The first book in the Rama Chandra Series, Scion of Ikshvaku by Amish Tripathi follows the best traditions of the books in the Shiva Trilogy. Loosely based on the epic Ramayana, the author this time too, portrays many a mythological figure of our subcontinent differently and with a new perspective. It is a mythological tale which everybody is familiar with but in Amish’s hands, it takes a ‘new meaning’ as he spins and twists and deviates happily and merrily. For the younger generation, the story of Ramayana in its new avatar may be attractive as it is fast paced and runs like a thriller novel.
Portraying the personality of Rama who is considered to be the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the author highlights the grey aspects of the revered character who treated his wife unfairly.Tracing the character of Maryadha Purshottam Rama who is actually a ‘perfect follower of rules and laws’, the author sketches the childhood of Ram when he faced ill treatment at the hands of his father, King Dashrath, when he was branded as unlucky and was ignored for many years. He was also considered inauspicious as his birth year was marked as tainted.
Unfortunately, Rama was born on the day when his father faced defeat at the hands of King Raavan of Lanka and this led to the first born Prince of the Ikshvaku dynasty being ignored and discriminated against by his father. Ikshvaku was the founder of the Suryavanshi dynasty and the book deals with the trials and tribulations of the scion of this dynasty, Ram who strives to establish Rama Rajya in the wake of corruption in the Sapta Sindhu society even during those days.
Full of incidents that have a modern touch, the author describes the rape and killing of Roshini (daughter of Mantara) and the pardon of this juvenile rapist and killer Dhenuka, in a direct reference to the Nirbhaya case. So we learn that, “Ram was devastated that Dhenuka, the main perpetrator of the heinous gang rape and murder, had been exempted from maximum punishment on a legal technicality; he was underage. But the law could not be broken. Not on Ram’s watch. The Law Giver had to do what he had to do. But Ram, the rakhi-brother of Roshni, was drowning in guilt, for he was unable to avenge the horrifying death of his sister. He had to punish himself. And he was doing so, by inflicting pain on himself.”
Set in 3400 BC, this book inspired by various Hindu scriptures and the various versions of Ramayana provides a different perspective on social issues. Like the Shiva Trilogy, here too, the development of female characters is very strong and bold. Amish also focuses on the rise and fall of male and female centric civilisations in the subcontinent.
The book begins with how Ayodhya is weakened by divisions and how a terrible war has taken its toll. The damage runs deep with the Ikshvaku dynasty facing problems and an ailing, defeated and weakened King Dashrath unable to manage his kingdom. Although the demon King of Lanka Raavan does not impose his rule on the defeated, he instead forces the vanquished kingdom to trade with him. Money is sucked out of the Suruavanshi empire and the Sapt Sindhu people descend into poverty, despondency and corruption. If Lanka’s streets are glittering with gold, Ayodhya is bankrupt
However, slowly rises Ram and the people too hope for a leader to lead them out of the morass but they do not recognise his potential. He is afterall a tortured and ostracised prince. A prince they tried to break. A prince who loves his country even when his countrymen torment him. He stands alone with his band of brothers including Bharat and Lakshman, his wife Sita, and he, against the darkness of chaos. Will Ram rise above the calumny that others heap on him and will people look upto him and follow him?
The first part of the Rama Chandra Series, Scion of Ikshvaku which ends with the abduction of Sita is best read and finished in isolation and should not be compared to the original tale. Forget the age old popular tale and read this as a book based on fantasy with a very modern touch, a thrilling narrative riding on a highly successful marketing drive unleashed by the publishers