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  • Roll of the Dice

  • Duryodhana's Mahabharata
  • Written by: Anand Neelakantan
  • Narrated by: Siddhanta Pinto
  • Length: 15 hrs and 7 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (194 ratings)

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Roll of the Dice cover art

Roll of the Dice

Written by: Anand Neelakantan
Narrated by: Siddhanta Pinto
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Publisher's Summary

The Mahabharata endures as the great epic of India. But while Jaya is the story of the Pandavas, told from the perspective of the victors of Kurukshetra, Ajaya is the narrative of the ‘unconquerable’ Kauravas, who were decimated to the last man. 

At the heart of India’s most powerful empire, a revolution is brewing. Bhishma, the noble patriarch of Hastinapura, is struggling to maintain the unity of his empire. On the throne sits Dhritarashtra, the blind King, and his foreign-born Queen - Gandhari. In the shadow of the throne stands Kunti, the Dowager-Queen, burning with ambition to see her firstborn become the ruler, acknowledged by all. And in the wings: Parashurama, the enigmatic Guru of the powerful Southern Confederate, bides his time to take over and impose his will from mountains to ocean. 

Ekalavya, a young Nishada, yearns to break free of caste restrictions and become a warrior. Karna, son of a humble charioteer, travels to the South to study under the foremost Guru of the day and become the greatest archer in the land. Balarama, the charismatic leader of the Yadavas, dreams of building the perfect city by the sea and seeing his people prosperous and proud once more. Takshaka, guerilla leader of the Nagas, foments a revolution by the downtrodden as he lies in wait in the jungles of India, where survival is the only dharma. Jara, the beggar, and his blind dog Dharma, walk the dusty streets of India, witness to people and events far greater than they, as the Pandavas and the Kauravas confront their searing destinies. 

Amidst the chaos, Prince Suyodhana, heir of Hastinapura, stands tall, determined to claim his birthright and act according to his conscience. He is the maker of his own destiny - or so he believes. While in the corridors of the Hastinapura palace, a foreign Prince plots to destroy India. And the dice falls....

©2013 Anand Neelakantan (P)2018 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about Roll of the Dice

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what an amazing piece of work

Totally amazing, i just hope there's some truth in it. Never thought that there could be a different perspective.

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completely new perspective

I loved the way the whole story as we knew from our childhood is shown from a deferent perspective, sometimes makes you think whether what we have heard whole our life was fact!!!

a must read

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Brilliant diction!

This is an amazing book. This gives a perspective of Mahabharata from people who were not well-known. 👍

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Mahabharata upside down

wonderful interpretation of the events in Mahabharata. indeed good narration. logical reasoning for the action.

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Thought provoking...

History ia written by winners. The story of other side either gets lost in the dark or is twisted dramatically showcasing the winner as righteous and their actions justified. But we never get to hear the whole truth.

First Asura and now Roll of dice showcases the side of the story of two of India's biggest antagonist ever. This may be a fiction but the story is very well written in sync with the events which we have cherished since childhood in our favourite epics Ramayana and Mahabharatha. The lead characters like in this case Duryodhana has been showcased as the one challenging the social evils and priest haegomony of that time. But being far ahead of this time, his ideas and acts have been demonized and shown in poor light by the priests or the one in power. Isn't this happening even today? A food for thought perhaps

Role of dice is a must read/hear to get the perspective of other side. It may be fictional but who knows what transpired in Hastinapur centuries back....

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Makes u rethink!!!

if you keep an open mind this could be a possibility. The Kauravas Mahabharata could be real too because history is written by winner.

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A balanced view of the long suppressed other side

It gives a logical and balanced with with Kauravas point of view and their own struggle. It also shows how well the politics was done amazing the clans and so many diplomatic and strategic relationships and mistakes. The narration was great

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Beautifully Written.

A whole new purview for the Kaurav clan has been surfaced, a treat for readers.

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Brutal

A books that walks us through ancient times that was cruel to the most for the benefit of few.

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A paradigm shift indeed...

Great recounting of a part of Mahabharata from the perspective of the so-called villains. It stirs the very fabric of belief and judgement that has been impressed upon us since childhood...

It raises many questions in my mind. Who was on the right side of Dharma? How would the scriptures look like, if Suyodhan succeeded. More importantly, how would have the face of India changed if Suyodhan, a supposed upholder of merit system and not the caste system?
Indeed a thought provoking book. Kudos

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1 person found this helpful