Books with author Anant Pai

Bala Kand, the first book of the Ramayana, isabout Rama’s boyhood. It begins by relating how Valmiki composedand launched his great poem. In this book, we meet KingDasharatha of Ayodhya and his queens, Kausalya, Sumitra andKaikeyi. In time, four glorious sons are born to them – Rama, Bharata,Lakshmana and Shatrughna. Devoted to each other, the fourprinces grow up happily in the palace. But the gods have destinedRama to be a hero. His thrilling adventures begin when Rishi Vishwamitracomes to Ayodhya to seek his help against the rakshasaswho are harassing the rishis in the forest. Accompanied by Lakshmana,the young prince goes to the forest to fight the evilrakshasas. Under the tutelage of the great rishi, Rama and Lakshmanalearn the duties of a Kshatriya, and the secret mantras of allkinds of weapons. As they travel with the rishis, they also hearmany fascinating tales about the people and places they see. At lastthey come to the palace of Mithila to see the great bow of Shiva.Here they meet King Janaka, who has promised his daughter’shand to the strongest prince in the land…

Under attack from a deadly crocodile, the 12-year-old boy decided the time was ripe to wrest a favour from his distraught mother. Amazingly fearless yet dutiful, scholarly yet humble, young Shankara packed several lifetimes into his 32 brilliant years. He travelled and toiled, suffered joys and sorrows, and eventually perfected a philosophical system that, more than a thousand years later, still instructs and guides seekers of the ultimate Truth.

Only Sati could fulfill Shiva's exacting demands. As his companion she could match his ascetic ways as well as be a loving wife. Unfortunately, her happiness was overshadowed by an arrogant father. Sati countered Daksha's insensitivity with an immense, horrific sacrifice, which threw the universe into chaos and turmoil. As the heroine of this primeval romantic story she embodies the essence of a perfect spouse.

A power-hungry warrior and a peace -loving-wife-could they ever tread together on the path of non-violence? Ashoka waged war after ruthless war, yet by the time his children grew up, he proudly saw them off as Buddhist missionaries. Read about the charmed life of this famous king of Magadha, who not only built a properous kingdom but spread the message of universal love.

Eeek! Somebody’s put a repulsive bitter gourd in Mamaji’s coat pocket! Now this is going to be one hilarious day of misadventures. Read all about it in Karela Has His Day.Tantri has obtained a poisonous scorpion whose one bite can put anyone to sleep. Are Raja Hooja’s days finally numbered? Find out in Tantri the Mantri.What does one do with a greedy merchant who cheats everyone? The villagers decide to give him a taste of his medicine in The Lesson.Chamataka has changed targets and decided to raid some innocent campers’ food stock. What will Kalia the Crow do now?

Even the gods were charmed by this most honourable of kings. Fate had snatched away his palace, his wealth, his wife and his son. Worse sorrows were to pour down on him and yet Harischandra would not abandon the righteous path. He revealed the true mettle of a great king, protecting his honour – and that of his family – with single-minded determination.