While I was reading the book – Ramayana – The game of Life – Rise of the sun prince, there was a small sneak peek into the next book -Ramayana- The Game of Life – Shattered Dreams. Just a few pages were enough to kindle my appetite for this book.I was overjoyed when the author sent me this book for review.
Shattered Dreams is the sequel to the Rise of the Sun Prince in the spiritual and motivational series Ramayana- The Game of Life. This book talks of the happenings after the wedding of Rama and Sita. The story is set after 12 years since the Royal Wedding.
As the title suggests, it portrays the episodes that take place after Dasaratha decides to Crown Rama as the King.What were the circumstances that led Dasaratha to crown Rama in haste, what happens when the decision is made, the reaction it causes in various strata of the society including inside the palace walls, Rama’s banishment and how everyone handles this is the gist of this part of the series.
As in previous book, this book too has its share of thrills and chills.The story moves smoothly and kept me hooked on to it. It had my heart pounding in so many places even though I knew what would come. Such is the narration!It brings alive all the scenes right in front of the eyes.
There are also the footnotes that add a nice reading experience.Several of these notes bring into light the subtleties of the scriptures / like reading between the lines and the others bring out the background story / reason behind a happening. I thoroughly enjoyed reading them all.
And then as with the earlier title, this one too makes an honest account of the Ramayana without too much interpretations by the author. This part I liked the most.
The duties of each one in this epic is clearly understood. Rama, the embodiment of all that is good and Sita who performs her duty as his wife is flawless. The other characters – Lakshmana teaches the true nature of a servant, Urmila,Lakshman’s wife shows the duties of a selfless woman whose only ambition seems to be fulfilling her husband’s wish to serve Rama,Guha, a true friend, Bharatha ,the self sacrificing brother who hates the acts of his mother in sending his beloved Rama into banishment.
It also shows how the mind can be played into various situations and changed when the person shows some kind of mental weakness. Lust, greed etc make the mind take very hasty and thoughtless decisions that impacts a whole of of people.
The part where Manthara entices Kaikeyi into redeeming the two boons that King Dasaratha gifted her for saving his life years back really kept me on the edge of the seat. This part is the one that I enjoyed reading the most along with the part where thousands of Ayodhya citizens go behind Rama begging him to return back.
Also heart touching are the places where Dasaratha pleads with Kaikeyi to change her mind after he realizes her ploy while she just stands there unmoving-like a stone, Sita, happily joining Rama into banishment,Dasaratha’s passing away, etc.
The author provides extra notes like – 6 Anartharthas,Triple virtues,Why do people who love each other suddenly realize that they have nothing in common,What is true communication?,What really counts as truth,Six solutions to success etc.
All in all this is a book that I really enjoyed reading. I recommend this book to everyone who loves the epics. Not only is the story retold in a nice manner, the narration is so touching that it will make you a part of the audience witnessing the epic in person.And there are also some parallel stories that add beauty to the story.
I am eagerly waiting for the next part of this book which is sure to be as interestingly narrated as previous books.
About the author :
Subha Vilas is a spiritual
seeker and a motivational speaker.He conducts leadership seminars and
addresses the need of top level management in Corporate hoses through
thought provoking seminars on themes such as ‘Secrets of lasting
relationships’,Soul curry to stop worry’,Work-life balance’ etc.
He
also interacts with youth in premier institutions and inspires them to
lead a life based on deeper human values.He also plays a role as a guide
to school children and teaches them foundational values through
masterful story telling.
Get in touch with the author on Facebook
This 400 paged book is published by JAICO BOOKS and it costs INR 350/-.It is really a good read and I am sure you will enjoy it too.
Happy Browsing….
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