Idols: Unearthing the Power of Murti Puja

by Bhavna Roy, Amish Tripathi

Overview

Why do people worship idols?

Why does idol worship stubbornly persist despite many centuries of prejudice, bigotry and violence against it?

Can such worship help us find our true purpose in life and ultimately attain peace and prosperity?

In Idols, a companion volume to the bestselling Dharma, your favourite fictional characters are back, along with some new ones, to explore the essence and true meaning of idolatry.

In this insightful and thought-provoking book, Amish and Bhavna tackle burning questions about idol worship through simple, varied and astute interpretations of myths and religious texts. They unearth the symbolic essence of Ishta Devata, dive into the benefits of bhakti and tackle the importance of religion for people and society. In the process, they reveal the expansive philosophy behind the practice and how it can lead us to experience-intellectually, ideologically and, most importantly, in our hearts-the Oneness of God, through transformation, acceptance and love.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9789356994508
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers India
Publication date:	09/03/2024
Pages:	328
Product dimensions:	5.23(w) x 7.83(h) x 0.81(d)

About the Author

Amish Tripathy is a 1974-born, IIM (Kolkata)-educated banker-turned-author. The success of his debut book, The Immortals of Meluha (Book 1 of the Shiva Trilogy), encouraged him to give up his career in financial services to focus on writing.

Bhavna Roy was educated in Mussoorie, Pune and Mumbai. After graduating in psychology from Mumbai University, she qualified for the Indian Administrative Services.

Editorial Reviews

'{Amish's} writings have generated immense curiosity about India's rich past and culture.'

-Narendra Modi

(Honourable Prime Minister of India)

'{Amish's} writing introduces the youth to ancient value systems while pricking and satisfying their curiosity...'

-Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

(Spiritual Leader and Founder, Art of Living Foundation)

'{Amish's writing is} riveting, absorbing and informative.'

-Amitabh Bachchan

(Actor and Living Legend)

'Amish is one of India's greatest storytellers, creative, imaginative, so you have to turn the page.'

-Lord Jeffrey Archer

(One of the highest-selling authors of all time)

'{Amish's writing is} a fine blend of history and myth ... gripping and unputdownable.'

-BBC

'Thoughtful and deep, Amish, more than any author, represents the New India.'

-Vir Sanghvi

(Senior Journalist and Columnist)

'{Amish} is an extraordinary gift to the world from India. He has done a great service by taking ancient myths and giving them relevance in modern times.'

-Deepak Chopra

(World-renowned Spiritual Guru and Bestselling Author)

'{Amish is} one of the most original thinkers of his generation.'

-Arnab Goswami

(Senior Journalist and MD, Republic TV)

'Amish has a fine eye for detail and a compelling narrative style.'

-Dr Shashi Tharoor

(Member of Parliament and Author)

'{Amish has} a deeply thoughtful mind with an unusual, original and fascinating view of the past.'

-Shekhar Gupta

(Senior Journalist and Columnist)

'To understand the New India, you need to read Amish.'

-Swapan Dasgupta

(Member of Parliament and Senior Journalist)

'Through all of Amish's books flows a current of liberal, progressive ideology: about gender, about caste, about discrimination of any kind ... He is the only Indian bestselling writer with true philosophical depth - his books are all backed by tremendous research and deep thought.'

-Sandipan Deb

(Senior Journalist and Editorial Director, Swarajya)

'Amish's influence goes beyond his books, his books go beyond literature, his literature is steeped in philosophy, which is anchored in bhakti, which powers his love for India.'

-Gautam Chikermane

(Senior Journalist and Author)

'Amish is a literary phenomenon.'

-(Late) Anil Dharker

(Senior Journalist and Author)

From the Publisher