The Book of Shiva

by Ravi Shankar Etteth

A profound work of spiritual fiction with a heartwarming message Asananda, a monk belonging to the Order of Hope, is sent on a journey to the Himalayas by his guru to find the mystical Book of Shiva. Along the way, he meets mysterious tantrics, Vedic teachers, a bhikshu who walks backwards to discover his future, and people who seek liberation from remorse, suffering and the evil that haunts them. He becomes the instrument of the guru's grace, which opens the door to the universal soul and transforms life through unexpected miracles. Drawing on fables and myths from Eastern and European cultures, The Book of Shiva is a spiritual novel filled with extraordinary tales of freedom, serenity, loss and, most of all, wisdom.

264 pages, Paperback

First published April 14, 2014

About the author

One of India’s most famous cartoonists and journalists, Ravi Shankar Etteth published his first book of short stories The Scream of the Dragonflies in 1996. He then went on to write five novels, The Tiger by The River, The Village of Widows, The Gold of Their Regrets, The Book of Shiva and The Brahmin. They have been translated and published in eight international languages. His books cut across all genres like literary fiction, horror, crime and spirituality and periods like feudal Kerala, Nazi Germany and the Magadha Empire. He also collaborated with artist Paresh Maity on a coffee-table book on Kerala. Etteth is now working on his sixth title, Killing Time in Delhi, which he says is a “a novel on the shenanigans of Delhi's super rich”. A Bollywood film on The Brahmin is also in the works.
Ravi Shankar worked for Indian Express in the 1980s, and later as the Creative Director of the Observer Group. He joined India Today as Art Editor and went on to become its Managing Editor and, later, Editor-at-Large. He also edited the India Today Group’s afternoon paper Today and launched the lifestyle magazine India Today Spice. He was briefly the CEO and Editor and Chief of Voice of India and Millionaire. He is now a columnist and Consulting Editor with The New Indian Express and is based in New Delhi.

Reviews

[Nishant Bhagat · Rating 4 out of 5]

If an author is recommended by Vir Sanghvi, I would blindly add that author’s books to my to-read list. The Book of Shiva was one such book. Though Mr. Sanghvi did recommend the new book, there was something about this book that called me to it.

I have often said that books come to you when it is their time to. This is one of those books. A simple story of a monk who is searching for the book of shiva. This is more about the journey than the destination. Laced with lovely short stories this book glides. Every story is intertwined and has a lesson.

The language used is simple and jargon free. This is one of those books that once done make you want to just sit and reflect for a bit.

If spirituality is your interest then do read this one.

[Maharsh Shah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read The Brahmin by the same author and was very intrigued by his writing. This is my second outing of the same author and the book makes for a very good read. Some of the imagery is beautiful and so are the multiple stories. Towards the end though, I was waiting for it to get over as the ending becomes far too obvious early on. Nevertheless it has some interesting layers and a message that lightens the mind and the soul. Definitely going to read the other books by the same author and eagerly awaiting a sequel to The Brahmin.

[Manul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rediscovered my love for mountains with this book. The monk and his journey told the story of so many of us who are on a quest and in during the pursuit, miss the myriad of quests we face every day, day by day!

Great reminder of life being a journey and not a destination as well as to re-kindle the love of Himalayas!

[Abhinav Joshi · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the few book teaching great meanings of life. Can teach much and has stories with morals within the stories. Loved it.

[Deepak Bhardwaj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gripping book

[Jyotiad · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently picked this long unread book off my shelf and then just couldn't put it down. Going by the name and its synopsis I assumed it was a book on Lord Shiva and started. But As I started reading it I realized it was a book on Shiva's characteristics- which The Monk (Hero of the book) learns on his journey to the Mountains in the search of the Book on Shiva. The Monk meets several people on his way and gets to know them and their stories which very brilliantly teaches him a lesson. If he finds the Book or not is the matter of suspense throughout. The book is short and sweet and so are the chapters. It's a quick and a pleasurable read.

[Manisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are few books that you don't merely read but you get to indulge in them. This book is one of those. The things that I liked about the book are:
- The simplicity of the stories
- The interconnection between the stories
- The well expression of spirituality to common readers
- And the conclusion: This book couldn't have any better ending.
I'm still mesmerized by the beauty of this book and congratulate the author for writing this masterpiece.

[Chandana · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first picked up this book I thought it would be something related to shiva, as I turned the pages , I just couldn't put the book away. Don't judge a book by its cover!! So true, I have taken up other books written by the same author. In love with mystic way , story uncovers .