To her bewilderment, she has been a murderer, a womaniser, a poacher, a deceived husband and many more personalities in her previous lives. She has taken several actions during each of these lives and has set the karmic wheel spinning. Now, she is in the clutches of cross currents of actions and reactions.
She soon realizes that each action that she has ever taken, has been locked inside her as an energy which she carries within her from one lifetime to the next. The energy needs to be balanced by an equal amount of energy that she needs to put out. Irrespective of the lifetime the action was performed, the energy remains locked within her, until balanced.
Will these energies ever be balanced? Will she play her way out of the web she finds herself entangled in? Will she find the respite, rest and freedom that she fervently wishes for?
Through her past life experiences, she gets the answers that she has been seeking. She begins to understand how she has drawn certain circumstances to herself during these lifetimes and what the karmic cycle all about.
The story carries a ring of suspense and enigma, as each incarnation is uncovered and blends in a lot of travel, description of destinations (remote forests, deserts, places of spiritual significance) where the protagonist is headed.
Concepts such as Rebirth, Samsara and Liberation are common in Indian households. However, these are never explained clearly to anyone. They have a mysterious ring to them, and are generally left unaddressed. They are not discussed enough to even generate a thirst to delve deeper. If at all, the facts are garbed in hard to believe mythological tales and lie hidden in abstruse Scriptures.
The book attempts to address these questions with practicality, and explore the repercussions of actions of one life in another. Through its fictional format, the reader can read and grasp the concepts without feeling like someone is giving them unwanted advice or gyaan.
The narrative takes the reader through a unique thought process. It unveils a dimension that one does not invest time and energy into, whilst embroiled in the complexities of negotiating the grind of daily life.
The story takes place against the backdrop of the British Raj and ends in the post-independence era of India. Various historical time periods, spanning almost 300 years are captured in the narration in fine detail. It takes the reader into an exciting, nail biting journey through the alluring and mystical deserts and jungles of India.
One can clearly see the spark in Ekta’s eyes when she says, “Writing, for me, is a way of personal growth and writing Kaivalya…a fire within, has been personally rewarding. Sometimes I lived through my characters and at others, they lived through me. I progressed with every story that I wrote. Kaivalya…a fire within, is a story with seven intricately connected stories. I have lived seven lives through it. I have grown tremendously through it. I have cried through it. I have laughed through it. I have lived it and loved it. Like me, as you read it, I hope you too will find yourself coming closer to Kaivalya.
Overall an interesting read for those who want to exhale the exhaustion of the Netflix binge watch and inhale some fresh air full of serenity and solace.
