The Upside-Down King: Unusual Tales about Rama and Krishna

by Sudha Murty

Did you know there was a time when bears spoke, the moon laughed and babies were found inside fish?
Have you heard of the two-horned sage who had never seen a woman in his life?
Did you know Ravana's half-brother was the god of wealth?
Have you ever seen a man with a thousand arms?

The tales in this collection surround the two most popular avatars of Lord Vishnu-Rama and Krishna-and their lineage. Countless stories about the two abound, yet most are simply disappearing from the hearts and minds of the present generation.
Bestselling author Sudha Murty takes you on an arresting tour, all the while telling you of the days when demons and gods walked alongside humans, animals could talk and gods granted the most glorious boons to common people.

Genres: Mythology, Fantasy, Fiction, Short Stories, Indian Literature, Childrens, Anthologies

186 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2019

About the author

Sudha Murty was born in 1950 in Shiggaon in north Karnataka. She did her MTech in computer science, and is now the chairperson of the Infosys Foundation. A prolific writer in English and Kannada, she has written nine novels, four technical books, three travelogues, one collection of short stories, three collections of non-fiction pieces and two books for children.

Her books have been translated into all the major Indian languages and have sold over three lakh copies around the country. She was the recipient of the R.K. Narayan's Award for Literature and the Padma Shri in 2006.

Reviews

[Aastha Mehta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sudha Murty's eloquence coupled with interesting, lesser known tales from the lives of Ram and Krishna makes this book a treat. The book comes across as so communicative that it is almost like a grandmother telling you bed-time stories about the kings, devas and asuras. We get to learn some never heard before tales about the dynasty Suryavansham (Solar dynasty) and Chandravansham (Lunar Dynasty) from which Lord Ram and Lord Krishna belonged.

It has been absolute treat and any reader, irrespective of age is bound to love this book.

[Swathi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Consisting of some unusual tales about Rama and Krishna the upside down king text you back to your childhood. I grow up listening to stories from Ramayana and Mahabharata and this one was like refresher course for me. While I had heard most of the stories earlier some of them were new for me. Sudha Murthy has picked up some very interesting stories for the younger generation to read. This book is very good to get in touch with mythology. Divided into two parts ,one talking about Ramayana stories and the other stories regarding Krishna. The book also has beautiful illustrations.

[ᖰhiᖱeɭia · Rating 5 out of 5]

With its collection of anecdotes featuring Rama and Krishna, these captivating tales transport you back to the innocence of your childhood. Personally, I was raised on a steady diet of enthralling tales from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, and this particular novel served as a delightful revisit to all of 'em.
While I was already familiar with most of the stories, Sudha Murthy managed to unearth some hidden stories that were entirely new to me. Her selection of captivating narratives is a true gift to the younger generation, allowing them to explore the rich tapestry of Indian mythology, in my opinion. This excellent collection of "unusual tales" takes you on a tour of the days when demons and gods walked alongside humans, animals could talk and gods granted the most glorious boons to common people.
Divided into two parts, the book delves into the mesmerizing stories of the Ramayana and Krishna, accompanied by stunning illustrations, along with a neat mind-map of their lineage towards the end of the book - that further enhance the reading experience.
It was certainly a refreshing read for me...

[Theredheaded_Bibliomaniac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant collection of some rare stories of Ram and Krishna and their families..
Must read if you are interested in mythology..

[Ishani · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one more in the unusual tales collection from Sudha Murthy ji.

Short read and this one is way much better than her other book in the same series i.e. The Man from the Egg".

It narrates quite some known & unknown historical stories from the past.

Overall nice read for a quick change of genre away from the heavy ones.

[Srinidhi Kasagar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very nice stories around Rama and Krishna. Must read.

[Roma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary:

The book is another anthology of short stories of mythology. The short stories are of Rama, Ancestors of Rama, Hanuman, Ravana, Krishna, Ancestors of Krishna and the end of Rama and Krishna. The book is a collection of 23 stories

My Take:

History and Mythology hold a special place in my library and my bibliography so picking this book wouldn’t come as a surprise especially since its penned by Sudha ma’am. As the title suggests unusual tales, they really are unusual tales which I admit have never come across. This is the first book where I’ve read these tales.

After every tale there is also description of the place which is known for that story. Would love to visit those places someday. The stories are fast paced with an illustration in each chapter helping the reader to visualize the scene.

I’ve absolutely loved this book and the book is definitely for keeps. My rating of this unusual book is 5/5.

[Helloptimistic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blurp: did you know there was a time when bears spoke , the moon laughed and babies were found inside a fish? Have you ever seen a man with thousand arms?
The tales revolve around Rama and krishna and their lineage.
Review :
Mythology holds a special place in my heart and so does Sudha mam. So reading this book was cherry on top !
This books contains short stories of great kings who ruled our kingdom and Rushis and their yagnas and how it become our tradition and rituals that we follow.
Also the tale of lineage of kuber ,ravan, hanuman etc..which il admit i didnt know😅
The story line is great as it can be. Sudha mam has included some facts and details of location. Which Gives more perspective to tales.

[Brahmani Boppudi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picked up this book for my niece and ended up going through it myself.
Some of the stories will truly make you go....”huh, never really knew this one”.
The story that really stayed with me was about Kartavirya Arjuna. My mother always prays to Kartavirya Arjuna whenever she loses something and now I know why. An eternal question finally answered.

It’s a quick read and a nice addition for any tween’s library.

[Srivatsan V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous read..No matter how old you grow, you will never stop liking Sudha Murthy's books

[Wendell D'Costa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raghukul reet sada chali aaye
Praana jaaye par vachan na jaaye.

The Upside down King is an enamouring novel that consists of two halves- Tales from the life and lineage of Lord Ram, and tales from the life and lineage of Lord Krishna.

I am a avid reader of Sudha Murthy's books, but this book was different, it was Sudha Murthy's take on our Mythology. As I began reading this book I was enamoured by the wonderful stories of Lord Ram And Krishna. The stories were written elegantly, in the simple yet profound way that Sudha Murty is known to write. The stories in this book are surely entertaining and educating as well, as there is plenty that one can learn about Mythology, or the life of Lord Ram And Krishna. The various characterizations in this book are also commendable, as there are characters from different lineages, dynasties etc, that are introduced throughout this book. And lastly, I cannot fail to appreciate the beautiful art work that was present throughout this book, which helped make the reading experience more vivid. All things said this a great mythological novel right from the cover to the stories it is simply amazing.

[Romita Mukherjee · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you ever decide to delve into the world of mythology, you would find that it is filled with stories that are bound to make you wonder – Can this really be happening? And yet, you would also find yourself craving for more information, more such stories.

In this charming collection of tales, Sudha Murty brings to you stories revolving around two very popular characters from mythology – Rama, and Krishna. Enchanting and engrossing in its wake, these stories are loaded with information and knowledge about the ancient history of our country and also the basis of several mythological beliefs prominent in our culture.

I think that these stories are a great way of introducing readers to mythological fiction in an interesting way. The book is filled with illustrations that I absolutely adored. As I completed reading this book, I realized how little I knew about my own culture.

[Vedvrat Shikarpur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I was more intrigued by the title, the upside down price just happens to be one of the many stories in the book, largely focused on some of the lesser known tales in the lives of Rama and Krishna. Highly recommended for those who can never get bored with Indian mythology!

[Padmapriya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. So many stories , even though I have known them it was like reading anew.

There are few stories which I got confused because , I had known from mom otherwise, also few other books told differently. Now am intrigued to read more about Ramayana related books.

[Riya · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a collection of short stories that are not the most famous ones based on Lord Rama and Krishna.

A lot of stories i didn't knew it was nice to know them! The stories were short and talked to the point which i liked.
What I didn't like, and really it might not be about this book. The representation of women in religious texts has always been irksome for me. I always feel like they're just their as accessories and you could easily remove them from these stories and it wouldn't make a significant change in the story line.
This book was informative nonetheless and if this is of interest to you, I think you might enjoy it!

P.S. This review does not intend to insult any religion. If it still did, I apologise but these are just my thoughts that I have the right to express. Thank you for reading!

[Manoj043 · Rating 5 out of 5]

easy read to understand rama and krishna

[Taani Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

The short stories were so simply told yet they hold such charisma. Amazing tales

[sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always loved Sudha Murthy's books... With simple language which makes her books loved by children as well... Loved the book.
It had unusual stories and I enjoyed the book immensely.
The book, true to the title, did have unusual stories, centered around Krishn and Ram.

[Aruna Kumar Gadepalli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of 23 mythological stories related to Rama and Krishna.
Stories told in her usual style to make reader engage readers.

[Gayathiri Rajendran · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an anthology of stories about Rama and Krishna and it was a fantastic read.All the chapters have illustrations which help the readers visualize the stories in their head.Some of the tales were really unusual. A refreshing read!

[prem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading a book on India by the mother-in-law of the Prime Minister of the UK wouldn't have been a rational idea, years, or even months ago. But as of today, we can read those words and yet not find any condescending tone of racism in them. Sudha Murty needs no introduction. Conveying interesting anecdotes in the simplest way possible remains her forte.

The book is divided into two parts that deal with the stories of Rama and Krishna respectively. Although I was not new to this magical world of the ancient history of India, there were things that looked so fresh as if I were reading about those topics for the first time. It delves into some lesser-known stories about the ancient heroes of India. Why is it that we know a great deal about the ancient Roman and Greek heroes, but so little about the heroes who shaped the traditions and cultures of our subcontinent? This book tries to fill in that space.

It could be a good start to any day, and if possible, I wouldn't shy away from reading this book each and every day. A quick read that leaves a lasting impact would be something that none of us would like to miss these days. It could be a go-to for all age groups.

[Nikita Ingle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book, What can we expect from the most eminent author of our country . It tells us the childhood stories in a way that the next generation will thank us for. She has done a great job of telling the stories like a real grandma to all of us.Its a must read.

[Anandarup Kar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous read. No matter how old you grow mythological stories always intrigue me. Must read for someone who loves reading mythological stories.

[AdwaitParsodkar · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Rating : 3.2 / 5

[Nazneen Kachwala · Rating 3 out of 5]

Often we try to find science in mythology to satisfy our internal battles and keep juggling between the two. But mythology itself has something peculiar which at times draws ardent disbelievers through its gripping stories strikingly weaved some hundreds and thousands of years ago, in the contexts as fresh as dew even today.

Simple writing is the toughest and I admire Sudha Murthy as an author who has been able to carry this craft with sheer grace. The Upside Down King is a book of stories related to the two most renowned and revered mythological characters – Rama and Krishna, both considered to be the reincarnated avatars of Lord Vishnu. Born these characters were not just born in two different eras but were also quite different than each other as well. Sudha Murthy exquisitely writes down these stories highlighting their dissimilarities, their associations with their families, friends, society, kingdoms, and the world at large. The book will surely carry you to the times when Gods and Demons visited humans on the earth quite often when animals talked and curses and boons had an immediate effect.

The book will also make known to you to a wide range of mythological characters, sages, time travel, and the lineages of Rama and Krishna in the form of fascinating stories. My favorite ones being – The Power of a Name, where Narada tricks Sage Vishwamitra and Anjana leading to a futile battle between Rama and Hanuman; Krishna’s Consorts which tells us of Krishna’s wives Rukmani, Jambuvati, Satyabhama, and many more and their relations with each other; Three and a half diamonds again describing mischief played by Narada Muni leaving Duryodhana, Bhima and Balarama transfixed and Rukmani and Satyabhama who were tired of Narada’s usual stories entertained. The stories related to The End of Rama and The End of Krishna are touching but comes with a strong message which I leave for you to discover after reading the book.

This book is apt for children’s bedtime stories but adults shall enjoy it likewise. If you pick this book to read, you won’t be able to stop until you finish reading its last page, that’s the beauty of this author.

[Bhiju · Rating 4 out of 5]

We’ve all grown up hearing about Krishna—the master of mischief—and Rama, the ideal obedient son who walked away from a throne without a second thought. But this book? It offers a very different dimension. The Upside Down King takes us beyond those familiar tales and opens the door to lesser-known chapters—the stories that got buried somewhere between devotion and drama. It’s not just about Rama and Krishna. It’s about the people around them—from Ravana to Hanuman, from Krishna’s enemies to his consorts—and how every single life was connected to a bigger purpose.

It was fascinating to read how the stories connect the dots between someone’s previous birth and their current journey. These stories beautifully explore how karma, rebirth, and purpose are all deeply linked. We also learn about the ancestors of both the Solar Dynasty (to which Rama belonged) and the Lunar Dynasty (Krishna’s lineage)—adding a sense of history to the mythology.

Most versions focus on their glory, but this one quietly shows how Rama and Krishna’s journeys concluded—something I hadn’t read before. What I truly appreciated was how the book doesn’t glorify or exaggerate. For example, Ravana is always said to have ten heads—but here, it clarifies that it symbolically refers to his vast knowledge, like ten brains thinking at once. That shift in focus—from grand visuals to thoughtful meaning—is what made this book stand out for me.

While the stories were insightful, I did feel a sense of repetition at times—especially since I’ve been reading the books in this set one after the other. Some characters and incidents seem to reappear with slight variations, which made a few chapters feel familiar.

If you think you already know the stories of Rama and Krishna, this book might just surprise you. Ideal for mythology lovers of all ages, especially children and teenagers who are beginning their journey into Indian mythology—clear, engaging, and meaningful.

[Daffodil · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Upside-Down King" by Sudha Murty was my very first time reading a mythological book, and wow, what an amazing start! I absolutely loved the journey the author took us on. It truly feels like sitting with my grandmother, listening to her tell me stories about Rama and Krishna.

It's so warm and comforting, and she just makes everything sound so interesting and easy to understand.
You know how grandmas always have a way of making even old tales feel fresh and new? That's what this book does. It's full of stories about Rama and Krishna that you might not hear every day, but they're told in such a simple, lovely way. It's like she's just chatting with you, sharing wisdom and fun facts.

And oh, the illustrations by Priyanka Gupta are just wonderful! They really bring the stories to life and make it even more enjoyable to flip through the pages.

If you love hearing stories about Rama and Krishna, or if you're looking for a perfect first dive into mythology with that cozy feeling of listening to someone special narrate them, you'll absolutely adore this book. With the beautiful pictures, it's a real treasure.

[Meghna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book lying on my daughter's desk and i picked it up to explore. And i must admit that i have come across a beautifully written book by the author.

This book consists of short mythological tales of Shri Rama, Shri Krishna and their lineage; their successors and predecessors written in a simple narrative manner. An ideal book for kids to read. It took me almost an hour and a half to finish it.

Stories are mentioned in two segments. The solar dynasty ( Suryavamsha) and The Lunar Dynasty (Chandravamsha), and in total there are 23 stories described in the form of short tales in both segments. It is an easy going, enjoyable, informative book.

Tales told in this book are megical, gives a feel of reading fairytales. I have throughly enjoyed reading it. Such books can be a great help for children to understand the roots and basics of our epics. It can help kids and beginners to develop their reading skills and enhance vocabularies.

Do give it a try and make a purposeful use of summer holidays. I assure that everyone will surely enjoy reading this little book.

[Sejuti Majumdar · Rating 5 out of 5]

The upside down king - Unusual tales of Rama and Krishna by Sudha murthy is a collection of 23 mythological stories from the lineage of Ram and Krishna. You will get to know the stories of both these characters ancestors, successors and them included.

There are stories about a time when bears spoke, the moon laughed and babies were found inside fish. Some stories I knew but there are so many I didn't and I loved knowing them.

The language of the book is so easy that it can be read by anyone of any age. The presentation of the story is in the most entertaining way.

What deserves special mention are the different illustrations of the book. I am in love with the illustrations they are so perfect. The cover is absolutely gorgeous too.

I have become a fan of the author after reading this book. I will reccomend all mythology lovers especially beginners to this genre to definitely go for this book.

Rate 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 /5

[Mounika Borra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love mythology and the amount of tales this book holds is abundant. Narrating these unheard yet interesting stories with striking titles and appealing illustrations from Ramayana and Mahabharata only glues us to the book.

While I have an idea of a few, I have little knowledge of the rest. I was moved by many of the stories especially when the lord leaves the earth and moves to his heavenly abode. I never knew of the fight between the lord and his devotees. For instance, the fight between lord Rama and lord Hanuman, and the fight between lord Krishna and Arjuna. No one can ever predict how time changes its course of action and confounds people.

I have always been intrigued by epics and this book is no exception from any that I have read earlier. I very much recommend this to people irrespective of age. It’s been reviving and enriching us with knowledge, and morals and it also holds the pride of our ancestors for the lords descended to the earth for their devotees.