Lifestyle
Amish unveils a chapter from “Scion of Ikshvaku” ahead of book launch
Scion of Ikshvaku is the first book of the Ram Chandra Series by Amish. It traces the story of Ram Chandra, the son of Dashrath and the founder of what is known as Ram Rajya, the perfect empire. The series, a fictional interpretation based on the many versions of the Ramayana, promises to be a fast-paced adventure melded with historical theories and Amish’s powerful imagination. Amish has written 3 books till now, The Immortals of Meluha, The Secret of the Nagas and The Oath of the Vayuputras, collectively called the Shiva Trilogy, which have sold 2.2 million copies till now, making it the fastest-selling book series in Indian publishing history.
Commenting on the unique experience of a chapter unveiling, Sanjeev Jha, Director, Kindle Content India, said “We are excited about our partnership with Westland for the exclusive chapter launch of Scion of Ikshvaku, one of India’s most anticipated books, on Kindle. After the thundering success of the Shiva Trilogy, the Ram Chandra series promises to be a gripping, mythical thriller. Amish’s fans now have the chance to read a chapter of the book at their convenience on Kindle or through the Kindle app – anytime, anywhere.”
Announcing the launch, Amish said “I am always experimenting with different and unique ways to engage with my readers. With this exclusive chapter launch on Kindle I’m hoping to not just engage with my readers but also start a dialogue with a new set of readers and allow them to sample my narrative and hopefully excite them to join me in this journey. And it’s great that technology allows us to do this today; so am making full use of it!”
Excerpt of the sample chapter:
Nilanjana sighed. She wasn’t even sure if the child would be a boy. But she wouldn’t risk the merest flagging of her mistress’ spirits. She administered some herbal pain relievers to the queen and bided her time. Ideally, the doctor wanted the birth to take place before midday. The royal astrologer had warned her that if the child was born later, he would suffer great hardships throughout his life. On the other hand, if the child was born before the sun reached its zenith, he would be remembered as one of the greatest among men and would be celebrated for millennia.
Nilanjana cast a quick glance at the prahar lamp, which measured time in six-hour intervals. The sun had already risen and it was the third hour of the second prahar. In another three hours it would be midday. Nilanjana had decided to wait till a half hour before noonand, if the baby was still not born,
she would go ahead with the surgery.
Kaushalya was stricken with another bout of dilatory pain. She pursed her lips together and began chanting in her mind the name she had chosen for her child. This gave her strength for it wasn’t an ordinary name. The name she had picked was that of the sixth Vishnu.
‘Vishnu’ was a title given to the greatest of leaders who were remembered as the Propagators of Good. The sixth man to have achieved this title was Lord Parshu Ram. That is how he was remembered by the common folk. Parshu means axe, and the word had been added to the name of the sixth Vishnu because the mighty battle axe had been his favourite weapon. His birth name was Ram. That was the name that reverberated in Kaushalya’s mind.
Ram… Ram… Ram… Ram…