Overview

The Mahabharata is one of the world's most significant historical epics. At a staggering one hundred thousand stanzas, this massive work reveals a highly complex ancient civilization - one that not only excelled in the arts, sciences, and philosophy, but that also embodied the highest ideals of justice, morality and spiritual understanding. Romance, tyranny, war and supreme enlightenment, all are described in this riveting, divinely inspired narrative, which has profoundly influenced South Asian culture and spirituality for thousands of years. Quest for Justice is based upon a collection of lectures on various themes and episodes from the Mahabharata. Paralleling the magnetic oral style of the Epic itself, the book transmits these ancient narratives in an appealing, highly accessible, and engaging contemporary voice. Delivered with frequent good humor, the talks are easy and entertaining, even as they clearly confront the deepest meanings of the text. Indeed, H.D. Goswami skillfully depicts the psychological depth of the characters and the existential dilemmas they face in a strikingly vivid and immediate way. With his trademark wit, erudition and insightful analysis, Goswami breathes new life into the most compelling episodes of this ancient literary masterpiece.

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Reviews

Based on a series of Mahabharata lectures, Quest for Justice isa one-of-a-kind book. The speaker, H.D. Goswami, is obviouslylearned, and also possesses an uncanny knack for turning thestory into a very entertaining presentation, captivating thereader by its page-turner quality. All in all, it is definitely thebest popular version of the Mahabharata I've ever read. It isvery well told and the language of the text is exquisite. Forthose interested in India, Indian literature, and/or Indianreligion, this is definitely a 5-star introduction. It is beautifullywritten, like a thrilling adventure story, with a cliff-hanger atthe end of every chapter. Once you start reading you just can'tstop - and that goes even for someone like me, who is basicallyfamiliar with the text. Dr. Ake SanderProfessor of Psychology & Sociology of ReligionDepartment of Literature, History of Ideas and Religion (LIR)University of Gothenburg, Sweden Quest for Justice is based on a collection of lectures on variousthemes and episodes from the enormous Mahabharata Epic.Paralleling the rhetorical style and delivery of the Epic itself, thebook's tone is one of oral transmission, as it reworks ancientnarratives into an appealing, comprehensible contemporaryidiom. Delivered with frequent good humor, the talks are easyand entertaining, even as they clearly confront the deepestmeanings of the text. In this, the speaker benefits from hisdevoted, decades-long engagement with the text in the originalSanskrit. Indeed, H.D. Goswami skillfully and profoundly depictsthe psychological depth of the characters and the existentialdilemmas they face in a very vivid and immediate way. Putdifferently, Quest for Justice is something of a continuation of theEpic tradition - the perpetuation, contextualization andrearticulation of ancient narratives and dharma teachings for acontemporary audience. H.D. Goswami combines his trademarkwit, erudition and insightful analysis, breathing new life into themost compelling episodes of this ancient literary masterpiece. Edwin BryantProfessor of Hindu Religion and PhilosophyRutgers University, USA Anyone familiar with the Mahabharata knows that following, muchless explaining, this complex tale of fraternal enmity and fratricidalwar is a daunting task. Yet, in H. D. Goswami's Quest for Justice, we aretreated to a deft and captivating retelling that practically places usinside the drama as it ravels and unravels. At the risk of soundingcliche, the millenia that separate us from these ancient events do seemto fall away as we are invited to recognize the very real humanemotions that motivate the heroes and the villains of this celebratedIndian epic. Reading Quest for Justice, it is easy to understand that weare dealing with one of the great, enduring works of world literature, not a period piece from some forgotten age. Kenneth Valpey Ph.D., Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies, UK

Based on a series of Mahabharata lectures, Quest for Justice isa one‐of‐a‐kind book. The speaker, H.D. Goswami, is obviouslylearned, and also possesses an uncanny knack for turning thestory into a very entertaining presentation, captivating thereader by its page‐turner quality. All in all, it is definitely thebest popular version of the Mahabharata I've ever read. It isvery well told and the language of the text is exquisite. Forthose interested in India, Indian literature, and/or Indianreligion, this is definitely a 5‐star introduction. It is beautifullywritten, like a thrilling adventure story, with a cliff‐hanger atthe end of every chapter. Once you start reading you just can'tstop - and that goes even for someone like me, who is basicallyfamiliar with the text. Dr. Ake SanderProfessor of Psychology & Sociology of ReligionDepartment of Literature, History of Ideas and Religion (LIR)University of Gothenburg, Sweden Quest for Justice is based on a collection of lectures on variousthemes and episodes from the enormous Mahabharata Epic.Paralleling the rhetorical style and delivery of the Epic itself, thebook's tone is one of oral transmission, as it reworks ancientnarratives into an appealing, comprehensible contemporaryidiom. Delivered with frequent good humor, the talks are easyand entertaining, even as they clearly confront the deepestmeanings of the text. In this, the speaker benefits from hisdevoted, decades‐long engagement with the text in the originalSanskrit. Indeed, H.D. Goswami skillfully and profoundly depictsthe psychological depth of the characters and the existentialdilemmas they face in a very vivid and immediate way. Putdifferently, Quest for Justice is something of a continuation of theEpic tradition - the perpetuation, contextualization andrearticulation of ancient narratives and dharma teachings for acontemporary audience. H.D. Goswami combines his trademarkwit, erudition and insightful analysis, breathing new life into themost compelling episodes of this ancient literary masterpiece. Edwin BryantProfessor of Hindu Religion and PhilosophyRutgers University, USA Anyone familiar with the Mahabharata knows that following, muchless explaining, this complex tale of fraternal enmity and fratricidalwar is a daunting task. Yet, in H. D. Goswami's Quest for Justice, we aretreated to a deft and captivating retelling that practically places usinside the drama as it ravels and unravels. At the risk of soundingcliche, the millenia that separate us from these ancient events do seemto fall away as we are invited to recognize the very real humanemotions that motivate the heroes and the villains of this celebratedIndian epic. Reading Quest for Justice, it is easy to understand that weare dealing with one of the great, enduring works of world literature, not a period piece from some forgotten age. Kenneth Valpey Ph.D., Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies, UK

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