Ramayana: The Game of Life - Book 2: Shattered Dreams

Ramayana: The Game of Life #2

by Shubha Vilas

Shattered Dreams is the sequel to the national bestseller, Rise of the Sun Prince, in the new spiritual and motivational series Ramayana – The Game of Life. Twelve joyful years have passed in Ayodhya since the wedding of Rama and Sita at the end of Book 1.

Now, in Shattered Dreams, Shubha Vilas narrates the riveting drama of Rama’s exile. Through tales of Rama’s unwavering and enigmatic persona, the book teaches us how to handle reversals positively; through Bharata’s actions, it teaches us to handle temptation; and through Sita’s courage, to explore beyond our comfort zone. This complicated family drama provides deep insights on how human relationships work and how they fail.

With Valmiki’s Ramayana as its guiding light, Shattered Dreams deftly entwines poetic beauty from the Kamba Ramayana and Ramacharitramanas, as well as folk philosophy from the Loka Pramana tales, to demonstrate how the ancient epic holds immediate relevance to modern life. Experience the ancient saga of the Ramayana like never before!

Genres: Mythology

406 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 31, 2015

About the author

I am: A spiritual seeker and a motivational speaker.

Academics: 1] B.E in Electronics and Telecommunications
2] L.L.B Specializing in Intellectual Property Law : Patent Law.

Leadership Seminars: Focus on relevant and vital themes: ‘Secrets of Lasting Relationships’, ‘Soul Curry to Stop Worry’ and ‘Work–Life Balance’

Believes: A good teacher sees learning and teaching as integral twin aspects of personal and spiritual growth.

Social interaction: I zoom down on
A} Youth: Periodically interact with them in premier institutes like IISC, Bangalore, BITS Pilani, Goa, Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies, Sydnem College. I aim to inspire them to live a life based on deeper human values.
B} Children: Guide towards teaching foundational values through masterful storytelling.
C} Individuals: Practical applications of the Bhagavad Gita; the Ramayana and Vedas in today’s world.
D} Business leaders: as their lifestyle coach, conducting regular classes on Spirituality and Management to help them live a wholesome life.

Reviews

[Vishnu Chevli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have seen Ramayana by Ramanand Sagar multiple times. I have also seen and felt disappointed by another version of Ramayana. I have always taken Ramayana as mythological epic with the epitome of idealness. Personally, I have never tried to understand why/what/how things happened and rarely today's generation will try to know these fats. Shubha Villas has completely repainted book in his fashion.

The book is divided into two parts. The story part which is 2/3rd portion and learning part given as footnotes which are the 1/3rd portion.

Talking about the story, this part started with the announcement of Rama's coronation by Dasharatha. It covers how Kaikeyi under influence of Manthara forced Rama to step back from coronation and go to the forest for 14 years of exile. Dasharatha's death and Bharata's renunciation fo crown for his brother followed after Rama left for the exile. The book has also introduced Dasagreeva/Ravana's character. How a sagacious personality fo Ravana changed after claiming Lanka. This part ended with Rama-Bharata Milan in Chitrakuta, where Rama showed his firmness towards his words for exile.

The tone of the first part was jolly and things were going happily. But the general tone of this part is sad due to events around exile. The tone of the volume matches the title - 'Shattered Dreams"

Talking about management lessons of this book
1) Through Rama, the author has given various methods, practicalities, and tests for an ideal leader and hero
2) Through Lakshmana, Bharata, Sumantra the author has given an understanding of the roles of servitude and subordinate.
3) Through Vashishta and Bhardwaj we were given the characteristics of an ideal teacher

Short narrations (footnotes) are the most important part of this series, otherwise, it would be another English translation of Ramayana. That narration tells us why did each character does something. I am glad that I have the whole series with me to revisit books anytime I needed. The author has recently changed the cover and title of the first three books. The new look is more prominent towards a learning book look rather than normal mythological look.

Detailed Review Link - http://chevusread.blogspot.com/2018/0...

[Anchal Sharma · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hmmm...

Usually when I write a book review, I always have a notion in my head that acts as a guiding light or a strong motivating factor that helps me paint the review canvas. It could be a thought from the author that really made an impression on me, or my personal feelings as I traversed the course of the story. However, this book has left me with a vague sense of irritation that perhaps something’s missing…

A few days back, I received Ramayana: The Game of Life – Shattered Dreams as a freebie to review. Needless to say, I was ecstatic and wondered what a great addition it would make to my book shelf. I opened the package and took my first good look at the cover.

The first thing that jumped out at me were the words Game of Life instantly reminding me of the font of Game of Thrones. (Now, I am not saying Martin holds monopoly over the usage of this font. This is just my personal observation.)

The second thing I noticed was the lovely body of a sleeping Rama. Rama on the cover page manages to look both agitated (symbolic of what is to come) and beautiful at the same time. I loved the use of bold background colours which add to the godliness of the sleeping divine basking in golden glow.

Then my eyes fell on what appeared to be a badly photoshopped example of a chariot run by horses (though they look more like donkeys to me). Riding this chariot is a demoness (actually, she is Keikeyi, the woman and co-wife who saved her husband Dasratha from the demon Sambarasura) along with a man wearing a black kurta, jewels, scared expressions, and a garland fashioned from marigolds. This is Dasratha I suppose, the mighty king who fails to look like a king.

Then I opened the book with many expectations. I read the acknowledgement followed by the author’s note which exuded calmness. Though I was slightly miffed by the conjoined words, I let it slide thinking, “It happens, and it’s just one time.” From his writing style I could make out that this person would be someone who speaks after careful consideration and is well-articulated. I turned to the last page and felt instantly validated to know that the author is a motivational speaker.

Then I finally began to read the book. The story begins with Dasratha (the man whose chariot could move in ten directions!) having nightmares of an impending doom. He wakes up and takes the decision of crowning his eldest son Rama as the new King of Ayodhya. And so begins the saga we all know and have practically grown up listening to.

So what was new about this book, and why should anyone read it?

I would say the answer lies in the concept of the book. I like how the author has made use of a genius work such as Valmiki muni’s Ramayana and told the people that it does have real world applications, and the philosophy, actions, decisions, and mantras of yesteryear can be applied today, especially in a world like ours!

What I liked about the book?

To me, the footnotes and pearls of wisdom dropped here and there in the pages of this book were the essence and made Ramayana: The Game of Life - Shattered Dreams sequel to Ramayana: The Game of Life - Rise of the Sun Prince) a worthwhile read. The footnotes served to explain Sanskrit terminology and further elucidate concepts. These I found to be very nice and helpful.

I loved the Trijata story where Rama tests Trijata muni before giving him so much property. It shows that things when achieved through hard work feel rightfully earned. By this charitable action Rama was able to give without making another feel obliged. And that is a splendid deed.

I absolutely loved the part about ‘True Communication’. It’s the part where Rama puts a garland around Sita’s neck and Sita in return weaves an imaginary garland around Rama’s neck by moving her beautiful eyes. It was incredibly romantic  and speaks volumes about the silent communication between a husband and wife.

Another noteworthy thing is the character of Bharat which is amazing. In fact, I would go so far as to say that he is actually my favourite! What’s not to like? He is an action man. The guy who thinks critically, and this is evident from the way he passes with flying colours all these mission tests to determine his ability and potential as the next best thing in town, i.e. the formidable ruler of Ayodhya in place of Rama.

Here are the tests he is subjected to:

• The test of ‘Confronting Criticism’ (By Queen Kaushalya)

• The test of ‘Confronting Subconscious Desires’ (By Vasistha, the spiritual guru of the entire Ikshvaku Dynasty)

• The test of Confronting Confusing Choices (By Vasistha)

• The test of Confronting Blame and Praise (By Guha, King of the Nishada tribe)

• The test of Confronting Accountability (By Bharadwaja Muni, the expert seer of past, present, and future)

• The test of Confronting Irresistible Temptations (By Bharadwaja Muni)

Here are a few things that bothered me:

• I didn't get the Bollywood like dialogues. In a book that spans mere 387 pages, you can’t show too much of drama without validating the same with proof. Had I not been aware of the Ramayana story, I’d be like “Why are these Ayodhya people crazy about Rama and Sita? What has this couple done for the people besides looking radiantly divine?”

• I don’t get the horrible grammar! This is just not acceptable. While the author seems to have had clear thoughts put in sentences that feel weirdly constructed at times, the editing is just plain bad! When I read a book I do not like to see words strung together like Siamese twins. Had there been a couple of errors, I would not have even bothered bringing this up. But trust me, there are just far too many for a book published at this level.

• Easy to please Shiv and Brahma keep on granting wishes all the time (more to Ravana and his son actually!) and if Ravana didn't have to play any role in this particular part of the story why was he even mentioned. It would have been better to either omit him entirely in this part, or to extend the story of this part to the point where he makes some dramatic entry, and we as readers are filled with anticipation for what’s to come.

• I didn't particularly like the portrayal of Sita in the second half of the book. The Sita I have in mind, the one who has been etched perhaps in all of our minds is this steadfast, sincere, and regal woman radiating a goddess like aura. That divine lady does not gel with this “I am too happy frolicking in the hills” silly princess. She feels absolutely unreal to me.

• Lakshman is making Rama and Sita’s bed, he’s preparing their seats (decorating with the seasonal flowers no less!), constructing their house wherever the trio goes, fetching them fruits, he is collecting logs and paraphernalia for conducting prayers, and he is in fact NOT SLEEPING! (Lakshman tells the goddess of sleep Nidradevi to go and give his fair share of sleep to his wife Urmila, just so he could watch over and protect his beloved brother and sister in law while they slept.) And I don’t get this slavish behaviour because all Rama and Sita seem to be doing during this exile time are watching sunrise and sunset, visiting munis, resting under the trees, or laughing at mating geese!

(The exile seems more like a picnic here to me.)

Here’s what Kaushalya has to say about Sita, “At least Rama is a rugged warrior and Vishwamitra has trained him well about the vagaries of forest life, but Sita is a delicate flower. She has not experienced hardship. I made sure that She never set foot on hard ground. She always sat on a bed, a soft seat, an ornate swing or my lap…”

• I don’t understand (this is because of my lack of knowledge) if Rama knew about the promise Dasratha had made to Keikeyi’s father about making their yet unborn child the next king of Ayodhya, then why didn't he just give up the throne. Why did he accept Dasratha’s decision and cause all this emotional turmoil for practically EVERYBODY in the kingdom? Was this to fulfill a bigger role he was meant for? To be instrumental in doing something that has already been written and for which he had no say? Also, it shows Dasratha as an oath-breaker and Keikeyi the warrior woman wrongly accused of being the villainess.

[Shinde · Rating 3 out of 5]

Premise: Part II of VI Ramayana series.

Story : Post Ram-Sita’s marriage upto Ram’s departure on 14 year Exile.

Tweet version: Mythology buffs know this span includes Keikeyi’s royal tantrum, Manthara’s manipulative move, Dasaratha’s cave-in and Rama’s ‘slip-between-cup & lip’ brush with Ayodhya’s crown.

So how does this 23 word Tweet translate into 386 pages? Pretty smooth, in the able hands of Shubh Vilas.

I liked :

1] Sparks of human emotions within exalted characters- For example Dasaratha (who feels envious & nervous when his courtiers cheer Rama’s coronation – and Dasaratha wonders if they are cheering the end of his reign!), in Rama (after he finds out Kaikeyi’s wish - ‘Here, before Sita, at last Rama dropped his guard. Every leader needs room to express his feelings. Sita was not just that space, she was a deep lake.’)

2] Rama’s angst : ‘Outside were people who expected him to lead. Inside were people who expected him to follow.’ – as he struggles to bridge the gap between being the perfect crown Prince and the perfect son.

3] Sita : Shubh Vilas justifies why he thinks original name of epic was Ramaa-ayana, story of Sita. His Sita is glorious & feisty – using logic, reason, love, pleas and even unexpected insulting taunts to convince Rama on taking her along on exile.

4] Bharat vindicated: Bharat rises above the ‘evil Keikeyi’s poor little son’ image. Here, he is subjected to gruelling tests as a potential stand-in ruler. Vasistha’s sleep test, Kaushalya’s criticism test, Bharadwaja’s accountability test and his own emotional vs logical evaluation!

5] Rama-Sita vs Laxman-Urmila: I wondered if the author will bypass the decidedly tricky latter scenario. But I was delighted that he took it chin-on.

Why Sita accompanies Rama on exile – pretty obvious. Why Urmila does NOT accompany Laxman on exile – her logic is quaint, lofty and inevitable. Read the book to find out!

6] Nuggets of knowledge & wisdom:

a} Mantra = mann (mind) + tra (control). The spinoff on Sumantra (Rama’s wise counsellor) and Manthara (Keikeyi’s evil counsellor) is a revelation.

b} The socio-politico-legal reason behind 14 years (Tretayuga) and 13 years (Dwaparyuga) exile of Rama & Pandavas respectively.

c} Myopia (short sightedness) and today’s ‘My’-opia i.e, self-centered vision.

d} A sorrow delayed can never become joy.

I reserve my judgment on…

1] Indra’s caricature: a} Jayanta (Indra’s son) disguises as a crow to peck & harass Sita. Rama then launches Brahmastra (!!) on lil’ crow. Jayanta runs to Brahma & Shiva for help, before surrendering to Vishnu incarnation.

In actuality, as far as I know, Rama had warned Laxman against using devastating missiles like Brahmastra even in final war.

b} Ravana defeats Indra, makes him cook vegetables in his kitchen & also uses him as living staircase.

I do not possess in-depth knowledge of Ramayana, but I do suspect that Indra’s character assassination (since many centuries) has its roots dyed in unknown waters.

2] Gods vs Gods : Ravana gets 2 boons from Brahma (long life and death immunity from demiGods, sages, Gandharvas, Kinnaras, rakshasas, nagas) and gets the Chandrahasa sword from Shiva.

His son Meghnada gets 3 gifts from Shiva – science of illusion, an autopiloted chariot and an unbreakable bow.

So, should we assume that 2 of 3 Divine Trinity were pro-Ravana?

I have never understood why the above 2 keep doling out boons indiscriminately, while Vishnu & his incarnations have to clean up the resultant mess. Shubh Vilas explains that Shiva is called Ashutosh (one who is easy to please!)

3] Kekaya’s secret : Again, am not sure if this is a fact. The ‘secret’ known to Dasaratha, Rama and Sumantra … If it is indeed fact, then Keikeyi does get my share of sympathy.

What secret ? Read the book to know it!

VERDICT: Heartfelt writing, carefully etched character sketches & revelations, Management mantras all rolled into 386 pages. Worth it!

[Swathi Shenoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading the first book, Ramayana: The Game of Life - Rise of Sun Prince, I was waiting eagerly for the next book in the series to be released and no sooner did I get my hands on this book, I started devouring it right away. And I must say, the book lived up to my expectations.

In this second book, the main focus is laid on the events revolving around Rama's coronation; the turn of events that leads to Dasaratha's decision, Manthara's scheming, Kaikeyi's wishes and the agony that follows Rama's exile. There is also a brief introduction about Ravana, whose role is important in the coming book.

Continuing the tradition set in the first book, the author has given emphasis on each character, giving enough spotlight to each of them, to describe in detail their side of the story. Major part of the first half describes Dasaratha's turmoil and the second half describes Bharata's agony upon discovering the truth of what transpired in his absence. The emotions of the citizens, their love and devotion towards Rama and their devastation when he leaves for exile are all expressed well with giving importance to minute details.

There are many things to learn from the book. Sita's love for Rama which sees no material comforts, Lakshmana's absolute conviction with which he serves Rama, Bharata's humility and the determination with which Rama stands by his principles of truth. Urmila's sacrifice which, though spoken less of, commands respect in the hearts of readers. The description of hell, through Ravana's visit there, manages to send a chill down your spine.

And of course, foot notes! I had these little pieces of information which offered details and knowledge through out the first book. It has been continued in the second book too. The author has so much wisdom to offer to the readers and these foot notes are like tit bits of this wisdom. I absolutely loved them. I found many favorite lines in these. Few of them are:

* The present on the canvas of life is the result of a mu;titude of past strokes. Rather than brooding over those erroneous past strokes that can no longer be undone, learn from them and apply those strokes of wisdom today to paint a beautiful future.
* How long can one go with smiling faces and crying hearts? Either till the smile of the face goes to the heart or the cry of the heart reaches the face.
* Gossip is like a cacophony of crows, where every crow seems to be saying the most important thing, but has neither the time nor the inclination to hear an equally important message from any of the other crows.
* Confidence is a key to all locks, but overconfidence is the lock to all doors. Confidence leads to inspiration, but overconfidence leads to perspiration.

The language is eloquent and the narration crisp. I loved the flow of the story. There were a few typos this time but they were few and far stretched to spoil the bliss of reading. There are a few books which can be read multiple times and every time you read it, you get to learn something new. For me, this is one such book. I said in the review of the first book that a series can be considered effective when the readers are enthusiastic and look forward to reading the next book. Well, I am definitely looking forward for the third book in the series.

I recommend this book to all mythology readers. Go for it. It is definitely one of the best Ramayana books I have read. And I have a piece of advice - Don't rush reading this book. Go slowly and you will discover various facets of the story and every facet has something to offer to you.

[Arpita Dash · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ramayana- The Game of Life is a chronological series inspired from epic and myths, “Shattered Dreams” is the sequel of “Rise of the sun prince” by Shubha Vilas. I have heard the story of Ramayana several times during my childhood days. I also read it in my school, but what differentiates this book is the author’s detailing about the epic saga. The author has organized the complete book into nine chapters. Each chapter is divided into sub chapters, and each page provides us wisdom.
I didn’t read the first book of this ‘The Game of Life’ chronicles, but didn’t find any difficulty in understanding. The foremost advantage of this epic series is you can also directly read the second part without any understanding interruption.

The pensive king Dasaratha decided to step out of his throne and to make Rama the next ruler of Ayodhya. Every important person of the court agreed with Dasaratha and Rama’s coronation process began. There was jubilation in the city with the news, the evil Manthara plotted her plan to dismiss Rama and appoint Bharata as the new ruler of Ikshvaku line. She poured poison in the mind of Kaikeyi against Rama and advised her to take advantage of the boons, which she blessed from Dasaratha. Kaikeyi followed Manthara’s advice blindly. Helpless Dasaratha send Rama to exile and Rama accepted it.

This book explores the spiritual and motivational thoughts on life, truth and every aspect of life. This book not only enlightens us about the epic story, but also the different aspect of life through its spiritual quotes. The footnotes and various explanations are enhancing the glory of this book. I love most of the quotes, but here some are on my top lists:

‘The king wasn’t a lawmaker; instead he was a law-keeper. The king expressed ideas, all citizens lay down their opinions, and the churning of ideas and opinions resulted in a collective decision.’

‘Expressions of freedom are within the continuously monitored boundaries of law. As long as the expressions are confined to the boundaries, the boundaries seem virtual to the naive.’

‘Being happy for no reason is a sign of naivety. Being happy for others prosperity is a sign of maturity. Being happy for others misery is a sign of malignity.’


The book also explores the beautiful relationship of Rama and Sita. The true meaning of marriage is where the husband and wife desire the same thing; their love is equated through understanding. Wife stands by husband in his right decisions and vice verse.

I rarely find any cons in this book. Simply I love this book and it’s each chapter. I’ll recommend it to all for its enchanting writing style and spiritual thoughts. I will rate it five out of five.

[dishaa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The constant capitalization of words when not needed made me a bit irritated but a nice book hehe, we adore lord Rama and Sita ji in this house please-

[Raksha Bhat · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘Shattered Dreams’ is the second in the series of Ramayana-The Game of Life authored by Shubha Vilas. About a week ago I received a copy from the author with a wonderful handwritten note which definitely has added to the positivity I hope in this year , also I must say that my inquisitiveness to learn more about the epic which started with the first book is adequately appeased.

Firstly mythology, secondly a series to write in my opinion is a great challenge. To top that keeping a reader of the modern times hooked to the story is not a piece of cake. I did feel some dialogues and scenes above the light reading that I usually prefer but something did not let me put down the book. It does succeed very much like the first in its rendition.

The story begins with Dasaratha’s nightmare on a restless night and ends with Rama, Sita and Lakshmana leaving towards the Dandakaranya forest. What transpires in between is where all the learning of life is, as the author rightly put it for me in his mail-how to handle reversals positively is what one can learn from Rama and how to explore beyond one’s comfort zone is what one can learn from Sita.

What added to my knowledge and confidence about Ramayana is what the other characters had to tell me. Dasaratha, Kausalya, Sumitra, Kaikeyi, Lakshmana, Bharatha, Shatrugna, Urmila, Manthara, Sumanthra, Guha, Anasuya, Vasistha and all the others have myriad things to teach us as well. We all have heard and read about Ramayana from many sources, but what makes this book different is the extreme detailing and the interpretation which contributes to developing our own perspective about the epic. The stories within the story-how people earned their names, why a certain situation had to happen and what made people behave the way they did is what the book offers. For example how Dasaratha came to be called so, why a boatman wanted to wash Rama’s feet, why Bharatha refused to become the king and so on. The book has answers to these questions.

My favourite line is in one scene between Rama and Sita”…she then wove an imaginary garland around Rama’s neck by moving her beautiful eyes and smiled again” This was one poetic portion. I also have to mention about the point to point footnotes. Some of them like these are etched in my memory.


“Relationships thrive when genuine service is acknowledged by active gratitude”

"The decisions to make decisions has to be made in moments of strength not in moment of weakness"

“One ounce of immaturity coupled with ten ounces of ill advice is the perfect recipe for a life of disaster”

“Convenience is about changing the law to suit your life but maturity is about changing your life to salute the law”


On one considerable side I must admit that I was at my wit’s end with some portions of footnotes and explanations, that one thin line when a reader realizes with the flownm”Oh wait, let me get back, where was the story!” This happened to me a couple of times when I had to flip the pages back. I guess this was the only pique I had to deal with even with the first book. I decided to overlook this since so many good ideas and opinions came along with the reading . I would only recommend this for people who are interested in looking at Ramayana as our story, because it actually is.

[Rishikesh Pande · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Review (No Spoilers!)


Ramayana and Mahabharata are the epic mythological tales known to many and have been told and re-told many a times. But, even if we are aware of these epic tales, have we really understood them completely? Have we really gone through the details of each and every incident that takes place and took lessons from them? Have we really discovered the hidden psychological gems from the epic tales? Have we ever walked into, not only shoes but also skin of, each one of the Ramayana’s characters and understood why they did what they did?


No? Well, don’t worry! Shubha Vilas, a spiritual seeker and motivational speaker, has done it for us.


‘Shattered Dreams’, written by Shubha Vilas, is the sequel to the national bestseller, ‘Rise of the Sun Prince’ and is a part of series, ‘Ramayana - The Game of Life.’ To be honest, I was a little skeptical about the book but, Shubha Vilas’s book has come to me as a huge surprise and left a lifelong impression on me. And here’s why:


Shubha Vilas has dived in deeper in the vast ocean of knowledge from the Ramayana and has touched every stone which was left unturned for all these years. He has presented it to us in his book in simple and lucid language and has left us bewildered at the knowledge, the perspectives, and the management skills that can be learnt from the epic tale of Ramayana. These lessons and skills are also useful in day-to-day life, especially for managers and can be applied to personal relationships. Shubha Vilas has done what most Ramayana versions probably failed to do all these years and has left me, someone who never read mythology genre books, completely hooked to the book. I found myself in utter disbelief that I too enjoyed a mythology genre book.


Shubha Vilas has done a great job in carefully arranging chapters and each chapter has innumerable footnotes giving us the depth missing from the epic tale all these years. If you ask me, footnotes presented in the book are probably the most prominent feature of this book.


The best part about Shubha Vilas’s book is the language. His language flows smoothly throughout the book and his words flow like a river flows through the mountain ranges but only to meet the vast ocean in the end as if to give a complete sense of satisfaction to his readers. His words and sentences not only tell an epic tale of Ramayana but also send his readers in trance!


This book is recommended to all the readers who want to swim in the vast ocean of psychological depth Shubha Vilas has explored in the epic tale of Ramayana in very simple and unique language. In fact, I would recommend readers to get a copy of book one and two and the entire upcoming series as this is the knowledge and the depth we all have been waiting for inside the epic tale of Ramayana.


Having said all that, it is just a formality now to rate this wonderful book by Shubha Vilas. I rate this wonderful book 4 out of 5 for surprising me with its wonderful insights and giving me a complete sense of satisfaction by the end of this book.



Huge Thanks to Blogadda for Review copy!

This review is a part of the biggest Book Review Program for Indian Bloggers.
Participate now to get free books!

Read full review here:
http://letusreviewyourbook.blogspot.i...

[Pragya · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Find more reviews at Reviewing Shelf.

Frankly, I was a bit hesitant before giving this book a nod. I only get along with the writing of very few Indian authors so I am skeptical when trying a new one. A few pages into the book and all my doubts were put to rest. Shubha’s writing didn’t put me off. He has a rich vocabulary and the writing makes for a smooth, easy read. It was natural and didn’t grab my attention enough to distract me from the concept of the book.

I had not read the first book but being well versed with the general theme of Ramayana, I didn’t think I would feel any disconnect and I was right about that. I believe that will be for most of the readers who have a cursory knowledge of Ramayana.

What I liked about the book was that the instances are well-detailed. Some of those I was not aware of so that added to the dimensions. I especially liked the lessons that one can take from different episodes that are put up in little boxes. It also makes them easier to get back to. The author’s analysis in those instances comes handy. These lessons are applicable from a household situation to even a managerial one.

Also, if one is interested in learning the meaning of certain Hindi or Sanskrit words, they have been taken straight from the epic and then their translation is given. It makes it easier for someone who wants to go back and read the original text someday. You can start building up your dictionary right away.

What I had trouble with was that even though the footnotes had to be there to add perspective, sometimes it was cumbersome to go back and forth and also took the attention away from the smooth flowing story line. Another of my pet peeve are certain typos. And some analogies drawn seemed too general or too abstract to draw my interest. Also, certain expressions like ‘Sita giggling mindlessly’ doesn’t gel well with my conception of Sita so I had trouble imagining and believing it.

Overall, the book makes for an easy, interesting read for people who have or haven’t read Ramayana in the past. The author has worked hard to glean lessons from this epic. The lessons are of benefit to everyone from an average Joe to a marketing consultant. The book flows smoothly and makes you want to go on reading. The author’s in-depth research and analysis makes this an unabridged version. In fact, certain of the historical events or meanings of certain words were new to me and lent the story a refreshing new perspective.

Sorting down this epic into volumes makes it seem less daunting a task to read it all. The way the author has broken it down into parts and further chapters makes the reading effortless and enjoyable. The book is recommended for all those who have an interest in history-based books, epics or those who seek to learn lessons from age-old stories and apply them in the new age world.

[Njkinny (Njkinny's Blog) · Rating 3 out of 5]

http://www.njkinnysblog.com/2015/04/b...

Shattered Dreams is my first book by the author that I have read. I didn't read the first part but still can say that I didn't feel any gaps while reading this second part.

The cover art is eye catching and shows Ram sleeping with a troubled expression but still managing to look beautiful. The chariot with Dashratha is shown in the background but one thing struck me as odd. The horse pulling the chariot looks more like a donkey which is confusing and I cant decide if this was done unintentionally or has a hidden meaning because I didn't get any enlightenment on this point after reading the book!

The blurb is interesting and immediately made me want to read the book.

This book showcases the life of Ram while in exile. The author has beautifully taken the famous Ramayana and given it his own touch. The story seems more connectable to our present life and I felt that I could use the teachings in my day-to-day lifestyle. The footnotes add more engagement to the story and I enjoyed the tiny nuggets of wisdom that the author shares here.

The writing style is simple, engaging and interested me. The only things that somewhat lessened my enjoyment were the grammar errors at places in the book and some phrases that drastically changed my perceptions of evergreen characters like Sita, Ram and Lakshman. Sita is sometimes shown as a silly princess, Ram seems to be enjoying the exile and Lakshman is shown as a slave with no regard from Ram and Sita shown towards him. These things are totally out of character and is something which will confuse the new readers.

The character of Bharat had me admiring the author. He makes Bharat stand out as the important and prominent character that he was in Ramayan. Usually, not given his due importance in the telling of Ramayana, here Shubha Vilas rectifies this and beautifully brings out Bharat's dilemmas, sacrifices and loyalty towards his family and especially towards his elder brother, Ram.

Ram's teachings in each chapter had me enjoying and thoroughly engaged right till the end.

Overall, Shattered Dreams is a book that will interest readers who love the Indian mythological tales and will add a new outlook to these old stories. 3.5 out of 5 to it and I hope to read more from the author in the future. Shubha Vilas is a learned writer and talented. He brings out Ramayan in a new light and is successful in his venture of bringing alive these age-old tales.

I received the book from Blogadda and the author and I am very thankful to them. The above review is my honest and unbiased opinion and in no way influenced.

[Parul Thakur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read the full review here - https://happinessandfood.wordpress.co...

Through this book Shubha Vilas has narrated the events that lead to Rama’s exile. The book begins with Dasaratha having a nightmare which seems to have no real origin. The king decides to crown Rama as the king of Ayodhya and lead a relaxed life. With this unfolds a riveting drama of event that eventually result in an exile of 14 years for Rama. Lakshman and Sita willingly join him during this part of his life to create many more stories.

Almost all of us know the story of Ramayana. But what we do not know is the other stories that are all inter-weaved within the larger one. As an example, how Nemi got the name Dasaratha or how Dasagriva (Ravana) was born with the best of two races – the rakasas on one hand and possessing the power of brahmanas on the other, how Sita’s getting attracted towards the golden deer was something that she been warned off and many more.

One thing that I really liked about the book was its relevance to readers of today. The author has spoken of values and virtues that if followed can make us a better human being. The author also talks about the relationship that a couple shares – two humans bound by marriage suffer and enjoy each other’s fate throughout their lives. Though this is a mythological story, this book is also a self help kit if the reader wishes it see it that way. Every page has a footnote with lots of messages and great insights.

[Purba Chakraborty · Rating 4 out of 5]

My rating is 4.5/5

Shattered Dreams is the second book in the spiritual and motivational series, Ramayana. This book starts from the juncture when Dasaratha decides to coronate Rama and ends at the point where Rama, Lakshmana and Sita head towards Dandakaranya after spending the first year of their exile in the mighty Chitrakoot mountain.

Despite knowing the story of Ramayana by heart, what hooked me to the book is its beautiful and lucid narration. The dialogues are exceptionally beautiful. Some scenes are so beautifully described that it fills you up with reverence and wonder. The scene where Bharata pleads Rama to go back to the kingdom of Ayodhya touched the innermost chords of my heart. The dialogues that were exchanged between the righteous Rama and the faithful Bharata would not fail to mesmerize the readers.The emotional turmoil faced by each character was desribed aptly.

What makes this book a beautiful self-help book is the footnotes in each page which contains beautiful nuggets of wisdom. I can surely go back to this book again and again for the wisdom it contains.

Highly recommended to people who love to read books on mythology, philosophy and spirituality.

Read the complete review here: http://purbareviews.blogspot.in/2015/...

[Manish Purohit · Rating 4 out of 5]

***Book Review: RAMAYANA: THE GAME OF LIFE - Book 2 (SHATTERED DREAMS) by Shubha Vilas***

The Ramayana depicts the victory of good over the evil. It is an ocean brimmed with innumerable pearls of wisdom for every aspect and juncture of life. Every time you take a dip in the ocean, you are bestowed with one of the zillion pearls lying in its womb and the deeper you plunge, the more exquisite the pearl is. Shattered Dreams is one of the parts of that illimitable ocean which commands an exploration to unearth the treasure that lies within.

Pick this masterpiece and experience it slowly & steadily as it takes you to the era where family members still strives and struggles for each other happiness, where the value system still inculcate the virtue of righteousness and nobility, where idealism still remains a habit which is practiced and where the love soars much above the materialism of the world.

Do grab a copy and immerse yourself in this ocean to unearth those pearls of wisdom which are bound to light up your emotional and intelligent quotient to make yourself a better you.

Rating: 4/5

Read the detailed review here>>>
http://musingsofawanderingheart.blogs...

[Vishal Kale · Rating 5 out of 5]

The main aspect of the book is the revelation in the scenes between the various players, with the recreation of the scenes between Prabhi Shri Ram, Devi Sita; Shri Ram - Lakshman, Shri Ram - Kaushalya etc. This is so wonderfully retold, that the scene unfolds in front of your eyes, and invariably bringing a tear to your eyes! Such is the tremendous power of the words in the book : I do not know if this is the power of The Ramayan, the skill of the Author, or both...

For those of you who havent actually read The Ramayan, be prepared for a roller-coaster ride and a highly emotional experience. I can now understand just how important The Ramayan is to us, as well as Shri Ram-Devi Sita; the emotions you experience as you read it cannot be described; at least I do not have the skill to describe them. This is also due in some small measure to the focus being not just on telling the story so much as recreating the story in front of your eyes, and in your mind.

[Pratikshya Mishra · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I really liked about this book are the footnotes and the insightful side boxes. Some of them are thus: Triple Virtues of Talent, Attitude and Character; Why do people who love each other suddenly realize that they have nothing in common?; How can one experience pleasure when others are in pain?; Is love confined to physical proximity?; Six solutions to success- confronting criticism, subconscious desires, confusing choices, blame and praise, accountability, and irresistible temptations; the management mantras about respect, decision, reputation, team and character are a few. The story is chronologically divided into chapters and a few sub-chapters in each. I like the look and feel of the book. The font is eye pleasing. The cover art is beautiful- Kudos to the designer and illustrator.

http://pratikshya-magicmoments.blogsp...

[Himani Goyal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any opportunity to read about Indian mythology leaves a spark of enthusiasm, particularly if it is the epic Ramayana. It is the Second series of Ramayana and it is about Lord Rama’s exile. The best part is it not only makes us read about Lord Rama’s exile but also his teachings which one can apply in life to attain Success. A must read book.





Full review: http://www.himanipassion.com/book-rev...

[Jairam Mohan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Continuing in the same vein as the first book, this one continues with the fine tradition of an authentic retelling of what remains one of the most evergreen mythological epics of all time.

Detailed review put up at https://mahabore.wordpress.com/2016/0...

[Shrilaxmi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I recieved this book through a goodreads giveaway.

This book is pretty much a waste of time and money if you've already read the ramayana. The nice thing was that every page gives you hints on how to live a happy  life though it may sound preachy at times. I couldn't read it more than once.

[Arvind Passey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The guts of doing what is right: Review of ‘The game of Life – Shattered Dreams’
*

Ramayana, like any other epic anywhere else in the world, is as good as the way it is interpreted. I mean, if you read a badly interpreted version of even the Bhagwad Gita, you might not really find anything of sublime essence there… the same is true of this book that is interpreted in a way that the thriller lovers today might find engrossing.

The book ‘Ramayana – The game of Life: Shattered dreams’ written by Shubha Vilas that I am talking about is the second volume and deals with the drama that preceded when Rama is sent to vanvasa (exiled) and ends with Bharata accepting his role with the sort of detached involvement that we are all aware of. Of course when there are nearly three hundred and sixty seven pages telling us the story of this period, the characters included are far more than the ones we come across in stories that describe the period in less than two thousand words.

With this introduction in place let me throw you right in the midst of the way the tale or tales are retold, like, for instance, when Bharata is about to be told to reach Ayodhaya where there is an emergency, he is woken up from his siesta where he is subjected to a dream where he sees ‘the honourable king struggling in a slushy pond filled with obnoxious slush’ and there is a ‘ghoulish shrill laughter shattering the night’s silence’ and he also sees ‘a rusty-complexioned ghastly demoness appear out of nowhere’. There is the ‘clippity-clop of the jackasses and the morbid laughter of the demoness’ ringing in his mind and he experiences a lot of dissonance within. It is inclusions such as these that hold a reader mesmerised and the book goes on with a convergence of well-known and the not-so-well-known facts of the story. The writer does not fail to mention that ‘the ominous dream that had wrecked his mental peace foretold many shattered dreams’. This is the sort of imagery that the book is filled with.

Even the beginning where King Dasaratha admits that he is ‘now weary, old age has decayed my strength and rendered me unfit to fulfil the demands of the royal crown’ and goes on to declare that he now ‘cannot do justice to the weight of a zillion expectations. I long for rest and wish to hand over this burden now. Like the bull that after years of slogging for its master needs care and rest, I, too crave for some repose’. We know that it is time for Keikeyi and Manthara to take centre-stage.

All that I am trying to say is that the book captures not just the story but also the mood of every moment with allusions that invoke dread and reluctance. This part of Ramayana has all this and the writer has indeed captured it rather well. She has even given us sub-headings that, once they are written in one straight line, will convey just this. Precisely. Look at Chapter three that begins with ‘boons become curses’ and after a short digression into ‘revelry and reverence’ goes straight into ‘a mind game’ and expectedly ‘poison takes root’ with ‘payback time’ completing the cycle of this dreaded moment.

Some of the chapters in this book go on to add value to interpretations in interspersed boxed texts where the writer goes beyond expression and the thriller bits and dives into a bit of pedagogy as well. So we have boxed texts with titles like ‘learnings from the volatile behaviour of Lakshmana and the composed behaviour of Rama’ and the five management mantras that Rama reveals when Bharata comes to him in a state of disorientation to his forest abode. Rama lectures him on good management and leadership traits in a bid to hand over ‘all the knowledge that he would need to rule for the next 14 years’. These mantras are like short zen quotes and I particularly liked the ones under ‘reputation management’ where Rama’s concepts are great for not just the PR guys but also for everyone looking to get his or her image corrected. Rama recommends Bharata to ‘Dress royally. The regal appearance of a king gives confidence to the subjects’ and adds ‘Make yourself available to hear your subject’s grievances. First-hand interaction with the leader gives hope to the subjects’. As I read them all I realised that they do have a relevance not just to the common man but also to the political leadership of our country and even to the administrators and the corporate leaders. I liked one in the ‘team management’ section where Rama declares that the ‘army chief should be cheerful, wise, courageous, well-behaved, loved by his subordinates, efficient, born and raised in a family that imbibes Vedic values and culture’… or the one where Bharata is told to ‘honour courageous warriors in public.’ I mean, look at the way honest and straight-forward civil servants are constantly transferred and not allowed to do their job… I hope you get the drift.

If you think the book is all about only those interpretations that can be super-imposed on current events, you just need to wait for the parts where metaphysics comes rolling in. I loved the bit where Rama says:

‘Just as the puppet has the freedom to move as long as the string attached to it allows, a human being has the freedom to only choose a response to any situation that befalls him or her. Destiny, which is under the control of God, is the decider of good and bad fortune. But humans can choose how to react to the decisions made by god. He can never really change the decisions once made.’

I know that there will be a lot of existentialists who might pooh-pooh all this… and I also know that there will be people who will want to disagree with this, saying, ‘Is this really included in the original Ramayana?’ To tell you the truth I have not read the original and so I will not be able to answer this one, but I know that the blurb states that the author has taken Valmiki’s Ramayana ‘as its guiding light’ and that the book has taken its facts from Kamba Ramayana and Ramacharitramanas, as well as ‘folk philosophy from the Loka Pramana Tales to demonstrate how the ancient epic holds immediate relevance to modern life’.

The author had the guts of writing what is right, is the way I interpret the book… just as Rama, the main protagonist has the guts of doing what is right.

*

Read my book reviews and other posts on my blog:
www.passey.info
*
This review on my blog:
http://passey.info/2015/04/the-guts-o...
*

[Vaishali Sekar Rama · Rating 5 out of 5]

The meaning behind each and every incident is marvelously narrated. It kept me glued to the book.

[Nehali Lalwani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review
The Shattered Dreams" by Shubha Vilas.
I am grateful to be called upon by BlogAdda to review a book. This time it is "Ramayana - The Game of Life: The Shattered Dreams" by Shubha Vilas.
Book Details:
Language: English, Genre: Non-fiction/Religion & Philosophy
Author(s): Shubha Vilas
Publisher: Jaico Books, Year Published: 2015 January
Binding: Paperback, Edition: First, Pages: 404
ISBN-13: 978-8184955316, ISBN-10: 8184955316
Reviewed for: BlogAdda
About the Author:
Shubha Vilas, a spiritual seeker and a motivational speaker, holds a degree in engineering and law with specialization in Patent Law. His leadership seminars are popular with top-level management in corporate houses. He also helps individuals deal with modern-life situations by applying the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana and other dharmic traditions.
Blurb View:
Shattered Dreams is the sequel to the national bestseller, Rise of the Sun Prince, in the new spiritual and motivational series Ramayana – The Game of Life. Twelve joyful years have passed in Ayodhya since the wedding of Rama and Sita at the end of Book 1.
Now, in Shattered Dreams, Shubha Vilas narrates the riveting drama of Rama’s exile. Through tales of Rama’s unwavering and enigmatic persona, the book teaches us how to handle reversals positively; through Bharata’s actions, it teaches us to handle temptation; and through Sita’s courage, to explore beyond our comfort zone. This complicated family drama provides deep insights on how human relationships work and how they fail.
With Valmiki’s Ramayana as its guiding light, Shattered Dreams deftly entwines poetic beauty from the Kamba Ramayana and Ramacharitramanas, as well as folk philosophy from, the Loka Pramana tales, to demonstrate how the ancient epic holds immediate relevance to modern life. Experience the ancient saga of the Ramayana like never before.
Ratings: 5/5
Review:
There are a few books which can be read multiple times and every time you read it, you get to learn something new. For me, this is one such book.
This book is a sequel to the first book in the series - Rise of the Sun Prince. The author has structured the entire manuscript into nine chapters. Each chapter is alienated into sub chapters, and each page will readily provide you something new and interesting about the Ramayana.
Shattered Dreams talks about the time when Dasharatha wants to crown Rama as king of Ayodhya and the following chain of events up until Rama, Sita and Lakshmana leave Chitrakoot for Dandakaranya forest. Kaikeyi chooses to trade in her two boons and Bharata granted for his mother's sinful deeds in this enthralling tale.
The story begins with Dasaratha’s nightmare on a restless night. The second half describes Bharata's agony upon discovering the truth of what transpired in his absence and ends with Rama, Sita and Lakshmana leaving towards the Dandakaranya forest. The emotions of the citizens, their love and devotion towards Rama and their desolation when he leaves for émigré are all articulated well with generous connotation to microscopic particulars.
This book explores the spiritual and motivational thoughts on life, truth and every aspect of life. The author has given prominence to each character, giving enough attention to each of them, to portray their side of the story in detail. One more thing I liked about the book is Every page has a footnote with lots of messages and great insights.
Possessions and circumstances are so brilliantly defined by author that their message is easily understood by the readers. What I personally loved in the book is the beautiful relationship of Rama and Sita. The correct meaning of marriage is when two humans bound by marriage suffer and enjoy each other’s fate throughout their lives, their love is evaluated through understanding. Wife stands by husband in his right decisions and vice versa.
I rarely find any cons in this book. Simply I love this book and it’s each chapter.
I recommend this book to all mythology readers.
Highly recommend to anyone who wants to know more about Ramayana.
Go for it. It’s worth it.

[Anu Lal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shubha Vilas has written a book that is as much about Ramayana as it is Ramayana itself, re-narrated for a ‘new’ India. A motivational speaker and spiritual seeker, Shubha Vilas, is the author of Ramayana: The Game of Life, a spiritual and motivational series. The second book in this series is titled Shattered Dreams. The book re-presents the grand story of Rama as told in the original Ramayana, with a contemporary and relevant attitude. At each juncture, Shubha Vilas pauses to ask questions about life and its choices, and nudge the reader into a state of learning and spiritual awareness through the test and tribulations that appear in the life of Rama, the protagonist.

“To bring a chicken out of an egg, one only needs to wait. Similarly, destiny unfolds itself on its own accord,” says the footnote that decorates the purpose of the book during a conversation between Lakshmana and Rama. Through the story of Rama, of how a young prince followed his Dharma that was laid down by his father in front of him, the author narrates techniques that anyone from the twenty-first century can master and practice in order to achieve ethical enlightenment. In this aspect, the book appears to be a guide for ethics and morality. The first volume to Shattered Dreams is a national bestseller titled Rise of the Sun Prince.

At the end of Book 1 Rama and Sita are married. Book 2 is the story of the exile of Rama, who, because of a conspiracy, had to abandon his kingdom and lead a life of hardships. Moreover, one could observe a self-imposition in Rama’s action, as he chooses exile rather than denigrating his father’s vow with Keikeyi, one of his father’s wives and the mother of Bharata and Shatrughna.

Although Keikeyi is a major contributor to the conspiracy that sends Rama into the forest for exile, she does it for her son Bharata’s career. If Rama were present in the palace, he would be the next king. So in the exile of Rama has the solution for Keikeyi, in making her son the next king. Still, one could observe height of personal integrity and justice in the very own son of Keikeyi.

Bharata says to Shatrughna, his brother, “Just see how much harm Keikeyi has done. The kingdom without a king is like a stray boat without a rudder.”

In a world where power and influence has become the markers of individual success, such characters, and the stories in which they are portrayed become signs of spiritually fulfilling and meaningful growth. Ramayana: The Game Of Life—Shattered Dreams also reminds us of a turning point in Indian publishing industry. Once in India, books with religious characters, or characters from religious mythology were very rare. Bestselling author of the Siva trilogy, Amish Tripathi, remarked in one of the interviews about his early attempts to publish his first book that all publishers turned his book down saying that a book with a mythological and religious figure like Siva just wouldn’t fit the standards of publishing industry. Everyone knows what happened to the book though. The ‘standard’ has been reset, if there ever was one.

Ramayana: The Game of Life—Shattered Dreams is not entirely a work of fiction. Just like in my book, Prabuddha: The Clear-Sighted, in which I tried to convey spiritual and philosophical values through stories, Shubha Vilas attempts to bring forth age-old and relevant wisdom of the Ramayana through this new book. Shattered Dreams would offer you the story of Rama, the benevolent and the just, and also would walk you through the light shed through the majestic personality of this great man. Through this volume, one gains the perspective not just through the chaos of twentieth century, but what lies before it. Who wouldn’t want to see what values went into the making of this 5000-year-old civilization that we call India?

If you are not familiar with the story of Rama, you may also learn toward the end of the book what a pair of sandals can do to change the way one looks at power. What better gifts of wisdom could there ever be in a book than changing the way one looks at the things around.

Ramayana: The Game of Life is published by Jaico Publishing, and is

[SANJAY THAMPY · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Review of the Book – “Ramayana – The Game of Life – Shattered Dreams – Book-2” by Shubha Vilas

Being an avid writer on religion and rituals, more as a critic than as a supporter, I was a bit skeptic when I was offered to review this particular book. The skepticism was borne not out of my short of confidence in my reading virtues but from the fact that how would I, more of a rationalist thinker, would relate to a book on mythology.

However, as I started reading it, my apprehensions were laid to rest, because I found the author narrating lucidly the life history of a part of one of the biggest mythological stories ever written and also linking it quite easily relating to the problems and predicaments that we so commonly face in our daily life.

To being with, to give a brief synopsis of what to expect from this book, I need to say that this book, Shattered Dreams is the sequel to the national bestseller, Rise of the Sun Prince, which is an innovative writing experience by Shubha Vilas in his adventure of trying to present the new spiritual and motivational series Ramayana - The Game of Life.

Though I have not read the first book in this series, from the first page itself, as a reader, I could very easily relate that it takes up from where the first book ended with the narration of the twelve joyful years of the wedded life of Rama and Sita in Ayodhya. I felt that the narrative has been quite sublime to get the reader involved in the story without leaving a void to be required to think of what must have happened in the prequel.

In this book, Shubha Vilas attempts to narrate the volatile drama of the reasoning and the logic as well as the circumstances behind Rama’s exile to the forest for 14 years. The author also tries to bring out the wavering thoughts in the minds of Rama and his younger brother while preparing for the exile which makes the reader understand the complexities of human relationship in a very subtle and simple manner.


Since, the author has not dared to deviate from the original epic, being Valimiki’s “Ramayana” as the guiding force and light and the inspiration behind his narration, it gives the reader an aura of mythological contentment and glee of being able to imagine the religious gods that they adore and adulate while at the same time understand the complex nature of the reasoning and logic behind every action, which may seem to us at first attempt to be absolutely wrong and treacherous.

Shubha Vilas has been very successful in quoting and in trying to entwine in between the poetic verses from the Ramcharitmanasas too, without being too philosophical in his narration. The poetic narrations and their explanations provided by the author aptly strikes a chord in the reader’s mind as to how much relevance this ancient epic holds in our modern life.

The author, being a motivational speaker himself, by profession, seems to have mastered the art of preaching through his words, how to handle the various vices that we come across life, like temptation and also how to stand steadfast in case of any major reversals in life. The actions of Bharata and the persona of Rama and Lakshmana as narrated herein are leading examples of the above. It also attempts to show us by way of narration of Sita’s courage, how easily and comfortably we should be willing to adopt and explore beyond our known boundaries, the well defined comforts of life that we become so used to.

The anti-heroes have also been given apt coverage whether it is the painful explanation of the internal turmoil of Dasaratha or the vengeful actions of Kaikeyi or even while getting the readers into the minds of Ravana.

All in all, after reading this book, I felt that the author has done an extensive and epic research of the subject and has augured well to present to the readers the basic reasoning and explanations for the actions and inactions of each and every character in the story.

[Pankaj Goyal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Indian mythology is too fascinating to get bore. There is something that keeps you glued to Indian myths and legends. There is always something to ponder and discuss about no matter how many times you read or hear it. For that reason, the number of books based on Indian mythologies is increasing day by day. In fact, it will not be an exaggeration to say that the modern Indian fiction is presently being bombarded by an assortment of writings based on Indian mythology. This is especially true for Ramayana and Mahabharata, which have been re-told in refreshing styles of writings. Asura by Anand Neelakantan, Arjuna by Anuja Chandramouli, and The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni are some of the prominent examples of such writings.

Anyway, let us turn our attention to ‘Shattered Dreams’ by Subha Vilas, the book under review. This book is the second installment in a series (Ramayana: The game of Life) of six books. The first book in the series ‘The Rise of the Sun Prince’ was released in 2013 and became a huge success. While I did not get a chance to read this first installment, I am aware of the rave reviews this book has collected so far. These reviews created an earnest interest about this series in my mind. And, therefore, I became very happy when I got an opportunity to read and review the second installment of this series through Blogadda.com.

So let us take ‘Shattered Dreams’ by Subha Vilas and ask ourselves to what extent it illustrates the classic tale of Ramayana in an innovative way. While retelling Indian epics which people think they already know is not an easy task, Subha Vilas accomplishes the job of rewriting Ramayana brilliantly. He makes it more interesting and appealing by presenting much more than the bare bones of the story. He delves into the sub-plots, significance of little known events and the numerous stories within stories. The foot notes given in almost every page help us to understand the symbolic importance of any action taken by the characters. Most importantly, he captures not only the story but also conveys the nuances and philosophies rooted in this Indian epic. This, consequently, make you both think and comprehend many incongruities in the story. I would like to congratulate the author for re-writing Ramayana in such a coherent and lucid fashion. This book does not weigh you down with dreary details. On the other hand, it lets you enjoy the brilliance of the epic.

The book has authentic base to it and it is certainly not the mythological mumbo-jumbo of the interpretation of Indian mythology. Though the book is mainly based on Valmiki’s Ramayana, it also entwines lyrical beauty of Kamba Ramayana, Tulsidas’s Ramcharitamanas and folk philosophy of Loka Pramana Tales. This book narrates the spellbinding drama of Ram’s exile from Ayodhya. The book also gives us a glimpse of Ravana, who is going to play a significant role in the coming volumes of this series. Through this narrative, the book provides deep insights on human relationships and forces us to think hard. The book also has a fantastic cover which will certainly lure you in.

I absolutely loved it, if I haven't said so before already! Highly recommend to anyone who wants to know more about Ramayana.

This review is a part of the biggest Book Review Program for Indian Bloggers. Participate now to get free books!

Read More On:
https://pgalmora.wordpress.com/2015/0...

[Surender Negi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ramayana Shattered dream Book #02 by Shubha Vilas is morphine for lover of poetry and philosophy. According to me this drug should be taken by everyone without doubt in mind. Ramayana is always my one favorite epic and ithihas of India that dipped me spirituality and trust. Lord Rama itself a drugs to truth seeker, dharmaic people and sages for years.
Ramayana as a tale:
 Ramayana as a tale is most interpreted book in human history. It has been interpreted by view of Hanuman, laxmana, sita, lave and khusa, Ravan etc. but retelling of this tale make a spiritual writer complete. In My view I think its gives an opportunity to reader and writer to live with that legacy of mighty Rama and his principle of righteousness.
 Ramayana, itself contain so many question and answer for youngsters of around the world. Its dissect dharma to religion. Its dissect atheism biggest fear. Its uphold the authority of righteousness & principle of humanity above than anything. May be above than God. Its hold love for a family, brothers, animals, assures & nature.
 Ramayana hold glory of an righteous men, its hold principle for an ideal leader, brother, husband. Ramayana in words work as drugs to a disease body of illusion. Its work as eye drop in ill functioned world and manmade religious environment.
Likes:-
Shubha Vilas’s Ramayana seeks love amongst relations In Shuba Vilas Ramayana, he successfully able to illustrate the “Karuna Raga”. The only story where everyone crying for others, everyone wants to take atrocity happened on others. This book illustrates the things which are lack of current society. Harmony amongst family, order amongst people, dharma in society and trust on God will.
Shubha Vilas’s Ramayana seeks love amongst Humans Shubha Vilas also try to highlight the most generous massage in this installment that everyone weather they are believer or non-believer shall be read life style of Ramayana. It doesn’t hold people to obey some command or believed something. It’s actually highlighted most vibrant character of humans irrelative of religion and country. Its ask seekers to be compensate like Rama to forgive everyone who has done atrocity, he ask seekers to see himself as holder of dharma without putting pressure and except their atrocity as play of time. Its ask seekers to behave generously and pleasurably who has short sightedness. It’s also asking seekers to stand against injustice but not when it’s taken under compassion. Its ask seekers to respect your parents, Teachers, Brothers, Wife’s and wise humans.
Shubha Vilas’s Ramayana seeks love amongst nature: When Rama respect shayama tree, he worships rivers and others thing. In Abrahamic world it might be consider as crime for considering these things God’s. While they do not able to differentiate the meaning of respect and devotion. Devotion is multitude form of respect which is comes from experience in atheistic life without diverging from principle while respect is only a gesture to thanks all those things who served human life, directly and indirectly. Ramayana teaches us to Love relation, respect nature & devote to Lord.
Dislike : It’s really very hard to find. My side it has no fault.

I would like to thanks writer for such books for my collections.

[Amrit Sinha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mythological tale comes packed not only with a sweet fragrance of familiarity, but also that refreshing excitement of unearthing something new. Most of us are aware of the story of Ramayana, the famous epic based on the life and adventure of the divine couple – Rama and Sita. We have heard it several times, from different persons, exploring varied perspectives of the same, and forming opinions of our own, and yet, Shubha Vilas’s Ramayana – The Game Of Life series never fails to enthrall us. It’s the combination of a powerful plot and the polished story telling ability of Shubha Vilas that fetches high marks to this retelling of the Ramayana.

‘Shattered Dreams’, sequel to the ‘Rise Of The Sun Prince’, starts with heightened anxiety in the mind of Dasaratha, the ruler of Ayodhya. He has planned to pass on the kingdom to his eldest and glorious son, Rama. However, there is a strange fear lurking at the back of his mind. He tries to get rid of it, thinking he is worrying without any reason. However, when Queen Keikeyi informs him of her demands, which turn out to be cruel to the lives of Dasratha, Rama and the entire kingdom of Ayodhya, the fear finally takes shape and the king, bonded by his promise, could only curse himself and his fate.

The book follows a third person narrative style, and Shubha Vilas excels in it. The pace is perfect, neither too fast, nor too slow. It is as if the pages take the form of visual frames, playing in front of our eyes, a motion picture inscribed in ink. Such is the magic of ‘Shattered Dreams’ that the readers will tend to be hypnotized by the events, sailing with the flow, transfixed, mesmerized.

The characterization is again a strong point of this book, and hardly gives any reason to complain. Rama is the virtuous and righteous leader, well adept with the principles of Dharma, never straying from his path of duty. Sita, his wife, is his greatest support, always trying to ease Rama’s worries and willing to be with him at all times, both good and bad. Lakshmana, a loyal brother, aims to be an ideal servant to Rama, vowing to look after his safety and providing Rama and Sita every comfort that he could manage. Bharata is noble in his deeds, not accepting the throne because of his love and respect towards Rama.

There are portions in the book that have come out very beautifully. For instance, when Rama was leaving Ayodhya for his exile, the author brings about the grief in the hearts of the entire population through his brilliant use of words. His metaphors and similes provide the perfect depiction of the scene, stirring emotions within us, making us feel a part of the narration. The editing is very well done, and there are no unnecessary segments in the story. The chapters complement each other, leading to a seamless flow of the narrative.

For lovers of mythology and epics, ‘Shattered Dreams’ is a must read. Shubha Vilas deserves a pat on his back for doing his job exceedingly well, making his readers relive the epic, in an all new and brighter hue.

[Jaideep Khanduja · Rating 5 out of 5]

http://pebbleinthestillwaters.blogspo...

Book Review: Ramayana The Game Of Life by @ShubhaVilas : Leader Must Live Beyond All Shattering

I became a die-hard fan of the writing style of Shubha Vilas the day I read his book Ramayana The Game of Life: Rise Of The Sun Prince some time in August 2014. And then I mentioned this book in a post titled Ten Books From Indian Authors: Touching Your Heart Strings, in September 2014. The context chosen by Shubha has always been fascinating. It is not only based on the most admired epical story of Ramayana but has been presented in the context of modern day society and culture.

Ramayana The Game of Life: Shattered Dreams Book 2 by Shubha Vilas demonstrates the relevance of ancient epic in modern lives. While the earlier book was based on the Bal Kanda chapter of Tulsidas's Ramayana, That book covered the childhood of Rama up to the time he got married to Sita. This book is based on the years post Rama's marriage to Sita, the painful period when Rama was imposed an exile and his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana selflessly decided to go along with him. It reminds us how and what forced Dasaratha, the father of Rama, to take a harshest call of his life, to send Rama to exile instead of honoring him with the King's throne.

As we read the story of Ramayana The Game of Life: Shattered Dreams Book 2 by Shubha Vilas there is a lot to learn and understand the relevance of the instances happened in that time with today. In fact, Dashratha had initiated the process of handing over the reigns of the kingdom of Ayodhya to Rama and he declared it too to his cabinet ministers and in public. But all of a sudden there is a plan made by Manthara and executed by Keikeyi, the third and most beautiful wife of king Dashratha. Keikeyi is the mother of Bharat and instigates Dashratha to handover Ayodhya to Bharat instead of Rama. Not only this, she also asks an unaffordable price from Dashratha to pay by way of an order for Rama to go to an exile.

There is a lot of relevance of each and every stance of Ramayana The Game of Life: Shattered Dreams Book 2 by Shubha Vilas be it Rama, Lakshmana, Bharat, Sita or Ravana playing their part in this neatly woven and excellently presented story.

On one hand where all this conspiracy is being plotted and executed against Rama that not only shatters the dreams of his father, Dashratha, the residents of Ayodhya, and the cabinet ministers of the kingdom; but also that of the family members of Rama. Even Bharat was not happy with what was being cooked up by his mother in his favor to get him the throne but he was not in any position to resist against it as Rama himself insisted on obeying the wishes of his mother and father.

On the other hand, we see Ravana and his power drive in winning all near and far kingdoms. Overall the book is a must read for all epic lovers, management gurus & aspirants to get the story from an entirely different angle knitting it well with the modern era.

[Ramya Rao · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book begins with how Dasaratha was called so and the reason for the boon given to the queen Keikeyi and how he preferred her over his other queens. In this book, one would get to read many untold stories. Clears the doubts from the previous versions of the epic.
All of us are familiar with the plot, but what is interesting in this book is it is written in such a way that, there is a take for everyone, person from every walk of life.
The story opens with King Dasharatha in the midst of a nightmare so fearful that his whole being shivers, sweat beads line his brows.Was it just a dream or an indication of a bad omen?
Dasharatha realizes that age is fast catching up on him and that it is time to hand over the reigns of the kingdom to his son. The natural choice is Rama, as he is the eldest and most able son.. A seed of jealousy starts to sprout within his being but the wise King crushes it down. The coronation of Rama is announced. Preparations begin in full swing. But the joy is only short-lived thanks to the scheming Manthara, Queen Keiyeyi’s hunch-backed maid and the weak-minded beautiful queen.

Dreams are shattered. Rama is destined to leave his people and go into oblivion far from his land for 14 long years. The verdict is nothing short of a rigorous life term. Ayodhya 's citizen and the city cry but Rama along with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana take to the forests, ready to face a life full of incidents and learning.

The book although seems to be centered around Rama, the author has given a lot of importance to the character of Sita, Bharatha, Lakshmana, Keikeyi,Dasaratha and Sumanthra. Sita, her devotion towards her husband and her reasoning of accompanying her husband to the exile is compelling and brilliant. Her beauty, character and the contrast of her life in the palace and forest beautifully told. The hunch back Manthra, her evil intentions, a lot to learn from her behaviour and the way a drop of poison, pollutes the complete bowl of honey, she cunningly pitted the beautiful queen Keikeyi against her husband the entire kingdom. The book depicts the role of karma in one's life.

The enigmatic prince Rama's tales and the various characters in his life teach every one of us principles of life. Teaches us how to deal reversals positively. Bharatha teaches us how to handle temptations and love selflessly and believe in what you think is right. Through Sita's courage one can learn how to explore beyond comfort zone and how effectively to adopt to changes.

PROS:

Characters well etched with their own set of perfections and imperfections. Characters are set in such a way that we can relate to it.
Language is simple and elegant.
The book keeps you glued through out.
The structure brilliant.
The take from each character , the lessons for life ,brilliantly told and a must read.
CONS:
The foot notes in the middle of a good plot was irritating

[Tanay Agrawal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enthralled by the narration! Author has done thorough research and he nicely correlates wisdom of Ramayana with other Puranas too! Felt like I was reading Bhagavad Gita when Lord Rama and Bharat were conversing.