Kathamukha: Katha Sarit Sagara Kathapitha-Book 2 (Amazing Stories)

Sivkishen Ji, as the original author with the rights of both electronic, print and publishing, now presents the Katha Sarit Sagara Kathapitha-Book 2 titled "Kathamukha". The work is an adaptation of Gunadhya's Brihatkatha consisting of 100,000 verses, which in turn is part of a larger work containing 700,000 verses. The author expressed the following Kathamukha stories in his unique captivating manner. Sivkishen Ji has done with great devotion extensive research on multiple sources - Kathasaritsagara and Bhasa original Sanskrit play Swapna Vasavadatta; the Udayana comic from Amar Chitra Katha as well Harsha's Ratnavali. He brought the Amazing Stories in this work by flushing out the factual merits of Kathamukha while working on these. The text illuminates, and the artwork with licensed images is beautifully detailed with authenticity and made all the more interesting to read.These Amazing Stories are inherently captivating beginning from the Birth of Udayana, Youthful Udayana, Sridatta, Pradyota Dynasty, King Chandamahasena, Rupinika, Love of Vasavadatta, Devamitra, Siddhikari, Saktimati, Veenastaka, Ruru, Garuda Naga Asura and Sarpa Yaga. These stories are narrated by Lord Shiva to Goddess Parvati. These Amazing Stories flew from the mouth "Mukha" of Lord Shiva at Kanakachala, Mount Kailash. Hence, this work is named as "Kathamukha".Amazing stories are short, poignant, and diverse, with multiple levels of meaning, like parables, conundrums, paradoxes and axioms (sutras). Each character in the stories is word-sketched in vivid detail with all the peculiarities and traits more prominent. For example, the dutiful diplomatic and fiercely loyal subject to the king, Minister Yaugandharayana, almost led the life of a recluse. Instead, this minister was burdened with the demands of running the kingdom. On the contrary, the artistic mind of King Udayan was more inclined to spend his time enjoying the beauty in life and pursuing his art without any obligation, especially the duties and decorum of his kingship. An interesting graph of how these two conflicting outlooks towards life develop in juxtaposition and how they influence each other can be seen as the story unfolds. Likewise, the characters of scheming Maharaja Chandamahasena, his beautiful and good-natured daughter Vasavadatta, her doting mother Angaravati, the loyal general of Udayan, Ruminant, the equally loyal court jester Vasantaka, the sensuous and alluring pet maid of Udayan, Viranchika, the clever informer Ankush, the magician and Ratnavali, etc. all impact the reader's thoughts.The story of Udayan belongs to ancient Indian classical literature. He obtained a wonderful Veena (stringed instrument of India) and became immersed in his love for music and art. He was also known for his unusual elephant taming skills with the use of music played on his Veena instrument. Many thought the King's actions were detrimental to the wellbeing of the country. So, they came up with a plan to remove the King from the palace for a short period while they allied with the Pradyota, the King of Ujjaini, to achieve a marriage alliance with his beautiful daughter Vasavadatta. The strategy was successful and Udayana married Vasavadatta. Sivkishen Ji explored the 'Pearls of Practical Wisdom' via the Amazing Stories of Kathamukha with a completely new dimension throughout the various time planes of stories. The Author and I painstakingly spent hundreds of hours reviewing and editing for global readership. Footnotes appear for reader's reference as the tales become complex. The stories are narrated in combination past and present tense. Historical content is in past tense. Story lines are in present tense. Various language styles match the storytellers' characters. Readers will experience various planes of "time travel" within these tales ~ narrated by Lord Shiva to Goddess Parvati- Jocelyn C. Lee, Contributing Editor Ste 355 Benicia, California USA

• | Author: Sivkishen Ji, Jocelyn C. Lee
• | Publisher: Independently published
• | Publication Date: Aug 26, 2019
• | Number of Pages: 168 pages
• | Language: English
• | Binding: Paperback
• | ISBN-10: 1688701524
• | ISBN-13: 9781688701526