Finding Radha

Who was Radha, and why has she captured the imagination of so many writers across centuries? No other goddess combines the elements of bhakti and shringara quite as exquisitely as the divine milkmaid. She spans a vivid rainbow of imagery-from the playfulness of the Ras Lila to the soulfulness of her undying love, from the mystic allure of her depictions in poetry, art and sculpture to her enduring legacy in Vrindavan. In a way that sets her apart from other female consorts, Radha is idealized and dreamed of in a way that is almost more elemental than mythical. Namita Gokhale and Malashri Lal, who brought us In Search of Sita: Revisiting Mythology, now present an anthology on the mysterious Radha, the epitome of love, who defies all conventional codes yet transcends social prohibitions through the power of the spiritual and the sensual, the sacred and the erotic. Finding Radha is the first of its kind: a collection of poetry, prose and translation that enter the historical as well as the artistic dimensions of the eternal romance of Radha and Krishna.

Who was Radha, and why has she captured the imagination of so many writers across centuries? No other goddess combines the elements of bhakti and shringara quite as exquisitely as the divine milkmaid. She spans a vivid rainbow of imagery-from the playfulness of the Ras Lila to the soulfulness of her undying love, from the mystic allure of her depictions in poetry, art and sculpture to her enduring legacy in Vrindavan. In a way that sets her apart from other female consorts, Radha is idealized and dreamed of in a way that is almost more elemental than mythical. Namita Gokhale and Malashri Lal, who brought us In Search of Sita: Revisiting Mythology, now present an anthology on the mysterious Radha, the epitome of love, who defies all conventional codes yet transcends social prohibitions through the power of the spiritual and the sensual, the sacred and the erotic. Finding Radha is the first of its kind: a collection of poetry, prose and translation that enter the historical as well as the artistic dimensions of the eternal romance of Radha and Krishna.

Radha, an award-winning novel by Krishna Dharabasi, is a mythopoetic fiction that relies on a subject drawn from the epic Mahabharata with a special focus on the lives and relations between Krishna and Radha. Written from Radhas perspective, the novel excavates those subtle and discursive social constructs of that era that barred a woman from exercising her free will and licensed a man for following his unrestrained desires. The novel peels out those myth-making endeavors that gave Krishna an aura of a godlike personality and left Radha waiting on the fringe of the society to see his return and fulfillment of her desire.

She is referred to as the mysterious Radha! Some people do not believe she ever existed. Others believe she was an adulteress. The truth is that Radha was a soul that lacked self-love. However, her love for Sri Krishna was boundless and unconditional. In this contemporary 21st century story about Radha’s reincarnation, you will learn how her consciousness contrived a plan to give Sri Krishna the Shakti he needed from her while simultaneously breaking her heart. She even chose for him to never speak to her until she had become enlightened herself. She thought nothing of her own self-preservation or the great suffering she would inevitably endure. The questions that remain to be answered are: Will Radha be able to heal from such a traumatic experience? Will she be able to forgive Sri Krishna for breaking her heart? And finally, will she eventually be able to merge with Krishna as they had originally planned? Read Radha’s story to find the answers disclosed within. -- “Written through the framework of choosing the journey of our lives on the path to enlightenment, the author forces us to consider what we have chosen to endure and why. Beautifully written through the eyes of a reincarnation story and the suffering of the soul on its way to salvation and becoming a goddess. This precious story of spiritual mates on their evolutionary journey reminds us of our mortality and declares that our life journey is a special, and personal, experience meant for spiritual growth. Inspired by traditional beliefs, we rediscover, or uncover for the first time, that we choose our suffering, which ultimately helps us advance as humans and have purpose during our cycles of life on Earth.” - Kat Lahr Writer, Researcher, Educator Southern New Hampshire University

Sita is one of the defining figures of Indian womanhood, yet there is no single version of her story. Different accounts coexist in myth, literature and folktale. Canonical texts deify Sita while regional variations humanize her. Folk songs and ballads connect her timeless predicament to the daily lives of rural women. Modern-day women continue to see themselves reflected in films, serials and soap operas based on Sita’s narrative. Sacrifice, self denial and unquestioning loyalty are some of the ideals associated with popular perceptions of Sita. But the Janaki who symbolized strength, who could lift Shiva’s mighty bow, who courageously chose to accompany Rama into exile and who refused to follow him back after a second trial, is often forgotten. However she is remembered, revered or written about, Sita continues to exert a powerful influence on the collective Indian psyche. In Search of Sita presents essays, conversations and commentaries that explore different aspects of her life. It revisits mythology, reopening the debate on her birth, her days in exile, her abduction, the test by fire, the birth of her sons and, finally, her return to the earth—offering fresh interpretations of this enigmatic figure and her indelible impact on our everyday lives.

Treasures of Lakshmi is the culmination of the much-loved goddess series, brilliantly curated and edited by Namita Gokhale and Malashri Lal. This trilogy, which began with In Search of Sita and continued with Finding Radha, examines the mystical realms of Hindu thought and practice, celebrating the essence of the sacred feminine. Whether it is Lakshmi's 108 names or a sahasranama of a thousand appellations, her blessings are multidimensional and eternal. as the third and final instalment of this remarkable trilogy, Treasures of Lakshmi takes readers on a unique journey of exploration, unravelling the compelling narrative of 'the goddess who gives'.

Finding Neema is the singular story of an autistic boy of Nepali?Tibetan ethnicity, brought up by the author and her Indian husband. It recounts the couple?s unplanned adoption of Neema, the son of their maid, Poonam; their efforts to have his autism diagnosed and treated; and Neema?s emergence into adulthood as a valuable, though still dependent, human being. Delving into Neema?s tormented early life and background, the book touches upon some of the more lurid aspects of developing world poverty and introduces us to an assorted cast of characters ? some appealing and some appalling, but all of them colourful. Important too are the insights into autism which emerge from the writing. Autism has become a burning issue of our times on account of its burgeoning incidence, and of the many controversies surrounding it, but there is very little writing on the subject outside the boundaries of the developed world. Narrating Neema?s story with compassion, frankness and humour and interweaving it with reminiscences of her own unusual marriage and life, Juliet Reynolds fills that gap.

Brahma Vaivartha Purana observes Bhagwan Krishna as the supreme Parabrahma. Brahma Vaivartha Purana is considered by many scholars as the source of things Krishna and equivalent to Bhagavatha Purana in its supremacy. Brahma Vaivartha Purana is structured as follows: Brahma Khanda Prakrithi Khanda Ganapathi Khanda Sri Krishna Janana Khanda Prakrithi Khanda is the second part of Brahma Vaivartha Purana and outlines the mahatmya of the Prakrithi (Divine energy) that manifests from Sri Radha Devi as Saraswathi, Lakshmi and Durga. Prakrithi Khanda covers all the key aspects of Devi Bhagavatha Purana including Ganga’s history before becoming a river, History of sacred Tulasi, Tulasi’s marriage with Shankha Chuda, Emergence of Saligrama, Narration of Savitri, Yama’s dialogue with Savitri, and Savitri resuscitating her husband. Narrations of Lakshmi, Shashthi Devi, Manasa Devi, Radha Devi, Surabhi, and Durga. Prakrithi Khanda is the source of Saraswathi Stotra, Saraswathi Kavacha, Pruthvi Stotra, Radha Kavacha and the Durga Kavacha popularly known as Brahmanda Mohana.

Brahma Vaivartha Purana observes Bhagwan Krishna as the supreme Parabrahma. Brahma Vaivartha Purana is considered by many scholars as the source of things Krishna and equivalent to Bhagavatha Purana in its supremacy. Brahma Vaivartha Purana is structured as follows: Brahma Khanda Prakrithi Khanda Ganapathi Khanda Sri Krishna Janana Khanda Sri Krishna Janana Khanda covers the most detailed account of Sri Krishna as Parabrahma and Sri Krishna’s avatara leela on earth. In this part of the Purana, Krishna encounters Kamsa and releases people of Mathura from his tenure. Balarama and Krishna get their education from Rishi Garga, their shift to Dwarka as primary residence, Narration of Pradyumna, the fight with Banasura and the marriage of Usha and Aniruddha and finally concludes with Krishna Niryana and submersion of Dwarka

India, one of the great, ancient civilizations spawned a fascinating canon of myths and legends. With multiple gods, and a riot of colour and character this fantastic new book, Indian Myths, explores the themes and landscapes that created the tales, and reveals the boundless energy that has brought us the Ramayana,The Mahabharata, and retells the stories of Krishna, Buddha and Shiva, and some of the many different versions of creation. FLAME TREE 451: From mystery to crime, supernatural to horror and myth, fantasy and science fiction, Flame Tree 451 offers a healthy diet of werewolves and mechanical men, blood-lusty vampires, dastardly villains, mad scientists, secret worlds, lost civilizations and escapist fantasies. Discover a storehouse of tales gathered specifically for the reader of the fantastic.