The Courtesan and the Sadhu

Book excerpt: Set in ancient India just after Alexander the Great's invasion, this novel takes the reader through the spiritual journey of two seekers. Kautilya, the first seeker, is a Vedic scholar very close to finding the Truth. However, his life takes an unexpected detour, and ends up building the Mauryan Empire. Although successful in re-establishing dharmic value in the Indian subcontinent and getting rid of the vestiges of Alexander's invasion, he continues to have inner struggles about the path he has chosen. Manu, the other seeker, is an elite warrior in the Mauryan Army but ends up becoming a seeker of Truth at a young age. Disappointed in love, he tries to find answers to his spiritual questions first as a Buddhist monk and later as a Sadhu. In this story, the author takes the reader the intriguing journey of the two seekers as they finally overcome Maya to reach Moksha (emancipation), but was it the path specified by The Enlightened One or was it God Himself? This is a novel about Empire building and God Consciousness with a love story intertwined between the two. REVIEW "This is a fascinating story set in ancient India, conveying timeless truths that speak to readers from all cultures of our twenty-first century world. A delightful read indeed! All in all, this is an excellent, moving, and religiously inspiring work that deserves wide readership." --Ruben L.F. Habito, Professor of World Religions and Spirituality, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas. "This book takes the reader on an epic spiritual journey while weaving together several of the major religious traditions of India. The novel presents a compelling tale of vivid characters interacting across both time and geography. Set in Ancient India, the novel combines all of the requisites of good story-telling: adventure, romance, and a variety of lessons for achieving a happier existence. The book is accessible to readers of all levels and serves as a lively cultural introduction to South Asia. A delight for the reader who is seeking something both different and substantive." --Robert C. Wigton, J.D., Ph.D., Professor of Political Science, Eckard College, St. Petersburg, Florida