Spirituality, fantasy, and mythology merge in this “lighthearted, agreeably diverting yarn, duly respectful of India’s cultures and customs” (Kirkus Reviews). Hari, a remarkably well-set-up young lad, has spent his entire life in a small village with his pious widowed mother, and the purity of his soul is largely uncorrupted by worldly sophistication. But now, poised on the brink of manhood, he feels himself moved by strange new urgings—urgings that will lead him far from the quiet life he has known. Though these strings are unfamiliar to him, virtuous Hari recognizes them for what they are: a hunger for spiritual enlightenment. As so many have before, he sets his feet upon the pilgrim’s path, becoming a wanderer in search of true wisdom. But who can know the ways of the gods, or foretell the twists of fortune? Unbeknownst to Hari, his quest has become the subject of wager between two immortals: Mohini, a pulchritudinous Apsara and the vilely demonic Ravana, who lusts after her. Mohini and Ravana are at an impasse. Both are weary of arguing with each other—but while Mohini’s idea of a happy outcome is to have Ravana go away and leave her alone, Ravana’s ideas run along other lines entirely. They settle upon a contest and a wager, with the loser bound to do the winner’s bidding. Verily, the sages have written that there is a seeker born every minute, but Hari’s journey of discovery is fated to be stranger—and far livelier—than most.

The NIV is the world's best-selling modern translation, with over 150 million copies in print since its first full publication in 1978. This highly accurate and smooth-reading version of the Bible in modern English has the largest library of printed and electronic support material of any modern translation.

Profound reflections on the cross that help you to meditate on and marvel at the sacrificial love of Jesus. This book can be used as a devotional, especially during Lent and Easter. These profound reflections on the cross from David Mathis, author of The Christmas We Didn’t Expect, will help you to meditate on and marvel at Jesus’ life, sacrificial death, and spectacular resurrection-enabling you to treasure anew who Jesus is and what he has done. Many of us are so familiar with the Easter story that it becomes easy to miss subtle details and difficult to really enjoy its meaning. This book will help you to pause and marvel at Jesus, whose now-glorified wounds are a sign of his unfailing love and the decisive victory that he has won: “He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5) This book can be used as a devotional. The chapters on Holy Week make it especially helpful during the Lent season and at Easter.