Book Category: Indica Books

Vritrahan reimagines the ancient tale of Indra’s cosmic struggle with the serpent Vritra, casting this primordial conflict in a form that bridges mythic narrative with literary modernism. This work plunges readers into a distinctly Bharatiya worldview in which themes of heroism, cosmic balance, and the moral ambiguities of power resonate against the carefully crafted backdrop of a liminal world where even immortals cannot escape consequences. Through the lens of this legendary battle, Vritrahan meditates upon the many dualities that shape the universe—good and evil, creation and destruction, order and chaos.

Crafted entirely in free verse, Vritrahan draws on the storytelling tradition of Katha, where narratives serve as reflections on life’s fundamental dilemmas rather than as mere entertainment. This innovative structure evokes the atmosphere of an oral performance as it might have been experienced centuries ago. Blending the grandeur of an epic with an intimate, contemplative yet contemporary tone, Vritrahan is both a triumph of storytelling as well as an exploration of timeless truth.

This book retells the story of Ādi Śaṅkara, one of Bharat’s greatest minds. It serves as a primer and for anyone interested in his life and works. While not exhaustive, it covers all extant information on Ādi Śaṅkara, including a bibliography for further reading.

Why is this book necessary when many others exist on Ādi Śaṅkara? Some books are written with devotional fervour, while others are highly critical, which can be off-putting for those seeking an unbiased perspective. Although complete neutrality is impossible, this book strives for a balanced view. However, it is important to note that the author is a follower and believer of Sanātana-dharma.

Bharat is a civilisational-cultural unity that has stood strong for at least five thousand years. The people of the land defined by its geographical boundaries represent a unified culture transcending many of the divisive narratives breaking India today―Hindus versus non-Hindus, Dravidians versus non-Dravidians, tribals versus non-tribals, upper castes versus lower castes, and so on. The essence of Bharat is Sanatana Dharma, a phenomenon best understood as a conglomerate of many traditions―both Vedic and non-Vedic. Though the foundational basis of Indian culture has been Vedic, the interaction with non-Vedic traditions involved synchrony, syncretism, and even debates, but without physical violence. However, beyond all that, the fundamental characteristic of traditions toward each other has been "indifference to differences." This is the key to understanding the overwhelmingly peaceful nature of multiculturalism in the country, which involves many languages, religions, faiths, and sub-cultures. The current understanding of the world and India only fuels conflict. A deeper comprehension of traditional India could potentially rediscover solutions for the pluralism of the world packing now into increasingly smaller geographical areas.

India, or Bharat, is a land of unparalleled diversity, a true chitraayana where the tapestry of life is woven with vibrant maanyata (respect) and maryaada (dignity). This nation, with its timeless unity in multiplexity, is a testament to a culture of cultures bonded by a rich tradition of creativity and ingenuity.

Padma Bharatis captures this essence through a collection of essays that spotlight the remarkable achievements of ordinary Indians. Over recent years, public recognition of these unsung heroes has witnessed a paradigm shift with Padma awardees increasingly representing the true diversity of the nation.

The stories within this book highlight the strength and resilience of people who bring sustainable change while honouring their cultural traditions and experiential knowledge passed down through generations. They are earthy, real, and often from rustic or small- town backgrounds, embodying the core values of a civilization on its path to a sustainable and aspirational future. Padma Bharatis is a celebration of these incredible souls.

The deep civilisational link between India and Cambodia is a wonder of humanity. Instead of power and profit, it was a shared sense of dharma that underpinned this magnificent tapestry, its glorious patterns woven by kings and adventurers, priests and traders, artisans and farmers, artists and philosophers, by people, using the twin threads of commerce and culture. While modern India’s cultural reach beyond the subcontinent is growing every day, its deep historical, cultural and spiritual relationship with Cambodia is all but forgotten. Shared Roots tries to plug that gap, inviting readers to embark on a captivating odyssey through the vibrant currents that once flowed freely between the two countries.

Seven diverse authors meticulously unravel the profound connections that have shaped both nations, from the echoing verses of the Reamker to the breathtaking grandeur of Angkor Wat. But Shared Roots is more than just a historical journey. It is an invitation to rediscover the power and beauty of cultural exchange untainted by colonialism, a potent reminder that diversity is not just a feature but also an essential building block of a just society. Drawing upon meticulous research and captivating storytelling, this book ignites a conversation about civilizational revival, urging us to celebrate the past while embracing a future enriched by shared understanding.

The book is a stunning exploration of cultural fusion, a testament to the enduring power of enlightened values, and a call to action for a more vibrant world.

The Holy Feet of Illumined Souls on Earth

"From dreams awake, from bonds be free.
Know the Truth! Thou art He; thou art She."

The Rishis of India, knowers of Truth, in seeking the ultimate welfare and highest good for all of humanity throughout the ages, pioneered an unprecedented myriad of religious and philosophical systems. These availed the aspiring soul of a copious network of wisdom pathways, opening inwards to the Light of Nondual Reality. Veda, Tantra, Sankhya. Nyaya. Vaishesika, Purva Mimamsa, Vedanta, Yoga, Buddhism, Patanjala (Yoga), Sikhism, Jainism, Vaishnavism. Shaivism, Shaktism. Sourism, Ganapatya — the list goes on and on. This reveals a universal vision the likes of which was never before seen in any country or conceived of by any other race of human beings. Here is not only one holy book, or merely one divine incarnation, or just a single prophet, but dozens to hundreds of each, all supported, maintained, and lovingly transmitted by countless luminaries stretching back millennia B.C.E.

India therefore stands as an exceptional example before the eyes of the world. The main principle which makes her so is realization of and adherence to Truth, as demonstrated and elucidated upon in this book. It is founded upon the natural acceptance of the presence of God as Existence Itself. This Truth was tempered on earth over millennia in the fires of spiritual practice, infusing Vedic philosophy and religion with many important keys concerning the attainment of direct spiritual experience.

The subtitle of this book, "Charting the Timeless Wisdom of Mother India," proves itself through 299 charts, all created to transmit the depth and breadth of India's dharmic teachings, and replete with thorough and in-depth commentaries.

The Holy Feet of Illumined Souls on Earth

Precious few have lived so complete a life as to encompass so many integral parts of our identity as Indians. Fewer still have had the foresight and generosity to document this journey for future generations to learn from.

V. Krishnamurthy is such a unique soul. Hailing from South India, he absorbed the vital essences of the Vedas, Upanishads and sacred Hindu texts from his father at a very young age. This faith and spirituality was foundational in later life as he navigated raising a family, pursuing a PhD with limited means, travelling to- and working in America in the 1960's and playing a pivotal role in the herculean task of creating a world-class educational institution for a burgeoning India as the nation started to come into its own.

For those who find this world fascinating, Krishnamurthy's narrative will give form and colour to what life was like over the last century. A veteran author, his latest work will give the reader a snapshot of his life, trials and time well spent on this earth.

A questioning mind always wants to know the underlying truth in all aspects of our life. It will not stop until it finds a satisfying answer. The desire to know forms the fundamental pursuit of life until the mind discovers the absolute truth, knowing there is nothing more to know. In all objective sciences, the more one knows, the more he recognizes that there is much more to know. Hence, the thirst for knowledge will never end.

In contrast, a Vedantic student approaches a teacher and asks, ‘Sir, Please teach me that knowing which I will know everything.’; The teacher was happy to teach that substratum, that absolute truth that forms the foundation for everything. This book presents a variety of questions asked by seekers of divergent backgrounds on Quora, and the author answers all from the perspective of scientific and absolute truth.

The success of Western powers in the Modern era has enabled the Western civilizational perspective and its self-understanding to present itself to the rest of the world, not as one perspective among others, but as the universal and definitive human perspective and as the culmination of the world’s intellectual and spiritual development according to principles supposedly objective and self-evident. The hegemony of this civilizational perspective makes it imperative that the basic elements of the Western paradigm of thought referenced by Western geopolitical power as the source of its legitimacy be grasped and critiqued. This book, using as its basis a relatively standard sequence of works seen as comprising the ‘Western Canon’, seeks to provide the foundation for such awareness, both to appreciate the wisdom in this intensely contested tradition as well as recognizing its hazards.

Plato's Republic is one of the most widely read philosophical texts in the world today, and yet it is never read as it was in antiquity, but instead through the lens of modern concerns and preconceptions. This book seeks to recover the ancient wisdom of this text about justice in the soul and in the community. This comprehensive book-by-book companion to Plato's text, informed by the ancient Platonic commentary tradition, restores to the Republic its systematic context in the fabric of Platonic thought, its metaphysical significance, and most of all, its profound polytheist piety and mystical insight.

Forever There is a historical fantasy novel set in Varanasi. The protagonists belong to the family of ‘The weavers of the Gods’. The story revolves around their family, who find themselves embroiled in upheavals and wars amid an extremely tumultuous period in Kashi when skirmishes and destruction were the order of the day.

The protégés, mere children, join a band of Warrior Monks to help protect the culture of the land. We see history through the eyes of The Four as they transform into warriors – head of the Elite Forces of the Warrior Monks – battle-scarred, wielding weapons of destruction –  feared by the enemy, loved and missed by their family.

Be transported to a period when every day brings new adventures to your doorstep.

The book looks at history anew, even as value systems change and cultural plates shift.

What values must one imbibe? Is diversity positive or negative? Should the world be in only one colour, or should it be in many hues and shades? Do acts of violence upon community and culture destroy the inherent essence of civilisation and culture?

Contemporary, poignant, and engaging, this unputdownable book will set your heart aflutter.

"The author’s conviction comes through every page of his writing. A good part of Vedanta is presented as a book of science. [He] does not hesitate to pick examples from the lives of actors, TV heroes, historical personalities, authors, expositors and stories..."

From the Foreword by Dr. V. Krishnamurthy, former Professor of Mathematics and Dy. Director, BITS, Pilani, India, President of The Indian Mathematical Society, and Asst. Professor, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign