Indian Mythology is vast and the list of gods and goddesses is infinite. This article is dedicated to the Indian mythological fiction books that are best among the rest. These books do not follow the conventional story, just the basics of it, it talks about a rather feminist Sita who chooses herself over someone else’s needs, it includes Arjuna’s life as a great warrior, the women of Mahabharata as the main characters, Asuras as primary characters and more.
Indian Mythological Fiction Books That Are Best Among The Rest:
Asura – Anand Neelakantan
The ancient glory and reign of the Asura Empire are devastated into several warring petty kingdoms reeling beneath the heel of the Devas or Gods. In fear, Asuras look up to Ravana, their young savior. With an iron will and fiery ambition, Ravana offers his people victories one after the other and creates a large empire from the Devas. Although they received a lot, Asuras realize that nothing much has changed in their life, and then Ravana creates history. This is the Ramayana from the eyes of Ravana and Asuras, they share their perspective as the main characters.
The Liberation of Sita – Volga
In reality, Ramayana talks about Rama and his exile keeping him the main character but Volga’s The Liberation of Sita, is the story of Sita who was abandoned by Rama and then embarked on a journey for self-realization. On the course, she meets some amazing women who have broken all the barriers that held them back from discovering themselves – relationships, their ideas of beauty, chastity, and desire. The minor women characters of this story are – Renuka, Surpanakha, Urmila, and Ahalya, these women guide Sita towards an unforeseen resolution. In the meantime, Rama also has to reconsider and wig hut his role as the King of Ayodha for the love he has towards his wife.
The Palace of Illusions – Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
The Palace of Illusions follows the life of princess Panchaali, starting from her birth in fire and following her devotional balancing act as a woman with five spouses who have been tricked out of their father’s kingdom. Panchali was set on the quest with her husbands; the quest involved the factor of reclaiming their birthright and the civil war including all the important kings of India. This book is all about Panchaai, her wisdom, her connections, her strength, and more.
Arjuna – Anuja Chandramouli
This book offers a detailed description of one of the glorious Pandava warriors and one of the greatest princes of Hindu Mythology. This is the story of ambitions, weakness, friendships, love, follies, death, and the revival of Arjuna. The story is narrated in a humorous and modern style. His story appeals to the average readers as well as the scholars. The story commences before his birth when his greatness has been foretold by the omens across the wondrous landscape that was his life.
The Pregnant King – Devdutt Pattanaik
The Pregnant King follows the tale of Yuvanashva, an heirless king who accidentally consumes the magic potion which was for his queens to make them pregnant. It makes references to Ramayana and Kurukshetra. This is one of the rarest stories of Hindu Mythology and it deals with gender roles and the fading lines malleability of Dharma and parental duties.
Ahalya – Koral Dasgupta
According to Hindu Mythology, Ahalya was cursed by Gautam, her husband for sleeping with Indra. But Ahalya has a different story to share? Who was Indra to her anyway? This is the first book of the Sati series and it deals with these questions, the life of Ahalya and her course from innocence to infidelity. In this series, Koral Dasgupta deals with Pancha Kanyas and each of them had a separate affair other than their husbands. But it is their purity of mind that surpassed the purity of the body.
The Rise of Hastinapur – Sharath Komarraju
Every great war be it Iliad or Mahabharat happened due to a woman – the story of every great war is a story of a woman. Amba seeks vengeance and she lives for that, but circumstances and men are against her. Will her daughter fulfil this salvation that she seeks? Kunti stakes everything to save her brother Vasudev and Vasudev’s wife Devaki but it is the man again choosing occasions that will elucidate her life. Gandhari on the other hand needs to marry the blind prince of Hastinapur if she wants to save her kingdom. This is the Mahabharat you have never imagined before.
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