Suryavamsha

Storytelling is at the heart of Indian culture. This book is a collection of several fascinating stories of the Ikshavaku or the Solar Dynasty from the beginning of time until its disintegration. The stories in this book are selective extractions from Rig Vedic Hymns, Vishnu Purana, Matsya Purana, Shatapata Brahmana and Srimad Bhagavatam. The book is unique since most of the stories were either forgotten or lost in time and have been finally revived with a modern retelling. This is a debt we owe to our great rishis and the best way to repay this debt is to pass on their collective wisdom to our next generation. The book aims to communicate with you at three levels: 1. Simple storytelling of our ancient past. Storytelling is one of the best ways for parents to bond with their children. Storytelling is also a key skill set for future generations in order to succeed. 2. Use the characters and their complex dilemmas to communicate leadership and management perspectives to improve modern day work culture. 3. Engage with the spiritual seeker who has begun to ask existential questions about life. The book gets to the core of the Vedas and Upanishads which convey the central message through the characters of Suryavamsha, their struggles with Dharma, Artha, Kama and finally Moksha or realization. The book does not undermine Science but uses it as a support to explain Vedantic truths. For example, time dilation and the planes of existence theories are used to explain the story of Muchukundaís big sleep and Kakudmiís fifteen minutes in Brahmaloka that cost him twenty-seven yuga chakras in Bhooloka. The idea of infinity is explained in the story of Matsya Avatar while the power of chanting is exemplified in the story of Shunashepa. The concept of the SELF is explained when Rama advises Hanuman about the Mandukya Upanishad. Finally, the book is an appeal to logical reasoning and critical thinking. We should neither be dismissive nor apologetic of our culture. Respect other cultures and learn from them. Keep an open mind and look at these stories with awe and wonder.