Synopsis"This modern-day love story, subtly juxtaposed on the life of the famous 12th century poet, Jayadeva, author of the luminous Gita Govinda, is born of the churning confluence of two polar opposites – a vivacious dancer and a scholarly sannyasi.
Shaman, a Harvard Professor, has found peace for his restless soul at his Master’s feet. An accomplished yogi, his life resembles the river Alaknanda, deep and serene, flowing unaffected past the craggy world around it. Into his life comes Shambhavi, a nayika, an irresistibly beautiful young artiste, like the rippling river Mandakini, carrying everything in its exuberant flow.
Can one ever know God without experiencing love? Can even an ascetic be free of the lures of samsara? Must each one inevitably yield to the demands of the flesh? Is it possible to prevent the unfolding of destiny?
This engrossing prequel to When Life Turns Turtle, leaves a deep imprint on the reader as it delves into life’s mesmerising riddle."
Enjoying reading this book?
Binding: PaperBack
About the author
RAJ SUPE (aka Kinkar Vishwashreyananda), is a poet, storyteller and novelist. An MBA graduate, he has had a career in advertising, research and creative consulting, before turning to literary and spiritual pursuits. Some of his literary works include the prequel to this work, When Life Turns Turtle; the novella Big Bappa; the spiritual memoir, Pilgrim of the Sky; the anthology Hundreds of Shells; and translations such as Cloudburst of A Thousand Suns, and the Sahitya Akademi awarded Rainbow at Noon. Ruskin Bond applauded his fluent narrative and genuine search for truth in his last novel and hoped it will bring him many readers.
He has also worked on film scripts and plays. His writings convey the passionate intensity of a seeker and the sincerity of one who hopes for an ideal mix of traditional mythic imagery and the urgencies of modern life. In the words of a leading poet, ?he has the anonymity of the saint-poet on the one hand and the self-expression of the modern writer on the other?.
Raj is the Editor of the spirituality e-magazine, The Mother, as well as the co-founder of the Foundation for Contemplation of Nature. He was initiated into the Order founded by Sri Sitaramdas Omkarnath and met his Guru in the person of Kinkar Vitthal Ramanuja. He now leads a simple life on the banks of the Ganges.