{"title":"Pavan K. Varma","description":"\u003cp\u003eExplore the depth and complexity of Indian civilisation with \u003cstrong\u003ePavan K. Varma\u003c\/strong\u003e, one of India's most distinguished authors, diplomats, and cultural commentators. A former Indian Foreign Service officer and Member of Parliament, Varma brings rare intellectual authority and elegant prose to his explorations of Indian identity, culture, philosophy, and history. His landmark works include \u003cem\u003eBeing Indian\u003c\/em\u003e — a frank and penetrating examination of the Indian character — and \u003cem\u003eThe Great Indian Middle Class\u003c\/em\u003e, a seminal study of India's emerging bourgeoisie. His biographical and philosophical works include \u003cem\u003eAdi Shankaracharya: Hinduism's Greatest Thinker\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eChanakya: A New Biography\u003c\/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003eGhalib: The Man, The Times\u003c\/em\u003e. Essential reading for anyone seeking to understand India's past, present, and future.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-lady-who-carried-the-monk-across-the-river","title":"The Lady Who Carried the Monk Across the River","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn the foothills of the Himalayas, a simple act upends an ancient parable. This time, it is the lady who carries the monk across the river. Through the intertwined fates of Guru Brihaspati, his celibate disciples Kevala and Gyan, and the enigmatic Mandakini, The Lady Who Carried the Monk Across the River explores the tension between spirituality and desire, the sacred and the profane, and the elusive unity of both. As Kevala and his guru engage in a five-day debate on the meaning of a fulfilling life, the river becomes both a literal and symbolic divide, one that must be crossed daily, not just in body but in spirit. Tautly woven with philosophy, passion, and profound questions, this novel is no sermon. It is a story of real lives, intense choices, and the irresistible force of Shakti. Can the pursuit of transcendence and the pull of earthly love coexist? In just five days, lifetimes of belief are tested, and the answers may be as fluid as the river itself. As faith collides with longing, the story unfolds with intensity and depth, drawing readers into a world where every choice reshapes the path to enlightenment.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Dusky's Shrine","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":46035425034297,"sku":"9780143478607","price":449.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0795\/3367\/0457\/files\/81T84aRhZ5L._SL1500_fc655478-99b7-4f47-8856-43e95f7127d8.jpg?v=1782812688"},{"product_id":"becoming-indian","title":"Becoming Indian The Unfinished Revolution of Culture and Identity","description":"\u003cp\u003eBecoming Indian by Pavan K. 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Varma's insightful analysis of the Indian personality and the culture that has created it reaches startling new conclusions on the paradoxes and contradictions that characterize Indian attitudes towards issues such as power, wealth and spirituality. How, for example, does the appalling indifference of most Indians to the suffering of the poor and the inequities of the caste system square with their enthusiastic championing of parliamentary democracy? The book also examines India's future prospects as an economic, military and technological power, providing valuable pointers to the likely destiny of a nation of one billion people. Drawing on sources as diverse as ancient Sanskrit treatises and Bollywood lyrics, and illuminating his examples with a wealth of telling anecdotes, Pavan Varma creates a vivid and compelling portrait of Indians as he argues that they will survive and flourish in the new millennium precisely because of what they are, warts and all, and not because of what they think they are or would like to be. This book, which will stimulate reflection, discussion and controversy, is a must read for both foreigners who wish to understand Indians and Indians who wish to understand themselves.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Dusky's Shrine","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":46036972273721,"sku":"9780143033424","price":315.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0795\/3367\/0457\/files\/6115oBVOM-L._SL1400.jpg?v=1782818014"},{"product_id":"book-of-krishna","title":"Book of Krishna","description":"\u003cp\u003eBook of Krishna by Pavan K. Varma is a compelling and essential read that has captivated audiences worldwide with its depth, originality, and enduring relevance.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Dusky's Shrine","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":46037034500153,"sku":"9780143419945","price":225.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0795\/3367\/0457\/files\/71tplPCBL_L._SL1491_e5af4746-1103-4a5f-a855-0d3b4f1133c2.jpg?v=1782818774"},{"product_id":"the-great-indian-middle-class","title":"The Great Indian Middle Class","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Great Indian Middle Class by Pavan K. 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He broke a musk pod and as the fragrance wafted all over the camp; the new father hoped his son's fame would similarly spread across the world.Akbar-emperor; warrior; statesman and thinker-is acknowledged as one of the most charismatic personalities in Indian history. Crowned the king of Hindustan at the age of thirteen; his empire went on to include the farthest corners of the country. Yet he was not just a conqueror. A humanist; his deep interest in literature; architecture; art and his inclusive vision of religions at a time when such thoughts were not in fashion; set him down as one of history's most remarkable men.In this story of his life; as exciting and thrilling as any adventure tale; the author describes Akbar's rough; difficult childhood spent on the run; his consolidation of the empire through war and diplomacy; the myriad interesting and entertaining people who made up his court; the strong women of the Mughal household; and finally; the intriguing circumstances under which the crown passed on to his son; Jahangir.Accompanied by many vignettes of information about the Mughal empire and the world in the 16th century; this book is a fascinating introduction to the life and times of a ruler who still rules our imaginations.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Dusky's Shrine","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":46038002597945,"sku":"9780143330837","price":179.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0795\/3367\/0457\/files\/71M4Y0Ju78L._SL1500_f8b17975-5cac-4bbe-9555-e481a64500bc.jpg?v=1782822185"},{"product_id":"puffin-lives-mahatma-gandhi","title":"Puffin Lives : Mahatma Gandhi: The Father of the Nation [Dec 31, 2010] Subhadra Sen Gupta","description":"\u003cp\u003eOn his passport he was Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. The poet Rabindranath Tagore gave him the title ‘Mahatma’- the great soul- but he was rather uncomfortable with that. Nelson Mandela calls him a ‘sacred warrior’, others describe him as the ‘the saint of the spinning wheel’ and we now declare him as our ‘Father of the Nation’. A courageous freedom fighter, a shrewd politician, a passionate social reformer and a staunch nationalist, Mahatma Gandhi was all this and much more. He was the most unusual leader this country has seen, and one of the most influential personalities whose name is synonymous with India’s independence. He was the one who touched the lives of millions, whose ideals of satyagraha and ahimsa inspired great leaders of the world, and who could make the entire country come to a halt by going on a fast. Through a vivid narrative, author Subhadra Sen Gupta recreates the life and legacy of this phenomenal leader to portray the man beneath the simple handspun clothes, who ate saltless vegetables and bitter neem chutney; who greeted kings and paupers alike; who walked 240 miles at the age of sixty to break the Salt Law; and whose entire life was dedicated to truth and to peace. Even today as we read inspirational accounts of Gandhiji’s life and talk of gandhigiri, we know that his ideals are alive and relevant to today’s generation.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Dusky's Shrine","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":46038128590905,"sku":"9780143330813","price":179.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0795\/3367\/0457\/files\/611ZzAOCqqL._SL1400_14adbdf1-af07-4298-9748-ae1adf673b03.jpg?v=1782822274"},{"product_id":"shivaji-maharaj","title":"Shivaji Maharaj (Junior Lives)","description":"\u003cp\u003eMeet the heroes who changed the world!In the land of the Marathas, there was once a fearless young ruler called Shivaji. He was known for his bravery and effective war strategies. This young man went on to become Chhattrapati Shivaji Maharaj-one of India's greatest kings, and a thorn in the side of the mighty Mughal Empire. The Maratha Empire that he established changed the course of India's history, becoming a major military power. Fifth in a series of illustrated books created for young readers to get to know our world heroes betters, this engaging biography, peppered with little-known facts, takes the reader through the awe-inspiring journey of Shivaji, built on his determination and valour as well as his exemplary victories.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Dusky's Shrine","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":46038362259513,"sku":"9780143428282","price":179.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0795\/3367\/0457\/files\/81Imcylo_OL._SL1500_a9c5ffdd-d4c4-4cbb-ba12-4d481b5749ba.jpg?v=1782822616"},{"product_id":"kama-the-riddle-of-desire","title":"Kama: the Riddle of Desire","description":"\u003cp\u003eA riveting account of love and desireIndia is the only civilization to elevate kama-desire and pleasure-to a goal of life. 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Tales were told of ropes being thrown up in the air, strong enough for a boy to climb and disappear; of fakirs being buried alive for months and brought back to life; and of sanperas charming deadly cobras with their flutes. In the early nineteenth century, touring Indian magicians mesmerized audiences abroad, prompting generations of Western illusionists to emulate their Eastern peers. Jadoowallahs, Jugglers and Jinns: A Magical History of India tells us how Indian magic descended from the domain of the gods to become part of daily ritual and popular entertainment, and its transformation from the street to the stage culminating with the rise of the great P. C. Sorcar Sr. Drawing on ancient religious texts, colonial records, newspaper reports, journals and the memoirs, diaries and testimonies of Western and Indian magicians, John Zubrzycki offers us a vibrant narrative on Indian magic from ancient times to the present day.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Dusky's Shrine","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":46039616684089,"sku":"9789395624732","price":629.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0795\/3367\/0457\/files\/71VG_qBmzyL._SL1165.jpg?v=1782826915"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0795\/3367\/0457\/collections\/image_824e9b3e-6a91-44bf-a259-3ea89cce16f1.png?v=1782612234","url":"https:\/\/duskysshrine.com\/collections\/pavan-k-varma.oembed","provider":"Dusky's Shrine","version":"1.0","type":"link"}