First time author Charu Singh's book, The Path of the Swan, the first part of the Maitreya Chronicles, brings to life the Buddhist faith, giving the reader a look into the holy land of Shambala. The characters keep evolving throughout the book, and the reader gets to understand the mind of celestials.
The book also talks about war and hatred raging on earth and how it needs to be saved from the clutches of evil. It is a good book for readers who have no knowledge of Buddhism and even for those who are well versed with it.
The book's focus is on Lama Ozer, who has had a glimpse of the future while meditating and knows that the time has come for the savior 'Maitreya' to be born and rid Earth of the evil. He embarks on a journey to reach the mystic land of Gods, 'Shambala', accompanied by his young apprentice Tashi.
Together, both journey to Shambala through long forgotten sacred paths. They face many evil forces along the way, but assisted by the 'Garuda', they reach the mystic land of 'Shambala'.
Shambala has been at war with the Asur forces, but now, a peace treaty is in place for the last few decades.
The Golden Flower Maiden, Yeshe Neme, is to give birth to the saviour Maitreya on earth. She has to travel to the mortal world along with Lama Ozer and Tashi. Two princes, Prince A-karo and Prince Narsimha, are also to go to the mortal world with the maiden goddess and she must choose one of them as her mate in order to give birth to the savior who is to bring peace to the three realms.
However, the Asur Prince has other plans. The Asurs also have a prophecy that a child would be born from the mating of an Asur and a Goddess who will restore the Asur reign to their golden days again.
The Asur prince abducts Yeshe Neme to bring his plans to life. However, Prince A-karo, Prince Narsimha and Tashi, accompanied by the celestial Lha warriors and Garuda chase them to the Asur world. A battle takes place and the celestials bring Yeshe back. ow, they are to travel to earth where the Asur forces are already on the move. The celestials have lost all their immortal powers in the mortal world, and they must battle the Asur forces with their knowledge and wisdom to bring the prophecy to life.
The writer has brought to life the holy gods, sacred to the Buddhist faith, and painted a lively picture of their sacred abode in the minds of readers throughout the book. The author has done justice in the evolution of the book's characters. The book, published by Hatchette India, grips the reader's mind from its beginning to its end, leaving him or her guessing throughout as to the next plot that is to be unveiled.
