Read My Novella: Shankara's Bhaja Govindam - Chronicle of an Abduction in Varanasi.
When Shankara encounters Raghav, a man trapped in superficial worship, Shankara's eternal teachings compel him to confront his deepest desires...
When I first read about the life and teachings of Adi Shankara, I was struck by how much spiritual wisdom and insight this 8th-century philosopher possessed. Shankara revived and reinterpreted the ancient philosophy of Advaita Vedanta, teaching radical ideas of non-duality and the illusion of separateness. His verses known as the Bhaja Govindam inspire seekers to turn inward to find the eternal divine essence within.
I wanted to honor Shankara's profound teachings through fiction, to make his timeless message more accessible. But conveying spiritual themes requires a delicate, artful touch. My story had to simplify complex Vedantic ideas without sacrificing their depth and nuance. It needed vivid characters, evocative settings in ancient India, and a compelling plot to give life to Shankara's verses.
To rise to this challenge, I immersed myself in Shankara's teachings, Indian philosophy, and accounts of Shankara's life. Over a couple of months of outlining and revising, the characters of Shankara and Raghav slowly emerged and a plot unfolded with elements of intrigue, conflict, and danger highlighting Shankara's message.
“Shankara's Bhaja Govindam: Chronicle of an Abduction in Varanasi”, will be available from July 1st on Google Books, but I plan to extend the publication to other platforms as well.
Synopsis.
In a time when spiritual darkness veiled India, one man's light shone through. Witness the story of the 8th century's greatest philosopher and the verses that echoed through eternity. Adi Shankara, a legendary enlightened master, ignites a revolution in Varanasi. As he spreads the liberating wisdom of Vedanta philosophy and the Bhaja Govindam's message of devotion and transcendence, Shankara faces threats from forces fighting to preserve ignorance. Against this darkness, Shankara's divine vision transforms all in its path. When he encounters Raghav, a man trapped in superficial worship, Shankara's eternal teachings compel Raghav to confront his deepest desires and discover what immortality truly means.
Torn between revenge and redemption, Raghav's journey unlocks the transformative power of spiritual understanding. His fate entwined with Shankara's, Raghav must choose: embrace wisdom or vengeance. Shankara's quest to spread the truth has made him a target of danger. Abducted, even captivity cannot contain his grace.
Discover the master who challenged eternity. Find what lasts forever in "Shankara's Bhaja Govindam: Chronicle of an Abduction in Varanasi".
Feel the passion that ignited India's Age of Enlightenment. For in Varanasi, the light that liberates all still shines.
Click here to buy the book.
I have woven tales to share, for any who care to read them. My books await you on Google Books. Check also my stories on Medium.com
