Reviews
Author's Bio
To fill this gap, a richly detailed, reader-friendly book has just arrived: The Supreme Mystic: A Biographical Novel about the Early Years of Lord Krishna by Amal Bhakta. (ISBN # 0974466816, 348 pages, Paperback, $14.95, A Krishna Productions book) Entertaining, suspenseful, and fascinating, it reveals the miracles Krishna performed as a child and youth and the great battles he fought against King Kamsa’s demonic sorcerers. It also shows Krishna’s playful, fun-loving romantic side that made him irresistible to his village neighbors.
Amal Bhakta says,“In this world of fear, stress and confusion that
we live in, people need to discover just how easily accessible Krishna
is and how greatly he wants to help us overcome our problems—when
we properly approach him.”
Acclaimed author, monk and yogi, Bhakta based his book on five of India’s ancient scriptures. Although his account reads like a modern page-turner, it also manages to be highly thought-provoking, spiritually informative, and easily understandable. Unlike other books about Krishna, the author does not bore or confuse the reader with heavy philosophical commentary or theological arguments. Instead, he deepens the reader’s involvement in Krishna’s remarkable activities, providing an exciting, moving, and inspiring experience.
Amal Bhakta was a yoga teacher in New York City for 18 years, and in 13 of them was the director of a yoga institute. He has been residing in West Los Angeles for the past 28 years, where he teaches, counsels, and lectures regularly at a bhakti yoga center. He has also narrated and produced about 275 audiocassettes, dramatic and non-dramatic, of books and stories for Krishna Productions.
The Supreme Mystic is Bhakta’s fourth book. His previous titles, including Mystical Stories from the Mahabharata, and Mystical Stories from the Bhagavatam, were well received. In fact, Publisher’s Weekly called Mystical Stories from the Mahabharata “An entertaining introduction to Hindu literature” and Library Journal “Highly recommended” it.
Many persons, after they read The Supreme Mystic, found their lives miraculously improved. The same may happen to you
PRAISE FOR AMAL BHAKTA’S
THE SUPREME MYSTIC
"The
author's studious well-researched scriptural accounts of Lord Krishna's
life are tightly packaged in this suspenseful enlightening novel.... Amal
Bhakta has upped the ante on how religious history can be related. He
has provided a spiritual booster shot with The Supreme Mystic."
—Midwest Book Review
"With tears in my
eyes I thank you for writing The Supreme Mystic. I feel that Krishna has enlightened me with
his fantastic pastimes through your precious book. As the Lord says, one who understands His mysterious
birth and pastimes does not take birth again. I feel I will be awarded this blessing as a result of reading your
work."
—Steven J. Rosen
Author, The Hidden Glory of India (and many other books)
"The conversations sound contemporary, but this novel about Lord
Krishna's fascinating childhood and youth is based on the ancient scripture
Srimad Bhagavatam. Amal Bhakta's easy narrative style makes each of the
episodes accessible to the modern reader. By retelling this ancient Hindu
story in present-day American language, Bhakta underscores the universality
of divine love. "
—India Currents
"Mystic,
yogi, and monk, Bhakta conveys Krishna's remarkable nature through a tale
of heartbreak, sacrifice, boyhood escapades, ancient adventure, fierce
demons and powerful goddesses, noble kings, queens, and gods, and brave
parents, including foster parents. All this pageantry and drama surrounds
an ages-old confrontation of good versus evil, a rapacious demon reincarnated
as a power-hungry king versus the divine Krishna, who has supreme mystic
supernatural charm. This reader looks forward to Bhakta's sequel, The
Supreme Warrior."
—Myshelf.Com
"The
Supreme Mystic...provides a deeper understanding of who Lord Krishna really
was and what he represents. A captivating book."
—New Age Journal
"This
book deepens the reader's involvement in Krishna's remarkable activities,
providing an exciting, moving, and inspiring experience. Although his
[Bhakta's] account reads like a modern page-turner, it also manages to
be highly thought-provoking, spiritually informative, and easily understandable."
—India
Newsweek
"The
book is very interesting to read. Amal Bhakta writes with sincerity and
devotion. He succeeds in making the reader visualise the situation being
described. Line sketches at the beginning of each chapter additionally
help the reader visualise the ancient times to which this story pertains.
A praiseworthy effort."
—Blether Book Review
"Bhakta
has based his book on five of India's ancient scriptures. But it reads
not like abstruse philosophy but a modern page-turner."
—News India Times
"Adventure,
love, courage, excitement all have their perfection in the reality of
spiritual life. Long hidden in ancient Sanskrit texts, these narrations
of the Absolute Truth are so accessible in Amal Bhakta's creative version
that all readers from children to scholars will be enthralled. Whether
one is a serious seeker of enlightenment, curious about Vedic or Eastern
understanding, or only looking for a totally engaging cant-put-down story,
this is an excellent choice."
—Edith
Best (Urmila Dasi)
School Principal / Author
"It
[The Supreme Mystic] has been a pleasure to read. The author's
sincerity and depth of realization emanate from each page. It is a unique
and brilliant preaching approach."
—Carl
E. Woodham (Kalakantha Dasa)
Author, Bhagavad Gita (in poetry)