Despite being sired by one of the greatest sages of his time, the Kuru prince was not only blind by birth but also manifested several psychological infirmities as he grew up. Prodded by these frailties of body and mind, the prince, who ascended the throne of Hastinapur by an accident of fate, became an instrument for the complete annihilation of his own progeny, only to discover in the end that whatever had transpired was just a part of the cosmic drama and he was only playing out his assigned role. In the process extremes of human behavior, both positive and negative come to the fore. While some indulge in self-sacrifice to uphold their resolve and principles, others driven by intense desire and ambition cause the downfall and demise of their own well-wishers.

This work, first published in 1968, presents the fabulous world of Hinduism in its entirety in two volumes. It is the first general encyclopedia of Hinduism covering every major aspect of Hindu life and thought, embodying the results of modern scholarship yet not ignoring the traditional point of view. It contains over 700 articles, each of which gives a comprehensive account of the subject, and by a system of cross references interlinks all topics related to it, so that a single theme may be traced in all its ramifications through the whole book. An index of over 8,000 items, which in itself forms a veritable treasury of Sanskrit terms and names, will further assist the researcher finding their way among the lesser topics treated in the work.

The book entitled "A Girl Called Anne", is suitable for all ages. While it sets out to be an inspiration to its readers, it manages to capture the imagination and gives an insight into a real jamaican family life. The story is based on the life of a jamaican girl, living in rural jamaica in the 20th century. This touching story tells how unforeseen circumstances and challenges can adversely affect a child'hs life. As the story unfolds, the reader gets a closer look at family life in rural Jamaica, West Indies, some unfamiliar customs and behaviours that are therefore expliained in the Glossary. The story is told through humour, historical facts, childhood memories, love scenes, and some scenes that may cause one to ponder how all these lead eventually to self actualization. Conversely, it is a clear indication of how strength of character, and determination are enabling factors in overcoming challenges and are contributors to happiness and prosperity in the end. "A Girl Called Anne", is a fascinating story which ensures the reader is gripped to the finish. The language is simple and, is easily understood. It is a book that a reader will definitely want to own.

“A true translation whose literary qualities make it stand out from the rest.” –Daniel Gold, Cornell University “Here’s a chance to rediscover The Bhagavad Gita in a translation that blends true scholarship with artistry.” –Library Journal The Bhagavad Gita, the “Song of the Lord,” is an ancient Hindu scripture about virtue presented as a dialogue between Krishna, an incarnation of God, and the warrior Arjuna on the eve of a great battle over succession to the throne. This new verse translation of the classic Sanskrit text combines the skills of leading Hinduist Gavin Flood with the stylistic verve of award-winning poet and translator Charles Martin. The result is a living text that remains true to the extraordinarily influential original. A devotional, literary, and philosophical work of unsurpassed beauty and relevance, The Bhagavad Gita has inspired, among others, Mahatma Gandhi, J. Robert Oppenheimer, T. S. Eliot, Christopher Isherwood, and Aldous Huxley. Its universal themes—life and death, war and peace, and sacrifice—resonate in a West increasingly interested in Eastern religious experiences and the Hindu diaspora. The text is accompanied by a full introduction and by explanatory annotations. The volume presents seminal analogues and commentaries on The Bhagavad Gita, including central passages from The Shvetashvatara Upanishad as well as commentary spanning eleven centuries by Shankara and Ramanuja (in new translations by Gavin Flood) in addition to the writings of Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Sri Aurobindo. Five essays by leading Hinduists discuss a wide range of issues related to The Bhagavad Gita from its roots as a religious text to its influence on the practices of yoga and transcendentalism through it ongoing global impact. Contributors include John L. Brockington, Arvind Sharma, Rudolf Otto, Eric J. Sharpe, and C. A. Bayly. A selected bibliography is included.

The Mahabharata is the more recent of India's two great epics, and by far the longer. First composed by the Maharishi Vyasa in verse, it has come down the centuries in the timeless oral tradition of guru and sishya, profoundly influencing the history, culture, and art of not only the Indian subcontinent but most of south-east Asia. At 100,000 couplets, it is seven times as long as the Iliad and the Odyssey combined: far and away the greatest recorded epic known to man. The Mahabharata is the very Book of Life: in its variety, majesty and, also, in its violence and tragedy. It has been said that nothing exists that cannot be found within the pages of this awesome legend. The epic describes a great war of some 5000 years ago, and the events that led to it. The war on Kurukshetra sees ten million warriors slain, brings the dwapara yuga to an end, and ushers in a new and sinister age: this present kali yuga, modern times. At the heart of the Mahabharata nestles the Bhagavad Gita, the Song of God. Senayor ubhayor madhye, between two teeming armies, Krishna expounds the eternal dharma to his warrior of light, Arjuna. At one level, all the restless action of the Mahabharata is a quest for the Gita and its sacred stillness. After the carnage, it is the Gita that survives, immortal lotus floating upon the dark waters of desolation: the final secret! With its magnificent cast of characters, human, demonic, and divine, and its riveting narrative, the Mahabharata continues to enchant readers and scholars the world over. This new rendering brings the epic to the contemporary reader in sparkling modern prose. It brings alive all the excitement, magic, and grandeur of the original-for our times.