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The Mountain Deer: A journey to inner bliss
The happiness and peace we seek in the outside world is within us, we have to bring them to light like the Musk deer who discovers the fragrance it was searching in the ranges, is effusing from itself. The Mountain Deer is a contemporary retelling of a famous ancient Indian scripture, the Katha Upanishad.
Sarvagya ‘Shelly’ Pant, a young man living in Mumbai and brought up by his grandmother, loses his moorings when she passes away in his arms. Distraught with questions about the nature of life and death, he finds no answers. Shelly has a fiery argument with his father over his sham charity which gets him banished to the family’s native town in the Himalayan Mountains.
There starts his journey for the Truth. Does Shelly find answers to questions that trouble him? Is his journey to inner bliss successful? Does he find a balance between his inner calling and the worldly duties that beckon him?
The context of The Mountain Deer is Indian but the theme is the search for permanent fulfillment.
Sarvagya ‘Shelly’ Pant, a young man living in Mumbai and brought up by his grandmother, loses his moorings when she passes away in his arms. Distraught with questions about the nature of life and death, he finds no answers. Shelly has a fiery argument with his father over his sham charity which gets him banished to the family’s native town in the Himalayan Mountains.
There starts his journey for the Truth. Does Shelly find answers to questions that trouble him? Is his journey to inner bliss successful? Does he find a balance between his inner calling and the worldly duties that beckon him?
The context of The Mountain Deer is Indian but the theme is the search for permanent fulfillment.
371 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 7, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 3, 2018
t is like drawing the air
ByRenuka Srinivasan
The spiritual journey is the soul’s life commingling with ordinary life Christina Baldwin
This is the essence of Dr Pavan Shoreys 2nd novel hitting the stands. Dr Pavan is an ophthalmologist with a ‘vision’.
The author has expressed in simple words the ecstasy, that builds up as one gets a peek into the spiritual aspects of life often aided by a guru.
He uses his in depth knowledge of the katha Upanishads and the gita to weave a simple yet sublime story to convey the teachings therein.
The story line opens with a youth in despair leaving the maximum city of Mumbai to find solace in the wilderness and mountains of munsiyari . It is one thing to know the spiritual, but yet another to express it in words. It is like drawing the air. The author does it in simple language. Some of the authors quotes using the context of the story, which impresses the average reader are “Our past is memories and our future is desires.Our mind is like a factory working nonstop to manufacture these desires ‘.
‘Only when the mind was silent do we start hearing the whispers of the Divine.’
‘When you live for others, your mind gets purified and you are on the path to discover the divine spark in you. ‘ This is so relevant in modern society.
‘Try to behave with the sexual desire as you would behave with an uninvited guest.’ ’
The narrative shifts alternately from the marvels of the mountains and caves and the ashram, which Sarvagya, the central character explores,(after being ‘banished’ by his father) to the mundane life at home, where Sarvagya spent his childhood and youth amidst his stepmother, rich father and spoilt step brothers. It deals with the trysts and travails of this young lad torn between the physical riches in life, a crush for Shreya and the tranquil peace of the simple ashram. What does Sarvagya choose finally is the left for the reader to find out!
The author likens the average human to a musk deer, which looks around for the ‘kasturi’, the glow worm looking for light, while ‘the Lord you search in the world is within you’.
ByRenuka Srinivasan
The spiritual journey is the soul’s life commingling with ordinary life Christina Baldwin
This is the essence of Dr Pavan Shoreys 2nd novel hitting the stands. Dr Pavan is an ophthalmologist with a ‘vision’.
The author has expressed in simple words the ecstasy, that builds up as one gets a peek into the spiritual aspects of life often aided by a guru.
He uses his in depth knowledge of the katha Upanishads and the gita to weave a simple yet sublime story to convey the teachings therein.
The story line opens with a youth in despair leaving the maximum city of Mumbai to find solace in the wilderness and mountains of munsiyari . It is one thing to know the spiritual, but yet another to express it in words. It is like drawing the air. The author does it in simple language. Some of the authors quotes using the context of the story, which impresses the average reader are “Our past is memories and our future is desires.Our mind is like a factory working nonstop to manufacture these desires ‘.
‘Only when the mind was silent do we start hearing the whispers of the Divine.’
‘When you live for others, your mind gets purified and you are on the path to discover the divine spark in you. ‘ This is so relevant in modern society.
‘Try to behave with the sexual desire as you would behave with an uninvited guest.’ ’
The narrative shifts alternately from the marvels of the mountains and caves and the ashram, which Sarvagya, the central character explores,(after being ‘banished’ by his father) to the mundane life at home, where Sarvagya spent his childhood and youth amidst his stepmother, rich father and spoilt step brothers. It deals with the trysts and travails of this young lad torn between the physical riches in life, a crush for Shreya and the tranquil peace of the simple ashram. What does Sarvagya choose finally is the left for the reader to find out!
The author likens the average human to a musk deer, which looks around for the ‘kasturi’, the glow worm looking for light, while ‘the Lord you search in the world is within you’.
May 2, 2018
The deeper questions regarding our existence have troubled almost everyone, at some point in our lives. Most of us end up looking towards religion for questions we have no answers for. And like most other religious beliefs, we believe in, and resign to what we are told as the only truth.
Some are fortunate enough to realize that the truth they seek cannot present itself in logical, succinct, easy to digest explanations. Thus, begins their quest for answers to questions like- Is there a God? Who am I? What is my purpose? Why am I not at peace?
Several books have attempted to throw light on these questions. Heck, even our lovable Po in Kung Fu Panda sought “Inner Peace! Inner Peace! Inner Peace!” while “telling” Inner Peace that he hasn’t got all day!
The Mountain Deer is a book about a young boy born with a silver spoon, yet dissatisfied with all his comforts. In a chance encounter with his Guruji, the protagonist realizes that he longs to be on a spiritual path with his Guru, and that is the only thing that will give him true joy and peace. The story takes us through the trials and tribulations of a person of the real world, a person who was meant to go through the regular rigmarole. How do you convince your family about your spiritual journey? How do you really practice detachment from worldly ties and possessions? How do you pick yourself up and try with even more sincerity and devotion when you fail? How do you practice in your path while delivering on your duties in the world?
Dr. Shorey guides us through all this beautifully. While it imparts deep knowledge, the book is relatable. Sure, I might not be able to implement all the precious wisdom in this book, I know I have at least made an honest start. Let me leave the readers with a lovely analogy from the book-
The Mountain Deer searches far and wide for the source of the enchanting fragrance it experiences, until it tires itself out and sits down. Soon, it realizes that the source of the fragrance is his own navel. Likewise, our search for the Divine leads us to our inner self. The Divine Spark rests in us. It is up to us to see it, feel it, trust it and be guided by it.
This book has touched me in ways more than one. I highly recommend it and hope it brings deep joy and peace to my fellow readers.
Some are fortunate enough to realize that the truth they seek cannot present itself in logical, succinct, easy to digest explanations. Thus, begins their quest for answers to questions like- Is there a God? Who am I? What is my purpose? Why am I not at peace?
Several books have attempted to throw light on these questions. Heck, even our lovable Po in Kung Fu Panda sought “Inner Peace! Inner Peace! Inner Peace!” while “telling” Inner Peace that he hasn’t got all day!
The Mountain Deer is a book about a young boy born with a silver spoon, yet dissatisfied with all his comforts. In a chance encounter with his Guruji, the protagonist realizes that he longs to be on a spiritual path with his Guru, and that is the only thing that will give him true joy and peace. The story takes us through the trials and tribulations of a person of the real world, a person who was meant to go through the regular rigmarole. How do you convince your family about your spiritual journey? How do you really practice detachment from worldly ties and possessions? How do you pick yourself up and try with even more sincerity and devotion when you fail? How do you practice in your path while delivering on your duties in the world?
Dr. Shorey guides us through all this beautifully. While it imparts deep knowledge, the book is relatable. Sure, I might not be able to implement all the precious wisdom in this book, I know I have at least made an honest start. Let me leave the readers with a lovely analogy from the book-
The Mountain Deer searches far and wide for the source of the enchanting fragrance it experiences, until it tires itself out and sits down. Soon, it realizes that the source of the fragrance is his own navel. Likewise, our search for the Divine leads us to our inner self. The Divine Spark rests in us. It is up to us to see it, feel it, trust it and be guided by it.
This book has touched me in ways more than one. I highly recommend it and hope it brings deep joy and peace to my fellow readers.
May 1, 2018
“Mountain Deer”- a splendid book that chronicles the life of an ordinary soul, Sarvagya, who embarks on a journey to seek inner bliss. His young mind is tormented by a tirade of questions on life and death, his own existence in this world. He finds solace when he has a chance meeting with a Guru, thus embarking on a journey in search of truth.
This is Dr Pavan Shorey’s second book which once again helps to lift the smoke on a much debated topic since time immemorial. A thought provoking book that probes the most profound question on human existence in an interesting and relatable story form. Engaging & interesting story which often does not allow you to put down the book, nudging you to turn page after page. It tugs at your conscious self, much after you have finished reading & makes you think about your own life. For each reader, there are some good take aways, for me there were many. I would strongly encourage book lovers to read this book which has left an indelible mark on me.
Neelam Gupta
This is Dr Pavan Shorey’s second book which once again helps to lift the smoke on a much debated topic since time immemorial. A thought provoking book that probes the most profound question on human existence in an interesting and relatable story form. Engaging & interesting story which often does not allow you to put down the book, nudging you to turn page after page. It tugs at your conscious self, much after you have finished reading & makes you think about your own life. For each reader, there are some good take aways, for me there were many. I would strongly encourage book lovers to read this book which has left an indelible mark on me.
Neelam Gupta
April 27, 2018
This book is precisely why I read books, it has everything I would look for. It starts off so well that it’s difficult to let go. I’m a nature lover at heart and the breathtaking great description of the hills transposes you to the extent that you can almost hear the mountain birds and smell the cornifers.But what swept me away was the heart of the narrative, which explains Indian philosophy in such a succulent manner that it really makes you sit up. I would recommend you to read this highly enjoyable book for this fact alone, it encapsulates the good of our rich Indian philosophy in such a spellbinding manner that I think I will go back and read it once again!
May 4, 2018
In a contemporary setting, in the story weaved by Pavan Shorey, he has very beautifully put in the teachings of the Srimad Bhagwad Gita, especially the Karma Yoga which is the easiest to follow, in his book 'The Mountain Deer'.
A gripping book, sensitive and beautiful description of places and people.
a must read book...
A gripping book, sensitive and beautiful description of places and people.
a must read book...
June 15, 2018
After a really long time, I read a book that took me on a self introspection journey like never before.
However the real beauty is the story itself, of this simple boy, who loses his way a bit in life only to realise that the journey itself is the reward as long as it’s done being true to oneself.
I went back again and again to this book to be with Shelly, to sit under the tree and listen to the flute the shepherd boy plays, be surrounded by birds and butterflies all around , sit in a cave to get lost in my world, to feel the joy of love at first sight and so many more such emotions, and each emotion Shelly feels, there’s his Guru to explain why he felt what he felt.
What makes this book really special is that it’s written by a man of science (a doctor) so the reasonings and logics placed are not only more convincing, it also make you question a lot of your own beliefs.
Lovely quick read and highly recommended.
However the real beauty is the story itself, of this simple boy, who loses his way a bit in life only to realise that the journey itself is the reward as long as it’s done being true to oneself.
I went back again and again to this book to be with Shelly, to sit under the tree and listen to the flute the shepherd boy plays, be surrounded by birds and butterflies all around , sit in a cave to get lost in my world, to feel the joy of love at first sight and so many more such emotions, and each emotion Shelly feels, there’s his Guru to explain why he felt what he felt.
What makes this book really special is that it’s written by a man of science (a doctor) so the reasonings and logics placed are not only more convincing, it also make you question a lot of your own beliefs.
Lovely quick read and highly recommended.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews