I have taken my time to write this book review. The reason is the way the Aghora book 3 ended. I needed more time to assimilate that information.

After the first book (reviewed here) and second book (reviewed here), I had my concerns about reading this third book because it delved into the law of karma, however, in the derby (horse racing) setting. Horse racing is obviously not our usual satvic ambiance that is conducive for spiritually inclined folk. And maybe because I am Jain, this rankled more. After all, it includes gambling (one of three worst karmas as per Aghori Vimalananda in this book), it happens in clubs where I assume alcohol and non-veg and other vagaries would be common and of course the matter of using an animal which includes much violence. So I was not sure I would be able to relate to this.

Anyway, I read it nonetheless. And the horse racing became a natural part of the book probably because Aghori Vimalananda spent so much time there. Many of his connections were associated with the activity. Naturally, because V has used the horse racing scene as a way to shed a lot of his karmas. The book suggests that horse racing can actually be a great way to shed karma – as we are always either funding someone else’s win or winning off others. Both of which help clear pending runanubandha for or against us. But (as usual) there is a catch to this.

It is much to ponder on.

Karma – action or bhaav behind the action?

The book is pretty brutal in highlighting the inevitable karmic repercussions that everyone will, without fail, face and very literally so. That is, if we step on an ant and kill it, then the ant has the runanubandha (debt-bond) of stepping on us and killing us in future – how that will happen (literally or in some other way) will be decided by life situations (fate?).

This kind of literal understanding of karma has been written in Buddhism and other traditional texts (as far as I know). However, contemporary spiritual leaders talk about the bhaavna or volition behind the action which determines karma. This understanding helps us feel better about the situation and we can focus on our bhaav (feeling) and not on the literal acts that happen.

The book doesn’t focus on this bhaav aspect much, but it shows us ways to lighten the karmic load. Largely, by grace. So in a different way, this book also brings us back to one of the major fundamentals of our spiritual journey – Grace from the Guru or deity.

One other interesting aspect that the book touches upon is the accumulation of blessings and curses on us. Usually, karma is understood as our actions / our bhaav. Often we don’t consider the impact on the other (though it is implicitly understood). But whether the life at the other end blesses or curses us (as a result of our action or inaction), also plays a role. This is often covered in Jainism, and I suspect the root behind the strong emphasis on Michchami Dukkadam, asking for forgiveness (and forgiving others).

Nature / Life the great mother

Another feeling that I gather from the book is that Life is like a great mother and she brings to us what is most right for us at that time. We may or may not know it. As per our karma. And thus, despite the brutality of the karmic law, after all, nature is our mother. And we are the creator’s creation.

So through different routes, here we have the oneness of all paths. 🙂

Aghori Vimalananda’s Relationship with his Guru Maharajs’

In the book, Vimalananda has two Guru figures. And he is a great devotee of Maa, and she is the one who is always taking care of him. So, especially in this third book it feels to me that his relationship with the two Gurus wasn’t the traditional Guru-Shishya relation. Makes sense cause he was also highly accomplished himself.

At the last end of the third book, this becomes very evident. And it felt sad, that he seemed so alone. But for me personally, it did strike a chord. Because I have also seen this in real life.

There is the proverbial Guru-Shishya relationship of deep devotion beyond all limits – and there are such true relationships – even Vimalananda mentions it in his book. Apparently, Vivekananda ate Ramakrishna P’s secretions like nose snot and stuff. Because anything coming out of the Guru is filled with their shakti. But more than that the love is such of the devotee that they will even consume the shit of the Guru.

However, Vimalananda’s relation with his Guru’s didn’t seem like that. It seemed more a bit of a gamble and game. So that was for me interesting. And because I have spent much time in ashrams, it actually does strike a chord. Because not everyone has the proverbial relation of devotion with their Guru. Many have something odd going on, and yet it is a Guru relation. This book highlights this, and that was interesting.

That’s all I have to write about this book. And I feel a little woebegone and awry after a book series that I was so into has finished (and on an off-note). But, unlike the fantasy fiction tales I have read in the past, this (also very fantastic) has many real connections in the present world today.

Two people from the book who are very much alive and active on online media (and into Ayurveda!),

Robert Svoboda – the author and Vimalananda’s spiritual child – is pretty active. And churns out quite interesting content around Ayurveda, Indic Culture and all that. Have been following him on Instagram – @drrobertsvoboda

Vasant Lad – the only present day Ayurvedic practitioner who had some skills that Vimalanada approved of. Surprisingly, I read about Vasant Lad in the Aghori 3 book and made a mental note to search about him online (I thought he might be an oldie who had passed away). And just 2 days later, Sadhguru’s video of a talk with Vasant Lad surfaced up. wow wow – same person?!

I was very happy to see that Vasant Lad is an oldie but alive, active and vocal online. Am looking forward to watching many of his videos (and maybe even learn some more Ayurveda under him… after all when I started my online Ayurvedic course it was quite serendipitious with the Aghora 2 book 🙂 )

So, I am happy that the book & Vimalananda isn’t fully over. It leaves me with these other beautiful threads to connect with in real life. Much love.