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Ramayana #3
Demons of Chitrakut
The original Ramayana was written three thousand years ago. Now, with breathtaking imagination and brilliant storytelling, Ashok K. Banker has recreated this epic tale for modern readers everywhere
Rama has finally thwarted the demonlord Ravana and quelled the demon invasion. He is wedded to the enchanting Sita. But the young prince's problems are far from over. For he has been challenged by Parshurama, the axe-wielding Brahmin who has never been defeated.
And should he survive this confrontation, a greater crisis awaits him. He must prepare to face fourteen years in exile deep in the heart of the forest in the tiny settlement of Chitrakut, where he will be pitted against the vengeful survivors of Ravana's rakshasas.
Rama has finally thwarted the demonlord Ravana and quelled the demon invasion. He is wedded to the enchanting Sita. But the young prince's problems are far from over. For he has been challenged by Parshurama, the axe-wielding Brahmin who has never been defeated.
And should he survive this confrontation, a greater crisis awaits him. He must prepare to face fourteen years in exile deep in the heart of the forest in the tiny settlement of Chitrakut, where he will be pitted against the vengeful survivors of Ravana's rakshasas.
628 pages, Paperback
First published February 28, 2005
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893 people want to read
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Ashok K. Banker
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
July 8, 2022
3.5 rounding up.
The third book of the series and the energy has dipped a bit. Well not because of lack of trying, but the Ramayana as a whole has really some boring plot in between.
Ravana is worse than dead after the Mithila disaster and yet it is his pious brother, Vibhisena who cares and tries to nurture him back to health. Without Raavan, Lanka will burn and it does. The different asuras with no apparent leader wreak havoc.
Only it is planned. By someone who I still do not know how they fit into that role.
Meanwhile, the brothers are in the jungle and Suparnakha kidnaps naive Sita to lure out Ram. Love/Lust is a funny thing and for all of that she's rewarded with a sliced off nose by her dewar. and oh, Jatayu changes loyalties. Once again.
At Ayodhya, Dasarath finally passes away. So does the wench, Manthara. It looks like that place finally has some peace.
In the next book, Hanuman should finally make an appearance.
The third book of the series and the energy has dipped a bit. Well not because of lack of trying, but the Ramayana as a whole has really some boring plot in between.
Ravana is worse than dead after the Mithila disaster and yet it is his pious brother, Vibhisena who cares and tries to nurture him back to health. Without Raavan, Lanka will burn and it does. The different asuras with no apparent leader wreak havoc.
Only it is planned. By someone who I still do not know how they fit into that role.
Meanwhile, the brothers are in the jungle and Suparnakha kidnaps naive Sita to lure out Ram. Love/Lust is a funny thing and for all of that she's rewarded with a sliced off nose by her dewar. and oh, Jatayu changes loyalties. Once again.
At Ayodhya, Dasarath finally passes away. So does the wench, Manthara. It looks like that place finally has some peace.
In the next book, Hanuman should finally make an appearance.
July 27, 2016
The longest time I have ever taken to read a book. was is it worth it? yes. was it interesting? hell yeah! As soon as I borrowed this book, driven by my new-found habit, i found myself reading reviews of it in goodreads. Many had reportedly given it 3 or 4 stars. Thank god I didn't pay heed to any reviews and just set off to reading it. The novel surely proves to be better than its predecessors owing to the fact that the events which are illustrated in the 3rd part aren't those which partake in the usual narrative of Ramayana. That way it was packed with a lot of unpredictable and surprising moments . I can't seriously wait to lay my hands on the next part. AKB succeeds impeccably and most graciously in painting a novel that lives up to its expectations. He certainly implants a trace of pain about the exile of Rama, Sita and Lakshman which i carried until the very last page. I value this because, not many a times have I been remorse for Rama and his companions. This very aspect of making the readers empathize with its characters explicitly conveys the craftsmanship of AKB.
I wouldn't essentially call it a page turner as such. But truncating the descriptions would have altered one's larger than life experience of the novel.
I wouldn't essentially call it a page turner as such. But truncating the descriptions would have altered one's larger than life experience of the novel.
May 23, 2013
No, I didn't finish it in a day, but almost. This also drags in place, but overall, I am falling in love with Rama again - his stubbornness and all.
June 8, 2014
like the previous book this one was also too long. could've been a tighter plot. the parts with manthara and kaikeyi have been dragged unnecessarily. and manthara's sorcery is totally overdone! only the last hundred pages or so are the saving grace of the book. rama and sita's romance feels out of place and drags the plot further.
December 6, 2023
A Fresh Perspective on the Ramayana, but Pack a Dictionary!
As I delve into Ashok Banker's Demons of Chitrakut, I'm struck by its refreshing yet challenging take on the Ramayana. Forget the sugar-coated version of your childhood; this is Ramayana raw, brutal, and brimming with unfamiliar details.
At page 80, I'm already reeling. Cloudbursts unleashed by Vishwamitra? Vibhishan aiding Jatayu? Parshuram emerging from a mountain to duel Rama on the road? This is Ramayana on steroids, a wild departure from the traditional narrative I thought I knew.
Banker's prose is vivid and evocative, painting a picture of ancient India that's both fantastical and grounded. He doesn't shy away from the violence and moral complexities inherent in the epic, making the characters real, flawed individuals grappling with their destinies.
However, be prepared for a linguistic adventure. Banker throws around terms and references like confetti, assuming you're already well-versed in the Ramayana's nuances. While it adds authenticity, it can also be jarring. My trusty dictionary has become my constant companion, a lifeline in this sea of unfamiliar names and concepts.
So, is Demons of Chitrakut for everyone? If you're looking for a comfortable rehash of an old favourite, steer clear. But if you're hungry for a raw, reimagined Ramayana that challenges your preconceptions and throws you headfirst into a world of vibrant storytelling, then dive in, dictionary in hand. You're in for a wild and unforgettable ride.
Just remember, dear reader, ignorance is not bliss. Pack your linguistic armor and prepare to be amazed—and perhaps a little bewildered—by this unique odyssey through the demons and deities of Chitrakut.
As I delve into Ashok Banker's Demons of Chitrakut, I'm struck by its refreshing yet challenging take on the Ramayana. Forget the sugar-coated version of your childhood; this is Ramayana raw, brutal, and brimming with unfamiliar details.
At page 80, I'm already reeling. Cloudbursts unleashed by Vishwamitra? Vibhishan aiding Jatayu? Parshuram emerging from a mountain to duel Rama on the road? This is Ramayana on steroids, a wild departure from the traditional narrative I thought I knew.
Banker's prose is vivid and evocative, painting a picture of ancient India that's both fantastical and grounded. He doesn't shy away from the violence and moral complexities inherent in the epic, making the characters real, flawed individuals grappling with their destinies.
However, be prepared for a linguistic adventure. Banker throws around terms and references like confetti, assuming you're already well-versed in the Ramayana's nuances. While it adds authenticity, it can also be jarring. My trusty dictionary has become my constant companion, a lifeline in this sea of unfamiliar names and concepts.
So, is Demons of Chitrakut for everyone? If you're looking for a comfortable rehash of an old favourite, steer clear. But if you're hungry for a raw, reimagined Ramayana that challenges your preconceptions and throws you headfirst into a world of vibrant storytelling, then dive in, dictionary in hand. You're in for a wild and unforgettable ride.
Just remember, dear reader, ignorance is not bliss. Pack your linguistic armor and prepare to be amazed—and perhaps a little bewildered—by this unique odyssey through the demons and deities of Chitrakut.
May 12, 2020
I enjoyed reading this book, overall.
600 pages seemed like a lot, in my opinion. A lot of the scenes could be cut down and still maintain their relevance. In many ways, this book served as a medium to bridge all the narratives in Ramayana that are not political or warfare related. Some examples include Rama and Sita's wedding aftermath, the scenes surrounding Rama's exile. They probably felt long-winded to me because I already know the story. But books 1 and 2 were amazing, even when I was acquainted with the story.
The synopsis is a little off-putting, much like the pacing of this book. Some plot points were a pain to get through, just as others were exciting and easy. And this pacing can be explained satisfactorily if the painful parts are fillers that need to be declared. However, in this book, those long, never-ending parts are dragging a plot point that need not be dragged at all.
Of course, if you are bent on completing the series, you must read this book. I assure you, as someone who is on the next book, it gets better.
600 pages seemed like a lot, in my opinion. A lot of the scenes could be cut down and still maintain their relevance. In many ways, this book served as a medium to bridge all the narratives in Ramayana that are not political or warfare related. Some examples include Rama and Sita's wedding aftermath, the scenes surrounding Rama's exile. They probably felt long-winded to me because I already know the story. But books 1 and 2 were amazing, even when I was acquainted with the story.
The synopsis is a little off-putting, much like the pacing of this book. Some plot points were a pain to get through, just as others were exciting and easy. And this pacing can be explained satisfactorily if the painful parts are fillers that need to be declared. However, in this book, those long, never-ending parts are dragging a plot point that need not be dragged at all.
Of course, if you are bent on completing the series, you must read this book. I assure you, as someone who is on the next book, it gets better.
November 24, 2023
The third book of the Ramayana series, 'Demons of Chitrakut,' tends to drag a lot; it took me a while to finish. It picks up immediately after the events of the second book. Ravana is temporarily frozen, while his brother and wife are working to revive him. Palace intrigues in Ayodhya run wild, involving the newlywed princes. Finally, the insufferable Manthara meets her end. In this book, we see Rama & Co. going into exile in the forest and encountering both respected and savage people. Many philosophical considerations are explored.
However, the title proved to be somewhat misleading, as the demons take ages to make their appearance in the form of an army 14,000 strong, led by Dusana and Khara, who are later shown to be incompetent. Rama is ready to fight them, leading a ragtag band of outcasts, and the book ends with a cliffhanger.
However, the title proved to be somewhat misleading, as the demons take ages to make their appearance in the form of an army 14,000 strong, led by Dusana and Khara, who are later shown to be incompetent. Rama is ready to fight them, leading a ragtag band of outcasts, and the book ends with a cliffhanger.
June 18, 2018
Demons of Chitrakut is the third book of the Ramayana series by Ashok Kumar Banker. This series is a reimagining by the author of the historic epic. As in the earlier books, author is fully in his elements when he describes the Asuras and their tribes. The various action scenes are penned down with gusto and make for an entertaining read.
https://nairsudhir.wordpress.com/2018...
https://nairsudhir.wordpress.com/2018...
March 21, 2019
I want to ramayan series in HIndi ,I read two part but 3,4,5 part is not available in Hindi,I request Ashok k. Banker please translate these books in Hindi,I can read it in English but feeling not come like when you read in Hindi please translate it ASAP
April 7, 2021
Excellent.
March 19, 2022
Takes the story ahead but is a very slow and deliberate read
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 21, 2023
I really appreciate Ashok's style. I like that he took his time with the narrative and I found the DoC hard put down.
March 4, 2015
I tarried a little before I wrote this review because of several reasons. I roamed around a bit and was otherwise occupied reading the next version of this book.
I found two things about this book very disconcerting. One was the time jumps that this book took. The second was that the story seems to be slowing down. The time jumps were rather disconcerting because it happened in single paragraphs. I would have tarried a little more and filled a few words in to let the reader take some time to sink in the passage of time. Given, that the author was not trying to fit the Ramayana in a single book, I think he could have done so.
Also, the narrative seems to be slowing down in this edition of this book. Given the speed of the narrative in the previous few books, it almost seems as if the author suddenly realised that if he maintained the same narrative speed he would not have 6 books to write that he promised the publisher. Suddenly, the slowing down of the narrative means that I enjoyed the book a little less taking time to understand the change in the pace of the narrative.
Overall, while I am still enjoying reading the series, I wish he would maintain the narrative speed. I am looking forward reading the next book in this series and hope that the narrative speed returns in the next book in the series.
I found two things about this book very disconcerting. One was the time jumps that this book took. The second was that the story seems to be slowing down. The time jumps were rather disconcerting because it happened in single paragraphs. I would have tarried a little more and filled a few words in to let the reader take some time to sink in the passage of time. Given, that the author was not trying to fit the Ramayana in a single book, I think he could have done so.
Also, the narrative seems to be slowing down in this edition of this book. Given the speed of the narrative in the previous few books, it almost seems as if the author suddenly realised that if he maintained the same narrative speed he would not have 6 books to write that he promised the publisher. Suddenly, the slowing down of the narrative means that I enjoyed the book a little less taking time to understand the change in the pace of the narrative.
Overall, while I am still enjoying reading the series, I wish he would maintain the narrative speed. I am looking forward reading the next book in this series and hope that the narrative speed returns in the next book in the series.
April 30, 2015
The previous book of this series concluded with Rama using ‘Brahma Astra’ to annihilate the Asura army that were all set to attack the city of Mithila. In this book, the story progresses further. Rama and his newly wedded wife Sita are welcomed in Ayodhya in all pomp and glory. While the citizens are all jubilant there is something not right in the palace – Asura sorcery is at play and it will have damning consequences for Rama. The reader is likely to be transported right into the happening in the streets of Ayodhya as he leafs through the pages of the book.
The problems of the prince Rama are going to get a new height – a scheming Manthara has got the lust-laden Keikayi in control and soon Rama would leave the royal palace and head to live in the forest in exile for 14 years. The beauty of the book is that even though most Indian readers already have an inkling of what happens in Ramayana, they look forward to see how the author is going to narrate it. There is so much action happening in the book that the reader in you would want to set aside all works and continue with book.
read rest of the review here --->
http://www.jyotibabel.com/2015/04/dem...
The problems of the prince Rama are going to get a new height – a scheming Manthara has got the lust-laden Keikayi in control and soon Rama would leave the royal palace and head to live in the forest in exile for 14 years. The beauty of the book is that even though most Indian readers already have an inkling of what happens in Ramayana, they look forward to see how the author is going to narrate it. There is so much action happening in the book that the reader in you would want to set aside all works and continue with book.
read rest of the review here --->
http://www.jyotibabel.com/2015/04/dem...
October 20, 2012
It was a nice reading; although I was a bit surprised with the lack of consistency as to the pace of story telling. The passing away of Dasharatha, the king of Ayodhya was described in a mere two to three sentences. That part was unexpected, given the nature of his story telling exhibited in the first two books. On the other side, the manner in which death came upon Manthra takes up one whole page. This may be considered as a way to highlight the destruction of evil as compared with its contrasting scene regarding the king. And the pace of story telling too varies at some places. However, putting to rest all these opinions, I strongly opine that this book will keep you interested and the fact that I knew the story line and still stuck to it, further strengthens the opinion.
Looking forward to #4 : ARMIES OF HANUMAN!
Looking forward to #4 : ARMIES OF HANUMAN!
February 12, 2014
This third book in the series disappointed me a bit.. I found the pace inconsistent and also the demons of chitrakut came out only towards the end. Some of the pieces have taken up an unnecessary space like Manthara and also her death, while some seemingly important parts have been dealt with very quickly like Dasharath's death. While Kaikeyi's character has taken up a lot of pages, I am still confused... The references to 'brahman shakti' and sorcery was a bit too much and the language somewhat bordered on theatrical. However, I liked the characterisation of Rama, Lakshmana and also Sita..... Overall a readable one.....
April 16, 2016
This book is different from the previous two of the series. Though it retains dramatic scenes through Manthara's coming out in the open as Ravana's spy and some more events, it is mostly an emotional journey with the start of the 14 year exile. That outpouring of emotion and philosophical contemplation on the part of our characters make the story a little slow. However by the end, those events are set into motion which in the end would result in the climactic battle of Lanka. Overall, this is a nice book.
April 15, 2013
The 3rd book in the Ramayana Series by Ashok Banker is a pleasant read as it takes us through the travails of Ram, Sita and Lakshmana.
The chapters flow seamlessly, and offers a clear and vivid imaginative background on which to base the story.
Looking forward to read the 4th book.
The chapters flow seamlessly, and offers a clear and vivid imaginative background on which to base the story.
Looking forward to read the 4th book.
July 11, 2015
Did not enjoy the book too much. The style of narration is moderately good. The characters of the protagonists have been well developed, but the associated characters and the antagonists are lacking. Also the story is missing that spark which is usually there in the mythology.
June 13, 2009
Demons are inside us
July 2, 2010
why oh why do good books have sequels and end at a point where u cant wait to lay ur hands on the next one
June 19, 2010
Never underestimate the power of the goodness over evil.
Thinking on your feet & out of the box has no bounds -go for it
Thinking on your feet & out of the box has no bounds -go for it
January 31, 2012
After reading this book you can really feel the pain of Prince Rama as a mortal man who has to face 14yrs of exile along with is brother and beloved young newly wedded wife Sita.
March 5, 2012
excellent - transported into another era all together
May 15, 2012
excellent one
September 21, 2014
Amazing read.
April 8, 2014
I thought "Seige of Mithila" was best, but this book has outdone it. The book is nicely paced, still not a page turner after page turner, but getting there.
April 17, 2014
Brilliant ending. Just brilliant.
July 27, 2018
The details of ancient world imagined by banker are admirable.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews