Goodreads Giveaway (USA Only) of Arjun: Without A Doubt

19 Sunday Jul 2015

Posted by dr sweetyshinde in blog contents, Constructive Criticism: Book reviews, Mahabharata

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arjun, arjuna, author, Bhagavad Gita, draupadi, Free book copy, Goodreads Giveaway, Krishn, Krishna, kurukshetra, love & betrayal, Mahabharata, mythology, Sweety Shinde, USA readers & book lovers, war & philosophy

History forgot his voice, but misquoted his silence.
Genre: Indian Mythology/ Mahabharata/ History
Premise: 5000 years ago, Arjun the superlative warrior paused on the eve of Kurukshetra battle. His poignant question, “How many should die for the sins of a handful?” churned with charioteer Krishn’s, “How many times the sinful should be forgiven for the lives of countless?” to create the Bhagavad Gita.
Arjun, the idealist in a non-ideal world. He held the power to unleash devastation – and the compassion not to misuse it. He was idolized for defeating demiGods & demons – and ridiculed for not being ruthless. He was Heaven’s heir – and endured exile after exile. His love Draupadi – had to become the wife of his four brothers. He was the peerless archer, the seductive monk, the epitome of masculinity, the danseur eunuch, exemplary student and eternal seeker of knowledge – all in one roller coaster Life.
Come, join Arjun’s turbulent journey. Unravel his emotions, passions and angst.
Find ‘other’ famous Arjuns, compare Arjun vis-a-vis Achilles & Alexander and explore Myths of Mahabharata.
Discover Arjun beyond the warrior extraordinaire.
Note: Draupadi’s narration in the book is marked with *** symbol. Arjun’s narration is without any symbol.
Youtube Trailer: https://youtu.be/ToTEldixJDA

Feel free to ask me questions: author-of-arjun-without-a-doubt
WIN an ‘Author signed’ copy today!

Click here: https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/146743-arjun-without-a-doubt

Yoga – through Krishna’s eyes, in Krishna’s words

21 Sunday Jun 2015

Posted by dr sweetyshinde in Mahabharata, Social Causes, Spirituality

≈ 30 Comments

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atma, Bhagavad Gita, bhakti yoga, concentration, devotion, dhyanayoga, eternal soul, God, international yoga day, karma yoga, karmayoga, Krishna, Mahabharata, meditation, parmatma, peace of mind, perishable body, religion, sankhya yoga, scriptures, wisdom, yoga, yogi

Did you know that Krishna was one of the earliest advocate of Yoga? On the eve of 21st June, International Yoga Day, lets see his views on Yoga.

Shri bhagavån uvåca – imaµ vivasvate YOGAM proktavån aham avyayam vivasvån manave pråha manur ikßvåkave’bravît

[I instructed this Science of Yoga to Vivaswan, who taught Manu, who taught it to Ikshvaku]- [Bhagavad Gita, CHAP 4, VERSE 1] Krishn’s yoga, is however, NOT limited to asanas or pranayama. It goes beyond physical flexibility or breathing techniques.

YOGA comes from word YUJYA = to join or to connect.

Foremost, Krishn systematically analyzes the body and soul through Sankhya. He makes a clearcut distinction. The ephemeral body versus the eternal Soul. The body is bound to disintegrate and destruct. The Soul within the body is indestructible. It will eventually adopt a new body for its journey in quest of peace. Hence, Krishn defines Yoga as union of this eternal Soul (Atma) to God Krishna (Parmatma).

He advocates 4 TYPES of Yoga to achieve this purpose –

1] Karma-Yoga: via actions. 2] Gyana-Yoga : Continue reading →

Multiple Arjunas .

23 Saturday May 2015

Posted by dr sweetyshinde in Arjun Related posts

≈ 39 Comments

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arjuna, Arjuna wives, folklore, indonesian, javanese, Mahabharata, mahabharata versions, permadi, shikhandi, srikandi, supraba, supraba nymph, variations

Pan-Indian Arjun, Indonesian Arjun, Bengali Arjun, Tamil Arjun.

Zapped? Don’t be!

Indonesia, with its huge Buddhist & Hinduist influences has its own Mahabharat. Variations between ‘our’ MB & ‘their’ MB – some quirky, some weird, some hilarious, some disgusting, some beyond imagination.

P.S – As in Vyas’s MB, many facts are probably expanded/ diluted/ masala-fied by interpolations via folklore, literature and poetic license. So PLEASE take these spin-offs with a pinch of salt.

Read on for ‘twists’ in Indonesian Arjun aka Permadi (Hmm 11th name?)…

1. Arjun, Bheem & Yudhi are biological sons of PANDU, while the demi-Gods are their spiritual fathers.

2. Other than Draupadi (aka Drupadi), Subadra and Ulupi, his other wives include Supraba and Srikandi. Hooked your interest? Here goes …

a] Supraba is a heavenly nymph or Goddess.

She initially tries to seduce Arjun in order to interrupt his penance, but fails Continue reading →

Download Free Excerpt (pdf). Arjun: Without A Doubt

11 Monday May 2015

Posted by dr sweetyshinde in Download Free Excerpt (pdf)

≈ 24 Comments

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arjun, chapters, download, draupadi, excerpt, free, free download, Mahabharata, mythology, novel, pdf, sample, sample excerpt chapters

Proof of the pudding is in the eating, right? So get a whiff, dip into a test taste.

Click for a pdf download of first 4 sample chapters. ABSOLUTELY FREE.

CLICK HERE OR Click on image below.

Click to download free pdf excerpt

Feel free to post comments, suggestions …compliments & thumbs downs too.

And oh yes, I have a Goodreads Giveaway on till 23rd May 2015. Applicable to Indian readers only. Apply via link : https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24466957-arjun