New Delhi, August 18, 2026: Westland Books has announced the release of The Curse of the Kurus, the first book in bestselling author Christopher C. Doyle’s new Mahabharata – The Itihasa series. The book, which seeks to present the Mahabharata based on its original Sanskrit text, will hit bookstores on September 14, with pre-orders opening on August 24.

Rooted in the narration of Sage Vaishampayana and the original composition of Maharshi Veda Vyasa, The Curse of the Kurus draws from the Sanskrit shlokas of the Mahabharata. The book presents the epic as itihasa—a record of events as they unfolded—while bringing its characters, conflicts and human drama to contemporary readers.

Known for his mythological thrillers, Doyle has sought to combine history, philosophy and action in the new series. According to the publisher, the first book explores themes of love, sacrifice, defiance, destiny and revenge while staying close to the events described in the original epic.

In a video message, Doyle said the series was an attempt to distinguish the original Mahabharata from later retellings and fictionalised adaptations.

“Every retelling, reimagination and dramatization has fictionalised events. People who have not read the Mahabharata believe these are actually in the original Sanskrit text. My new series, Mahabharata – The Itihasa, is true to the original text. It is not a series on the Mahabharata. It is the Mahabharata,” he said.

Doyle added that every scene in the series is based on the original shlokas and has been novelised and dramatised in a fast-paced format while remaining faithful to the source text.

The Curse of the Kurus is the first instalment of the planned Mahabharata – The Itihasa series, which aims to offer readers a contemporary, accessible entry into the ancient epic while retaining its original narrative foundation.