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About The Book

A children’s story featuring Arjuna, a compassionate warrior who must choose between abstaining from battle or fulfilling his destiny to end the war

• Based on the Mahabharata, the famous Indian epic, adapted for Western children

• Illustrated throughout with glowing full-color paintings in traditional Indian style

We are all born for a purpose, though sometimes it is not clear to us what it is. In this tale of good versus evil, cousin versus cousin, Prince Arjuna knew that his purpose, his dharma, was to fight in the battle against the greedy and cruel king Duryodhana. Yet his own relatives and friends were on the opposing side. With a lot of soul searching and divine advice from the god Krishna, Arjuna bravely chooses to fulfill his destiny as a warrior with compassion and kindness, restoring peace, justice, and prosperity to his kingdom.

This adaptation for children of the classic epic the Mahabharata is beautifully illustrated with paintings created in a centuries-old method traditional to India. Richly detailed, the paintings bring to life the colorful cast of characters as well as Arjuna’s inner conflict and the trials he faces on the path of loyalty, justice, and peace.

About The Author

Vatsala Sperling, Ph.D., fluent in a number of Indian languages and Sanskrit, learned these traditional stories at her mother’s feet and enjoys introducing them to children of the Western world. Before marrying and moving to the United States, she was the chief of Clinical Microbiological Services at the largest children’s hospital in India. The author of Classic Tales from India, she lives in Vermont with her husband and son.

About The Illustrators

Nona Weltevrede got in touch with Indian culture at a young age by watching his father and his mentor, Harish Johari, paint. A graduate of the Dutch Academy of Art and Design, St. Joost, he lives in Buren, Holland.

Pieter Weltevrede began his artistic studies with Harish Johari in 1977 and also studied with Shri Chandra Bal. He lives in the Netherlands with his wife and two children and travels to India annually.

Product Details

Raves and Reviews

“Vatsala Sperling has treated such a complex theme with eloquence and skill. The refined illustrations add even more life to the drama and captivate our imagination. Vatsala’s storytelling is authentic--this book is a must-read for parents and children alike!”

– Shubhraji, founder of the Namah Vedanta Center

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More books from this author: Vatsala Sperling