The Lady Who Carried the Monk Across the River: The Parable for Ordinary People Philosophical Indian Fiction Inspired by Spiritual Parables

By Pavan K Varma

In the foothills of the Himalayas, a simple act upends an ancient parable. This time, it is the lady who carries the monk across the river.

Through the intertwined fates of Guru Brihaspati, his celibate disciples Kevala and Gyan, and the enigmatic Mandakini, The Lady Who Carried the Monk Across the River explores the tension between spirituality and desire, the sacred and the profane, and the elusive unity of both. As Kevala and his guru engage in a five-day debate on the meaning of a fulfilling life, the river becomes both a literal and symbolic divide, one that must be crossed daily, not just in body but in spirit.

Tautly woven with philosophy, passion, and profound questions, this novel is no sermon. It is a story of real lives, intense choices, and the irresistible force of Shakti. Can the pursuit of transcendence and the pull of earthly love coexist? In just five days, lifetimes of belief are tested, and the answers may be as fluid as the river itself.

As faith collides with longing, the story unfolds with intensity and depth, drawing readers into a world where every choice reshapes the path to enlightenment.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0143478605
• ISBN13: 9780143478607
• Release Date: January 2026
• Publisher: India Penguin
• Length: 160 Pages