I finished reading the book "Adiyogi", released by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev on the weekend ending 12-Nov-2017. To anybody interested in Hindu mythology and philosophy, I recommend the book. It has been co-written by Arundhati Subramanian. I was curious about the book, following the consecration of the 112 feet tall face of Adiyogi as reported in http://isha.sadhguru.org/blog/inside-isha/announcements/prime-minister-unveil-112-ft-tall-face-adiyogi-mahashivratri/. I ordered the book in May 2017 and got around to reading it only in October 2017.
The significance of the Adiyogi, Lord Shiva is brought out well. The contradictions we see in Shiva are explored and examined. For example, on one hand he is termed as Bholenath, the simple one. On the other hand, the term Rudra, the "terrible one" is also an epithet for Shiva. On one hand, he is considered as the first yogi and yoga is associated with stillness and calmness ; on the other, Shiva dances the Tandava dance for the dissolution of the world ! How can one person encompass these contradictions ? The book does a good job of answering this question.
Various legends of Shiva are narrated. Interpretations of these legends are provided. Creation myths related to Shiva are presented. The book links one particular creation myth to the taboo rituals associated with Shiva.
The book is divided into three parts. In all the parts, the guidance provided by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev is helpful. Arundhati acknowledges him as her guru. In my view, the first two parts are simpler than the third. In the third part, the author describes her trek to Kailash. With the landscape around Kailash in the background, the conversation between Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev and Arundhati Subramanian is crucial to understand Adiyogi.
I have read "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" by Robert Pirsig. I admire the book for the way it examines abstract concepts. At one level, that book is the story of a journey undertaken by a father and his son. Pirsig describes the American landscape and his own perceptions as a father nicely in the book. He introduces the concept of "chautauqua", which can be loosely translated as a discussion around a topic. The third part of "Adiyogi" deals with similar chautauquas on and around Lord Shiva.
In the first part, there is a brief description of how ideas in science resemble legends of mythology and in particular, creation myths with Lord Shiva. This part drew me in to the book, since the similarity has interested me for since some time now. In 2013, I wrote a blog post https://fewidlethoughts.blogspot.in/2013/03/shiva-and-capra.html looking at the parallels between Hindu mythology and science. The first part of "Adiyogi" delves into the science and spiritual aspects in far greater detail.
In the second part, other legends and myths of Lord Shiva are presented, with an explanation of their deeper meaning.
In many ways, the third part of "Adiyogi" is similar to "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance". The author's journey and her conversations with Sadhguru intermingle to create a learning experience for the reader ! The personal tribulations of the author during the arduous Kailash pilgrimage bring out the pain felt by her.
The only downside to the book that I can think of is that the stories of Lord Shiva in the first two parts could have been more vividly expressed. However, I feel that way about most myths !
I like mythology, whether it is in the Hindu epics or The Lord of the Rings. "Adiyogi" recounts several popular and some lesser known tales of Lord Shiva. Combined with the insight of Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev to explain the symbolism and the significance behind the legends, the book is well worth the price paid.
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