Flying in the Face of Fear

Have you ever had a brilliant idea that made you feel really excited? Were you were so ready to run with it and it could have changed or enhance your life greatly. It could have been anything from an invention, a house move, starting your own business, a change in career or you may have wanted to go back into education, to learn about something you enjoy – as oppose to have to do. Then, as quick as a flash, all those great ideas came to a grinding halt!

The inspirational glow you felt, as you dipped your toe into the exciting world of “I want to do this! This is amazing!” quickly turned into self-doubt, as you climb back in to your warm, cosy cocoon in retreat.

All those enthused feelings of happiness, excitement and motivation simply disappeared into the big black hole marked “I should have done that!”

The niggles in the back of your mind, full of; “what if”, “I can’t”, “I’m not ready”, “I’m not qualified”, “I don’t have the funds”, and so on, go racing round your mind, telling you that you cannot do it because, because, because……

We can all, very quickly, talk ourselves out of absolutely anything and everything. When those feel good moments have passed, we end up listening to our negative thoughts, which drag us down and hold us back. We then beat ourselves up for not taking that leap of inspirational faith and, in the end; we cease all action and go back to our regular day-to-day routine.

This is what can be described as the reverse butterfly effect.

Just to explain, the butterfly effect theories that even the smallest change can have a chaotic effect on something else. This theory has been at the centre of many physics debates, along with the closely related chaos theory, and string theory – where a single atom can affect another, seemingly unrelated, atom.

If we take this idea and translate it into our own lives, the reverse butterfly effect is doing nothing to affect nothing. Yet, if we had just made that big push and continued on the path of inspired action, we could have created a chain reaction. Simply put, if we had just stretched our wings that little bit further we could have created a multitude of positive outcomes.

However, sometimes our seemingly inspired actions are born from a lack of knowledge or confidence. There is a misconceived perception in our minds that we need to put ourselves through a series of education and learning. It makes us feel ready, credible and qualified to tackle our personal, ideal world of creativity, work and/or business. The belief that we need to collect certificates, diplomas, degrees etc. acts as a security blanket, making us feel ready to fulfill our life goals. Nevertheless, this is just another delay tactic.

Cynics, no doubt, would question this notion, given that many people become very successful after their studies. However, by putting off doing what we really want to do right now, delaying our hearts desires, as we don’t feel ready, equipped or qualified, and never realizing our goals, through lack of confidence and fear, all leads to disappointment and, in turn, resentment.

The fact is we can never stop learning. We learn through articles and books, through TV programmes and movies. It shapes our thoughts, beliefs, values and we learn invaluable skills and knowledge through every life experience. That is a qualification in itself.

Research, conducted by the University College of London, shows that when we have high level of feel good chemicals in our bodies, we are able to make decisions much faster, by going with gut instincts, relating to how it makes us feel emotionally. Moreover, in order to create those chemicals you need to do something that motivates and excites you. Furthermore, by combining other “happy chemical” triggers into the equation, such as certain feel good foods and activities; we can create cataclysmic and inspired choices to change your life. Therefore, you can quite literally perpetuate yourself into a happy, successful state through inspired action.

Let me throw another, potentially freedom-inducing, theory into the equation.

Let us say we are living a virtual life, much like a video game. We have infinite power and control over the “game of life” and we have the ability to choose several different scenarios, settings and experiences. If we are living the parallel life then perhaps I am not actually writing this, as my true self is in fact on a warm sandy beach in the tropics, and I am controlling this occurrence from under a palm tree. However, as you are also in the tropics on a 50 ft yacht your other self is relaying this article back to you. So, as you are not here, I am elsewhere, and this may not actually be happening, I could in fact choose to write (and this is debatable) all kinds of wackiness!

If, at this specific moment in time, we are living our lives in several parallel universes, we could be running alongside our “other lives”, experiencing different things, all at the same time. Moreover, our multiple, simultaneous lives could be our trusty back-up parachute, so if we do go off course we could, in theory, leap-frog to another.

If it were true, would that “reality” give you more abandon, freedom and flexibility?

In any case, it is better to look back on life and say “I can’t believe I did that” than to look back and say “I wish I did that!” So, perhaps it’s best to give in to our inspired thoughts and feelings and just go for it – as they occur to give us the right, individual and unique life experiences. And, just like a video game, we are all equipped, ready to do anything and can achieve our life goals – If only we had the courage and whole-hearted belief in ourselves.

If the delicate little butterfly can break free, fly into the big wide world and cause a spot of chaos then why can’t you?

Starbucks - Mass Hysteria of India

When Anna Hazare thought of staging a fast at Mumbai aka Bombay's Azad Maidan, the turnout was laughable. The old reformist didn't realize, all he had to do to attract people was to Partner in a franchise of a coffee chain "Starbucks".

The phenomenon of a foreign brand has still not failed to tantalise Indian sensibilities. And this time, the product is not a designer wear or bathroom fittings, but a refreshing beverage called Coffee.

We oppose FDI in retail and queue ourselves in serpentine lines to indulge in a brand which is totally Foreign.

 People who find it tacky and a waste of time to stand in a queue to seek blessings at temples, pilgrimages, and, instead, take passes for VIP, VVIP and Special Darshan were ready to wait for almost 3 hours for a Starbucks Coffee.

Facebook and Twitter were buzzing with the ones at Starbucks putting pictures and tweets about the Somras served, also with the laments of those yet to visit.

People known personally to me traveled almost 25 kilometers to try this so Special Concoction. These are people who are very well traveled and must have had a Starbucks Coffee almost on every visit abroad.

Yet, the response was thunderous, and since its outlet is in the most hip and happening locality, it were the most happening people who made that happen.

I feel this is the most Landmark occurrence that has happened to be witnessed by me in my existence.

Is it Coffee or the Experience to be counted on all the social media and circles as the few handful to have Somras at Starbucks ?

After a week of the first outlet in Town, a second outlet was launched 15 minutes away from my residence in the suburbs. Today, I thought let's check out this revolutionary phenomenon.

With no queues, (suburbans have priority ) and an Impoverished Menu compared to the origins in the 1st world. I was so lucky to get a place to sit with my 24 karat diamond studded coffee. I made a point to sit for two hours in wait for some special performance or some coffee babes but none turned up.

In the meanwhile, the coffee was strictly average. The crowd I thought would be very interesting to fodder my interest and thoughts. But again like the coffee, I was disappointed. You can bring Starbucks to India but cannot remove the Inherent traits from Indians. Litter is our national activity, we do it subconsciously. Photography contests were being held across the store, I even participated to give some families, their most proud moment. Any Restaurant experience is incomplete in India without witnessing or participating in a verbal duel of colorful language and obnoxious people. I witnessed it. And no guesses the Protagonist was a Gym Export Dude in company of two Fake Accented Make up Boxes.

Now the next Hysteria is expected when Wal Mart, Burger King, Dunkin Donuts, Chipotle decide to adopt a method to tap this madness.

Coffee Cheers,

KS   

PS : I am all in for FDI !!

      

Life in a Spotlight

Hello Folks,

I have been feeling that I should write more often than I actually end up doing. But, well lot of things take up my time and I never want to perform writing as a stress busting or a sundry activity. I am making a conscious effort to keep writing without "The Writer's Block" and believe me its difficult.

I have always wondered how is it when you are under a Spotlight ? The feeling when a million pair of eyes are glued upon you with great expectation. The rush of blood, the adrenaline pumping, the heart thumping and palms sweating. A moment of many people's life getting converged into your moment.And yes it can go two ways, either Glory or Gory.

The feeling shudders me with nervousness even thinking about the spectacle. No matter how much accolades you have or you are a novice, every appearance in the spotlight is a new game. Its much like travelling in an air plane, a matter of luck and risk every single time no matter how frequent flier you are. The sad part is there are no half measures, either you win or its curtains.

With the increasing advancements in all the technologies of cameras, communications and media management, the spotlight doesn't remain the moment it used to be. The whole life of a person on a certain pedestal becomes a spotlight and masses know the performer as a "Celeb". Even the growth of a goatee of Amitabh Bachchan made way to the Editorial of a leading newspaper in India.

Life isn't it seems very easy in the rosy frames which can make or break not only a performer's public image but can shatter his life beyond repair. Its treading on a razor's edge as Life in Spotlight can be like Miranda's warning. You will get responses of all sorts of emotions, love, gratitude, praise, stalkers, vengeance, jealousy, critical, etc. The challenge in to respond to right ones and hold your ground otherwise.

The functioning under constant public scrutiny, I feel, is the most difficult part and the biggest challenge one faces. Moral and Ethos have a huge role to play in shaping up what is often known as "BRAND" or "IMAGE" by the pundits of this Spotlight Business. Performers get so carried away by this phenomena and forget the Basic Skill or Activity which got them a chance to be there and eventually get sidelined. Some just break down in the pressure and crumble into hiatus or hibernation. Some fall victim to their own undoing which gets exposed and very few handle it with elan and are remembered for decades to come for of course the right reasons.

There are many examples of such Individuals who have walked the razor's edge with perfect balance and even the few stumbles they had were gracious. Also, there are even more number of examples of people failing and failing miserably just because they couldn't handle the responsibility of being in spotlight. History being cruel it is, only remembers and throws up the successful examples. We as learners, readers and connoisseurs also, only like Happy Endings.

Cheers,
KS



  
  

Ganesha - The Elephant God

From early childhood, I have been fascinated by the deity Ganesh among all the 33 crore gods and goddesses in the Hindu Pantheon. Ganesha has the right to be worshiped foremost while conducting any auspicious deed or even a conducting a puja of any other gods or goddesses of the Hindu Pantheon. He is the God of Knowledge, Intelligence and Concentration.

The Deity has an Elephant Face, a huge body and 2 pairs of hands. The attraction of Ganesha is instant even in a mere glance. Blame it on my place of birth Bombay aka Mumbai where Ganesha is a very integral part of the culture. A special 10 day long festival is celebrated in the period of August - September, when various idols of mud and clay are ushered and worshiped for varied periods of 5, 7 and 11 days.

The myth goes that Ganesha is the son of Lord Shiva and Parvati, who even sacrificed his human head while doing the duty of guarding his mother while she was bathing. His head was replaced with an Elephant's head and hence we worship him in this form.

Each Aspect of the personality of Ganesha is a message communicated to all his devotees. The small eyes mark the concentration with which, he intently does his job. The big ears and the mouth not visible shows listen more than you speak. The folded trunk in a certain direction shows that power has to be utilized with utmost responsibility.

The city of Bombay is best to visit when Ganesha stamps his presence across the city, in literally all sizes imaginable. He is the most awaited guest for the people of this city. His presence overshadows everything, from Inflation to Crime. Ganesha cuts across religions, customs, faiths and tradition to bring a feeling of unity which no politician but only a miracle can do. People usher the lord in their houses as well and also visit the various pandals which are set up on basically every street and corner.

The rich, the famous and the common man all are seen circling various locations which become temporary house of God and a Center of Attraction. The fragility of faith is there to see when people donate and promise to donate in lieu of wishes fulfilled.

Some of the famous pandals in Mumbai are Lalbaugchya Raja (King of Lalbaug), Girgaumcha Raja (King of Girgaum), Ganesh Galli, and the list is endless...

In a city like Mumbai, where water logging and flooding is a perennial problem in the months of monsoon, these ten days have never witnessed a flood situation in as far as my memory stretches, even being right in the heart of the monsoon season.

GANPATI BAPPA MORYA !! (Hail to Lord Ganesha !!)

Lalbaugchya Raja 2012

You’re alone all the time.

One of the biggest lesson I learnt from my trip to the USA is You’re alone all the time.

That’s the well-kept secret. When they talk about living independently for the first time, it’s not about doing your own laundry or waking yourself up in the morning or paying your own utilities. Independent is a fancy word for alone, and that’s why so many capable people struggle. People who thought that they were prepared, that they would flourish under this new system because they had been functioning at such a high level for such a long time. Nobody mentioned that the challenge isn’t functioning. The challenge is doing anything other than functioning. The challenge is to transcend being and start living again.

And maybe it sounds easy because all your basic needs are still being met, and many elements of your former life are still around in one form or another. Look, there’s a cricket match over there, here’s a movie you can watch, here’s where you can drink coffee, here’s a camera you can use. It’s all the same, really. What do you mean there’s nothing to take pictures of? There’s buildings and trees and people. Just point and shoot.

So you arrive, after months of waiting and longing, arrive thinking that your new life will be your old life but better, knowing that specifics from your past won’t transfer but hoping that all the important things carry over. And maybe you get lucky. Maybe some do. But maybe nothing feels like home. And that brings us back to the thesis:

You’re alone all the time. At first it’s unbearable and agonizing and physically painful, the sense that you no matter what you do, you will do it in solitude. At first you die a little more every hour on the hour, you cringe whenever something reminds you of the past, which of course happens every moment. But slowly, you adjust. Soon, it’s only the mornings that hurt, when you wake up and realize you’re still alone, and the evenings when you’re tired and you spent all day winding yourself up and you don’t have any more energy to cope. And then, soon enough, the mornings and evenings are bearable too. You learn to use any human interaction as energy to get you through the day, or you learn to survive in isolation, maybe even embrace it. You become more and more comfortable spending hours or entire days without speaking to anyone. Sometimes, when you absolutely cannot take it anymore, you call your mother, or chat with someone who suddenly means more to you than they ever did before. But you function. You make it through. You have good days and bad days, like any other person. Sometimes you laugh at a joke, and then immediately marvel at the miracle of someone making you laugh, of someone else bringing you joy again. Every once in a while, someone might hug you, and it’s the best thing, even if you don’t know why.

So that’s the plateau. Where you’re fine. Where you smile through the good days and wade your way through the bad. And sometimes you feel great, and you chastise yourself for feeling over-dramatic earlier, and your confidence in your new life swells. And sometimes you break, and you consider flying or driving home right that second because you cannot handle another hour of the emptiness gnawing inside you. Gradually, your highs get a little bit higher, and your lows get less frequent, and you start describing life as “good” instead of “fine” and you generally mean it. You’re doing well. Sometimes you even feel alive.

But then your relative comes to visit, or your girlfriend or loved one, or some pal from high school. And you remember what it’s like to not just know people but understand them, to know their habits and their preferences, to recognize their shirts, to touch them without thinking about it. You remember how good it feels not being alone, and you try to soak up every moment and absorb enough energy to last the long winter. Often it’s awkward because you have nothing in common but memories and mutual affection, so you spend a lot of time staring at each other and wishing you could think of something more interesting to do, some way to better appreciate your visitors, to better make use of your time. You don’t want to waste this. But maybe you do.

And then they leave, and you break again, and your “good” drops to “fine” and then to “okay, I guess.” But soon enough you trick yourself into forgetting how it feels to see love in someone’s eyes, and you adjust back to solitude.

This poem I came across makes you feel better :

There are worse things than
being alone
but it often takes decades
to realize this
and most often
when you do
it’s too late
and there’s nothing worse
than
too late.

Love for USA !!

Yes !! I am writing this piece whilst I am in the country I feel is the most adorable. Not because I am a Gujarati, or from childhood saw my near and dear ones coming and going to a wonderland called AMERIKA.

Its my second visit to this place and my first Independent one. It is an humbling experience and teaches you few too many lessons of life and morality.

The first thing to take notice is the plain courtesy and the warmth of the people. I realised saying Have a Good Day feels just so good even to strangers you might never encounter again. People smile at you irrespective of caste, color, race, age, sex, language as a goodwill gesture. Small things which are so absent in India as we are busy frowning.

The trust amongst people is just unbelievable. The last time when I visited this place, I was shocked not to be scanned and frisked at Malls, Public Places. When I enquired, the reason was Not all are terrorists or shoplifters.

I do not wish to mention the cleanliness and discipline because it has nothing to do with the country, but the people living in it. I fail to understand, the same fellow Indians I see not observing discipline in India, magically fall in line here. Maybe the fines imposed and the fear of deportation are way too dangerous not to fall in line.

I have toured quite extensively here, but I still am to tour quite a chunk. The uniformity of the quality of infrastructure and also meticulous planning of even small towns is very impressive. After even hearing for about two decades of this wonderland it is still as good as a Disneyland.

We definitely have to do the daily chores by yourself over and above the routine of earning but the quality of life here is far more a lucrative incentive rather than having few servants in India.

Humanity needs these kinds of setting to thrive so as to we don't turn into a simulation of the famous game Angry Birds !!

Off to some more sightseeing...See yaa later.. Adios !!

Cheers
KS :)

An Interesting Conversation

Hello Folks,

Through my numerous browses of the internet, reading various things, I stumbled upon to this piece which has been reproduced by me in this post.

It’s a very interesting conversation between a Professor and a Student about a question which all of us do not have a definite answer.

Read on to enjoy...

Professor: You are a Christian, aren’t you, son?

Student: Yes, sir.

Professor: So, you believe in GOD?

Student: Absolutely, sir.

Professor: Is GOD good?

Student: Sure.

Professor: Is GOD all powerful?

Student: Yes.

Professor: My brother died of cancer even though he prayed to GOD to heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But GOD didn’t. How is this GOD good then? Hmm ?

(Student was silent.)

Professor: You can’t answer, can you ? Let’s start again, young fella. Is GOD good?

Student: Yes.

Professor: Is Satan good?

Student: No.

Professor: Where does Satan come from?

Student: From … GOD …

Professor: That’s right. Tell me son, is there evil in this world?

Student: Yes.

Professor: Evil is everywhere, isn’t it? And GOD did make everything. Correct?

Student: Yes.

Professor: So who created evil?

(Student did not answer.)

Professor: Is there sickness? Immorality ? Hatred ? Ugliness ? All these terrible things exist in the world, don’t they?

Student: Yes, sir.

Professor: So, who created them?

(Student had no answer.)

Professor: Science says you have 5 Senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Tell me, son, have you ever seen GOD?

Student: No, sir.

Professor: Tell us if you have ever heard your GOD?

Student: No, sir.

Professor: Have you ever felt your GOD, tasted your GOD, smelt your GOD? Have you ever had any sensory perception of GOD for that matter?

Student: No, sir. I’m afraid I haven’t.

Professor: Yet you still believe in Him?

Student: Yes.

Professor: According to Empirical, Testable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says your GOD doesn’t exist. What do you say to that, son?

Student: Nothing. I only have my faith.

Professor: Yes, faith. And that is the problem Science has.

Student: Professor, is there such a thing as heat?

Professor: Yes.

Student: And is there such a thing as cold?

Professor: Yes.

Student: No, sir. There isn’t.

(The lecture theater became very quiet with this turn of events.)

Student: Sir, you can have lots of heat, even more heat, superheat, mega heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat. But we don’t have anything called cold. We can hit 458 degrees below zero which is no heat, but we can’t go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold. Cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it.

(There was pin-drop silence in the lecture theater.)

Student: What about darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as darkness?

Professor: Yes. What is night if there isn’t darkness?

Student: You’re wrong again, sir. Darkness is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light. But if you have no light constantly, you have nothing and its called darkness, isn’t it? In reality, darkness isn’t. If it is, well you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn’t you?

Professor: So what is the point you are making, young man?

Student: Sir, my point is your philosophical premise is flawed.

Professor: Flawed? Can you explain how?

Student: Sir, you are working on the premise of duality. You argue there is life and then there is death, a good GOD and a bad GOD. You are viewing the concept of GOD as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, Science can’t even explain a thought. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing.

Death is not the opposite of life: just the absence of it. Now tell me, Professor, do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?

Professor: If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, yes, of course, I do.

Student: Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?

(The Professor shook his head with a smile, beginning to realize where the argument was going.)

Student: Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor. Are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you not a scientist but a preacher?

(The class was in uproar.)

Student: Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the Professor’s brain?

(The class broke out into laughter.)

Student: Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor’s brain, felt it, touched or smelt it? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established Rules of Empirical, Stable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says that you have no brain, sir. With all due respect, sir, how do we then trust your lectures, sir?

(The room was silent. The Professor stared at the student, his face unfathomable.)

Professor: I guess you’ll have to take them on faith, son.

Student: That is it sir … Exactly! The link between man & GOD is FAITH. That is all that keeps things alive and moving.

P.S.

I believe you have enjoyed the conversation.

Increase your knowledge … or FAITH.

By the way, that student was EINSTEIN.

A Tribute to Rahul Dravid - The Wall of Indian Cricket

Rahul Dravid retired from all forms of International and Domestic Cricket on 9th March 2012, through a Press Conference at his home ground, in Bangalore.

His debut Test Match was a perfect example of his long career of the next 16 years in International Cricket. He debuted in the Second Test of India's Tour of England in 1996 at Lord's replacing Sanjay Manjrekar's spot, who was out due to an injury. He scored 95 but the match is always remembered for another stalwart making a century on Debut alongside Rahul - Sourav Ganguly. In the context of the game both innings held equal importance but Rahul is seldom given credit for making a top notch 95 on debut in testing conditions.

His career has also been like the game, in the context of Indian Cricket. In the 16 years of his service, he has held a very important contribution but with natural and aggressive stroke players of the like of Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman and Virender Sehwag, the Technique, Resilience and Defense of Dravid takes a backseat. But it was for Dravid's assuring presence and importance of his defense that the other end could showcase the talent.

His technique has been brilliant and the timing equally perfect. He has never bothered to play for the galleries or for the flashlights but always for the team. He could play for the galleries which he showed at the fag end of his career in the Indian Premier League but that was not what we like watching a Rahul Dravid Innings. His dedication towards the game and country is exemplary.

A man of very few words, he always did let his bat to do the most of the talking. He has never been involved in any kind of controversies. Even at the highpoint of the Chappell Ganguly fight, he maintained a dignified silence being the captain of the team. It didn't make him a passive man on the cricket field. In the words of Matthew Hayden, if you want to see Rahul Dravid's aggression, look into his eyes. Those unflinching eyes never wanted to dictate the bowler but never wanted to be dictated as well. It always viewed the importance of his wicket in the context of the game.

Many of his critics, were not happy with him playing the limited over format as he used to eat up many balls compared to the runs he scored. His role in the team has always been of soaking all the pressure and protect his end with steadiness and steward towards playing the full quota of the allotted overs of the match. In 2003 World Cup at South Africa, India could never have fielded an extra batting option had Dravid not agreed to keep wickets which was incidentally not in his KRA.

Rahul Dravid has batted at nearly all positions possible for a batsman to bat, he has also kept wicket, the best man at short leg in the initial part of the career and the best person at slip holding the record for highest test catches and if all this is not enough he also has some wickets to his name.

We will miss Rahul because we can never watch him again construct a test innings like he used to. No highlights package can cover the straight bat defense, the meticulous ducks and enduring and taming the most torrid bowling spells.

His career coincided the golden era of Indian Batting and hence Rahul Dravid always remained in the shadows. His presence in the Indian team was like Hygiene in a person's personality, we never acknowledge its presence but in case of its absence it looks really tardy.

My personal experience of watching Rahul Dravid in a stadium was from the Final Test of West Indies touring India in 2011 in Wankhede in Bombay. The match best remembered for Sachin missing his 100th 100 by a mere 6 runs but it was also a moment of Dravid who completed 1000 runs in a calendar year at an age of 39 years, a testimony to his approach and fitness.

Its the end of the most sober era of the Indian Cricket. Rahul Dravid hangs his Massive Boots which will be a test for the Incumbent youngsters to fill in so India is not hurt.           

Book Review - The Secret of the Nagas

Dear Folks,

The Secret of the Nagas, second book of The Shiva Trilogy series by Amish Tripathi continues the journey of the Tibetean Tribal Leader Shiva through the mystic lands of India.

Shiva, now believed to be the legendary Neelkanth (the man possessing the blue throat) by the Suryavanshis (descendants of the Solar Dynasty) as well as their arch rivals Chandravanshis (descendants of the Lunar Dynasty) is confused because his idea of the Chandravanshis being the Evil has been challenged. But, still he is hunting the sinister Naga responsible for the death of his brother Brahaspati and also trying to attack on Sati throughout the first part of the series.

In his search of vengeance and venom, he trusts nobody as he has come to understand that everybody in India have secrets which have been not completely shared with him and Sati. His search for Nagas, take him to length and breadth of the Indian continent including far lands of Branga (present day Bangladesh), which are very beautiful with many rivers and forests and also, to the south of Narmada where the dreaded Nagas reside and no Man was allowed by Manu in his treatise Manusmriti to go South of Narmada. This kingdom of Branga is dying and is held on ransom by Nagas who supply them a miracle drug to save the people. A bandit named Parshuram also has the secret of the miracle drug but he allows no kshatriya to go alive from his land.

This book entails the adventures of Shiva who is now accepted as the legend Neelkanth by practically whole of India, but still there are Powerful puppeteers trying to master the game. Shiva discovers the mysteries of the Maika system of the Meluhans and the devious deeds of the Emperor of India.

The book has fierce battles fought and as the name of the second part suggests Shiva stumbles upon the Secret of the Nagas.

Ideally to be read as the second part of the Trilogy but the book also is a good independent read. It keeps the reader on the edge of the page with its gripping storyline and strong headed characters. Shiva is no longer a happy go lucky man he used to be but has metamorphosed into being The Neelkanth and taking everything head on.

The various characters include Shiva, Sati, Emperor of India Daksha, King of Swadeep Dilipa, Crown Prince Bhagirath, Nandi, Veerbhadra, Krittika, Meluhan General Parvateshwar, Princess Anandmayi, Parshuram (Bandit), Queen of the Nagas, Lord of the People of the Nagas and one of the famous seven sages Maharishi Bhrigu. The book also marks the birth of the son of Shiva and Sati, Kartik.

If you have already read The Immortals of the Meluha, curiosity will lead to this book. Though it can also be treated an Independent Read.

Rating : 4/5. The novelty factor which lead the way in the first book takes that extra rating for the first part. Its still enchanting and compelling in the way it has been narrated.

Cheers
KS :)

Book Review : The Immortals of Meluha

Immortals of Meluha!! The title of the book does not give away the slightest of the hint of the adventure the book offers. It’s a new definition and understanding of the MYTH of GOD!!

 It is the story of a man who is unaware about what is he meant to be till the time he stumbles upon a fact that someplace very far from his existence, there is a whole land of people much more developed and sophisticated than him relying upon him and he is their Legend, their Savior, their Neelkanth.

Yes Neelkanth, the central character of the book is Lord Shiva before becoming the Lord. The premise of the book being Every Individual is a Man, Deeds make him Legend and God.

Based 4000 years back, it’s the journey of a Tibetian Tribal Leader who is a relaxed Cool Dude of a tribe near Mansarovar lake to lands of Meluha present day Punjab, Pakistan, Rajasthan and Gujrat upto the banks of Narmada, wherein he is hailed as the Mahadev or the Supreme God and also the savior of the Suryavanshi clan (rulers of Meluha) from their arch nemesis Chandravanshis (rulers of Swadeep) present day UP, Bihar, Nepal, Jharkhand. The fight is for the divine drink of Gods, the Somras and the waters of the dying River Saraswati without which Somras cannot be prepared.  

Amish, the author has created a great mix of the Legendary Shiva Purana in Sanskrit, fantasy and fiction to dish out a perfect book with doles of suspense mixed with a very intense and passionate love story of Shiva and his divine consort Sati. He has actually also given the book a very international feel with his language and interpretations of various aspects of the Aryan Indus Valley Civilization. The cities described in the cities are also a perfect example of Perfect Cities and the writing actually creates the scene for the reader itself.

The various characters of the book include the Emperor of Meluha Daksha, Meluhan Head of Army Parvateshwar, Meluhan Chief Scientist Bhraspati, Doctor Ayurvati, Meluhan Army Leader Nandi, Shiva’s friend Bhadra, Sati’s maid Krittika and various others.

Take a trip of your life in this enchanting tale of A Man who in the process of trying to find his Karma and Identity becomes revered and a Savior through the developed lands of Meluha and also the passionate and unadulterated love of Shiva and Sati!!

The rights of the book have been acquired for movie making by a leading production house, so enjoy the virgin version of a masterpiece before it is lost the race of being a Box Office success.

Rating : 5/5 if you read it as fiction and not indulge religious sensibilities in pure story telling.