Vishwaroop

VISHWAROOP is a collection of 20 short stories about the face of man within the universe. The portrait of man, complex, diverse. Like a tapestry woven with multitudinous threads. Sometimes saddening, infuriating, revolting, frightening, at other times uplifting, calming, happy, hopeful; but always interesting, entertaining, even hilarious. Within it we see a kaleidoscope of images, all different, all fascinating, even enlightening, a jumble we call life. A lot of content is adult oriented, uninhibited, not only sexually but also philosophically, politically, socially, and any other way imaginable. The stories are entertaining, but they are thought provoking, too. They are filled with philosophical musings, many of them are unconventional. If you like a take on man and the universe which is exasperatingly, even inflamingly, different from what a lot of our religious, political, and social leaders have been presenting for thousands of years, then this book is for you. VISHWAROOP is a Sanskrit word with philosophical connotations. It refers to the cosmology and the place of man within the cosmic structure. The concept of God is not posited. While filled with philosophical ideas, it is not a book on philosophy. It is fun fiction. Man is presented in realistic form, in his stark nakedness, the way he really is, not the way we wish him to be. Although fiction, it is not fantasy. Realism does not mean dull. Once started on a story, you may not be able to put it down. And once you have put it down, you will start to think. The characters, the settings, and the ideas within, will linger in your mind, for days, months, even years. So, take a plunge, and you might find yourself enjoying a very different kind of universe, submerged in reality, not dogma.

THE AUTHOR Rajendra Kumar, a retired psychologist, has been immersed in literary writing since the age if 12. His early publications were in his mother tongue, Hindi, but now he writes exclusively in English. As you will see, he often rattles the cage of tradition. In addition to writing, he loves to travel internationally and hike. Philosophically, he is for freedom, peace, and reason, and it shows in all his writings. To him these are not empty words, they are concepts which need to be realized in life.