Book Review #38 - Who Will Cry, When You Die? By Robin Sharma

I generally don't read self-help books. But, this one book made me to read more of such books. Thanks to the author Robin Sharma. It didn't really transform my life in overnight, rather, it did allowed me to sit and introspect a bit on what I might be missing in life. This book is something that reverberates in your mind for a long time, leave alone giving you an idea of what's most important.

I really loved the title of the book. In a moment you all want to read this book. Who Will Cry When You Die?. A question that everyone must ask themselves when they are alone and contemplating about life and its oddities. Robin Sharma had clearly articulated in this book, the 101 'Life Principles'. Is it just 101 or much more? To answer this, there are more to what Robin Sharma had tried to give to his readers.

The entire book is just about those small changes that we can apply to our lives to bring that happiness that we always longed to bring or see. Collection of these thoughts what makes this book as an unique and inspiring. You may wonder while reading this book, why didn't I realized these trivial things all these days? Well, we are too much deep in our materialistic desires and never in any given day has given thoughts about these.

This book is just about realizing what makes us more happy and less resentful. Robin Sharma had explained in a simple but elegant manner. Author had covered every little details ranging from waking up early in the morning, to have a nice family outing, to have a collection of our favorite books, to see that one life changing movie or to have a gala time with our kids till some of the serious topics like why doing meditation is a good way of silencing our chattering minds, why having a "lone time" is important, why should we start living our day like its our last etc, etc...

We all knew that these things are more important in our life, but, we haven't given a much thought about it. From this book, what you learn is an art of living and an art of dying as well. We are living our life trying to achieve something we don't really like to show off to some people whom we really like. If those people like you really, they allow yourself to get something that makes you live as yourself. Though I don't really say that, materialistic success is not required, I am only asking to not consider those as the real success. There is something beyond in everyone's life that we are failing to appreciate. Well, this book just gives you an idea of finding those somethings and make your life more meaningful.

Robin Sharma regularly uses famous quotes in all his books. That adds more meaningful messages to what he says. Even in this book you find ample number of quotes that adds more color to the book. I really liked this particular quote:

"When you are born the World rejoice while you cry. Live a life in a such a way that when you DIE, the World should cry and you rejoice" - Sanskrit Saying

I recommend this book to be read by everyone. Though it may not bring overnight changes to your life, but, surely, it evokes some questions that every readers can questions themselves.

My Rating:
5/5

Book Review #37: Naayi Neralu By Dr. S.L. Bhyrappa

A book that speaks about reincarnation and occult science. I think, this book is an example of what actually a reincarnation means. It speaks about Karma, the way of life. This book explains in a tone where modernists shall out rightly reject rather than discussing it. What is Karma after all? SL Bhyrappa explains this rare terminology in this short book that spans over 160 pages. The title of the book "NAAYI NERALU" can be translated to english as "DOG SHADOW".

A child (Kshetrapala) at the age of 3 started saying things that are totally irrelevant “I am married; my wife’s name is Venkamma. I have a child too”. Probably, these statements from a 3 year old don't in any way indicate that, this kid is planning for a con job in 15 years down the line. Then what is this? Has some devil spirit possessed in that little kid’s body? Or, as the author writes, he is a reincarnation of a man (Vishveshwara) that died 18 years ago.

The book begins with the plot that reveals an engrossing tale in future chapters. Does everyone have to finish his duties as per his birth? If not, does nature allows him to take rebirth? Author had brilliantly imagined the symbolism here, a dog, that represents the Karma of a man. We all know, Dog follows his master no matter what comes as an obstacle. The same way Karma follows every living being on earth. This is depicted even in Mahabharata as well, when Pandavas were entering the heavens in their last moment; everyone fails except for Yudhistira and his dog. Here, dog is just a representation of the Karma that indicates the good or bad deeds of a man.

In this novel, Kshetrapala (the re-born Vishveshwara) enters the house of Acchannaiah, his father from previous birth along with his dog. The dog doesn't have any name as such in this novel. When Acchannaiah’s own dog was skeptical about this new dog that has just entered the house, it never reconciles to its presence in the house, but the local dogs in that village was in acceptance mode, though showed some resistance in the beginning. This particular dog of Kshetrapala plays an important role in this novel.

There are some weird stories that you may read from the novel. This Vishveshwara (now reborn as Kshetrapala) often gets reminded of something is incomplete in his birth. As the story reveals further, you get to see that, Acchannaiah had cheated a monk by stealing his gold ornaments, replacing it with the iron duplicates. Here the story takes another turn that actually brings us to the 1^st birth of Vishveshwara who is none other than the same monk that gets cheated by Acchannaiah. Readers cannot believe these stories where a person reincarnates 2 times to finish of his karma. But, that’s the crux of the novel.

There are few sub stories of a monk that stays in the temple of a hill station, who often advises the local villagers regarding Karma, Moksha (Salvation), etc... Achyuta, the grandson of Acchannaiah, a college student and did not believe in all this re-incarnation stories. Achyuta, who believed that Kshetrapala as a con man and decides to lodge a police complaint and puts his re-born father (Vishveshwara) in jail for 7 years.  Venkamma, the wife of Vishveshwara, was in total dilemma whether to accept this reborn person Kshetrapala as her husband, who is actually 18 years younger than her. She suffers the most throughout the novel. Her own son, Achyuta admonishes her for accepting this new person (reincarnated person) as her husband. He mocks his mother in front of everyone.

Whether to believe in such occult stories or not is entirely up to the readers. As a novel, it strikes the chord with the readers by raising important questions regarding these reincarnation beliefs. This novel is particularly works a specific theme that you will certainly enjoy while reading. There are few village practices that author tried to bring up in this book, mainly, the grama-devathe (the village goddess) that answers people's questions in the form as a possessed priest. Acchannaiah recalling his tale that he has kept to himself for many years is one of those revealing acts from the novel, which actually gives a complete picture of the novel. Yet, there is no happy ending. But, that’s acceptable, since it is not a fairy tale to end in happy climax.

Overall, this book can be read once. A movie by the same name “Naayi Neralu” has been directed by Kannada’s renowned director, Girish Kasaravalli who made several changes to the existing characters that gives a new perspective to the novel itself.

My Rating:

4.5/5

Book Review #36: Shikhandi and Other Tales They Don't Tell You By Devdutt Pattanaik

This is short and very informative book on the most infamous QUEERNESS ideology in India and other parts of the world. He has researched every nook and corner for the queerish tales from the epics of Hindus and several queer examples from the Greek, Egypt and China as well.

This book is an important book for India and Indians considering the LGBT community is not getting enough support from the government for their recognition in the mainstream world. To add ghee to the fire, Our Indian supreme court has ruled out a judgement an year ago which was against the LGBT community. So, these people became criminals and outlaws overnight. Author Devdutt has written an excellent piece of information that serves as a befitting reply to all those moral policing morons that roam around in the country in the name of culture and tradition.

This book is just about 170 odd pages covering close to 30 short stories of queer people from the Puranas, Vedas and epics such as the Mahabharata, Ramayana, etc.. Devdutt also established the context of "Queerness" from the global mythological sphere bringing stories from Vikings, Egyptian Gods, Chinese legends, Bibliographic readings, etc..


In the first half of the book Devdutt explains the pretext behind this "Queerness" and its origins from various places around the world. Later in the 2nd half, there are 30 stories that was available from the Mahabharata, Ramayana, Puranas, Vedas, from even the gods, etc..

Having read his previous books Jaya, The Pregnant King and Sita, I was aware of most of the "QUEER" stories that he has captured in this book. Especially the story of Yuvanashva from The Pregnant King is a fantastic one. Also, I was well accustomed to the stories of Shikhandi, Mohini, Brihannala, Ardhanareeshwara, etc.. I am glad that I came to know about many other queer characters such as Chudala, Gopeshwara, Aravan, Sudyumna, Makara, Samaran, Alli, Pramila, Samba, etc.. The fascinating tales of Narada the messenger forgets that he was a man, God Krishna is a cross-dresser and most of all, Rama when he was leaving for his 14 years of exile, he informs his fellow citizens to head back to the kingdom and wait for his arrival, but addresses them as "All you men and women of my kingdom, please go back to Ayodhya and wait for my arrival", and Rama forgets to address the Queer people who didn't go back but stayed on the banks of the river. Hence, all these people of Queer nature wait for the arrival of Rama at the same river shore where Rama had left 14 years earlier!!.

These are amazing tales that proves time and again that Queerness is not a crime and it is existed since time immemorial. Author has added an excellent note from the vedas at the end of the book which says "Vikruti Evam Prakruti" that can be translated as "Queerness too is a part of nature".

My Rating:
4/5

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

Book Review #34: And The Mountains Echoed By Khaled Hosseini

There are few authors who can be termed as true storytellers and there are few like chetan bhagat. Khaled Hosseini is a master when it comes to storytelling. He gave us, the readers, what can be called as an emotionally charged novel. Without a second thought, this is one of the finest books I've read in recent times.

And The Mountains Echoed a third novel from Hosseini, captures a typical Afghanistan family of the 1950′s followed by the Soviet’s attack in late 60′s to 70′s and the invasion of Taliban, etc..

The story beings by a fairy tale that a father (Saboor) is narrating to his kids (Abdullah and Pari) in a remote village called Shadbagh in Afghanistan. This was an everyday scene in Saboor’s family. To make the ends meet and to win daily bread and also to support his new pregnant wife (yes, the 2nd one), Saboor takes an unexpected step through selling his younger daughter Pari, to a wealthy couple in Kabul who are childless. Pari was barely 3 years old when she was sold by her father. Pari was not aware of such consequence, but her brother Abdullah who was 7 years old, was devastated by this cruel act of his father.

Everyday Abdullah gets reminded of her little sister every now and then, all those happy moment playing with her, all those little gifts that he had bought for his sister, etc.. Pari loved the birds feather like it was a diamond in possession. Abdullah carefully collected all these feathers over the years to gift her and see the joy in her little sisters face. Now, all those moments have been crushed to sands and now he is all alone in the house. Later events makes him to run to Pakistan and he starts working in a restaurant and few years later he travels to USA along with his wife and daughter Pari (Yes, he named his daughter as Pari) and starts his own Kebab restaurant.

The entire story is captured from 1950 till 2010 that spans over more than 50 years. Pari’s new parents, Nila wahdati, a poet by passion and Suleiman Wahdati an artist. Even here, there is a tragedy, Nila divorces her husband and takes Pari to France forever. Then the novel takes another turn, describing Pari’s life in France, her bonding with her new mom, her college life, etc.. But, Pari often gets a jolt sometimes that, she is missing something, like she is not born to Nila and she constantly gets reminded of a little village where she was born somewhere buried deep in her memory.

The novel has many characters and many stories that was probably unnecessary to the novel. There is one character called Nabi, the driver of Suleiman Wahdati and also maternal uncle of Pari and Abdullah, who actually sets the stage for Wahdati couple to buy his sister’s daughter Pari. Later in the novel, Nabi writes a long letter to Mr. Markos, a plastic surgeon, working in Afghanistan for over 10 years. He describes what all the things he has done, and he also mentions about Pari.

All those hardships and fights and long waits to reconcile is described in the last 2 chapters, which is a must read from the book. After all, will Pari and Abdullah meet in the end ??. Will old Abdullah be able recognize her sister old Pari ? You must read that in the book. I stop it at this point, so readers can actually go and read this novel. For sure, its an emotional roller coaster ride for both Pari and Abdullah. Hosseini has captured this very essence brilliantly and carried it throughout the novel. I assure you, you will be restless to witness the climax.

My Rating:

4/5

Book Review #33: The Pregnant King By Devdutt Pattanaik

My fawning over the tales of Mahabharata and its oddities never stops. It is rich, it is endless and it is window to witness what one could’ve only imagined. I have become a great fan of Devdutt Pattanaik after reading his Jaya (Retelling of Mahabharata), Sita (Retelling of Ramayana) and Business Sutra (Management from Indic point of view). He is a true master in compiling the mythological stories. Pattanaik, a medical doctor by profession and Mythological writer by passion, Pattanaik have written his first ever fictional tale that will juxtapose against the tales of the Mahabharata.

I took this book by only reading the title of it. It is strange, isn't it ?. How on the earth ***** ? As you can exclaim!! :). This is the tale of Yuvanashva, the king of Vallabhi, a descendant of Turvasu clan. Vallabhi a city placed adjacent to the kingdom of Kauravas, the Hastinapur.

The novel picks up really well with the introduction of Yuvanashva parents, his father Prasenjit that dies very early, which leads his mother Shilavati to rule the kingdom. Here author brings up a very interesting argument over, why women cannot become the king and sit over the throne, which is a must read from the book. All the villagers and other neighbor kings were not really in acceptance mode, when shilavati was ruling. This was adharma according to them. Hence, Shilavati just became a proxy ruler, until his son is blessed with a child, that’s the right time to allow him to become the king.

To everyone’s dismay, Yuvanashva remained as childless though he was married to 3 different queens. His first wife Simantini, Second wife Poulomi and third wife Keshini. These characters are just the filler roles for this novel. There is not much about them that you can guffaw over it. Hence, Yuvanashva conducts a ritual by calling the sages Yaja and Upayaja to prepare a magic potion by offering richly to the gods through Yagna. But, unfortunately, Yuvanashva drinks this potion accidently and he becomes pregnant! :)

What follows after this accident is a splendid art work of fiction. Author had brought the woman in Yuvanashva through his tales of emotion, happiness and feelings. Yuvanashva's dilemma/jignasa over whether his firstborn son Mandhata, should call him MOTHER or FATHER ?. Whether he can announce the world that, he has given birth to Mandhata ? Whether the world will agree to such story?, etc.. To his surprise, when he revealed this secret to his son Mandhata a few years later, Mandhata also silences Yuvanashva citing the reason “Whatever happened has happened, now I am your son and you are my father”. Yuvanashva pleading his son Mandhata to call him as MOTHER at least once is one of those highly charged scene from the book.

Though this entire story takes place at the time of Mahabharata, The story of Vallahi and Yuvanashva takes the cake. The people of this kingdom were least bothered about what’s happening in Hastinapuri. One such example is when a bard comes and announces that, all the Kaurava army was destroyed in the battle of Kurukshetra, everyone exclaims “Oh, is it so??”, then they carry on with their regular chores. :)

Yuvanashva is one of those kings who don't participate in the battle of Kurukshetra, reason being obvious, he is pregnant. There are multiple references to bulls, fields, soil and seeds as euphemisms for sex and conception, and to illuminate the vexing question of “ownership” that arises when a woman is made pregnant by someone other than her husband (famously called as NIYOGA system). And then there are those troublesome dead ancestors, the “pitrus”, waiting for the arrival of a child so they can be reborn in the land of the living. Taking the form of crows, they perch outside bedchambers, waiting for quick results, flapping their wings impatiently when foreplay goes on for too long. (“Does it not bother you that your son’s seed is weak?” one of them indelicately asks Shilavati.) The book is bit "for adults only" too, that doesn't mean that, it is disgusting to read. I guess it is appropriate for the tale that the author is describing.

There are other supplement tales. Two best friends Sumedha and Somavat(i), their tales of how they were supposed to get married and it was severely dealt by Yuvanashva, by burning them alive. Later they became ghosts and were tormenting Yuvanashva.  These ghosts are responsible for Yuvanashva drinking the potion that was meant for his wives. It’s an interesting section to read. Shilavati, who cannot rule as a king because she is a woman. Pruthalashva (grandfather of Yuvanashva), who must sire a child because he is a man, a Yaksha named Sthunakarna, who surrenders his manhood so thatShikhandi (a woman) can become a man and a husband, and later reclaims it, and of the great warrior Arjuna with his many wives, who is forced to disguise himself as a woman (Brihannala) when a nymph (Urvashi) castrates him. And in this journey, we witness King Yuvanashva's struggle to be just to all, his conflict with himself, and his duty to bring about Dharma in his kingdom.

The climax part is what gave an amazing conclusion. Yuvanashva decides to renounce as a king and becomes a hermit. He wanders through the forests meeting sages and other learned rishis. He realizes there is more to life than what he had imagined. He slowly raises his consciousness and becomes Nilkanth Bhairavi or Yuvaneshwar.

Overall, this is a sporadically successful, intriguing, spectacular, beautiful, yet thought provoking book that tells an engrossing, subversive story but meanders a little too much.

Some of the quotes which I liked from all the characters:

- "What sounds sweetest, being called Mother or being called Father"?

- “Does it not bother you that your son’s seed is weak?”

- "You are assuming you know the boundaries of nature. You don't. There is more to life than your eyes can see."

- “Who is a King? Who can claim to be mother or a father? Who is the rightful heir to the throne?”

- "To be a woman is like becoming a prey, her every move watched by hungry predators. Every glance of man is a violation. No one is spared. No one. Not mother, not sister, not daughter. It is only fear of Dharma that keeps men in check. (Arjuna describing his story to Yuvanashva when he became Brihannala for one long year)"

The realization quotes of Yuvanashva:

- “It will not make sense to your logical mind. You will say, a parent is a parent, whether you are father or mother. But it is not the same. I cannot explain. You have to experience it. All I know is what I feel. I feel, while there is sweetness when your son calls you “father”, there is more sweetness when he calls you “mother”.

- “I am not sure that I am a man…I have created life outside me as men do. But I have also created life inside me, as women do. What does that make me? Will a body such as mine fetter or free me?”

- “That’s what they were. Vehicles of an idea. Two ideas. No. One idea, two expressions. Two halves of the same idea. Mutually interdependent” - (on being Male and Female).

- “Within you is your soul, Adi-natha as Shiva, silent, observant, still. Around you is matter, Adi-natha as Shakti, ever-changing, enchanting, enlightening, enriching, empowering”.

- “The imperfection of the human condition and our stubborn refusal to make room for all those in between”

Endnote (Quote) by the author:

“Did the events actually happen? Does it matter? Is it really about Shilavati, Yuvanashva, Shikhandi or Somvati? Or is it about love, law, identity, gender, power and wisdom? The impossibility of universal fairness?”

My Rating:
5/5

Book Review #32: Daatu by Dr. S.L. Bhyrappa

This is an another masterpiece novel from my favorite author Dr. S.L. Bhyrappa. Written in the early 70's with a backdrop of much debated caste system that was deep rooted in the country, makes this book as one of the excellent attempt by the author. The intricate explanation and detailed narration of each and every castes and cultures is a shellshock experience for the readers.

This book was way ahead of time if we consider the time of its publishing. As expectedly, this book has won the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award in the year 1975. The title Daatu can be literally translated to english as CROSSING OVER. Crossing over the boundaries of castes and colors.

The subject with which the novel was based is an excellent one, yet dangerous. It would have easily flare up communal clashes around in the country. After all, though the government has abolished all the caste systems in public life to some extent, there is still this practice of upper caste, lower caste, untouchables or popularly called as Dalits, etc..

This novel describes the story of a small village called Tirumalapura, situated in Tumkur District of Karnataka. This village consists mainly of the Brahmins, followed by the other caste people. There is also a Gowda family, that was popular among the neighbour villages as one of the respected family, and this family stood as the flag bearer of the village, though there were many Brahmins who were silently opposing to such cult worshipping.

As far as the protagonists are concerned, there is a Brahmin family headed by Venkataramanappa and there is a flag bearer Gowda family, headed by Tirumale Gowda who became a Rajarshi after studying all the major vedic scriptures, that was reserved only for Brahmins long long ago. The main plot opens up, when, Satya a History Graduate, daughter of Venkataramanappa decides to marry Srinivasa, the grandson of Tirumale Gowda, the son of MLA Melegiri Gowda. What follows after this, is a family dispute that leads to fights among these 2 families, fight among 2 castes, fight among villagers, over which caste is better. Both families tries all their might to stop this marriage and eventually succeeds in it. Venkatesha, elder brother of Satya decides to make a pact with Melegiri Gowda and comes to a common judgement to stop this marriage, considering their reputation in their village and in neighbourhoods.

As the story progresses further, author tries to explain all the major reasons for the caste and cultures. He explains various causes and reasons for all these caste systems, thereby describing the misunderstanding of the of Purusha Sukta from Rigveda, in which majority of the people believed that, all the 4 caste (Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra) systems or VARNA systems are born out of mouth, arms, thighs and feet of Bramha. It was misinterpreted by every major translators throughout the history. This verse from purusha sukta describes that, the occupation of a man becomes his caste and not his birth. Through his protagonists, Author tries to explain that, everyone can attain the status of Brahminhood by just working towards it and there is no need of consenting someone for this.

In another part of the novel, author brings up the case for Dalits or untouchables through the characters like Bettayya an MLA and his son Mohandasa, who believes that only revolution and rebel nature brings out the justice for their caste. The interesting case arrives, when Satya decides to help out Mohandasa by writing a book on his request. This book helps all these Dalits or Untouchables to understand the injustice that they have faced in all these years. As this attempt became popular, Mohandasa decides to form a group of young rebels from his own community for a coup to enter the village temple that was banned for Dalits. He succeeds in his attempt even. But to his dismay, he became unconscious right after entering the temple. This incident made the upper caste Brahmins to scare away all those Dalits who were entering the temple. They scared them like, this is the wrath of god, and you people should remain  outside the temple and that is what has been practiced since time immemorial.

I stop it here.
I have just given a glimpse of the novel in my review. You will get to read so many cases like I mentioned above in the book. But for sure, it won't give you a concluding answer for which caste is first and which one is last, which one is upper and which one is lower, who is Brahmin and who is Untouchable. It just gives you a platform to think about what happens when one sticks to this kind of casteism. What one would even achieve by practising casteism?. It brings us to question ourselves much deeper, after all, what one would even gain by acting as if their caste is superior and others are inferior. Everyone must question themselves and start living life like a human. There is no upper or lower, no superior or inferior!!

I recommend this book to be read by everyone. It is once in a lifetime experience to read such novels.

My Rating:
5/5