In an age when individuals have metamorphosed into non-individuals, thanks to the technological and non-technological advancements; when the healing grace of authentic spirituality is usurped by the divisive politics of the corporate world; and when broken hearts bleed pain in darkness without the relief of compassion, Karan Bajaj, in his third novel The Seeker, shows the whole the world how a common man achieves a state of spirituality by practicing ashanas day in and day out.
The novel spins round Max, an American native, who also happens to be a Wall Street banker. After growing up in a troubled society in America, Max has managed to become a successful figure in the corporate unlike most of his childhood friends who either has become partially physically challenged or a drug addict. The novel opens with its protagonist facing one of the tougher times of his life with his mother in death bed. His mother dies soon and then on there comes a notable change in his mind as he suddenly becomes very much obsessed with discovering the real truth of life. To know whether he successfully does that or not, one must go through Karan Bajaj’s 360-page novel The Seeker and I really don’t want to reveal what happens henceforth.
The reader gets somewhat aware of what the focal point of the novel might be the moment he sees the cover page. The title itself raises a lot of questions within the mind of a reader. Questions like what he is actually sought for and the questions – “Can a man walk on water? Can he see future? Can he read minds?” catches the imagination of the reader. And throughout the novel, Karan Bajaj tries to answer that. Whether he succeeds in answering those queries can better be left to the individual readers but what is worth mentioning is the narrative style. Not once one can complain regarding handling of such a delicate issue which at times questions the validity of leading a life full of grandeur. It also raises questions regarding the practice of religion in India as Max reaches the land of the Himalayas in pursuit of his goal. As I mention the Himalayas, I can visualize the snow covered ranges, the glaciers and many which a normal can never even think of. And the credit goes Karan Bajaj for presenting such a picturesque view of the Himalayas that he has managed to create with the help of his lucid style of narration. But that never hinders the pace of the novel, rather makes it even more gripping as we come across the perils of travelling amidst such a heavenly landscape.
The real challenge of Mr. Bajaj, who has the background of two national best-sellers in the form of Johnny Gone Down and Keep Off the Grass, lay in making this novel realistic. And it seems that the author has not only accepted it with both hands but also has relished on such a challenge. And this is evident in his portrayal of the character of Max. The conflicts that appear as the potential barriers to his ultimate goal of knowing the real truth of the human life are represented through the characters of Sophia and two of his childhood friend. While Sophia, his sister, symbolizes his family bindings, his friends symbolize his disturbed childhood.
The novel is journey that Max undergoes. It began from the investment bank of Wall Street, and it went on through the snowcapped cliffs of the Himalayas, the hidden ashram in south India. And it is a never-ending one, just like the truth of human life. It’s a process of enlightenment. As we face the perils on our path towards the goal, we become even more purified. Max faces extremely hard conditions and even then manages to keep himself in the right track. As Joe Klass said in his Twelve Steps to Happiness, “The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off”. And we hear the echoes of the same thing as we experience the inner transformation of a young, a Siddhartha of our generation.
Book Details:
| Author: | Karan Bajaj | ||
| Publisher: | Penguin | Year of Publishing: | 2015 |
| ISBN-13: | 9780143423959 | ISBN-10: | 0143423959 |
| Binding: | Paperback | No. of Pages: | 360 |
| MRP: | Rs. 250 | Buy From: | Flipkart.com Amazon.in  |
