Shriman Yogi by Ranjit Desai

Day 19 of #AtoZChallenge

Shriman Yogi is not a book. It’s a treasure. It’s a torrent of emotions that lifts you up in the air, twists you in a whirlwind, makes you cry like a baby and leaves you in a state of awe. And this happens every time you read it. When I read this book for the first time at the age of 20, I knew I would come back to this book many times. 8 was the number when I last counted, I lost count after that. I know people who have read it a dozen times and still want to read it again. 

A biographical account of Raja Chattrapati Shivaji, Shriman Yogi is considered one of the best works that do justice to the great Maratha warrior’s life. Shivaji took charge of his kingdom at a very young age with only a few confidants in his crew. His unparalleled courage and warfare acumen earned him a name that commanded respect from his followers and evoked fear in fiercest of enemies. Not only was Shivaji a great warrior and a greater ruler, he was also an excellent administrator and a gem at heart. His kingdom was built around core values of justice and humanity. Shivaji’s Mother Jijabai and his wife Putlabai had a great influence in his life and he valued the presence of these great women around him.

Shivaji is one of the most celebrated personalities of Indian history and a lot of books have been written on his life. But Shriman Yogi is undoubtedly the best. It depicts minuscule sentiments of Shivaji in different roles in a sensitive and profound way. Compassion, sympathy, anxiety, passion, anger- all flow through the words of the author and take the reader on a roller-coaster ride of emotions. So many people have confessed to having cried through the last few pages of the book.

It is a must-read. No conditions.

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