Rama is all of 16 when Sage Viswamithra takes him to the Dandaka forest, with Lakshmana accompanying them.
At first, the spirit of adventure fills the two teenage brothers, but when they enter the forest in broad daylight, it is a curtain of pitch darkness.
The smell of decaying flesh, flashes of fire, and the gloom of animals, birds and foliage in terror affect Rama deeply. For the first time, he feels fear. He hears derisive laughter — is it from the forest, or is it within him?
The first lesson he recalls from the sage Vashistha is: What is the task at hand? How can he understand the gravity of what is happening? Is the earth calling out for help?
He gathers his fragmented thoughts and, feeling for the arrow from his quiver, shoots at a shape-shifting demon who terrorizes the forest.
The story tells the strength of relationships with nature that Rama, Sita and Lakshmana make to restore balance in life.
The Living Legend: Ramayana Tales from Far and Near by Vayu Naidu is published as an ebook on 30 September, 2024.
Vayu is writing us a feature connected to her book.
Our round-up of over 190 books coming out this year has much more historical fiction to choose from.
