Publisher's Synopsis
Very old tales relating to Indian mythology are narrated in this book. The popularity of these tales, that have lasted for many centuries, and will never be forgotten, is certainly time-tested! They can be read as racy fantasy fiction with appeal for everyone; or as the most thought-provoking epic stories showing up the universal truths searched for by men over ages. The author has carefully reconstructed the diverse versions of the ancient tales with his research efforts over the last 15 years. He seeks to present what they meant to Indians two or three thousand years ago. They are now clearly and concisely integrated with inspired insight, and presented in an attractive, highly readable style with modern flourishes. These classic stories deal with valour, romance, mystery, magic, duty; by reading them we may find out how much they have shaped our minds about the deepest moral issues over thousands of years, spanning national boundaries. The eternal conflicts between the principled Gods and the opportunistic Demons form the main interest. In this book, they effectively come out of our minds and take shapes and desires of their own! The demon-hero Andhak, is the protagonist in the main story. Born blind and ugly, out of his mother's impulse and father's pain, he is discarded by them for adoption by Hiranyaksh, the demon-king. Andhak is horribly treated by his cousins after his adoptive father's death in battle against the Gods. With great effort he overcomes his limitations, and fights the Gods, seeking vengeance... An excerpt follows: Hiranyaksh, the Asura king, was doing severe penances to propitiate Shiva. Such was his prayer: "O Shiva, greatest of Devas, do hear my prayer and grant me this boon! I have no wish for immortality; I do not wish to be any Deva, eternally bound to principles and ideals. I am happy to be just what I am: an Asura, a demon driven by passion and ego, delighting in opulence and fame and revelries. By Your grace, I already possess vast might, large armies, incredible wealth - so much that we are now about to challenge the Devas. "O Shiva, there is no one higher among us Asuras to pray to, than myself. Only to You, the very greatest Deva, the most principled, indeed the very best among Them, most certainly the most powerful - only to You can I pray, for You are the most superior among all entities. From You I beseech a boon. "Shiva, do cast Your favourable eye upon me. Be kind to me. You know that although I am an Asura I am still accessible to Your grace. Forget the squabbles we have to have with the lesser Devas. Those selfish and uncaring hypocrites, aloof and joyless; those moral snobs, pursuing cold and lonely habits; are a natural affront to our senses of equality and gregarious living. They deserve chastisement from time to time. "O Shiva, we Asuras are nothing without passion. Most passionately, I want a son. My brother Hiranyakshap, he has four strong sons. I don't want any of them to inherit my kingdom. I want my own son to rule the Asuras. Of all the Asuras, he must be the bravest and the strongest - he must dominate all. All must be in fear and awe of him. "Shiva, give me such a son."
