There is something about mythology that piques everyone’s interest every time one hears about it. The heroic tales of warriors; the internal politics played by the leaders; the lives that should not be lost but do. And listening to these tales we draw inspiration, strengthen our faith, and aspire for something far greater than we could ever want for ourselves.
Ramayana: The Game of Life: The Rise of the Sun Prince by Shubha Vilas is one such book. A book filled with surprises
from start till the end.
Even though it ultimately tells the tale of Ramayana, the
story in the novel is inspired from 2 different versions i.e. Valmiki Ramayan and Kamba Ramyan. The story starts with a
very interesting question about ‘Is there a person in this world who is full of
good virtues and is at the same time powerful, grateful, truthful, determined
and also compassionate’? It seems impossible but Narada muni begins thinking
about it and that sets him of on a journey of finding a man with such
qualities. Especially a hero who can not only commit to his duties but also be
a good man in every decision he makes.
The book 1 in the 6-part series begins with telling the tale
of Rama. It starts long before his birth and winds down just when he meets
Sita. The characters in the story are amazing. You would think Rama would be
the highlight as he is the hero but the other protagonists contribute a lot
more to the story too. Like King Dasharatha and his wives trying to find an
heir, there are various viewpoints as you try to find the lineage of the grand
dynasty.
As you keep reading, you learn about how Vishwamitra takes
Rama and Lakshmana under his guidance and trains them to face the evils of the
world. Vishwamitra is one of the most interesting characters in the book. You
see him taking the role of a teacher, a guide who directs Ram and Laskhmana on
the path of life by teaching them of the positive and negatives of war and
life.
One the aspect which I really liked about the book is the
detailed explanations in every page. It’s a novel, but it’s also like a self-help
book which you can read to know how the ancient teachings can be applied
towards today’s situations and problems. As a reader, I was fascinated to read
these notes that explain in-detail about virtues like anger, generosity, hate
and many others. I had many favorite lines, one that included ‘A student learns
by listening to a good teacher and observing a great one.’
As an author, Shubha Vilas, has caught the attention of the
reader by matching ancient teachings to modern lifestyle of people. The book is
not just about the king Vishwamitra going on to become a sage, it’s about
transformation and the changes that tend to relay on the life of hundreds of
others.
Not only is The Rise of the Sun Prince an inspiring book,
but a very thought-provoking one. You will learn many new things and will question
some long-held beliefs that are dear to you and that’s a good thing because knowledge
always leads to the path of enlightenment.
I rate this book 3.5 stars out of 5. Pick it up today, you
will not be disappointed.
