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.

The Art of Saying 'NO'

Yes, there is absolutely no mistake in the Title! Saying a NO is an Art all by itself.



The art which is never taught and in some people never at all learnt too. It isn’t as simple as it does sound nor is it a Rocket Science which needs too much of thinking over it. It is simple yet very intriguing all by itself.


An art of not defying what the person arguing with you but also at the same time not conceding on what is your opinion on the matter. This art concentrates on creating Win Win Situations in life at all Crossroads of Life.


Often, it is considered that people like to hear a Yes when asked an Opinion but Great Minds always value a NO cause a NO is not the end of the horizon but it gives a complete different and alternate line of thinking and perspective. NO is not just negative but is also a Mental Exercise to think beyond the Laid and Applied Principles of Life by our predecessors to a certain Way of Life. It compels to think beyond the horizon and challenges to conquer unchartered territories with a Self Belief.


History is studded with examples of the people saying a NO getting due respect and termed as the most respected minds of their times. From Birbal to Kautiliya, from Karl Marx to Martin Luther King Jr. all these guys never bowed down to their masters and say a tame Yes but stuck to their ways defiantly and earning respect.


Ofcourse, it just should not be for the sake of arguing and being the Trouble Maker but artistically done to even convince the most staunch critic of your stance. It depicts the power of your character, belief and understanding but it shouldn’t come across as rude and narcissist.


A naysayer is always a part of all Winning Combinations and Great Teams as no one but a naysayer pushes the envelope of thinking to the farthest extent to save all chances of failures however inevitable failure is though.


Hence, a NO is as important as a Yes if not more.

Cheers,
KS

Indians - The Pioneers, India - Still Underdeveloped

Hello Folks,


First of all A Belated Happy Independence Day !! Hope you all celebrated it with a fervor equivalent to any Religious Festival or a Personal Achievement. 


In the words of Mark Twain, India is, the cradle of human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of history, the grandmother of legend, and the great grandmother of tradition. Our most valuable and most instructive materials in the history of man are treasured up in India only.


Our History, if we believe, is not a short summation of some 300 years, but dates and accounts for a few hundred thousands of years. All possible human emotions, traits, glories, tragedies have been witnessed by this land. The world has credited us for the most of the famous subjects that are of practical importance to us Indians. Be it Mathematics, to Aryabhatta or Surgery to Sushruta. Architecture to Vishwakarma and even Literature to many famous people like Vyasa, Kabir, Kalidasa, Rahim.  



Even in modern day world, Indian Brain is the most respected and sought out commodity. Sabeer Bhatia, Vikram Pandit, Deven Sharma, Ajit Jain, Kalpana Chawla are few names to suggest.


Still, very sadly our country is regarded as a third world country, we cannot claim to be a part of the developed community of the world. We cannot be blatantly proud and snob like the Brits, even though today we all know they are Penny Wise Pound Foolish. Americans outsource intellectual services to India and labor and manual job work to China, but still are a proud and a developed nation of dimwits.


Indians on the other hand, are pioneers, leaders, intellectuals, still have to be humble just because we are adaptable and adjustable. Powerful people in India are powerful in person but that power has not been transferred to the nation. The nation is still believed to be a land of snake charmers.


Now, with the world, where it stands, gives India the best opportunity. The youth today do not have to look to escape India, for better opportunities, the situation is in fact other way round. We stand on the brink from where economically we will be the most strongest country. All the hue and cry about the Lokpal Bill by youth assures of one fact that the youth isn't looking to escape, but clean our home and make it a better place to live.


I hope the awakening isn't a short lived one, and the resolute and commitment be strong to change things no matter the efforts and time. 


Cheers,
KS