In the recent past, I have come across some excellent literature on Indian Culture & Spirituality. Reading these books not only instills faith in our ageless culture, but also inspires us to live our lives as excellent human beings & elevates us even further.
Vahini Series
On the top, is certainly the Vahini series by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, which has about 20 volumes of literature on various facets of Religion, Spirituality and our Scriptures. Originally published in Telugu in Sanathana Sarathi, a spiritual monthly of Sathya Sai, they are translated in various languages. The English translation is by Prof. Kasturi, the biographer of Bhagawan Baba.I have so far read Rama Katha Rasavahini, a dramatic and engrossing rendition of the timeless Ramayana, with a spiritual eye, delivering the message of Rama's Katha for everyone to understand. The Book is a source of immense inspiration to live a righteous life which Rama and others lived. It will be my delight to discuss all those virtues & values propagated by all the players in the divine play of Ramayana, someday in this blog.
The next I got to read was Bhagavatha Vahini. If Ramakatha Rasavahini was a treatise on how to face our life, Bhagavatha Vahini is a treatise on how to face death. A book which delineates the Bhagavatha Purana, more delves with the surrounding circumstances of the life & times of Pandavas & King Parikshit & the recitation of the purana to Parikshit. This Book is so impactful that it is certain to leave the reader a changed person, who will be enthusiastic in adopting the spiritual path of Bhakthi.
The above two books, I would recommend for anyone to read as it is the absolute essence of the timeless Epics of our Ancient Land.
The other Vahinis I read are Sathya Sai Vahini, Geetha Vahini, Prema Vahini, Prashnothra Vahini, Leela Kaivalya Vahini, Dharma Vahini & Dhyana Vahini. The other Vahinis are Upanishad Vahini, Sutra Vahini, Jnana Vahini, Vidya Vahini & Sandeha Nivarini. Dealing with all in a single post will make it tedious. Hence I will split it in different posts. Meanwhile, one may find the link to the English versions of the Vahinis here in PDF.
Dialogues With The Guru
This Book is a rendition of the conversations between His Holiness Sri Chandrasekara Bharathi Theertha Swamigal, the Peetathipathi of Sringeri Sharadha Peetam & various visitors to the Peetam. The Book contains discussions pertaining to Hinduism, Advaitha, Marriage, Education system etc. The thoughts expressed are so unique & valid and are embodied with conviction. A must read for all those illusioned by modernism & westernisation.
Deivathin Kural/ Voice of God
The, former could be said to be a Trailer to this Massive work of Ra. Ganapathi recording & compiling the teachings of His Holiness Sri Chandrasekara Saraswati of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, reverentially referred to as 'Mahaperiyaval' or 'Shankaracharya'. I have just began to read this Classic in Tamizh. As & when, interesting portions come, I will post on them.
Namaskarangal
Niranjan
