Can anything compel a son to kill his father? Can a curse last generations? 

In the heart of ancient India, the Magadh Empire was ruled by many dynasties. The first dynasty to rule Magadh was the Haryanka Dynasty (544–413 bc). During what was widely regarded as the empire’s golden age, Bimbisar, a contemporary of both Gautama Buddha and Mahavira, ascended the throne at age fifteen and ruled for over fifty glorious years. 

Bimbisar was an astute ruler who used matrimonial alliances to expand his kingdom. Interestingly, he was also the lover of the famous courtesan Amrapali, and fathered a son through her. His reign ended unimaginably when his son Ajatashatru imprisoned and killed him, unleashing a dark legacy. 

This act of patricide became a curse on the dynasty’s future—Udayin slew his father Ajatashatru, only to fall to his son Aniruddha, who in turn was murdered by Munda. 

Would this ghastly series of killings ever end? Find out in this dark and riveting tale by bestselling author Tanushree Podder.