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Janaka and Ashtavakra Paperback – 1 January 2020

by Ashraf Karayath (Author)

120 ratings

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The story of a sage Ashtavakra and his disciple king Janaka is one of the most gripping yet unknown episodes from the Ramayana. A young boy Ashtavakra goes to king janaka's Court to debate the kingdom most learned sages but is ridiculed by the courtiers for his deformed body. After the boy triumphs in the debate, Janaka realizes that the boy has an extraordinary intellect and becomes his disciple. While Janaka is obsessed with his quest for spiritual liberation, a treacherous plan unfolds inside the secretive world of the royal palace. Very soon war clouds gather on the horizon of Mithila, but all Janaka does is devote more and more time to the young sage. Even though the whole world believes a calamity is imminent, Janaka stays on the path to spiritual enlightenment. Ultimately, with ashtavakra's guidance, the king enters the realm of a new world which alters the reality for him and his kingdom. This novel is rooted in ancient Indian spiritual wisdom and philosophy, but with new interpretations of the concepts of liberation, enlightenment, consciousness and the realities of life. Among others, It seeks to answer the question: is everything we see indeed an illusion? This compelling story sheds light on the modern readers' existential questions, leading them to relate to the king and his struggles.

Print length

234 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Rupa Publicaton
Publication date

1 January 2020
Dimensions

13 x 1.47 x 19.7 cm
ISBN-10

9389967058
ISBN-13

978-9389967050
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Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Rupa Publicaton (1 January 2020)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 234 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9389967058
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-9389967050
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 13 x 1.47 x 19.7 cm

Best Sellers Rank: #47,915 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #779 in Contemporary Literature & Fiction
- #1,713 in Literary Fiction
- #4,603 in Genre Fiction

Customer reviews:
120 ratings

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3 star		5%
2 star		2%
1 star		3%

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Top reviews from United Arab Emirates

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Bob

You will inherit from the book a propensity to think differently

Reviewed in the United Arab Emirates on 25 September 2020

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I ordinarily do not read fiction or that matter myth. This, book stood out among the new release because, the title was saying “Janaka”; not much is known about this ancient Vedic King, and seldom any written matter remains published.

Although, this being a ‘work of fiction’ the author wants to draw your attention (Spoiler Alert) to the King who is in the spine of the story, and his realization, and how a sage called Ashtavakra draws him & you into it( I would not write more to spoil your read)

The book is an excellent read, for most of the people who would want to debut to a realization of a spiritual concept and familiarize, the characters. Quite well scripted book for a debutant writer. Although, you will feel the preliminary episodes illustration, efforts the description, later periods will construct you to comprehend the requisite. Having said that, I personally feel if Ashtavakra unveiling was prior in the book, it would have been calmer for reader to captivate conceptual comprehension earlier in the book. Nevertheless, a highly advocated read to all, and assurances that you won’t be pickled of these propensities by being first introduced to the concept

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Azumi

An amazing philosophical take on Indian Mythology

Reviewed in the United Arab Emirates on 7 September 2020

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As someone who is not very familiar with Ramayana and Indian folklore, this was a very refreshing read for me. I picked it up because of the eye-catching cover and interesting blurb. As a fan of spirituality and philosophical books, this was very enjoyable for me. Not only is the story and characters of Ramayana fascinating, the book also teaches profound life lessons that will literally make you stop reading to ponder!

I have been studying the concept of Consciousness and mindfulness in the past few years, so this book came at a perfect time for me. It filled the gaps which were unanswered in my mind, making me more confident with my own beliefs and strengthened them further. I can liken this book to many spiritual fictions from big authors out there. I truly hope that the book gains more of the limelight which it deserves.

The writing is crisp, the narrative compelling, and the characters are well-developed. I would also like to mention that after reading this book, it opened up the avenue of Indian mythology for me. It also made me search more about the main characters which led me to read the philosophies of Ashtavakra. This book has easily become a favorite of mine. The best thing about this tale is that it is recommendable to people of different ages and backgrounds. Kudos to the author and hope to see more of his works soon!

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Anitha Liju

Philosophy Simplified!!

Reviewed in the United Arab Emirates on 20 October 2020

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It’s a beautiful read for anyone who is interested in Indian Philosophy. Ashtavakra Gita will be of interest to any serious student of philosophy. Mr.ASHREF has done a good job in presenting the story. Highly recommended...

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Dr. K. Vijayaraghavan

This novel deal with a very rare part from methology and presenting with an ease

Reviewed in the United Arab Emirates on 4 September 2020

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Author has brilliantly explained the philosophy from an ancient epic beautifully in this novel. I would recommend this book to any age group. One will be tempted to complete reading the book in one go.

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Sinclair McLay

Page-turning take on an ancient epic.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 September 2020

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A king is under siege and his enemies are not only at the gate but within the confines of his own palace. He trusts no one-not his wife or his brother, his Prime Minister, or his spiritual advisers. There is a war outside and a war in his head. And time is short. Can he find a suitor for his beloved daughter Sita, before his world collapses? And who is this strange crippled boy who limps towards the palace offering a solution to all his problems?
Welcome to the world of King Janaka, an Indian king whose story is first told in the epic Ramayana. Karayath takes this ancient tale and puts a modern spin on it. For those who may be put off by the seemingly impenetrable intricacies of Indian mysticism and spiritual thought Karayath simplifies the ancient texts and makes them more accessible to the modern reader. He also has a gift for sensualising the landscape of his story - his descriptions evoke the sights, sounds, tastes and smells of a story set around the 7th or 8th Century BCE. Neither does the author lose us in otherworldliness - he has a keen understanding of the sinuous machinations of the temporal - of power, politics, intrigue, and war.
This an author who knows his material inside out and we can feel we can trust as he leads us from first page to last.
For those of you who have an interest in the Sanskrit epics, ancient Vedic literature in general or even a story that involves some good old-fashioned, clever detective work - who is the traitor in the palace! - then this book is for you.

Writing Buddha

An untold story from Ramayan

Reviewed in India on 8 August 2020

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The spiritual people generally read only the texts from religion. The hardcore readers generally read thrillers, romance, biographies etc. but very rarely do they read books on spirituality. Hence, someone like me who is both into reading and spirituality finds it hard to discuss books that speaks about spirituality. I had got to know about the Ashtavakra Gita while having one such communication with the Founder of my previous organization with whom I had lot of spiritual discussions. Just before that I had also gone through Sandeep Maheshwari's audio available on his Youtube channel in 26 different videos where he speaks with us on Ashtavakra Gita. Since then I was always curious as to how I have never heard about this part from anyone even though Ramayan has been discussed with me by many. I heaved a sigh of relief when I got to know about the book named “Janaka and Ashtavakra” written by the author, Ashraf Karayath, in around 225 pages which is published by Rupa publications.

I started reading the book with great expectations as I was sure I shall get to know about spiritual perspective which I haven’t got to know yet. The book begins talking about Ashtavakra and his background and for the first 50 pages there isn’t much in the book that shall make you excited as the story moves very slow. And then it shifts towards Raja Janaka and his contemporary world during that time as now both the characters have to meet where Ashtavakra wishes to meet his father whom he has never met whereas Raja Janaka is looking out for a figure who can give him all the spiritual knowledge which shall help him get the answers he is looking out for.

The meeting scene of both the characters is very well articulated and it is the scene that is actually the biggest point of the book. How the realization starts dwelling within you right from that scene as it talks about judgement people make just by someone’s physical appearance. Ashtavakra is laughed at in response to which he laughs louder than anyone else and does until everyone is not done laughing. The characterization of both the main characters and all others such as Kushadwaja, Sunayana, Mahosadha etc. are done very well as you are able to understand their state of life and mind clearly. I liked how author is able to also take the story ahead along with the spiritual and philosophical knowledge and conversations that is being discussed in the book.

There are few enlightening sentences and paragraphs which surely makes you think about yourself and the amount of stress and unwanted tension you have been taking which actually shouldn’t have been part of your reality. I liked few of those sections. The last question that Janaka asks Ashtavakra and the response of the same is what gives this book a befitting end. I really liked how the complete war scenario has been inter-related with the spiritual knowledge that Raja Janaka was getting in parallel. It gives us the answer of many such unwanted future that we keep on imagining in our mind. An untold story of what happens just before Sita’s swayamwar is told very extensively in this book which shall help you learn about this part of Ramayan too.

Now talking about the drawback- even though the book has been summed up within 225 pages but still I felt it to be very slow in terms of story as it felt to be stuck at one point for many segments in the book. Even the start of the book is very slow for the 1st 50 pages which gives a negative impact to the reader. Talking about the spirituality and philosophical conversations that I was excited for – it is too less and something that is very basic. I was expecting a lot of depth from it. The Ashtavakra Gita has many such theories and concepts to tell that amazes you which this book doesn’t even give an overview of. Hence, somewhere in between balancing both- the story of Mithila and the spiritual part- author couldn’t do justice to either of them. That is all I have to say. I give the book 3 stars out of 5.

Thanks.

WRITING BUDDHA

11 people found this helpful

Spellboundark

Well researched book!

Reviewed in India on 27 October 2020

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As the title suggests, the story is about Janaka Maharaja and Sage Ashtavakra. The book begins talking about Ashtavakra and his background. These two people who are searching for goals of their own, meet and form a tale that’s beyond the imagination and adaptability of a normal human.

It's more than a mythological story to me. I learned many values from the stories. This book helps the reader to edge the thirst for knowledge and the search for enlightenment and much more. We all are familiar with the BHAGAVAD GITA but ASHTAVAKRA GITA, which is so underrated until today. After completing the book, I realized how beautifully the author has done background works and researches to compile this story.

Whenever Ashtavakra Gita is enunciated, it is mostly only about the dialogues that were exchanged between Ashtavakra and Janaka, but this book does an excellent job of providing the backstories of each verse, which makes the readers easily connect with them. I particularly loved the scene from Book three: The Arrival, where Ashtavakra exclaimed the people of King Janaka's court as shoemakers and the explanation for the same which brought me to smile and hooked to the book until the end.

I loved the character sketching of both Janaka and Ashtavakra. There have been many books about Saint Ashtavakra, but this one stands out for it's convenient English and easy to infer aspect. Initially, I felt the book was slow-paced but then that's how all mythological stories are and I made up my mind. Young generation readers are more into romance, thriller, and sci-fi. This could be challenging to reach the audience. I genuinely love the sincere interest of the author towards ancient Indian culture. I appreciate the author a lot for his immense efforts and dedication in giving birth to this great book. My best wishes to the author! I'm expecting to read his next work!

9 people found this helpful

Ajay Shankar

A must read book for all

Reviewed in India on 20 May 2021

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JANAKA AND ASHTAVAKRA: A Journey Beyond by author Ashraf Karayath is a very insightful read. Book description /blurb pretty much sums up the book.

King Janaka is at the lowest point of life going through multiple crisis both personally and outside, a very young Sage Ashtavakra helps king out of this situation. So read to know more about king Janaka, the crisis /issues he is going through /facing, about young sage Ashtavakra, what and how he helps king and more. The learnings are the big take for readers rather then the plot, as they are valid even to this generation for present times. It helps readers to sail through these testing times of pandemic, if readers can use/apply them in their lives then they can face any kind of future crisis /adversity in much better way. Personally felt author has spent a lot of time on penning crisis which could have been shortened.

As it would help all would recommend to all readers.

4 people found this helpful

Sidhnath yadav

Intresting book

Reviewed in India on 2 August 2021

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this book is written by ASHRAF KARAYATH . this is a story from the Ramayan of king Janak, the father of Sita .A young boy Ashtavakra goes to king Janak's court to debate the kingdom the most learned sages but is ridiculed by the courtiers for his deformed body.when the boy triumph in the debateJanaka realizes that the boy has an extra ordinary intellect and become his disciples.when Janaka is obsessed with his quest for spiritual liberation a treacherous plan unfold s inside the secretive world of the royal place.very soon war clouds gather on the horizon of Mithila, but Janaka does is devote more and more time to the young sage Even through the whole world believe a calamity is imminet,Janaka stays on the path to spiritual enlightenment.ultimatly , with ashtavakra's guidance'the king enter the realm of a new world which alters the reality for him and his kingdom.for more about his story you have to read this amazing novel . this book is devided into four parts:Mithya,Samsara,Sankalpa and Mays . each chapter cantain some important and meaningful linesThe book also stands for a lot spiritual awakening.
I loved the character sketching of both Janaka and Ashtavakra. If you are a fan of mythological or vedic scripture, then this book is for you.i suggest to everyone to read this book

3 people found this helpful

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