Towards The Silver Crests of Himalayas

by G.K. Pradhan

New book

Genres: Marathi, Biography, Spirituality, Inspirational, India, Philosophy

282 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1963

Reviews

[Amogh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book recently and I am very proud of my Grandfather. I am lucky to be his Grand Son. Love U Lots Aajoba!!!

[Sandeep · Rating 3 out of 5]

Towards the silver crests of the Himalayas - GK Pradhan
Rating 3/5

This is an autobiography of GK Pradhan. Baba Pradhan was born in the year 1902 - so this book traces his years from the days of his graduation - which could be roughly about 1925-1940. There is no mention of dates in the book but it is clear it was pre-independent, British India.

I took to buying and reading this book hoping to get a glimpse of one - turning inwards for answers. Though the book has several instances of spiritual talk, discourse, I was a little bit disappointed, though not entirely much because of the setting and abstraction.

GK Pradhan happened to come from a family of liberals and reformists. It also can be concluded he had a good rich upbringing if not aristocratic. For a common reader, it is fairly simple to tell - the book is about how a liberal minded, non believer took to spiritualism under the guidance of Gurudeo.

My disappointment comes from the fact that, everywhere - there was mention of servants, cars, plenty of food, leisure time, access to everything and everywhere. Basically the only struggle mentioned in the book has been of convincing oneself to take plunge in the spiritual path. This, at a time, when the country was facing lots of hardships, drought, famine, world wars, struggle for independence - here was an individual documenting his personal turmoil, caught between not wanting to marry and convincing himself and people.

In one way, I very much respect the decision of GK Pradhan, but I am equally at my liberty to conclude the book is all about self indulgence. The book appears to be a private diary of a seeker, how life was before or whilst becoming a seeker.

There are few discourses, talks by Gurudeo which are documented, so are couple of miracles. There is a single mention of the freedom struggle. But, there is too much personal (materialistic) side to the book which - rather seems - unnecessary to a future seeker.

Cheers,

[Swarup Kumar]

dasd

[Eravati · Rating 1 out of 5]

No spiritual matter in thebook. Just a normal life story with no learning.

[Sagar Bhandare · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to find the true path of the Spirituality, trust me this is the book which will show you the correct path!
This book is written by a person who do not believe in God and any kind of spirituality. He met one of the greatest spiritual Guru in India who shown the evidence first and helped him to walk on the journey of the spiritual path.
Spiritual Journey is your own, because it is your inner journey. And everyone has different experience of it.
This book is in the form of NOVEL. But while using storytelling method, all the questions in your mind are answered. Please note, this novel will guide you on the right track. But do not find any specific methods of meditations or do not compare anything.
Be a transparent reader and grasp as it is with open mind. You will be thrilled yourself for reading this beautiful book.
But to prove the difference of of this book with so called millions of other spiritual books, I will try to explain in couple of lines below: **Beauty of this book is far better. Try to understand the meaning from below lines**
"The person you want to become, who you are not in reality, is the Rug which you should throw away"
"If someone become someone, or someone purchased someone, you are feeling jealous. This is the Rug you should throw away"

Story is not important, but the path is. So not sharing the story mentioned in this book. Every page of this book will enlighten your life.

All the best.

[Amruta Deshpande · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up Towards the Silver Crest of the Himalayas with a high expectation, hoping for a journey similar to the profound spiritual exploration in Swami Rama's Living with the Himalayan Masters. I was looking to explore more about the Himalayas' beauty, its divinity, and the immersive lives of the saints and priests living there.

While it wasn't a bad read, the book didn't quite deliver on that front. It felt like it focused on a different kind of experience, which left me wanting more of that deep immersion I was seeking. On a different note, I also felt the editing could have been a bit stronger, and the prose had a very old-school English style that sometimes made the reading feel a bit dated.

Overall, it's a fine book, but it just didn't align with my specific hopes for a spiritual deep-dive into the Himalayas.

[Prashant M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is a story written like an autobiography of one extremely intelligent, smart, fit and successful person named Madhav, who leaves his bright career and material possessions in search of the truth... Madhav is guided by his Gurudev who finally unites him with his own Guru in the Himalayas. A lot of my own questions got answered in the book.
It's a MUST Read for all those who are fresh in their quest of the truth... I specially loved the simile he has used to talk about Maya & Brahma.
Shri G.K. Pradhan Ji has written this sometimes in 1960s or even before that and yet the contexts of the story don't belong to any particular era except for one scene where he has mentioned about two freedom fighters.

[Vysakh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book, a very beautiful spiritual journey of the man Madhav, each and every wordings are so simple and and so true that we forget everything around us, the best part I liked about the book is the explanation of Bramha and Maya, beautiful concept and excellently explained to the basic understanding of a normal human being. A must read reference for those who want to embark their spiritual journey or growth.

[Milind Chitnis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional book about self realisation and search for truth

I had read this book in 1975, when my grandfather gave it to me. I have read it again after 50 years. I could hardly keep it down. It is an exceptional book
about self realisation and search for the truth. Worth reading for anyone who is interested in reading about spirituality and Indian philosophy.

[Ashok Kumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

From Known to Unknown or just the opposite!

I liked everything in this book or rather I am sad when I finished the book. I wanted more like this.
I would recommend everyone who have a spiritual inclination.

[Madan Mohan · Rating 5 out of 5]

अत्यंत सुंदर असे अध्यात्मिक पुस्तक आहे.

[Makarand Gosavi · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I can say...One need to read it to understand it....

This book keep me intact while in lock down in Muscat & my family stuck in India....I hope this says everything about it.

[Asish Pradhan]

interesting

[Shukrita Sankaran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional and truly soul-stirring. A book to read and re-read.

[Rajeev · Rating 3 out of 5]

The latter part of the book is really very engrossing and interesting.

[Anuja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth a read for someone wishing to embark upon the path of self empowerment through self reflection. I found the key message is to learn how to deconstruct our own thoughts which are as a result of how we are "conditioned" in life. Language could do with some literary polishing. Also there are cultural undertones which only Indians would be able to relate to more specifically. But other than that simple but fabulous book.

[अनिकेत · Rating 4 out of 5]

As its truely said in the description of the book, the book is a guide towards the spiritual path one wants to follow. For me it was a different/sacred experience.

[Arpana Tikekar Tikekar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book for individuals who are on the path of discovering spirituality in modern world.