pickThe Harivamsha - the addendum to the Mahabharata! Finished it today. And after almost 4 years of consistent reading - this brings me to the close of the reading of the BORI Critical Edition of the Mahabharata!! What a massive series and I am so proud of myself. More important, I can‘t wait to re-read this series again, for more inspired learning! 💖
Devdutt Pattanaik, a renowned mythologist, explores Purushartha—the four aims of human life in Hinduism. These include Dharma (righteousness and moral duty), Artha (material wealth and prosperity), Kama (pleasure and emotional fulfillment), and Moksha (spiritual liberation and self-realization). Pattanaik highlights how these goals help individuals balance ethics, wealth, desires, and spirituality, leading to a fulfilling and harmonious life.
pick(1967) I've tried this one before and didn't get far, and even this time I found that it takes some time to get used to the premise and the space. But once it clicks -- for me it clicked in the third chapter -- it is a delight. It's humorous, intriguing, and sneakily serious about the role of religion in civilization. A potential future re-read for sure.
Thanks #ClassicLSFBC for prompting me to move it from “someday“ to “okay, now“
pick#ClassicLSFBC
Zelazny weaves elements of Hindu and Buddhist motifs in a tale of technocratic "gods" vying for power and freedom on a far future alien planet.
It's a story of liberation from religious, oligarchic oppression, which once frames this as a fight against fascism, so it also fits for the #AntifaBookClub
The means of control of the populous is a high technology dressed in state religious ideology, used to enforce scientific ignorance ⬇️
pick68/100 Its been about 15 years since I read this, and it holds up well on a reread. It's still one of my favorite novels, sci-fi or otherwise, of all time. It's not an easy book to read, it has a nonlinear timeline, and the character of Siddhartha is complex and often confusing. He is called the buddha by his followers, but he says he isn't, but he really could be. I can see people putting this down in confusion or frustration, but it is ⬇️
I'm starting a bit late in the month for July's #ClassicLSFBC pick, but I think I should finish it before August.
I've had this book since 1980 and have started and not finished it three times, but I've kept it as Zelazny is one of my favourite authors. Hopefully, fourth time's a charm! 🍀
@RamsFan1963
pickVol. 10 - in the final book, Bhishma gives Yudhishthira his final lessons on how to be a just king. Yudhishthira holds the Ashwamedha Yagna & is accepted by all as the Emperor of the World.
A grieving Dhritarashtra retires to the forest with Gandhari, Kunti, Vidura & Sanjaya. Then, Dwarka falls & Krishna is killed. Heartbroken, the Pandavas renounce the world & enroute to the summit of Meru, fall one by one - where they are welcomed into heaven.
pickVol. 9 is a purely philosophical treatise where we explore the practice of Moksha (renunciation). Bhishma continues his teachings to Yudhishthira, exploring the avenues of Yoga and Sankhya. We read many ancient stories and learn about long-forgotten philosophical scriptures here.
This volume was very dry & complicated. As the longest in the series at almost 800 pages, it was a challenge to get through. Definitely will need to revisit this book.
His followers called him Mahasamatman and said he was a god.
#FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl
Listening to Lord of Light for #ClassicLSBC — it‘s the first Zelazny book I‘ve ever read. #audiowalk
