Bøker av Bibek Debroy

Devi is always with us. Devi is always inside us. Every year, there are occasions when we celebrate her presence a little more, specially worship her and become a bit more conscious of her presence inside us, and everywhere around us. Navaratri, the nine nights with Devi, is an example. Chaitra and Sharada Navaratris are special occasions when Bharata, with all its diversity, celebrates Devi's manifestations. Rituals and rites are localized, customs are based on historical legacies and culture, but the template of worship is universal throughout India, and even outside it. Navaratri: When Devi Comes Home documents this diversity in tradition, each specific to one particular part of the country. But, taken together, they resonate with the theme-ya devi sarva-pradesheshu puja-rupena samsthita. Just like diverse manifestations of the Adi Shakti-the eternal Goddess-which Devi is worshipped as, the expression of the celebration changes as you move around the country. This is the first ever compilation of living customs, culture and conventions that make the canon of Devi Mahatmya and Devi Bhagavatam come alive and thrive through diverse expressions. From the visual of colourful and energetic Garba from the western coast of India to the warm enthusiasm of Durga Puja pandals from the eastern parts, this book explains the myriad ways of celebrating these auspicious nine days and nights. Like most things Indian, there is a common thread that runs across all Navaratri celebra tions around India that this book brings to light. Other popular versions of celebrations are more of trends that we sometimes follow and enjoy with people around us, and the not-so-popular versions remain undiscovered. This book helps uncover those versions.

Who is man math a Nath Dutt? This Question starts haunting bibek Debroy when he finds that name imprinted on the translations of almost all ancient texts that he too wants to translate from Sanskrit text into English. While multiple translations are not uncommon, what were the chances of two translators invariably choosing the same set of texts? It was almost like man math a Nath Dutt had left a trail for bibek Debroy to follow. And that sets off Debroy on the road to discovering more about the translator extraordinaire who had largely remained ignored so far. Gathering material and sifting through clues, following various leads and discarding some, Debroy pieces together a jigsaw puzzle to reveal a picture of the prolific translator man math a Nath duty and of nineteenth-century Calcutta.

A millennial's guide to the Bhagavad Gita, the foundational text on dharma.As Arjuna stands on the battlefield of the Great War of Kurukshetra, he finds himself surroundedby men he has known for years. He must wound, maim or kill them to earn what the Pandavasdeserve. But how can he kill those in whose laps his childhood was spent, those gurus whotaught him to hold his bow? As Arjuna faces this dilemma, Krishna, an avatara of Lord Vishnu,appears before him in his universal form. And thus begins a dialogue between them on whatis right and what is wrong, on dharma and on the cycle of cause and consequence.One of the core Hindu scriptures, the Bhagavad Gita holds important lessons on how we canlive our lives and fulfil our duties, but the millennials may consider it too ancient for theiruse or too complex for their understanding. In this book,

The colour black loses its grandeur the moment it is used in the context of corruption. In the last few decades, the spectre of corruption in India has only increased, and has become a reality so grim that most of us have accepted it as fait accompli. Further, the abuse of power, position and privilege for personal gain is rampant. Corruption and black money are festering sores that are holding us back in the race towards development.Since 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has displayed strong