Satyavati: The Untold Story Behind the Mahabharata's Most Powerful Queen | Rupeen Popat

From ferrying passengers across the river to commanding the throne of Hastinapur, Satyavati's journey is one of ambition, courage, and unshakable resilience. In this episode of the Booknerds Podcast, we sit down with author Rupeen Popat to unpack his debut novel Satyavati, a richly researched retelling set against the sweeping backdrop of the Mahabharata. We trace Rupeen's lifelong relationship with the Mahabharata, starting from childhood, his decision to center the story on a character who is so often reduced to a plot device, and the love story between Satyavati and King Shantanu. We then go deep into the emotional spine of the book, the complex bond between Satyavati and Bhishma, the legendary clash between Bhishma and Parashuram, the secret kinship between Satyavati and Kunti, Shakuni's slow-burning vengeance, and what it really means to write within the boundaries of mythology rather than reinventing it. Rupeen also opens up about creative freedom in mythological fiction, the lessons the Mahabharata still holds for us today, and gives us a first look at what is coming next in his planned book series. About the author Rupeen Popat has studied the Mahabharata and Ramayana since his childhood and has been teaching these epics since 1997. A devoted listener and regular attendee of Morari Bapu's Ram Katha since 1999, he draws deep inspiration from spiritual wisdom. Alongside his writing, Rupeen is a businessman and investor committed to purpose-driven ventures that educate and uplift communities. Website:https://rupeenpopat.com/ Email:enquiries@rupeenpopat.com Instagram:  / rupeenpopat   About the book Amazon Link:https://amzn.in/d/07tgXkzj From ferrying passengers across the river to commanding the throne of Hastinapur, Satyavati's extraordinary journey is one of ambition, courage, and unshakable resilience. Born Matsyagandha, a humble fisherwoman, Satyavati never dreamed of a life beyond the riverbanks. But destiny had other plans. When a chance encounter with King Shantanu sets her on a path to the throne, Satyavati must navigate a world of political intrigue, forbidden secrets, and ruthless ambition. Her ascent is anything but simple. To secure her children's future and safeguard the Kuru dynasty, Satyavati calls upon her firstborn son from her past, Sage Vyasa, to weave her legacy into the royal lineage. But every decision comes with a cost, and as whispers of scandal and betrayal ripple through the kingdom, Satyavati learns the true weight of power. Set against the sweeping backdrop of the Mahabharata, Satyavati is a tale of determination and sacrifice, where a woman's strength reshapes the fate of an empire, one calculated move at a time. Timestamps 00:04 Introduction 01:03 A lifelong obsession with the Mahabharata since the mid 80s 02:08 The babysitter story that shaped his love for the epics 03:17 Growing up with the Mahabharata and Ramayana 04:54 Why these epics are as universal and fun as Marvel stories 05:43 Why Rupeen chose Satyavati as his central character 07:09 The love story between Satyavati and King Shantanu 16:17 Bhishma's origin story and his tragic arc 17:17 Bhishma as the people's champion and the vow that changed everything 18:46 The relationship between Satyavati and Bhishma 19:35 The emotional spine of the book, Satyavati and Bhishma's unspoken bond 20:57 The fight between Bhishma and Parashuram 24:22 Writing about lineage and heirs through a modern lens 26:24 The story of King Bharat and why merit mattered over birthright 28:28 Satyavati, Sage Vyasa, and the hidden parallel with Kunti 32:51 Shakuni's backstory and his long game against Hastinapur 35:41 The power of words, from Shakuni to Manthara 36:31 Surprises Rupeen uncovered while researching the book 38:02 Where to start exploring the Mahabharata and Ramayana 40:50 Creative freedom in mythological fiction 44:09 Reflecting on the most emotional parts of the book 44:57 What is next, a book series and a hint about book two 51:11 Final thoughts Subscribe :    / booknerds   ....................................................................................................................... About us: Booknerds connects readers across the globe Book Club,Book Recommendation Videos,Author Sessions, Book Reviews, Booknerds Podcast Instagram -   / dbooknerds   Facebook -   / dbooknerds   LinkedIn -   / booknerds   Podcast - https://www.booknerds.in/podcast Email us for collaborations at info@booknerds.in Website - www.booknerds.in