The Fountainhead - A must read

Ayn Rand takes you to a timeless world through the Fountain Head. Descriptive narration and apt choice of words makes the reader visualize the scene with specifics. The physical attributes of the characters are so clear to the reader that the one can actually imagine the characters. The writing is simple yet powerful.Though the book was written in 1943, it still can be easily related by today's intellect.

The plot revolves around the concept of belief -the belief of common man kind vs. that of powerful men. Men who are powerful not by virtue of wealth but by the possession of ideas. The novel hints towards a revolution much needed in our society. Ayn in a very transparent manner has written about the struggle of two men. One who is firm on his beliefs and refuses to compromise with anything under any circumstances. The other whose very existence is because of others, he lives life according to everyone and anyone’s wish. He has only one purpose in his life which is to gain respect in the eyes of others. It is through these two men that Ayn has succeeded in demonstrating the inertia faced by men with new ideas. Ideas to which mankind is not exposed to and hence are not accepted.

These two men are the central characters of the novel, however in the later part of the novel, equally strong characters are introduced. Amidst such crisis of beliefs and identity, Ayn has also managed to sprinkle a fine blend of love and friendship. Friendship between men of power who have nothing in common,but the zest to live life in their own terms. Love for which one sacrifices one’s soul as it is easier to live as a zombie than to live as a witness to the pain of ones loved ones.Just as each of the sub plots are over and the reader begins to be sure that the story has come to a dead end he is thrown surprised by the introduction of a new character who brings an interesting perceptive creating suspense in the novel.

The books leaves a feeling of satisfaction at the end, as love and belief both stand upright as clear winners. A must read for those who enjoy the combination of suspense with food for thought.
I leave you with a quotation from the book -


‎"I do not recognize anyone's right to one minute of my life.Nor to any part of my energy .Nor to any achievement of mine.No matter who makes the claim,how large their number or how great their need!" - The Fountainhead by Aryn Rand

myth=mithya Book Review

Dr Devdutt Pattanaik  is a medical doctor by education , leadership consultant by profession and mythologist by passion. myth=mithya  is a compilation of stories and beliefs of hindu mythology. It has all the small and big epic incidents which are grandmother would have shared with us and also those which she refused to tell us.
Its a book which quotes incidents which led to common hindu beliefs. Its a must read for those who want to understand hindu mythology and understand the background of various rituals.

The Indian society is considered gender biased and patriarchal , I have known this and been a silent witness since long without knowing why is that so ? what led to this belief ? was it mere convenience ? This book answers this question , to accept and agree with the answer is a different thing but it definitely tells us the rationale of our ancestors behind the male favorism in Hinduism .

Since Childhood I have been a importance to the worshiping of Shiv Linga.Our  society is a very conservative one ; here  talking about sex  in a public forum is a taboo . Yet I am awed by the fact that Lord Shiva is worshiped in the from a Shiv Lingam - which signifies the union of him and his wife Goddess Parvati . The lingam is essentially nothing but a phallus. The book quotes incidents from the past which led to the worship of Lord Shiva in this form .

Mahabharata and Ramayana have a number of incidents where Pandavs /Krishna and Lord Ram won by following the "Jungle rule" . They followed such codes in war that are typically considered not a warriors code. However we do worship Lord Krishna and Lord Ram. In fact Lord Ram is quoted as "maryada purshottam" or the "Ideal man". I used to think from time to time that if these are the very examples by which we are to learn and live by, than the definition of right and wrong itself can be questioned. Dr. Devdutt has to some extent given the rational behind this  too.Many of us would not have given a thought behind a trivial thing like why the hair of goddess Parvati and Lakshmi are typically tied by strands of flowers whereas that of Durga and Kali are left open . The book explains this as well.

Though Dr Devdutt has reasonably tried to explain a number of Hindu beliefs yet he has never forced his views. He has quoted incidents in support of the belief and has left it to us to infer and decide upon it. This is the beauty of this book . The language is very simple and the focus is entirely on the mythological incidents and Hindu beliefs.A must read for those who want to understand a know a little more of Hindu mythology.