{"title":"Mythological Fiction","description":"\u003cp\u003eWhere gods walk among mortals and legends are born. Our Mythological Fiction collection brings together the finest retellings and original tales drawn from the world's greatest mythologies — Greek, Hindu, Norse, Egyptian, and beyond.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"mahabharat-2025","title":"Mahabharat 2025","description":"\u003cp\u003eModern men called it a myth.Now, the great war is coming again.It is 2025. A doomsday prophecy halts time as an ancient bloodline blessed by Krishna stands on the brink of extinction. When social media influencer Divyansh Ananthar is embroiled in a controversy that puts him on a dangerous path, he finds an unlikely saviour who opens his eyes to everything he believes to be a myth. As it turns out, the war in Kurukshetra was not the end but just the beginning. The Mahabharat is set to happen again, and a non-believer is the key to the war of the gods.Thrust into a world where demigods walk among us and ancient warriors silently await the return of the Mahabharat, Divyansh must uncover the secrets of his ancestors that have made him the ultimate target. Joined by a powerful celestial being, an old friend and her brave dog, he embarks on a race against time to prevent the return of a war prophesied to mark the end of everything. Unknown to him and his companions, Ashwatthama has risen. And this time, he is determined to win at any cost.In an age where even the gods have abandoned humankind, can Divyansh and his friends defy the limits of destiny and time to stop the greatest war from unfolding?You are about to find out.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Dusky's Shrine","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":46035388366905,"sku":"9780143471929","price":359.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0795\/3367\/0457\/files\/81f1EwKUTEL._SL1500_3b32eb36-048b-4577-a022-9bb10f847d81.jpg?v=1782812571"},{"product_id":"asura-tale-of-the-vanquished","title":"Asura: tale of the vanquished : the story of Ravana and his people","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe story of the Ramayana has been told countless times. The enthralling story of Rama, the incarnation of God, who slew Ravana, the King of Wrath, is known to every Indian. And in the pages of history, as always, it is the version told by the victors, that lives on. But what if Ravana and his people had a different story to tell? Asura is the epic narrative of the vanquished Asura people, a story cherished by the oppressed outcastes of India for over 3000 years. Until now, no Asura has dared to tell this tale. But perhaps the time has come for the defeated to speak: “For thousands of years, I have been vilified, and my death is celebrated year after year in every corner of India. Why? Was it because I challenged the gods for the sake of my daughter? Was it because I sought to free a race from the yoke of caste-based Deva rule? You have heard the victor's tale, the Ramayana. Now hear the Ravanayana, for I am Ravana, the Asura, and my story is the tale of the vanquished.” The ancient Asura empire lay shattered into many warring petty kingdoms under the heel of the Devas. In desperation, the Asuras look to a young saviour: Ravana. Believing that a better world awaits them under Ravana's leadership, common men like Bhadra decide to follow the young leader into war. With iron will and fiery ambition, Ravana leads his people from victory to victory, carving out a vast empire from the Devas. But even in triumph, the poor Asuras find that little has changed for them. But perhaps there is hope yet—but can Ravana change the course of history forever? Who is this for? Asura is a great choice for fans of mythological bestsellers like The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, The Forest of Enchantments, and the Ramayana in English. It is also a must-read for anyone interested in Indian mythology, mythological fiction books, spiritual books, and historical fiction books. 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Narrated by Panchaali, wife of the five Pandava brothers, the novel traces her life from fiery birth and lonely childhood, where her beloved brother is her only true companion; through her complicated friendship with the enigmatic Krishna; to marriage, motherhood and her secret attraction to the mysterious man who is her husbands? most dangerous enemy. 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His desperate search leads him to the whispers of a hidden temple in the remote town of Gresham, Rajasthan, said to perform miraculous healings.But Gresham hides darker truths. On the ominous night of the Blood Moon, Vikram is brought before the temple’s enigmatic high priest, who offers him a single, terrifying bargain: salvation for Meera, in exchange for capturing the ancient pishach―Betaal.Bound by an otherworldly oath to Vikram’s bloodline, the pishach draws him into a harrowing cycle of encounters. Each time Vikram closes in, Betaal tells the story of its current host and poses a riddle that tests his morality, forcing him to confront the limits of love, logic, and faith.As Meera’s time slips away and the curse of his lineage resurfaces, Vikram must face an impossible question: how much of his humanity is he willing to sacrifice to save the woman he loves?Vikram and Betaal: Night of the Blood Moon plunges into a world where ancient folklore collides with modern reason, a haunting tale of love, legacy, and the darkness that binds them both.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Dusky's Shrine","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":46035425427513,"sku":"9780143479925","price":359.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0795\/3367\/0457\/files\/717lvlhfJyL._SL1500_ff401f9a-673e-4226-b0ec-f6f1ddbf92e3.jpg?v=1782812693"},{"product_id":"the-hawks-quest","title":"The Hawk's Quest","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this incredible retelling of the Mahabharata, Shakuni is no longer the villain history remembers, but a man forged in the fires of familial massacre. 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A librarian-princess learns how to steal to save the world from an ancient plague... While the battle for Mathura rages in the West, the great powers gather in distant Kamrup - the lush and mysterious Tree City of the East - to thrash out the political future of the realm. Their aim: to secure prosperity and a lasting peace. But at this magnificent conclave, deaf swordswomen and exiled snakelings, spoilt heroes and lovesick princes, immortal assassins and their apprentices will find no sun to light their way. For the Son of Darkness rises, boiling over with a wrath that all the oracles in the world cannot hope to forestall. 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Blessed by the Gods with talents beyond all. Cursed by fate to be tested to the extremes.A formidable teenage pirate, he is filled with equal parts courage, cruelty and fearsome resolve. A resolve to be a giant among men, to conquer, plunder, and seize the greatness that he thinks is his right.A man of contrasts, of brutal violence and scholarly knowledge. A man who will love without reward and kill without remorse.This exhilarating third book of the Ram Chandra series sheds light on Raavan, the king of Lanka. And the light shines on darkness of the darkest kind. 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A charming and remarkable book’ Houston Chronicle ‘As bright a gem as the Hope Diamond’Los Angeles Times ‘A daring novel’ Vogue IndiaBe taken back to a time that is half history, half myth, and wholly magical …First published in 2008, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni's The Palace of Illusions has received wide acclaim for giving a woman's take on the timeless tale that is the Mahabharata. Narrated by Panchaali, wife of the five Pandava brothers, the novel traces her life from fiery birth and lonely childhood, where her beloved brother is her only true companion; through her complicated friendship with the enigmatic Krishna; to marriage, motherhood and her secret attraction to the mysterious man who is her husbands’ most dangerous enemy. 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It is a tale of love, friendship, loyalty, devotion, righteousness, and deliverance. Ramayana and Rama, whose journey is told in the epic, are embedded in India?s cultural consciousness, but at the same time they transcend borders. Various versions of the Ramayana can be found across the Indian subcontinent and in parts of southeast Asia. Created in consultation with distinguished economist, scholar, and translator, Dr Bibek Debroy, The Illustrated Ramayana draws from one of its earliest composers, the celebrated sage and poet Valmiki. It uses a combination of text and stunning images drawn from a variety of sources ? from historic and contemporary artefacts, paintings, photographs, and performances ? to tell Rama?s story, as he walks the path that destiny creates for him. Foreword by Dr Bibek Debroy, Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India. Valmiki?s Ramayana told in an easy-to-read manner. One-of-a-kind comprehensive, linear, and visual narrative, which is a treat to the eyes. Explores different aspects of the Ramayana, including other influences and works making it a truly global product. Ideal gift for special occasions such as Diwali. Collector?s item for those interested in mythology, religion, or would like to explore the world of Indian epics.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Dusky's Shrine","offers":[{"title":"Hardback","offer_id":46035628490809,"sku":"9789388372473","price":1799.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0795\/3367\/0457\/files\/812YTR-eHkL._SL1185_ab28614e-6fc8-499b-9161-71072172341b.jpg?v=1782813504"},{"product_id":"ramayana-2","title":"Ramayana","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe two epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharat are two encyclopaedias of ancient Aryan life and wisdom, portraying an ideal civilization. The Ramayan is a perennial source of spiritual, cultural and artistic inspiration to all readers. Rama is the ideal son, the ideal ruler, the ideal husband and the ideal son. Sita is unique, the embodiment of the ideals of womanhood. More details: Bala Kanda, Ayodhya Kanda, Aranya Kanda, Kishkinda Kanda, Sundara Kanda, Yuddha Kanda, form the different sections of this great love story. Beginning with Valmiki and Narada, Bala Kanda deals with Dasaratha and the birth of Rama, Vishvamitra taking the lads to the forest and ends with Sita kalyanam. The second part deals with Rama's banishment and Bharata's appeal. The third talks of Panchavati, Dandaka forest, Shurpanakha, Shabari and Sita being taken to Ravana s Lanka. Kishkinda Kanda deals with Rama's search for Sita while Sundara Kanda talks of Hanuman entering Lanka. Yudha Kanda talks of the war between humans, monkeys and the rakshasas, ending with the coronation of Rama.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Dusky's Shrine","offers":[{"title":"Hardback","offer_id":46035660079161,"sku":"9788172764326","price":1148.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0795\/3367\/0457\/files\/81koxOJngtL._SL1500_373ec5a8-899a-4221-80f9-c9d55417617c.jpg?v=1782813548"},{"product_id":"epic-love-stories","title":"Epic Love Stories","description":"\u003cp\u003eLove that rewrites destiny. Love that is forbidden. Love that refuses to die.Meet Radha, slipping into the forest on moonless nights to steal moments with her beloved Krishna; Mandodari, whose devotion to Ravana outlives tragedy; Draupadi, whose heart remains tethered to Arjun's despite fate's unexpected twists; Savitri, who walks beside Death itself to reclaim her husband; and Rukmini, forever longing for a love she can never be sure she can have forever.Epic Love Stories brings together sixteen unforgettable romances from India's history, myths and legends, in which devas, asuras, kings, queens and apsaras are undone by the force that moves the mortal world-love in all its joy, ache, conflict and surrender. Evocative and deeply moving, this richly imagined collection of stories offers a sweeping portrait of love's many shades-devotion and desire, sacrifice and heartbreak, legend and magic, all woven together in stories that transcend time.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Dusky's Shrine","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":46035694583865,"sku":"9789365695526","price":449.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0795\/3367\/0457\/files\/81fYP4FkNAL._SL1500.jpg?v=1782813571"},{"product_id":"karna-3","title":"Karna 3","description":"\u003cp\u003eHe was meant to die on the battlefield.But fate had other plans.Karna, once the greatest warrior, survived the war that brought the world to its knees. Now, he lives in quiet obscurity, a teacher at a humble Gurukul, trying to bury the ghosts of Kurukshetra beneath lessons of peace. But the past never truly dies.When Rahu, a weapon of unimaginable power created by the empire and a young woman born of fire and shadows, escapes her masters, Karna is drawn once more into the heart of chaos. Greek legions march across broken lands, Rakshasas spill blood for sport, and the Nagas weave their treacherous plots beneath the earth.As kingdoms tremble, Karna must face a destiny crueler than any curse… to protect the girl who could end the world… or save it.He failed once.Can he find redemption this time?A sweeping tale of war, faith and fatherhood, this is the story of a fallen hero who discovers that some battles are fought not with weapons, but with the heart.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Dusky's Shrine","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":46035703201849,"sku":"9789390343751","price":359.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0795\/3367\/0457\/files\/817jcJJ49fL._SL1500.jpg?v=1782813604"},{"product_id":"olympus","title":"Olympus","description":"\u003cp\u003e· Olympus is the home of the Greek gods, much like Amravati of the Hindu devas. · Zeus, leader of Olympians, wields a thunderbolt like Indra, and rides an eagle like Vishnu. · The feats of the Greek hero Heracles, known to Romans as Hercules, reminded many of Krishna, as did his name, 'Hari-kula-esha' or lord of the Hari clan. · The Greek epic of a husband sailing across the sea with a thousand ships to bring his wife, Helen, back from Troy seems strikingly similar to the story of Ram rescuing Sita from Lanka. Is there a connection between Greek and Hindu mythology then? Does it have something to do with a common Indo-European root? Or maybe an exchange of ideas in the centuries that followed the arrival of Alexander the Great, when Greek emissaries travelled to the kingdoms of Mathura and Magadha? In this book, mythologist Devdutt Pattanaik turns his attention to ancient Greek tales, and explores a new world of stories. Long have Europeans and Americans retold Indic mythologies. 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He is maryada purushottam Ram, the supreme upholder of social values, the scion of the Raghu clan, jewel of the solar dynasty, the seventh avatar of Vishnu, God who establishes order in worldly life. Hindus believe that in stressful and tumultuous times chanting Ram's name and hearing his tale, the Ramayan, brings stability, hope, peace and prosperity. 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And yet, have we never wondered why his young wife, Yashodhara, still recovering from the birth of their son nine days ago, sleeps soundly as her husband, the over-protected prince departs, leaving behind his family and wealth and kingdom?In Yashodhara, the gaps of history are imagined with fullness and fierceness: Who was the young girl and what shaped her worldview? When she married Siddhartha at the age of sixteen, did she know her conjugal life would soon change drastically? The Yashodhara we meet in Volga's feminist novel is quick-witted, compassionate and wants to pave a way for women to partake in spiritual learning as equals of men.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Dusky's Shrine","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":46035770015801,"sku":"9789353025892","price":315.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0795\/3367\/0457\/files\/61SxhjavPHL._SL1360_9841d8ee-732f-4ca6-b42b-5506556a5737.jpg?v=1782813769"},{"product_id":"karna-ii","title":"Karna II","description":"\u003cp\u003e20 years later… United by promise Divided by hateKarna, the King of Anga, is distraught after the recent demise of a closed one. And to achieve salvation, he seeks to hurt the ones who are closest to him. Satyasena, the firstborn son to Karna, holds no mantle to his popular father but he strives for it. To become better, he’s ready to lose everything. Shanaya, the queen of Anga, takes care of the throne during her husband’s absence, but recent moral duties have begun to confront her past and probably betray the present. Vrishaketu, the second -born to Karna, has been shifting loyalties between the Pandavas and the Kauravas, insidiously plotting the downfall of his father and the throne, but a new distraction ends up blurring the line between right and wrong. Once a loving family, it is now haunted by conspirators, murderers and stabbers. 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The war is about to start....and this is a war like no other with boons, curses, tricks, strategies and games deployed to maximise each side’s chances of victory.The Book of Killings is the eagerly awaited third instalment of the Mahabharata trilogy, which began explosively with The Book of Vows and was then followed by The Book of Discoveries. Imagined afresh and composed in a style that captures the power, charm and ambiguity of Vyasa’s Mahabharata, this book dramatizes the 18-day epic war and its aftermath in the Mahabharata.Grounding his telling in the original Sanskrit version, Majmudar has recreated the ancient epic for a contemporary audience. 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After witnessing the death of her mother, the grief-stricken Pampa Kampana becomes a vessel for the Goddess, who begins to speak out of the girl's mouth. Granting her powers beyond Pampa Kampana's comprehension, the goddess tells her that she will be instrumental in the rise of a great city called Bisnaga - literally 'victory city' -the wonder of the world.Over the next two hundred and fifty years, Pampa Kampana's life becomes deeply interwoven with Bisnaga's, from its literal sowing out of a bag of magic seeds to its tragic ruination in the most human of ways: the hubris of those in power. Whispering Bisnaga and its citizens into existence, Pampa Kampana attempts to make good on the task that the Goddess set for her: to give women equal agency in a patriarchal world. But all stories have a way of getting away from their creator, and Bisnaga is no exception. As years pass, rulers come and go, battles are won and lost, and allegiances shift, the very fabric of Bisnaga becomes an ever more complex tapestry - with Pampa Kampana at its centre.Brilliantly styled as a translation of an ancient epic, this is a saga of love, adventure and myth that is in itself a testament to the power of storytelling.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Dusky's Shrine","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":46035797147705,"sku":"9780143472407","price":359.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0795\/3367\/0457\/files\/81tG5SM2NhL._SL1500_34a7eeb3-6c59-4bf5-bd9a-13c91f443539.jpg?v=1782813940"},{"product_id":"the-mahabharata","title":"The Mahabharata","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Mahabharata, over 3500 years old and the longest poem in the world, would fill eighteen volumes if printed in full. It, along with The Ramayana, captures the essence of Indian cultural and religious heritage, reflecting the moral and social values of an ancient civilisation. R K Narayan’s new prose adaption brings this epic to life against the backdrop of royal capitals, lush forests, and mountains. It chronicles the dynastic struggle between the Pandavas and the Kauravas, culminating in the legendary eighteen-day battle of Kurushetra. The Mahabharata is rich with Hindu religious and cultural elements, fromThe Bhagavad Gita to numerous mythic tales. Its most striking feature is its vivid, enduring characters. \"It is a great tale with well-defined characters who talk and act with robustness and zest- heroes and villains, saints and kings, women of beauty- all displaying great human qualities, superhuman endurance, depths of sinister qualities as well as power, satanic hates and intrigues: all presented against an impressive background of ancient royal capitals, forests, and mountains’ -R K Narayan\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Dusky's Shrine","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":46035811106873,"sku":"9788185986333","price":216.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0795\/3367\/0457\/files\/41y3j-_J7YL_3fb4ee96-b222-489d-b857-80360637551a.jpg?v=1782814008"},{"product_id":"pregnant-king","title":"Pregnant King","description":"\u003cp\u003e'I am not sure that I am a man,' said Yuvanashva. 'I have created life outside me as men do. 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Building on Hinduism's rich and complex mythology-but driven by a very contemporary sensibility-Devdutt Pattanaik creates a lush and fecund work of fiction in which the lines are continually blurred between men and women, sons and daughters, husbands and wives, fathers and mothers. 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What seemed to be the end of all wars was just the beginning of an incredible journey in search of a hidden verse.Who are LSD and Parimal? Will Om finally know abouthis past?Tighten your seat belts for an adventure in search of words that hold a bigger purpose than even immortality for divinities and demons.Who is Devdhwaja: Nagendra or Om? Where are the remaining words hidden? Will Nagendra fifind them all and complete the verse, or will the immortals be able to stop him?Unravel the unexpected mystery of the doomed immortals running out of time.Embark on a nail-biting adventure into mythology, epics and sciencewith this unputdownable series!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Dusky's Shrine","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":46035843940409,"sku":"9780143467359","price":719.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0795\/3367\/0457\/files\/81uuRw6SbWL._SL1500_50267780-82fd-4fc6-981c-7e4a23254c19.jpg?v=1782814106"},{"product_id":"from-death-to-immortality-the-great-war-of-the-mahabharata","title":"From Death to Immortality: the Great War of the Mahabharata","description":"\u003cp\u003eAs we delve deeper into the great epic, the Mahabharata, we come to realise how little we truly understand its depth, significance, and ability to convey spellbinding nuances. 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It captures both the trauma and stress we endure in this life and the mythology that seeks to explain these experiences.The great war of the Mahabharata is a tale of death, annihilation, and despair—but it is also a profound narrative of the universal truth: immortality, the one unchanging reality that forms the essence of all existence.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Dusky's Shrine","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":46035848822841,"sku":"9789365471038","price":539.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0795\/3367\/0457\/files\/81K1CiEHWrL._SL1500_da6cbb5e-fb2e-4a2e-8217-c179571e881a.jpg?v=1782814118"},{"product_id":"norse-mythology","title":"Norse Mythology","description":"\u003cp\u003eTHE NO. 1 SUNDAY TIMES AND NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER FROM THE CO-AUTHOR OF GOOD OMENS, NOW A MAJOR 'with the deftest of touches, the characters are once again brought to life' JOANNE HARRIS'The halls of Valhalla have been crying out for Gaiman to tell their stories' OBSERVERThe great Norse myths, which have inspired so much of modern fiction, are dazzlingly retold by Neil Gaiman. Tales of dwarfs and frost giants, of treasure and magic, and of Asgard, home to the gods: Odin the all-father, highest and oldest of the Aesir; his mighty son Thor, whose hammer Mjollnir makes the mountain giants tremble; Loki, wily and handsome, reliably unreliable in his lusts; and Freya, more beautiful than the sun or the moon, who spurns those who seek to control her. From the dawn of the world to the twilight of the gods, this is a thrilling, vivid retelling of the Norse myths from the award-winning, bestselling Neil Gaiman.*This book has been printed with two different cover designs. We are unable to accept requests for a specific cover. 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With a master stroke, the author has elaborated the storyline by including lesser known folklore stories of the epic, while keeping intact its original form and style. The book has been divided into 108 chapters and has vivid illustrations along with 250 simple line drawings painted by Pattanaik himself. Besides infusing the different tales from local versions of the epic, the author has also added folk arts aspects picked up from 'Yakshagana’ in Karnataka, 'Terukuttu’ in Tamil Nadu and 'Pandavani’ in Chattisgarh to blend with the narrative. Stories of Barbareek, Aravan, Astika, Madhavi and Jaimini form a special portion of this book. Other than this, Pattanaik has also introduced some intriguing ongoing traditions, like the worship of Draupadi in temples of Tamil Nadu. Along with this, a whole section has been devoted to the Kurukshetra war described on the basis of descriptive astronomical information. By infusing these interesting details along with the various local versions of the epic, the author has attempted to create a pan-Indian version of the epic that has, since times immemorial, helped in shaping the culture and history of the whole country. Published by Penguin, this book may be a great choice for those intrigued to know about the religious and cultural intricacies of the country as well as those who are reading the epic for the first time. About the author: Devdutt Pattanaik: A doctor by training, a marketing manager by profession and a mythologist by passion, Devdutt Pattanaik wears many hats. 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From the pen of the author who gave voice to Ravana in the national bestseller, Asura, comes the riveting narrative which compels us to question the truth behind the Mahabharatam. As the Pandavas stake their claim to the Hastinapura throne, the Kaurava Crown Prince, Suyodhana, rises to challenge Krishna. As great minds debate dharma and adharma, power hungry men prepare for an apocalyptic war. The women, highborn and humble, helplessly watch the unfolding disaster with deep foreboding. And greedy merchants and unscrupulous priests lie in wait like vultures. Both sides know that beyond the agony and carnage the winner will take all. But even as gods conspire and men’s destinies unfold, a far greater truth awaits. 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