens through which modern readers can reflect on humanity’s struggles with progress, destruction, and rebirth.
Moses also interrogates the idea of fate versus free will. While characters like Bhishma are bound by vows and destiny, others like Draupadi and Arjuna exhibit agency in their decisions, though they still face the consequences of larger, cosmic forces. The tension between personal choice and predetermined outcomes creates a rich philosophical backdrop.
3. Characterization and Development
Moses brings a fresh perspective to the well-known characters of the Mahabharata. Each character feels richly drawn, multi-dimensional, and fully realized. The moral ambiguity that defines Krishna’s character in the original epic is further enhanced in The All-Eater. He is not simply a god who guides humans through their dharma; instead, he is an enigmatic figure who manipulates events, leading to outcomes that are sometimes inscrutable even to him.
Draupadi is one of the most compelling characters in the story. Moses imbues her with a fiery sense of justice and resilience. Her polyandrous marriage and the indignities she suffers mirror broader societal issues about women’s roles and autonomy, making her a timeless figure of resistance and power. Her confrontation with fate, especially through the lens of patriarchal society, evokes empathy and admiration.
Arjuna, as the reluctant warrior, embodies the human struggle with ethical decision-making in the face of insurmountable odds. His conversations with Krishna—particularly when the Bhagavad Gita is interwoven—are philosophical and emotionally charged, giving readers a window into his inner turmoil.
Even minor characters are given detailed attention. For example, Bhishma’s vow-driven life, which binds him to support the morally flawed Kauravas, is rendered in a way that forces the reader to contemplate the complexities of duty, sacrifice, and honor.
4. Writing Style and Structure
Moses' writing is reflective, poetic, and philosophical. His prose echoes the oral traditions from which the Mahabharata originates. The book shifts between direct narrative, introspective commentary, and lyrical passages, allowing readers to engage with the text on multiple levels.
One of Moses’ strengths is his ability to blend the ancient with the modern. While the story draws from millennia-old sources, the language is accessible to contemporary readers. The dialogues between characters, particularly those involving Krishna, Arjuna, and Draupadi, feel timeless yet relevant to modern ethical debates.
The structure of The All-Eater is episodic, mimicking the sprawling nature of epics like the Mahabharata. Each chapter feels like a self-contained story, yet contributes to the larger narrative arc. Moses seamlessly transitions between moments of intense action—such as the battles leading up to the cataclysmic war—and moments of deep reflection, where characters are left to grapple with their choices.
There is also a remarkable balance between exposition and action. Moses allows the mythology to unfold gradually, not overwhelming the reader with dense lore, but offering insights into the spiritual and cosmological underpinnings of the world as needed.
5. Author's Background
Satya Moses is a writer whose upbringing and personal history have deeply influenced his work. Raised in a household steeped in the traditions of yoga, meditation, and Vedantic philosophy, his writing reflects these spiritual foundations. Moses’ parents were practitioners of the Vaidika dharma, and this exposure to Indian mysticism, combined with his deep interest in literature, has shaped his narrative voice.
Moses grew up surrounded by stories from the Mahabharata and other Indian epics, which fostered his lifelong fascination with these works. His personal connection to the characters, themes, and lessons from these epics is evident in his writing. Additionally, his travels to India, where he visited temples and spiritual sites, further deepened his engagement with these narratives.
While Moses' work can be appreciated by those familiar with the Mahabharata, it is also accessible to those who are encountering the story for the first time. His blend of personal spirituality with the grand, universal themes of the epic makes The All-Eater a unique contribution to contemporary literature.
6. Conclusion
The All-Eater by Satya Moses is a profound and thought-provoking retelling of one of humanity’s greatest epics. Through its exploration of desire, fate, and dharma, the novel raises timeless questions about the human condition. Moses' poetic writing style, combined with his evocative illustrations, creates an immersive reading experience that resonates on both intellectual and emotional levels.
What sets The All-Eater apart from other retellings of the Mahabharata is its modern relevance. Moses doesn’t merely rehash an ancient story; he reinterprets it for a world grappling with chaos, moral uncertainty, and existential questions. His characters are multi-dimensional, flawed, and deeply human—making their struggles with fate and dharma relatable to a modern audience.
For readers interested in mythology, philosophy, or simply beautifully written stories, The All-Eater is a must-read. Satya Moses has crafted a narrative that speaks to both the past and the present, reminding us that the ancient stories still hold power to illuminate our lives today.
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