Book Review
The Shattered Dreams” by Shubha Vilas.
I am grateful to be called upon by BlogAdda to review a book. This time it is “Ramayana – The Game of Life: The Shattered Dreams” by Shubha Vilas.
Book Details:
Language: English, Genre: Non-fiction/Religion & Philosophy
Author(s): Shubha Vilas
Publisher: Jaico Books, Year Published: 2015 January
Binding: Paperback, Edition: First, Pages: 404
ISBN-13: 978-8184955316, ISBN-10: 8184955316
Reviewed for: BlogAdda
About the Author:
Shubha Vilas, a spiritual seeker and a motivational speaker, holds a degree in engineering and law with specialization in Patent Law. His leadership seminars are popular with top-level management in corporate houses. He also helps individuals deal with modern-life situations by applying the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana and other dharmic traditions.
Blurb View:
Shattered Dreams is the sequel to the national bestseller, Rise of the Sun Prince, in the new spiritual and motivational series Ramayana – The Game of Life. Twelve joyful years have passed in Ayodhya since the wedding of Rama and Sita at the end of Book 1.
Now, in Shattered Dreams, Shubha Vilas narrates the riveting drama of Rama’s exile. Through tales of Rama’s unwavering and enigmatic persona, the book teaches us how to handle reversals positively; through Bharata’s actions, it teaches us to handle temptation; and through Sita’s courage, to explore beyond our comfort zone. This complicated family drama provides deep insights on how human relationships work and how they fail.
With Valmiki’s Ramayana as its guiding light, Shattered Dreams deftly entwines poetic beauty from the Kamba Ramayana and Ramacharitramanas, as well as folk philosophy from, the Loka Pramana tales, to demonstrate how the ancient epic holds immediate relevance to modern life. Experience the ancient saga of the Ramayana like never before.
Ratings: 5/5
Review:
There are a few books which can be read multiple times and every time you read it, you get to learn something new. For me, this is one such book.
This book is a sequel to the first book in the series – Rise of the Sun Prince. The author has structured the entire manuscript into nine chapters. Each chapter is alienated into sub chapters, and each page will readily provide you something new and interesting about the Ramayana.
Shattered Dreams talks about the time when Dasharatha wants to crown Rama as king of Ayodhya and the following chain of events up until Rama, Sita and Lakshmana leave Chitrakoot for Dandakaranya forest. Kaikeyi chooses to trade in her two boons and Bharata granted for his mother’s sinful deeds in this enthralling tale.
The story begins with Dasaratha’s nightmare on a restless night. The second half describes Bharata’s agony upon discovering the truth of what transpired in his absence and ends with Rama, Sita and Lakshmana leaving towards the Dandakaranya forest. The emotions of the citizens, their love and devotion towards Rama and their desolation when he leaves for émigré are all articulated well with generous connotation to microscopic particulars.
This book explores the spiritual and motivational thoughts on life, truth and every aspect of life. The author has given prominence to each character, giving enough attention to each of them, to portray their side of the story in detail. One more thing I liked about the book is Every page has a footnote with lots of messages and great insights.
Possessions and circumstances are so brilliantly defined by author that their message is easily understood by the readers. What I personally loved in the book is the beautiful relationship of Rama and Sita. The correct meaning of marriage is when two humans bound by marriage suffer and enjoy each other’s fate throughout their lives, their love is evaluated through understanding. Wife stands by husband in his right decisions and vice versa.
I rarely find any cons in this book. Simply I love this book and it’s each chapter.
I recommend this book to all mythology readers.
Highly recommend to anyone who wants to know more about Ramayana.
Go for it. It’s worth it.
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