King of Ayodhya

The original Ramayana was written three thousand years ago. Now, with breathtaking imagination and brilliant storytelling, Ashok K. Banker has recreated this epic tale for modern readers everywhere.

Rama, soon to be King of Ayodhya, crosses the ocean to wage his war of dharma against the rakshasa forces of the demonlord Ravana. The valiant vanars and bears suffer huge losses when Ravana unleashes his iniquitous sorcery on them, destroying tens of thousands of Rama's loyal soldiers. Despite the formidable odds they fight on even as the warfare spirals into a maelstrom of unimaginable carnage and brutality.

And then, Ravana does the unthinkable. Hovering over the battlefield in his flying vehicle he executes Sita in full public view, right before Rama's unbelieving eyes.

Rama's grief and rage know no bounds and on this cataclysmic day he finally draws upon his ultimate reservoir of Brahman shakti. Invoking the all-powerful dev-astras, the Bow of Vishnu and the Arrow of Shiva, he prepares for a reckoning and a victory like no other . . .

PRAISE FOR THE SERIES

‘A milestone. Banker brings a magnificent sense of predestination to his task' —India Today

‘How well Banker tells his tale! His pace never flags, his attention to detail and character is enormously inventive' —Indian Express

‘Spectacular in scope and vision' —Enigma

About The Author:

Ashok K. Banker is the author of the internationally acclaimed Ramayana series. He is currently at work on a retelling of the world’s longest epic, the Mahabharata. He lives in Mumbai.