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Ajita: A Novel
About the Book
Based on the life of Caravaka philosopher Ajita, narrated in parallel with the modern-day life story of Moksh, a college professor.
It is the fifth century. Ajita, a curious young boy, is endlessly fascinated by ants. How do they know where to seek food? How do they move in such orderly fashion? Do they communicate? These questions ignite his lifelong pursuit of knowledge. In the course of Ajita’s evolution into a philosopher of the Cārvāka school, his life crosses paths with many interesting from Emperor Ajatashatru to Makkhali Goshala, Mahavira and the Buddha.
A vast span of time away, Moksh Malhar, a contemporary academic, is battling the shadows of his past. To cope, he seeks solace in books, ideas and philosophy, where he finds himself drawn to Cārvāka philosophy and the life of its foremost thinker, Ajita. As the immersion deepens further and further still, Moksh finds the boundaries of space and time beginning to blur.
Two stories, which loop into each other like a Möbius strip, are set out in twenty-six chapters, with each chapter omitting one letter of the alphabet. This is a finely crafted book that will draw you into a mesmerising vortex of form, philosophy, ideas and language.
About the Author
A theoretical particle physicist, K. Sridhar has lived and worked in Bombay for most of his life before moving to Bangalore. He has published a book on physics and one on science education, besides many research papers on physics as well as philosophy. He also reviews art shows.
His first book, Twice Written, was published in 2011. Ajita is his second novel.
Based on the life of Caravaka philosopher Ajita, narrated in parallel with the modern-day life story of Moksh, a college professor.
It is the fifth century. Ajita, a curious young boy, is endlessly fascinated by ants. How do they know where to seek food? How do they move in such orderly fashion? Do they communicate? These questions ignite his lifelong pursuit of knowledge. In the course of Ajita’s evolution into a philosopher of the Cārvāka school, his life crosses paths with many interesting from Emperor Ajatashatru to Makkhali Goshala, Mahavira and the Buddha.
A vast span of time away, Moksh Malhar, a contemporary academic, is battling the shadows of his past. To cope, he seeks solace in books, ideas and philosophy, where he finds himself drawn to Cārvāka philosophy and the life of its foremost thinker, Ajita. As the immersion deepens further and further still, Moksh finds the boundaries of space and time beginning to blur.
Two stories, which loop into each other like a Möbius strip, are set out in twenty-six chapters, with each chapter omitting one letter of the alphabet. This is a finely crafted book that will draw you into a mesmerising vortex of form, philosophy, ideas and language.
About the Author
A theoretical particle physicist, K. Sridhar has lived and worked in Bombay for most of his life before moving to Bangalore. He has published a book on physics and one on science education, besides many research papers on physics as well as philosophy. He also reviews art shows.
His first book, Twice Written, was published in 2011. Ajita is his second novel.
- GenresIndian Literature
316 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 27, 2025
2 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 26, 2025
Indian philosophy and religion has many different branches apart from the theistic vedas and non theistic buddhism. One such philosophical view was put forth by Ajita, a contemporary of Buddha and Mahavira, who essentially argued for materialism and the lack of any supernatural force or afterlife. What we have is all there is...
This book details the life of Ajita and the different interactions that shaped his life and the Charvaka philosophy. A very interesting part is the discussion with Buddha about why the concept of after life is included in Buddhism which otherwise is essentially non theistic.
It's a great primer to get started in India schools of philosophical thought, told in an amazing fictional narrative
This book details the life of Ajita and the different interactions that shaped his life and the Charvaka philosophy. A very interesting part is the discussion with Buddha about why the concept of after life is included in Buddhism which otherwise is essentially non theistic.
It's a great primer to get started in India schools of philosophical thought, told in an amazing fictional narrative
December 30, 2025
I first encountered Ajita novel at the Bangalore Literature Festival session and was immediately drawn to its unique premise. K Sridhar has crafted something special here, a novel that makes philosophy accessible by bringing historical figures like Ajita, Gautama, and Mahavira to life within the context of their times.
The author’s approach is particularly clever, imposing interesting constraints on each chapter while weaving together different systems of thought. This juxtaposition of philosophy and fiction creates an engaging experience that helps readers connect with these historical figures on a personal level, making their ancient wisdom feel surprisingly relevant.
While I felt the characters could have been developed more fully and occasionally found the writing style challenging to connect with, this remains a strong and ambitious work of philosophical fiction. A fascinating read that succeeds in making complex ideas accessible through storytelling.
The author’s approach is particularly clever, imposing interesting constraints on each chapter while weaving together different systems of thought. This juxtaposition of philosophy and fiction creates an engaging experience that helps readers connect with these historical figures on a personal level, making their ancient wisdom feel surprisingly relevant.
While I felt the characters could have been developed more fully and occasionally found the writing style challenging to connect with, this remains a strong and ambitious work of philosophical fiction. A fascinating read that succeeds in making complex ideas accessible through storytelling.
May 19, 2025
Ajita by K. Sridhar, and wow—it’s unlike anything I’ve come across lately! It weaves together the stories of two very different lives: Ajita, a fifth-century philosopher, and Moksh Malhar, a present-day professor who’s going through some tough times. What’s fascinating is how Moksh finds comfort and direction by studying Ajita’s life, and somehow, their stories start to feel deeply connected—even though they’re separated by centuries.
What really blew my mind, though, is the way Sridhar wrote this book. Every chapter deliberately avoids using one specific letter of the alphabet. Isn’t that wild? It turns the book into a kind of word puzzle, and it totally fits the theme of breaking boundaries—between time, language, and thought. It made me think of a Möbius strip, where everything loops back around in the most unexpected ways.
The philosophical depth here is incredible too. Ajita meets major historical figures like Mahavira, the Buddha, and Ajatashatru, and their conversations really shape his worldview. Meanwhile, Moksh’s obsession with Ajita ends up shaping his own life. The way these two narratives intertwine is just so smart—it makes you reflect on how ideas echo through generations.
I’ll admit, the experimental style took a little adjusting to, but it was totally worth it. Sridhar manages to keep the story emotionally engaging and intellectually stimulating. If you’re into books that mix philosophy, history, and language in a fresh, bold way, you’ve got to check out Ajita. It’s a literary experience I won’t forget anytime soon.
What really blew my mind, though, is the way Sridhar wrote this book. Every chapter deliberately avoids using one specific letter of the alphabet. Isn’t that wild? It turns the book into a kind of word puzzle, and it totally fits the theme of breaking boundaries—between time, language, and thought. It made me think of a Möbius strip, where everything loops back around in the most unexpected ways.
The philosophical depth here is incredible too. Ajita meets major historical figures like Mahavira, the Buddha, and Ajatashatru, and their conversations really shape his worldview. Meanwhile, Moksh’s obsession with Ajita ends up shaping his own life. The way these two narratives intertwine is just so smart—it makes you reflect on how ideas echo through generations.
I’ll admit, the experimental style took a little adjusting to, but it was totally worth it. Sridhar manages to keep the story emotionally engaging and intellectually stimulating. If you’re into books that mix philosophy, history, and language in a fresh, bold way, you’ve got to check out Ajita. It’s a literary experience I won’t forget anytime soon.
December 17, 2025
I happened to hear an interview of K. Sridhar at the Bangalore Literature Festival 2025, where he spoke about Ajita. His description of writing the book as a lipogram, with each chapter missing a particular alphabet and of the 5th-century Carvaka philosopher Ajita, fascinated me enough to pick up the book.
The story is narrated by Moksh, though this wasn’t evident to me until I finished the book and later read more about it. The novel follows an ouroboric structure, like a Mobius strip, where the first chapter is repeated as the last. The reader is taken through the minds of Ajita - an ancient philosopher and contemporary of Gautam Buddha, Mahavira, and Makkhali Gosala - and Moksh Malhar, a modern-day philosopher. It is fascinating how their lives are connected across generations through different characters.
The author touches upon several delicate themes such as child marriage, untouchability, and the Kapalikas. References to historical figures and events - like the powerful Magadha kings Bimbisara and Ajatashatru and their military expansions, the partition of Bombay into Maharashtra and Gujarat, and the riots in Bhiwandi and Worli - add a sense of realism that makes the novel feel more than just fiction.
The mention of the French author Georges Perec, who wrote a novel without the letter “e,” was particularly striking. In Perec’s work, the absence of the letter symbolised the loss of his closest family members during World War II.
Overall, Ajita is an insightful and rewarding read, especially for those who enjoy the intersections of history, philosophy, and science.
The story is narrated by Moksh, though this wasn’t evident to me until I finished the book and later read more about it. The novel follows an ouroboric structure, like a Mobius strip, where the first chapter is repeated as the last. The reader is taken through the minds of Ajita - an ancient philosopher and contemporary of Gautam Buddha, Mahavira, and Makkhali Gosala - and Moksh Malhar, a modern-day philosopher. It is fascinating how their lives are connected across generations through different characters.
The author touches upon several delicate themes such as child marriage, untouchability, and the Kapalikas. References to historical figures and events - like the powerful Magadha kings Bimbisara and Ajatashatru and their military expansions, the partition of Bombay into Maharashtra and Gujarat, and the riots in Bhiwandi and Worli - add a sense of realism that makes the novel feel more than just fiction.
The mention of the French author Georges Perec, who wrote a novel without the letter “e,” was particularly striking. In Perec’s work, the absence of the letter symbolised the loss of his closest family members during World War II.
Overall, Ajita is an insightful and rewarding read, especially for those who enjoy the intersections of history, philosophy, and science.
September 5, 2025
A fabulous read! It takes you deep into the lives of Ajita, a Cārvāka philosopher, and Moksha Malhar, an academic—two characters separated by centuries yet beautifully connected. The book also introduced me to the Oulipo Movement, where playful literary constraints spark surprising creativity.
There’s a lot going on in their worlds: from yagnas to Ajita’s attempt to change the course of a river with fishermen, to lectures and the questioning of customs; from life in the 5th century to Bombay of protests and attarwaalas . Sridhar takes you through these journeys gently and wonderfully.
There’s a lot going on in their worlds: from yagnas to Ajita’s attempt to change the course of a river with fishermen, to lectures and the questioning of customs; from life in the 5th century to Bombay of protests and attarwaalas . Sridhar takes you through these journeys gently and wonderfully.
September 6, 2025
Wonderful novel. Each of the 26 chapters excludes one letter of the alphabet.
Loved your literary mobius strip, Prof. Sridhar
Loved your literary mobius strip, Prof. Sridhar
September 9, 2025
Ajita – A Review from a First-Time Philosophy Reader
When I picked up Ajita, the blurb and preface led me to believe I was in for a time-loop novel. But what I got was quite different… and honestly, a kind of surprise.
Ajita is not a time loop in the literal sense — it’s more of an idea loop. The story revolves around the philosopher Ajita, who lived during the time of Buddha, Mahavira, and Goshala - an era where philosophy wasn't just academic talk, but something people actually lived by. These thinkers didn’t just write or debate ideas; they structured entire lives around them.
This book doesn’t push any dogma or end with the protagonist "finding God". It’s more subtle, it's about turning inward, accepting the self. I don't want to spoil how that realization unfolds, or how the narrative loops back on itself ideologically, but it’s definitely something that stays with you.
I haven’t read many hardcore philosophy books before, so this was a challenging read for me. I had to pause multiple times, reread certain lines, and even look up several “isms” to truly grasp what was being discussed. It’s not easy-going, especially if you're new to these themes, but it is immensely rewarding if you give it time.
In conclusion: Ajita isn’t a casual read, its not a thriller or mystery. It’s layered, demanding, and intellectually intense, but also deeply reflective. I plan to revisit it after a few years to see if my worldview has evolved enough to draw new meaning from it. I feel, its one of those books that reads you as much as you read it.
When I picked up Ajita, the blurb and preface led me to believe I was in for a time-loop novel. But what I got was quite different… and honestly, a kind of surprise.
Ajita is not a time loop in the literal sense — it’s more of an idea loop. The story revolves around the philosopher Ajita, who lived during the time of Buddha, Mahavira, and Goshala - an era where philosophy wasn't just academic talk, but something people actually lived by. These thinkers didn’t just write or debate ideas; they structured entire lives around them.
This book doesn’t push any dogma or end with the protagonist "finding God". It’s more subtle, it's about turning inward, accepting the self. I don't want to spoil how that realization unfolds, or how the narrative loops back on itself ideologically, but it’s definitely something that stays with you.
I haven’t read many hardcore philosophy books before, so this was a challenging read for me. I had to pause multiple times, reread certain lines, and even look up several “isms” to truly grasp what was being discussed. It’s not easy-going, especially if you're new to these themes, but it is immensely rewarding if you give it time.
In conclusion: Ajita isn’t a casual read, its not a thriller or mystery. It’s layered, demanding, and intellectually intense, but also deeply reflective. I plan to revisit it after a few years to see if my worldview has evolved enough to draw new meaning from it. I feel, its one of those books that reads you as much as you read it.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews