ADIYOGI, THE SOURCE OF YOGA
By Sadhguru & Arundhathi Subramaniam, Harper
Element, An imprint of Harper Collins Publishers, NOIDA, Pp 223, Price Rs. 299,
yr. of publ. 2017, ISBN 978-93-5264-392-9
Reviewed by Vijai K Sharma
Lord Shiva is one of the principal deities of
Hinduism, and is considered a member of the holy Trimurti along with Brahma and Vishnu. Lord Shiva is an ascetic, who
concentrates on meditation, represents goodness, is destroyer of things and
also a protector and is associated with creation. At
the end of each cycle, the Universe is destroyed and the new creation is
allowed. Sadhguru the lead author, is a renowned spiritual, intellectual
and influential personality having contributed to human welfare, who has
incorporated the teachings of yoga sciences to elevate the life of human beings
to a better condition, both physically and mentally. Ms. Arundhathi Subramaniam
is the co-author of the book.
At the commencement of the book is Contents page,
which gives details of the Chapters of the book. It starts with, Before the
Beginning by Arundhathi Subramaniam. Part I entitled Adiyogi, has been written
by Sadhguru and has 5 Chapters viz. The Beginning, A Biography of Emptiness,
When source becomes symbol, The eternal outlaw, The Kailash of the south. The
Part II is entitled Chronicles, has been written by Sadhguru and has 14
Chapters viz. The arrival, From Asceticism to Eroticism, The power of one, Sound the source, Himalayan Humility, Mystic
Progeny, The sidekicks of Shiva, Ultimate inclusion, Unity of the sexes, And
now Yoga, The Science of Sound, Just drink, The dance of light, Mainstreaming
truth. The Part III, entitled Dialogues, has been written by Arundhathi
Subramaniam and has five Chapters viz. When the market is right, The Kailash
conundrum, On the road with the mystic, Face-to-face with the axis of the
world, When you are in desperate need.
About the book has been provided on the inside top
cover flap & About the authors on back cover flap. The last page contains
details of the Isha Foundation. Cover of the book has been designed by Isha
Impressions & with the selected colours, the cover appears appealing. References,
Dedication, foot-notes, Subject Index, Author Index etc. have not been
provided. It is a spiritually inspiring book, but one of its own kind. Sadhguru
writes with persuasiveness, though of a different kind. But understanding Shiva
is very complex. The author adds the essence of spirituality with the
scientific facts. Yoga is a spiritual path to which the author adds Science.
This book answers intellectual and scientific thinking. There are set of
questions and answers for understanding the journey of soul from the complete emptiness
to the chaos. Sadhguru’s approach to this topic is not so easy to grasp, and
the things may appear to be simple, but they are not simple. This is my
opinion, but the opinion may vary from person to person. Considering in an
overall manner, this book, as a tribute to Lord Shiva, leaves the readers
spellbound. It is considered useful for all those interested in Religion,
Spiritualism and Lord Shiva.
................vijaiksharma, Jaipur .