PVLF 2025

Interview with Prabhu Ram, Author “Nectar on the Seven Hills”

A mythological fantasy blending Indian and global legends, Nectar on the Seven Hills explores history, spirituality, and adventure through a modern lens.
on Apr 27, 2025

Frontlist: Nectar on the Seven Hills blends Indian mythology with elements from other civilizations. What inspired you to weave these diverse mythologies into a single narrative?

Prabhu: India, referred to as Bharath in many Vedic and Puranic texts, holds immense historical and religious significance. Our ancestors accomplished extraordinary feats in an era devoid of modern technology, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire.

In the 7th century, the Chinese Buddhist monk Xuanzang journeyed all the way to India in search of unaltered Sanskrit scriptures. He believed in acquiring wisdom directly from its source rather than relying on transcriptions. During his stay, he resided at the renowned Nalanda Monastery, a thriving center for Buddhist scholars, where he spent over a decade studying before returning to China with thousands of sacred texts. This very fact forms a key narrative and a compelling plot in the first book of the Nectar Trilogy.

It is essential to remember that Buddhism originated in India between the 5th and 4th centuries BCE. Furthermore, according to several Puranas, Lord Buddha is considered an avatar of Vishnu.

The influence of the Indian epic Ramayana extends across Indonesia, Burma, Cambodia, and Thailand, with each of these cultures having its own versions of the Rama Katha and deities resembling those in Hinduism. In Bali, Barong, the protector deity, bears a striking resemblance to Narasimha Avatar. Similarly, they have counterparts of Garuda—the divine bird—along with many others. Additionally, countries like Vietnam, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Laos reflect the influence of Indian spiritual and cultural heritage in their traditions.

Well… I am just saying that India's rich history and deeply rooted Vedic traditions have made it a beacon of wisdom for the world for centuries. We have been an inspiration to many. I truly respect, admire, and appreciate these connections, and the Nectar Trilogy is an attempt to showcase that connection.

At the core of my belief is the idea of oneness when it comes to the divine. "All for One. One for All."—this has been the tagline for my book, Nectar on the Seven Hills. The book is an attempt to weave together historical events from our ancestral past and blend them with narratives from other civilizations, making it not just informative but also an engaging and thought-provoking read.

Frontlist: The story takes place in the forests of the Eastern Ghats during a lockdown. What made you choose this unique setting, and how does it contribute to the book’s atmosphere?

Prabhu:The Eastern Ghats are home to the renowned Tirumala Temple, surrounded by the lush green Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve in Andhra Pradesh, near the town of Tirupati. Nectar on the Seven Hills – The Pure Seed, the first book in the trilogy, reaches its pivotal moment at the breathtaking Talakona Waterfalls, the very starting point of the Seshachalam Hills, also known as the Seven Hills of Tirupati.

This vast mountain range spans over 8,000 square kilometers, holding deep historical and spiritual significance. The temple and its surroundings play a crucial role in my story—a connection you will discover as you read the book. The setting is placed in the untouched core zone of the forest, completely free from human habitation, teeming with rich biodiversity. This pristine landscape mirrors Naimisharanya, an ancient and sacred forest mentioned in Vedic scriptures as the divine abode of the sages. In fact, the Bhagavatam was last narrated by Sage Sutta Goswami in Naimisharanya.

Now, imagine three children accidentally getting lost in such a mystical setting—during a lockdown—only to encounter the unthinkable. This intriguing premise forms the foundation of my book, weaving history, mythology, and adventure into a compelling narrative.

The treacherous terrains, dense forests, majestic waterfalls, and the profound religious significance of this sacred place—home to Lord Vishnu at the Tirumala Temple—all perfectly align with the essence of my story, making it the ideal setting for the narrative.

Frontlist: The concept of the ‘Pure Seed’ is central to the story. Could you give us a glimpse into its significance and the philosophy behind it?

Prabhu:In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna says to Arjuna:

"O son of Pṛthā, know that I am the original seed of all existences, the intelligence of the intelligent, and the prowess of all powerful men."

bījaṁ māṁ sarva-bhūtānāṁ

viddhi pārtha sanātanam

buddhir buddhimatām asmi

tejas tejasvinām aham

Nectar on the Seven Hills draws inspiration from this foundational philosophy. There are over eight million species of life on Earth, all connected by a central, invisible power—the supreme force that creates, nurtures, and protects everything. Without that supreme seed, nothing can exist.

Humans are but one species among many, and while we are endowed with greater power and wisdom, the real question is: Are we conducting ourselves with the kindness, compassion, empathy, and sympathy necessary to carry forward the spirit of goodwill, so all beings can coexist peacefully?

In the Bhagavatam, it is foretold that the ill effects of Kali Yuga will eventually lead us toward an age of decay and deterioration. The central plot of the Nectar Trilogy builds upon these principles, where the protagonists—Magadh, Rudra, and Yukti—must form a fellowship not only to discover the Pure Seed but also to embark on a quest to use it to eliminate an ancient evil and alleviate the harmful effects of Kali Yuga.

While the book draws significant influence from the many characters and events in our scriptures, it is ultimately a fast-paced fantasy adventure, blending mythological wisdom with thrilling action.

Frontlist: The protagonists—Magadh, Yukti, and Rudra—have a complex dynamic. How did you develop their characters, and do they draw inspiration from real-life people?

Prabhu: The inspiration for this story draws deeply from our own history. King Yayati was a key figure mentioned in the Bhagavatam and Mahabharata. He was a ruler from the Chandravanshi dynasty. According to the scriptures, King Yayati became very old at a young age due to a curse placed upon him by Sage Shukracharya.

In an attempt to regain his youth, King Yayati sought one of his sons to swap their youth for his curse in exchange for the succession of the throne. Yadu, the eldest son of King Yayati and Devayani, declined his father's offer and chose to leave the kingdom, seeking to break free from the curse. Yadu’s lineage eventually became the Yaduvanshi dynasty—the Yadavas—of which Lord Krishna was one of the supreme descendants.

Now, I’m sure you can see where this is headed...

Magadh, the anchor protagonist of the first book in the Nectar on the Seven Hills trilogy, is an often-overlooked, average teenager who is unsure of his own talents. However, as the story unfolds, circumstances push him toward a journey of self-discovery that will inspire him to accomplish the impossible. While Magadh’s character begins as relatable and grounded, his evolution will become far more compelling in the second book, where he grows into a much larger-than-life figure.

When I developed the character of Yukti, I had the image of Goddess Durga in my mind—a fierce, courageous, wise, and determined female protagonist. Much like how Goddess Durga came into the world to protect and facilitate the birth of Lord Krishna during the Dwapara Yuga, Yukti’s character embodies those qualities. She is prepared to go to great lengths to rescue her brother, driven by love and loyalty.

Rudra, on the other hand, is inspired by Lord Shiva. Our Vedic scriptures and Puranas capture numerous moments where Shiva and Vishnu came to each other's aid and expressed profound reverence for one another. One such legendary event is the Samudra Manthan—the Churning of the Ocean—which most people now recognize due to the recent Maha Kumbh Mela in India. During this epic moment in our Vedic history, Lord Shiva came to the Devas' aid by drinking the Halahala (poison), earning him the name Neelakanta. Similarly, Lord Vishnu assumed the form of Mohini to protect the Amrit (nectar) from falling into the hands of the Asuras.

The Nectar on the Seven Hills trilogy, as the name suggests, draws inspiration from Samudra Manthan, a pivotal historical event. The Churning of the Ocean by the Devas and Asuras is central to the plot, symbolizing the eternal struggle between good and evil, as well as the search for divine wisdom and power.

Frontlist: General Xilian and his men bring an external threat to the story. How does their presence tie into the larger theme of the novel?

Prabhu: The character I admired the most while crafting the plot of this book was General Xilian. Picture someone with unwavering conviction and determination, paired with razor-sharp execution abilities—regardless of the nature of intent, be it good or evil. Xilian holds a prestigious position in the PLA and is deeply respected, yet he embarks on an assignment to chase a myth for the greater good of his own country. For someone of his caliber and stature, it can’t just be by chance that he ends up on such a mission. This theme becomes apparent to readers later in the first book, leaving them in awe of how pivotal his character is to the story. That is exactly what I wanted to bring to life. In contrast, the role of his army men becomes even more significant as the plot thickens in the second book of the Nectar trilogy.

Frontlist: You have been deeply inspired by Tamil poetry and have written numerous works in the language. How has your experience as a bilingual writer influenced your approach to storytelling in English?

Prabhu: Absolutely. Both the Ramayana and Mahabharata were originally written in poetic form, and that structure enables the scenes to be sculpted with a style that stirs the imagination, making the reader’s experience vivid and dynamic. I wouldn’t say that writing in more than one language makes someone a better writer. In fact, in my experience, it often brings dilemmas, especially when it comes to narration. You find yourself comparing how the story could be expressed in one language or the other, leading to a constant balancing act.

However, in my experience, writing poetry certainly enhances your vocabulary and fosters a style that aids not only in world-building but also in character development. Also, having lived in England for over twenty-five years, English feels just as natural to me as my mother tongue, Tamil. It certainly allows me to pull from the best of both worlds when I write.

Frontlist: Nectar on the Seven Hills is an ambitious literary endeavor. What has been the most challenging part of writing and publishing this book, and what advice would you give to aspiring authors?

Prabhu: Nectar on the Seven Hills is indeed an ambitious project. The amount of time I've invested in researching for the first book in this trilogy has far exceeded the time spent on the actual writing itself. The goal is not just to craft another usual story but to blend key messages from our Vedic scriptures in a modern way—one that resonates with younger generations and appeals to the mass market. In today's world, it's not easy to encourage every teenager to pick up the Bhagavad Gita and expect them to read it. Of course, I'm not generalizing.

However, the biggest challenge in this project has been identifying, aligning, and blending these messages in a way that flows naturally and appeals to all ages. Based on the reception so far, I hope I've done justice to that vision—only time will tell.

As for your second question, writing stories is a deeply creative process. A good story doesn't let its creator rest; it keeps pulling them forward. I truly admire the passion every author brings to their work. My advice to anyone aspiring to write would be: don't give up until you hold that paperback in your hands. Keep dreaming big, and keep pushing forward!