As it is believed, love knows no language, nor does it differentiate among people on any basis. In that sense, “Vedanti- Ek Aghori Prem Kahani” is a unique love story that combines emotions and shows two different worlds that come together through the characters who are representative of their world. This novel by Vaidehi Taman narrates the story of a Brahmin girl born in a traditional family and an Aghori youth who emerges as Bhairava, a manifestation of Lord Shiva. This love story is unique because it involves an interaction between an Aghori boy who practices Aghora Vidya and a girl who is pretty much rooted in the present-day world. Their sufferings on an individual level and the eventual identification and understanding of each other are what create a bond of ever-lasting friendship, faith and love born from mutual respect.
An interesting fact is that the story of Shivani and Aghori baba is born at “Maraghat,” which is actually a Hindu cremation ground, where life is submerged in ashes and becomes the ground for love to bloom unexpectedly. Both have their limitations and challenges, but their love transcends them. The novel is unique in its approach because it brings the readers closer to the Hindu mythology of Aghora Vidya and Lord Shiva. The story revolves around the unique character of Bhairava, who is different from the regular heroes of love stories. He is an Aghori youth who is determined to embrace his destiny and accept the lifestyle of an Aghori. He is a person who has control over his emotions and can overcome his fears. This is the exceptional feature of the story which makes it different from the conventional stories.
On another level, the love between Shivani and Aghori baba is platonic, born from friendship and a deep respect that both have for each other, which was built through their common love for music. The novel also sheds light on the religious and spiritual aspects related to Lord Shiva and Moksha. The character of Bhairava’s guru plays an important role in shaping him as a Bhagya Vidhata and a healer. The author has done a commendable job of bringing forth the spiritual aspect of the story. It offers readers a chance to reflect on their own lives and discover the power within. Furthermore, the author also depicts the life of Shivani is also true, realistic and seems like a re-telling of a story that may have been lived by anyone in one lifetime.
The author has also managed to capture the essence of love in a unique way. The love story between Aghori baba and Shivani is not a usual one, but it is refreshing to see the author take a different approach. The novel shows how love can transcend barriers and how it can bring two people together even when they come from different backgrounds. It is an emotional journey that will keep the readers engaged and make them root for the couple to succeed. Even when they are majorly connected through the phone in the book and are majorly involved in debating and decoding facts and questions, their bond is shown to deepen, even if they may not spend their lives together.
Also Read: “Life Beyond Complications: tete-a-tete with Sadguru Shri Riteshwar” By Author Vaidehi Taman
The setting of the novel is another highlight. The author has done a great job in describing the Himalayas, the caves, and the cremation ground. The descriptions bring the story to life, and it helps the readers to visualize the setting in their minds. The author has also done a great job of bringing out the contrast between the traditional ordinary family and the Aghori lifestyle. The readers can see the difference in the values, beliefs, and lifestyles of both.
One of the things that stand out in the novel is the character development. The author has done a great job in creating multidimensional characters that the readers can relate to. The protagonist, Bhairava, is a complex character who undergoes a transformation from a boy to a man. The readers can see how he changes over time and how he becomes more confident in his abilities. The character of Shivani is also well-developed. The author depicts her life among the turmoils she faces and yet has a rock-strong determination to conquer every odd and battle, only to emerge victorious and add a new lesson to the life lessons that she learns on her own. The readers can see her struggle to understand the Aghori lifestyle and her battle with her emotions.
The novel is well-written, and the language is simple and easy to understand. The author has used a mix of Hindi and English to make the novel accessible to a broader audience. The book is also well-structured, and the plot moves at a speed that is easy to understand for the readers. Hence, the book is recommended to all lovers of fiction.
