: Bankim Chandra Chatterji was only twenty-eight years old when he wrote his second novel, Kapala Kundala. It is said that when Bankim Chandra lived in Kanthi, on the coast of south-west Bengal, a kapalik (a Tantric worshipper of Kali or Shiva) frequently visited him. The mystery surrounding the kapalik made a deep impression on Bankim. He conceived the idea of writing a novel about a girl brought up by a kapalik in complete isolation from the civilized world. The name Kapala Kundala was taken from the Sanskrit play Malati-Madhava. In the play, kapala is the associate of the evil kapalik, Aghora Ghanta. She is as heinous as her mentor. Though our heroine was also brought up by an evil kapalik, she is full of human affection and kindness
: In the kingdom of Hemangada, a treacherous minister named Kattiyangaran, decides to usurp the throne and kill the entire royal family. Queen Vijaya escapes the slaughter. In a dark cremation ground, unhappy and alone, she gives birth to a child and puts his father's royal ring upon his finger. The child grows up to be Prince Jivaka. Jivaka has many adventures but the core of the book becomes apparent in the end when a weary Jivaka decides to renounce his kingdom and become a Jain monk.
: Was Chanakya a demon or a man? His opponents had no answer. They would plot and plan, coax and connive, but the scholar-turned-politician was always a step ahead, confounding both their motives and their ambitions. He led his king, Chandragupta, to greatness and set his kingdom on the road to peace and prosperity. Then, for generations of future rulers, he compiled a useful guide, the famously canny Arthashastra
: Monkeys frolic through these pages, imparting lessons in leadership and common sense. Murderous crocodiles, powerful kings and fearsome ogres are easily outwitted by these winsome creatures. But be warned, do not let monkeys loose in your garden or you may well lose sight of their virtues!
: This dark beauty was no ordinary woman. Born from the pure flames of a sacred fire, Draupadi was devoted wife to the five famously talented and virtuous Pandava brothers. The evil Kauravas wanted her for themselves, and eyed the Pandava kingdom as well. Raging at their impertinence, and ranting at her husbands’ helplessness, Draupadi inspired a deadly war which wiped out the Kaurava scourge for ever
: She ruled over a small kingdom, but dreamt of freedom for the whole country. In the great revolt of 1857, Lakshmibai, the Rani of Jhansi, matched wits and force with the best of British generals. The image of the brave Rani of Jhansi charging her steed through enemy lines, her sword raised for the next thrust, is forever imprinted in Indian hearts.
: The jackal has a bad reputation in the animal world. Devious, selfish, dishonest and boastful, his aspirations are high but his talents few. He seldom repays a favor. Should such a creature be tolerated? Only so long as he uses his cunning for the good of the community, says the wisdom of these Jataka tales which were written as early as the period between 3rd century BC and 5th century AD.
: Deer, in the Jataka tales, are often gentle bodhisattvas or Buddhas-to-be. They are noble, selfless, wise and virtuous. Models of right thinking and right living, they strongly advise a life of non-violence and peace for ultimate happiness. Even if greed leads them astray, they are soon guided back to the correct path
: Disdaining even the comfort of a bed, the valiant Rana Pratap waged a single-minded, life-long war against the mighty Mughal conquerors. His Rajput pride instilled a deep respect in the enemy. They realized that huge armies and sophisticated weapons are but aids and that there can be no substitute for raw courage on the battlefield.