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Ayodhyecha Rajputra (Marathi Translation of Prince of Ayodhya) By Ashok Banker
"This is the first book in a series that retells the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, a series that fits into the genre of fantasy fiction. The book is loosely based on the events that happen in the beginning of the epic, Ramayana. This book covers the events from the time Rama is announced as the heir to the throne till the time he is on his way to Mithila, to attend Sita’s swayamvara.
The setting is the city of Ayodhya, the impregnable city, the capital of the kingdom of Kosala, currently ruled by Dasaratha, who is Rama’s father. Demonic forces, led by the Rakshasa king Ravana, are planning a massive attack on the city of Ayodhya. Sage Vishwamitra knows of this and is on his way to Ayodhya to warn the king and to seek his help in battling the demons of the forest where he is conducting a powerful two century long yagna.
The book begins with Prince Rama having a dream in which he sees Ravana and his forces utterly destroying Ayodhya. He wakes still continuing his battle with the demons in his dream. Dasaratha goes to see his First Queen, Kausalya, who is the mother of Rama, and informs her that her son Rama is about to be crowned as the heir. Dasaratha also informs her that he himself is terminally ill. The people of Ayodhya are overjoyed to hear that their beloved Prince Rama is to be crowned as the heir to the throne.
The third queen, Kaikeyi, is enraged to hear this news and threatens to kill Kausalya. Meanwhile, Vishwamitra is on his way to Ayodhya in the guise of a low born hunter, to escape harassment from evil forces. In the palace he finds that the king and Sage Vashishta are already welcoming and honoring Sage Vishwamitra, an impostor. Vishwamitra himself enters the palace and exposes the impostor to be a demon named Kalanemi, Ravana’s uncle. Vishwamitra asks Dasaratha to send Prince Rama with him to battle the hordes of demons in Bhayanakvan where he is performing his two century long sacrifice. Dasaratha refuses at first, as he fears for his young son, a boy who is not even sixteen years old yet. But he is eventually persuaded by Sage Vashishta to agree to Vishwamitra’s request. Lakshmana, Rama’s younger brother, who is very close to him also accompanies Rama on his journey. The book then details the fight at Bhayanakvan, and the incidents that take place there."
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