Book Review #79: Ramayana: The Game of Life – Book 1 – Rise of the Sun Prince

Title: Ramayana: The Game of Life – Book 1 – Rise of the Sun Prince

Author: Shubha Vilas

Publisher: Jaico Publishing House

Year: 2013

Genre: Hindu Scripture/Epics

Pages: 256 (Paperbound)

Source: Personal Copy

Ramayana is a story that has seeped into every soul of Hindustan. Ramayana is no longer a mere story to read and forget. There is so much to learn from these epics and can be easily adopted into our daily lives. Many books have come and gone, and each of those books adds a taste and personal viewpoint. As a reader, I feel fortunate enough to read many version of Ramayana.

Shubha Vilas has drawn inspiration from the original author of the Ramayana, Sage Valmiki and tried to present us a best possible version of the epic. The little anecdotes and footnotes explaining the real story and the interpretation of that particular event related to the modern day world is a good way of showing how Ramayana can be seen and adopted into our lives. Shubha Vilas has broken this epic in to a series of 5 books, of which, the first book which covers the birth of the protagonist of Ramayana, Lord Sri Rama.

This book mainly covers the Bala-Kanda of Ramayana i.e. the childhood days of Rama. But, the author puts it in a different way. As per this book, the Bala-Kanda refers to the days of sage Vishwamitra, the spiritual guru of Rama. The book entirely focuses on the birth origins of Rama and his brothers Lakshmana, Bharata and Shatrughna. Also, it covers how Vishwamitra became the celebrated Bramharshi after failing to seek revenge against his arch rival, the ever greatest sage, Bramharshi Vashishta.

The book has been written a lucid manner. Once you start reading it, you won’t feel like to stop it in midway. It keeps its readers hooked to the book. The book has been organized into main chapters and subchapters. Including the tale of Ramayana, the book also presents us with the many short stories that directly or indirectly linked to the Ramayana. One such stories is of Ahalya’s curse by her husband and Killing of the demons Maricha, Subhahu and Tadaka. The fascinating tale of how Vishwamitra became the revered Bramharshi by doing severe austerities and the sad story of Trishanku being held upside down for his lifetime in the heaven created by the sage Vishwamitra, etc… Each and every story happened outside the purview of Rama has been linked in one or the other way to Ramayana.

As the story keeps running further, we get the read the stories of how Rama and his brothers have grown up from being toddlers to infants to teenagers. As expected, we also read about Vishwamitra’s visit to Ayodhya to ask King Dasharatha to send his son Rama with him to achieve some predestined tasks.

The books ends on a happy note of the wedding proceedings of Rama with Sita. The stories of breaking the Bow by Rama and an encounter with his predecessor Parashurama will add a good factor to see Rama’s growth as a divine incarnation. Finally, the book ends when Dasharatha reeling from a nightmare decides to coronate Rama as his successor to the throne.

A nice start to this series. What’s more interesting from this book is the regular footnotes that you read at almost every page. The interpretation of the story or a particular event and how it can be juxtaposed to the modern day is a true testimonial of the author’s command over the Ramayana. If you are planning to read a condensed yet a riveting tale of the Ramayana, then you can begin with this book. I highly recommend this book.

My Rating:

5/5

Book Review #73: Scion of Ikshvaku - Ramachandra Series Book 1

Title: Scion of Ikshvaku

Author: Amish Tripathi

Published Year: 2015

Publishers – Westland Publishers

Genre – Mythological Fiction

Pages – 350+ (Paperbound)

Source – Personal Copy

There are many version of Ramayana being told over the many centuries past and present, yet, whenever any new version of the tale is being foretold; it gives us altogether a new meaning and a new way of looking at our epic. This book by the well acclaimed author Amish Tripathi (The Shiva Trilogy famed) does scores some good points. This is a new, refreshing and brilliantly imagined novel. This is the first novel in this series and may be a couple more to follow. The humane version of the characters is a new thought. May be the author might have inspired from the other existing novels where these attempts have been made.

This is a fast paced book. The characters description is made well and each character were given its due space and credits. The protagonist Ram and the story behind his birth and background are imagined quite brilliantly. Whoever thinks that, the beloved Son of Dasharatha is actually hated by Dasharatha himself? (Spoilers alert). Well, to be able to digest these kind of new thinking requires a mind where we are not ought to juxtapose this novel with the actual epic where Ram and Dasharath has shared an unique camaraderie. The other stories regarding Rama’s brothers such as Lakshmana, Bharat, and Shatrughan are quite the same, except for the fact that, all their upbringing and childhood days are new thoughts and experimenting.

The plot setup in this novel is not the existing epic story. It is quite opposite to what we are so far believed as truly happened. The role of Guru Vashista in educating our protagonist and his brothers are quite an interesting section to read. It is believed that, the princes of any kingdom are not to reveal their true identity at their Gurukul. Hence, Ram and his brothers were learning in incognito and with different names than their actual given names.

As the book progresses further, we get to see the mastery of Amish in blending the current society problems with that of the Vedic period. Who can possibly imagine that, the gory incident of Delhi gang rape will find a place in this book? It is just brilliant and I was impressed at the sheer magnitude of Author’s brilliant work here.

Depicting Rishi Vishwamitra as a descendent of Naga clan and thereby connecting the story to his Shiva Trilogy is just awesome. The killing of the Rakshasas such as Subhahu, Tadaka and the way Ramchandra deals it in his own way is something unexpected. Kudos to the author!!

Sita Swayamvar is another section in the novel where the story takes it major twist and turns. The story behind the bow Pinaka (The Shiva-Dhanussu) is an interesting section to read. The Bees tower kind of city being imagined at the capital of Mithila city is truly an interesting point. Sita being the chief of Police in the Mithila Kingdom is another new aspect in the story. The humiliation faced by Ravana in the Swayamvar and the way it was dealt is pictured brilliantly. The Daivi-Astras from the Shiva Trilogy finds a place in this novel where Ram had to use it on the troops of Ravana though it is prohibited to use. Thereby, Ram imposes himself a punishment which I am not revealing it in this review as it contains spoilers!! (This is the stage where the next whole section of the story takes it turn).

There are few things which could be well avoided. For example, the story is being set in 3400 BCE and the metric system the author uses to measure distances in Kilometers!! Also, he often uses the country name as India where many characters discusses. I believe India is relatively a new term and he could’ve used either Bharat or Hindustan. Other than this, the novel is exceptionally good.

The rest of the novel can be read with ease and there are quite a bit of incidents where it is the pure imagination of the author’s work. One must read the book to understand it completely. I liked the book as it gives us a new, refreshing and, riveting story. I am sure, Amish lives up to the expectations that he had created in this first book from the series. I can't wait to read the sequel of this.

My Rating:

4.5/5

Book Review #71: Being Different by Rajiv Malhotra

Title: Being Different – An Indian Challenge to Western Universalism

Author: Rajiv Malhotra

Genre: Non-Fiction

Publishers: Harpercollins Publishers

Pages: 450+

Source: Personal Copy

Swami Vivekananda said it right… “Truth can be stated in a thousand different ways, yet each one can be true!!”

Having finished reading Breaking India by the same author an year ago, I was impressed by the sheer magnitude of information that this Rajiv Malhotra possess when it comes to Hinduism, Indian thoughts, our sacred scriptures, Indian Philosophy and so on. This book “Being Different” as cool as it sounds sets the benchmark even higher in exposing the western attacks on Indians in a more detailed and sophisticated manner. This book is not like a regular telltale of India’s glorious past or our vast knowledge of philosophy or the mastery of the language Sanskrit and so on. This book mainly focuses on the western view of India and how it has become wrong on so many levels, leave alone injecting the false doctrines. This book authoritatively asks the westerners to see the real Indian side from an Indian point of view, rather than a typical western.

This book is written really well on so many aspects – that includes details regarding monotheism vs polytheism, one sacred book vs hundreds of religious books, history-centric religion vs timeless Sanathana Dharma, Prophetic religion vs Free-to-chose type of religion i.e. Hinduism, etc… For each type of problem, Rajiv had written his argument brilliantly in order to state what is true and what is believed to be true. Several anecdotes from famous philosophers, famous theologians, and thinkers and religious scholars were discussed in details and a correct way of counter argument was given exactly that it “fits” perfectly and disqualifies those writers who wrote a western-thinking ideas about India and Hinduism.

He quotes in one of the chapters about how the western minds have been indoctrinated over several aspects and beliefs… “Dharma traditions resemble Silicon Valley innovation and freedom (whereas) Judeo-Christian religions come across like controlled, state-supplied, monopolistic products. Like the Soviets who believed in allowing only one airline, one brand of car, and one toothpaste, (…) most Christians believe in allowing only one approach to religion.”

In western Judeo-Christian traditions, revelation is initiated by one God, with the individual being a passive and submissive recipient (read it as a born sinner, whose salvation happens only when he dies). This process is highly history-centric, relies upon authority that is frozen in time, and allows for no direct experience. But this salvation does not transform man into something sublime. God always remains an external agency and that entire salvation means is that one escapes eternal condemnation to hell. These history-centric beliefs of Judeo-Christian systems also fail scientific scrutiny.

Dhārmic traditions provide a refreshing contrast. The individual is free from the guilt complexes that characterize a Christian. History has no metaphysical significance in dharma. Hindu narratives, as Śri Aurobindo states, are ever present in nature because one can experience those out of one’s own efforts. The Hindu initiate is an active participant in his quest for adhyātma vidya (knowledge of the self). Unlike Judeo-Christian systems which are fossilized, dhārmic systems dynamically evolve. As a result, the teachings of a guru are as valid as the words in a sacred text. This is precisely why one finds welcome diversity in dhārmic traditions. Most importantly, mökṣa (self-realization) is something one can actively experience here and now and is not a chimera called heaven a baptized Christian must be content with chasing post-mortem.

Rajiv Malhotra carefully puts his arguments about why these Judeo-Christian concepts fail at large and a big hindrance to the freedom. This is mainly due to the concept of sin followed in these prophetic religions. As is the case in every prophetic religion, a man/woman born is a sinner by birth, his entire life is a way towards salvation and that salvation is achieved only when you submit yourself to the God [Judgment Day]. Whereas, in Dharmic traditions, the concept of experiencing one’s false deeds and good deeds in the same birth and carry over these traits to the next birth (Punarjanma). This next birth may not be in human form, it can be either an animal, or a bird or a tree or an insect. This allows us to celebrate our individual souls, individual birth and makes us to believe that, we can make the better of ourselves in the same birth, as simply called as SAT-CHIT-ANANDA. 

Rajiv Malhotra also discusses about the ORDER AND CHAOS between Dharmic traditions and western dualism brilliantly. For instance, when it comes to the fields of music, or literature or neuroscience – good and evil are always interconnected to each other, like the Samudra Manthan (Ocean Churning), there is always good in bad and bad in good [Nectar and Poison].  This is quite opposite in the western religion, where good and evil is something which doesn’t gets connected, which results in the artificial order which is bewildered by a permanent chaos. In the Dharmic concept, this has balanced with proper Order and Chaos. The author goes on explaining this concept by taking the Indian classical music as an example. Indian classical music is a non-linear and non-normative, and as a result possesses not only the musical note but also a melodic ecosystem complexity called swara followed by the raga (which is using the swara to create a non-linear pattern of ups and downs) and this is again followed by Tala (the rhythm) which is adjusted to the ongoing raga. This concept has no equivalent in the western classical music. 

What I really liked about the book is the chapter about “Non-translatable Sanskrit Words”. There are quite a number of words or letters or phrases from Sanskrit which cannot be translated to English. For example: AUM in Sanskrit cannot be translated to AMEN as westerners tried to portray. The AUM is in itself a special word. Each letter in AUM, the A, U and M represents a different meaning altogether. He gives us the example of a dictionary called “Ekakshara Kosha” (Mono-syllable dictionary), where each letter possesses an exhaustive meaning and it simply cannot be translated. Also, from a scientific background, he explains that chanting few Sanskrit mantras at the right frequency has some desired results on the human mind.  He gives us the examples of “Bija Mantras” where each verse from the mantra should be chanted at exact frequency and tonal quality for the expected results to come. And, by this, it is certainly not possible to translate everything to English.

He further clarifies his points of reversing the gaze of westerners by pointing out the similarities and differences between the offshoot Hindu religions like Buddhism and Jainism. He goes on explaining the details from several books of Buddhism juxtaposed with the Hinduism and why it is ok to be “Being Different” in every area.

Overall he calls for a debate on the basis of Purva Mimamsa (an Indian philosophical aspect of churning for answers based on the earlier parts of Vedas than the later parts of Vedangas). He didn’t in any way belittle any western religions or ideas or beliefs. He just pointed out that, what the west thought about India is not true and he proved from this book, the reality. This sure, calls for a healthy debate among the learned scholars from among the world. He expressed his deep fear of non-availability of many Indian scholars who can actually understand and provide debatable ideas of Indian thoughts, Indian Philosophy (Darshanas), Indian Dharmic traditions and beliefs, etc…

In conclusion, none of the disagreements from the book dismisses the importance of Being Different. The most important aspects of the book are, as it reverses the gaze towards the west and evaluates it using the Dharmic paradigm. This is a well-researched, well-organized and well-documented book. It is a collector’s gem. I recommend this book to be read by everyone and must read for every Indians, which actually makes them proud of Being Different and Being Indian.

My Rating:

5/5

Book Review #68: Karma By Karanam Pavan Prasad

Title: Karma

Author: Karanam Pavan Prasad

Publishers: Conclave Media

Genre: General Fiction

Pages: 164 (Paperbound)

Source: Personal Copy

A first time debutant novelist, who took greater risk to write a novel on a subject like Death, Hindu Funeral Rituals and practices, etc… This novel is a blend of age old rituals, beliefs and traditions versus the modern cosmopolitan, scientific, questioning generation. This novel deals with a very taboo subject such as Hindu funeral practices, which is also called as KARMA, hence the title of the novel Karma. The book poses some serious questions, at the same time, gives its readers a sense of newly crafted novel. Not that, this kind of novel has ever come before, in fact, it has come at various stages and in various forms. But, the mixture of modern aspects like smartphones, IT, KFC, drinks, parties juxtaposed with that of traditions, practices, beliefs and other things is a new way.

The protagonist of this novel Surendra was responsible to carry out the last rites rituals of his father that just demised. Being working in a city as an upscale Engineer and married to an ultramodern woman Neha, he didn't seem to get adjusted to all those rituals, practices and traditions. He just toys around like a puppet listening to the head priest and following his younger brother in those rituals. During these proceedings, Surendra refuses to gets his head shaved, whereas, his brother Narahari agrees to it. (This is one of the rituals, where, the sons of the deceased person should get their head shaved in order to carry out this ritual, it’s called VAPANA). Day to day proceedings was making our protagonist lose his cool and made him act like a weirdo. He was always suspicion about his wife. He often gets these thoughts that; his wife is cheating on him with another man. This is strongly believed by him due to the past actions of his wife on numerous occasions before marriage. His wife had many partners just like him. However, his manly thoughts were not convinced to agree on such things.

The regular circumstances of those rituals have made him to come to terms with the traditions and he actually starts believing in everything. He often reaches out to head priest to understand the basics of the rituals which he finds occasionally funny. Sometimes, he indulges in serious conversations with the head priest and was asking any ritual practices so that he could father a child and so on. This kind of dilemma and regular taunts from his wife for being too orthodox has made our protagonist weak day by day. He gets mocked by his wife for conducting those ‘pointless’ rituals which was seriously offending Surendra. He also concludes that, he didn’t get a proper wife or he didn't become a good husband. This made him to get back to his last love interest ‘Vaani’ who was his Aunt’s daughter. Even here he faces serious disappointments.

As the book progresses further, we will realize many facets of these funeral rites, and this must be the take away from the book. The detailed explanation and beliefs behind each practice and tradition has explained pretty neat. There is an absolute twist at the end of the novel, which I am not including in my review. I ask people to read and savor the story.

All said and done, the novel has some weak points. Few of the characters were given little space. The entire novel could’ve been extended to about 30 pages. The background story of important characters was missing or was kept low. The Sanskrit verses and their meaning throughout the novel is a good attempt at explaining few traditional aspects.

Overall, a great attempt by the author and a fantastic rendition. He has a long way to go and this is just the beginning. I hope to see more of such amazing work by this author. Though, this book can be easily considered as a contemporary novel. It doesn't exactly belong to any specific genre. A must read novel. I recommend it for everyone.

My Rating:

5/5

Book Review #39: Tabbaliyu Neenade Magane By Dr. S.L. Bhyrappa

This book talks about the conflict between people who are traditionally grown up, holding up the age old rituals and cultural practices and with the people who are educated with the modern viewpoint of the world. So the story captures this essence of what is morally right and what is scientifically right.

 Author SL Bhyrappa is a true gift to the Kannada literary world. His tales varies from social issues till modern space science. He is the only author that doesn't conform to a specific genre. He writes on many themes and many beliefs. That’s what I liked about SL Bhyrappa Sir. He has surpassed his limits in this particular book ‘Tabbaliyu Neenade Magane’ which can be translated to English as ‘Son, You've become an orphan’.

 The story is very sensitive and controversial. It captures the theme of cow slaughtering versus cow protectors in a small fictitious village. An aged person Kalinge Gowda, who believes that cows are the representation of Gods that descended upon earth. Kalinge Gowda belongs to such a revered family, where a cow has offered herself to a hungry tiger willingly ages back. This cow is popularly called as ‘Punya Koti’. A breed which is believed to be sacred than all other cows. Kalinge Gowda has a grandson Kalinga, who was graduated in Agriculture from the University of USA. Kalinga has married to Hilda, a US citizen. Kalinga has a friend in his village, Venkatramana, a vedic scholar and a middle school teacher who believes in every traditional practices and rituals.

The entire villagers were against the slaughtering of the cows, whether it is aged old or a young one.  Hilda the wife of Kalinga was distracted initially to get adjusted to the villagers. She seems to have lost all her independent life of US after coming to this little village. She has to sacrifice her beef consumption. Married to an Indian man, she found it very hard to get adjusted. Kalinga who was very careful initially tries to win the heart of villagers and his friend Venkataramana. But to his dismay, in whichever way he tries to reconcile with the villagers, it was backfiring. One incident where Hilda killed a cow in her farm and ordered her cook to prepare beef, resulted in the severe repercussions from the villagers, which made Kaling to apologize in front of entire villagers.

The book has this kind of conflicting stories throughout. When Hilda questioned Venkataramana about the animal sacrifices juxtaposing it with the cow slaughtering, she won’t receive a convincing answer. All in all, Kalinga and Hilda felt that they were out casted from the village and felt lonely and rejected. All this made Kaling and Hilda to leave their village once and for all and go back to USA.

The climax part of the novel takes an unexpected turn and leaves it readers with surprise. I feel that’s the best part of the book. I will not reveal that in my review. It has to be read from the book itself. After reading the book, every reader will face with few questions that they couldn’t find answers. What is more important in a society? Upholding the age old practices and thereby respecting our culture and customs or compare every situation with the modern aspects and live according to them? Is banning cow slaughter solves every problem in India? Only time can answer.

My Rating:

5/5

Book Review #35: The Book of Secrets - Unlocking the Hidden Dimensions of Your Life By Deepak Chopra

This is a nice book on self-realization. I did not say it is a self help book, solely because, it doesn't helps you to attain or achieve something, it actually helps you realize more of yourself. This is the first book of Deepak Chopra I have read. Without a doubt, I liked this book. He has written with much eloquence and I believe Chopra has achieved in what he was trying to say.

If you think this is a self help book, certainly it is not. I didn't consider it as one. This is beyond self help book. Though it has some exercise sections on what to do, how to do and stuffs like that. It actually helps you to understand more of you in every aspect of your life ranging from Mind, Body, Spirit, Spiritual, Relationships, Time, Death, Birth, etc...

I somehow sensed a feeling that, Mr. Chopra is teaching the Nondualism concept in every chapter. In Hinduism, this is greatly considered as the teachings of Advaita Vedanta a cult started by the famous 8th century sage or a monk or whatever you wish to call him, Adi Shankaracharya who helped the masses of those days to move towards non-dualism, which means, God resides in every being, there is no separate god and human in this world, there is only one thing, that is, the realization of god within one's own mind.

I sensed Mr. Chopra has written exactly the same thing leaving no stone unturned. With a touch of western oriented philosophical or spiritual mindset, he has given his readers, an exceptional piece of work in the name of Book of Secrets.

I really liked how he has organized this book. Every chapter reveals a secret of its own, leading a reader to attain a complete realization after each and every chapter. This particular book is not one of those books where you read in one sitting and forget and move on. Rather, it should be read slowly and be savoured with the flavor of Non-Dualism.

There is nothing to dissect in this review. I just give you the chapter names that explains all by itself.

The Mystery of Life is Real
The World is in You
Four Paths Leads to Unity
What You Seek, You Already Are
The Cause of Suffering is Unreality
Freedom Tames the Mind
Every Life is Spiritual
Evil is Not Your Enemy
You Live In Multidimensions
Death Makes Life Possible
The Universe Thinks Through You
There is No Time But Now
You Are Truly Free When You Are Not A Person
The Meaning of Life is Everything
Everything is Pure Essence

I guess you all had a glimpse of what Chopra is trying to say in this book. Though equipped with a fair knowledge of Non-Dualism, I had a feeling of revisioning everything again. Thanks to the author. This book certainly helps anyone, provided they must be ready to open up themselves to receive an unusual way of advice.

Some of the quotes that I liked from the book:

"If you obsess over whether you are making the right decision, you are basically assuming that the universe will reward you for one thing and punish you for another."

"Evolution is win-win…life is self-correcting."

"Pain is not the same as suffering. Left to itself, the body discharges pain spontaneously, letting go of it the moment that the underlying cause is healed. Suffering is pain that we hold on to. It comes from the mind’s mysterious instinct to believe that pain is good, or that it cannot be escaped, or that the person deserves it."

"Don't let a day go by without asking who you are…each time you let a new ingredient to enter your awareness."

"Meeting a stranger can be totally fleeting and meaningless, for example, unless you enter the individual’s world by finding out at least one thing that is meaningful to his or her life and exchange at least one genuine feeling. Tuning in to others is a circular flow: you send yourself out toward people; you receive them as they respond to you."

"Be content not with your lot in life but with being here in the flow of life. The glories of creation are in your very cells; you are made of the same mindstuff as the angels, the stars, and god himself."

"Don't follow someone else’s map. You should glean teachings from all directions, keeping true to those that bring progress yet remaining open to changes in yourself."

"The willingness to reach inside every part of yourself opens the door to total understanding. You place your entire identity on the line, not just an isolated part. This may sound daunting, but actually it’s the most natural way to approach any situation. When you hold some part of yourself in reserve you deny it exposure to life; you repress its energy and keep it form understanding what it needs to know."

Overall a good book with a new perspective. I recommend for everyone to read at least once in their lifetime.

My Rating:
5/5