tapsya Penance
Timila A percussion instrument used in India, also known as an Asura instrument
Trimurthi Trinity of Gods
Upanishads Collection of holy books; they, along with their commentary called Brahmanas, form the basis of Indian philosophical thought
vana Grove
Vanaras Literally ‘monkeys’. In this book, they are a race of mixed Asura and Deva origin, dominating south-central India
varna Literally ‘colour’ but meaning ‘social groups’; Hindu society was divided into 4 basic varnas, with the Brahmana or Brahmins (priests and teachers), as supreme. The Khshatriyas were the warriors who formed the second rung; and Vysyas or merchants formed the third. The Shudras were at the bottom of caste hierarchy – they were farmers, craftsmen, foot soldiers, petty traders, dancers, musicians, etc. Below the 4 basic varnas were the poorest of the poor, the untouchables etc
varnashrama dharma In the ancient Hindu way of life, the ideal lifespan of an individual was divided into 4 stages: student, householder, retiree and renunciate. This formed the basis for the ideal varna-ashrama-dharma system of life in which society was divided into 4 social groups (varnas), according to one’s natural talents and propensities – the intelligentsia and priests (brahmana), administrators and warriors (kshatriya), traders (vaishya), and the proletariat (sudra).
Varuna God of the Seas in Hindu mythology. In this book, he is a pirate who lorded over the Indian Ocean
Vedas The four holy books (Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva), of the Hindus, considered to possess all the wisdom in the world
Vijaya Victory
vimana Flying machine; the great epic Ramayana, speaks of Ravana’s flying machine called Pushpaka
Vishnu The second of the Hindu Trinity of Gods, who protects the rhythm of the Universe and is the Preserver. In this book, it is the name of the clan which worked for Deva supremacy.
Yajna Ritual of sacrificing herbal preparations in a fire, accompanied by the chanting of Vedic mantras
Yakshas Supernatural beings who also sometimes the patron gods of trees and forests in Hindu mythology. They are believed to guard hidden treasures. The female of this species, called Yakshi, has the notoriety of charming unsuspecting travellers into the forest and drinking their blood or eating them. In this book, they are just a tribe that got marginalized by the conquering Devas.
Table of Contents
1 The end
2 The seed
3 Captives
4 Guru
5 Dasamukha, the ten-faced
6 Devil's raid
8 Maharaja
9 Maricha, the beloved
10 The pearl island beckons
11 Traitor
12 The wait
13 Lanka's welcome
14 Betrayed
15 Poisonous brews
16 The pirate's seige
17 The silver-tongued
18 Brother's brother
19 Pirate troubles
20 Wedding bells
21 Happy family
22 Revolutionaries
23 Revolution comes home
24 Death of a revolutionary
25 A little worm
26 The untouchable king
27 Love, at last!
28 An asura princess
30 Lanka lost
31 Den of death
32 Patriot
33 Son of darkness
34 Riot
35 The duel
36 A country thanks its hero
37 A daughter's marriage
38 The time has come
39 Return of the Asura Princess
40 Adieu maricha
41 The police station
42 Messenger of death
43 Let my city burn
44 Messenger of peace
45 Looming war
46 For my people
47 War without ethics
48 Sons are sons
49 Death visits again
50 For whose sake?
52 A prime minister's mission
53 Violation
54 End of an idealist
55 Kumbhakarna's attack
56 While they pray
57 Funeral of martyrs
58 Did i fail as king?
59 I wish you death
60 End of a dream
61 Victors and their ways
62 Life sprouts again
63 Childish dreams
64 Sword of dharma
65 The beginning
Glossary
Acknowledgements