"The Indus challenge" by R. Durgadoss - Brahmastra in times of Chanakya!
This book is published by Rupa publications India in 2016 and has 320 pages. This is Janam 2 (Book 2) of the series.
For readers like me, who haven’t read Janam 1, author gives summary of Janam 1 to create background.
It’s 306 BC. It’s the story of Rudra, wilder of Brahmastra and commander in chief of Chandragupta Maurya. It starts from his childhood, his attaining the Siddhi under able guidance of Chanakya, creation of empire, Chandragupta’s marriage to Greek princess Helen, the palace politics and the ominous curse of short life.
Most of the first part of this book is pillow talk between two pairs, Chandragupt Maurya and his wife Helen and Commander in Chief Rudra and his wife Swastika.
The story is written in a floral but unattractive way. Reader doesn’t get excited. Events are just placed one after other rather than stringing them in a story. Author also appears to be undecided about what Brahmastra does. Initially he explains the after effects of Brahmastra are like a nuclear weapon. Later he shows it being used as a precision weapon to kill just one person without harming the one next to him. Then he shows it used as a tracking device. There are discrepancies about age too. Chandragupta is 40 years old when his grandson Ashoka is identified as potential heir. His son commits murder after thinking it through at the age of 5. The list goes on….
Ashwatthama is an important character in this book. It was expected that he learns something from the curse. But rather than being repentant, he appears vengeful and even petty. Character of Rudra’s father also undergoes a sudden inexplicable transformation that’s not digestible.
Book ends with a preamble for Janam 3. I strongly suspect that it’s going to be about Ashoka’s nine unknowns.
Why did I read this book? Blurb.
What I didn't like? Narration .
What did I like? Umm…
Give it a miss.
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