Amish - Dharma- Decoding The Epics For A Meaningful Life

Stories can be both entertaining and educative. They can also be insightful and illuminating, especially when they have travelled down the generations, through the centuries, taking on and eliding new meanings with each retelling.

In this genre-bending book, the first of a series, Amish and Bhavna dive into the priceless treasure trove of the ancient Indian epics, as well as the vast and complex universe of Amishs Meluha (through his Shiva Trilogy and Ram Chandra Series), to explore some of the key concepts of Indian philosophy.

What is the ideal interplay between thought and action, taking and giving, self-love and sacrifice? How can we tell right from wrong? What can we do to bring out the best in ourselves, and to live a life with purpose and meaning, not just one fuelled by the ego and material needs?

The answers lie in these simple and wise interpretations of our favourite stories by a lovable cast of fictional characters who youll enjoy getting to know.

Amish Tripathi is an Indian author. He is known for his novels The Immortals of Meluha, The Secret of the Nagas and The Oath of the Vayuputras. The three books collectively comprise the Shiva Trilogy. Tripathi's debut work The Immortals of Meluha was a surprise bestseller, breaking into the top seller charts within a week of its launch.

The Shiva Trilogy has become the fastest selling book series in the history of Indian publishing, with 2 million copies in print and over Rs 500 million in sales. Forbes India has ranked him among the top 100 celebrities in India twice in a row, in 2012 and 2013.

Bhavna Roy was educated in Mussoorie, Pune and Mumbai.

After graduating in psychology from Mumbai University, she worked first as a volunteer in a school for special children in Malegaon, and later in an NGO in Nashik called SOS. She is the wife of the late Himanshu Roy IPS, senior police officer of the Maharashtra cadre.

She lives in Mumbai.

SHIVA TRILOGY

The fastest-selling book series in the history of Indian publishing

The Immortals of Meluha (Book 1 of the Trilogy)

The Secret of the Nagas (Book 2 of the Trilogy)

The Oath of the Vayuputras (Book 3 of the Trilogy)

RAM CHANDRA SERIES

The second fastest-selling book series in the history of Indian publishing

Ram - Scion of lkshvaku (Book 1 of the Series)

Sita - Warrior of Mithila (Book 2 of the Series)

Raavan - Enemy of Aryavarta (Book 3 of the Series)

INDIC CHRONICLES

Legend of Suheldev

NON-FICTION

Immortal India: Young Country, Timeless Civilisation

{Amishs} writings have generated immense curiosity about Indias rich past and culture.

- Narendra Modi

(Honourable Prime Minister of India)

{Amishs} writing introduces the youth to ancient value systems while pricking and satisfying their curiosity...

- Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

(Spiritual Leader & Founder of the Art of Living Foundation)

{Amishs book is} riveting, absorbing and informative.

- Amitabh Bachchan

(Actor & Living Legend)

Amish is Indias biggest literary rockstar.

- Shekhar Kapur

(Award-winning Film Director)

Thoughtful and deep, Amish, more than any author, represents the New India.

- Vir Sanghvi

(Senior Journalist & Columnist)

{Amish is} one of the most original thinkers of his generation.

- Arnab Goswami

(Senior Journalist & MD, Republic TV)

Amish has a fine eye for detail and a compelling narrative style.

- Dr Shashi Tharoor

(Member of Parliament & Author)

{Amish has} a deeply thoughtful mind with an unusual, original, and fascinating view of the past.

- Shekhar Gupta

(Senior Journalist & Columnist)

To understand the New India, you need to read Amish.

- Swapan Dasgupta

(Member of Parliament & Senior Journalist)

Through all of Amishs books flows a current of liberal progressive ideology: about gender, about caste, about discrimination of any kind ... He is the only Indian bestselling writer with true philosophical depthhis books are all backed by tremendous research and deep thought.

- Sandipan Deb

(Senior Journalist & Editorial Director, Swaraya)

Amishs influence goes beyond his books, his books go beyond literature, his literature is steeped in philosophy, which is anchored in bhakti, which powers his love for India.

- Gautam Chikermane

(Senior Journalist & Author)

Amish is a literary phenomenon.

- Anil Dharker

(Senior Journalist & Author)

First published by Westland Publications Private Limited in 2020

1st Floor, A Block, East Wing, Plot No. 40, SP Infocity, Dr MGR Salai, Perungudi, 1811,Kandan-chavadi, Chennai 600096

Westland and the Westland logo are the trademarks of Westland Publications Private Limited, or its affiliates.

Copyright Amish Tripathi, 2020

Amish Tripathi asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

ISBN: 9789389648881

The views and opinions expressed in this work are the authors own and the facts are as reported by them, and the publisher is in no way liable for the same.

All rights reserved

ePub created by 'The Riddler' ,'Cadzbuddy', 'Goverment'.

No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.

To Bhavnas husband & Amish's brother-in-law,
the late Himanshu Roy.

Many speak of noble ideals,
few live them,
and very few inspire those they leave behind
to be better than they are.
Himanshu was one such noble soul.

We try, every day, to follow his path.
We hope that when we meet him again,
we don't disappoint him.

T he late Himanshu Roy: husband to Bhavna, brother-in-law to Amish; a guide to both. The late Dr Manoj Vyas: father-in-law to Amish, uncle to Bhavna; a fount of wisdom for both. Their honour, grace and dignity continue to inspire us.

Neel, Amishs young son. My life, my soul. The Covid pandemic raging this year meant that I couldnt travel from London to Mumbai easily, and didnt see him enough. But the skies did open up. And I did see him, and hold him. Bhagwan keghar der hai, andher nahin.

Anish, Meeta and Ashish, our siblings and sister-in-law, for always being there. Our rocks of Gibraltar.

The rest of our family: Usha, Vinay, Shernaz, Preeti, Donetta, Smita, Anuj, Ruta, Mitansh, Daniel, Aiden, Keya, Anika and Ashna. For their constant faith and love.

Also, Navin, Anu, Nitin, Vishal, Avni, Mayuri, Khushi, Annie, Pia. For being Bhavnas family of the heart.

Sivan and Yaron Barzilay, who are Bhavnas spiritual gurus. In every true sense, the epitome of friends, philosophers and guides.