A Garland of Sacred Stories from the Bhagavata Purana by Sravaniya DiPecoraro
Sravaniya has carefully chosen 9 stories from the Bhagavata, which is known as the pre-eminent Purana. Her dramatic renditions are decorated with her own insights into the text as a life-long yogini and astrologer.
Catherine Schweig accurately wrote, “. . . enchanting rides through the lives of royal and paupers, queens and courtesans, sages and devils. By juxtaposing these with personalities from other literary classics—from Prometheus to Frankenstein—and delightfully peppering them with Jungian slants, astrological allusions, and yogic wisdom . . . ancient Vedic knowledge comes alive for the reader.”
To begin, we’re taken to ancient India and brought into an august assembly of sages, mystics, and seers from all the spiritual paths of the time, who unanimously agree that Bhakti yoga is the best use of human life.
More than fables, parables, or allegories, these tales can spiritually enlighten. Stories are the best way to learn, therefore, this book is a good introduction to complex philosophy.
The names of all the characters are in Sanskrit, which may be a little challenging for some readers. Expect to enter a different world and draw on some patience to learn new words and concepts and this book will be a worthwhile read.
Those completely new to Bhakti and it concepts may consider these books to start:
In Search of the Highest Truth by Hari-kirtana; The Eight Elements and Gita, Talks between the Soul and God by Ranchor Prime; and Yoga and the Dark Night of the Soul by Simon Haas, and my book Wise-Love: Bhakti and the Search for the Soul of Consciousness – all of which I’ll be reviewing here.