Review of Afterlife: A Cosmic Reckoning by A K Rajasekaran

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Rating: 4/5

When I finished this book I felt gently moved and quietly thoughtful. I picked it up expecting a straight science fiction ride, but it turned into something more like a slow, reflective walk through big questions about life and what comes after. The mood is calm, sometimes eerie, and always aiming to make you think.

What the book explores

At its core the book asks what happens to consciousness after death and imagines souls travelling through space in surprising ways. The author pictures souls as tiny photons moving across the cosmos, sometimes pulled toward terrifying places like black holes, and sometimes finding a peaceful, almost quantum place of understanding. The story keeps returning to ideas about justice, choice, and how every action might carry consequences beyond our life.

Writing and structure

The writing is simple and slightly poetic. Chapters often read like short, focused meditations instead of long action scenes. The book also mixes narrative with interactive parts that ask the reader to think about the characters and their choices. In some chapters you are invited to answer situational questions or reflect on your own actions, which makes the reading feel active rather than passive.

What I loved

I loved how it blends science ideas and spiritual questions without trying to force either into a single answer. The cosmic images stuck with me — little mental pictures of light slipping past planets or being tested by enormous forces. The reflective bits made me pause and actually think about small choices I make in daily life. It felt less like being told what to believe and more like being invited into a quiet conversation.

One very small critique

If I have to point out one tiny thing, it is that the book sometimes leans heavily on ideas and descriptions and slows the pace. A touch more character detail or a little less explanation in places would have kept me turning pages faster. This is a small note for me because the slow pace also opens space for reflection, which the book clearly wants.

Final thoughts

Overall I found this a thoughtful, well meaning read that sits between speculative science and spiritual reflection. I enjoyed the questions it raised and the gentle way it asked me to examine myself. If you like books that make you stop and think rather than rush to an ending, this one will probably stay with you for a while.

Review of URDHVA: The Lost Axis by Mrittunjoy Guha Majumdar

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Rating: 5/5

When I picked up URDHVA: The Lost Axis I was expecting a thoughtful book, but what I found was more like a map for seeing India in a new light. The book uses the image of the Urdhvamūlavṛkṣa, the upward rooted tree, and that image stayed with me long after I closed the cover. It is not just a book of ideas, it feels like an invitation to rethink how we understand our cultural roots and inner life.

What the book is about

In simple terms, the author asks us to look at Bharat as a civilization whose centre is not just political history but consciousness itself. He weaves together symbols, philosophy, and cultural practices to show how a vertical idea of rootedness gives the civilisation its strength. The writing brings in Vedic motifs, spiritual science, and a civilizational imagination that asks readers to reconnect with what the author calls Bharatagni, the civilisational fire. The core idea—seeing India as a consciousness driven civilisation—is presented clearly and with passion.

About the author and why it matters to this book

Knowing who wrote this helped me trust the book. Dr Mrittunjoy Guha Majumdar has a background in physics and academia and he brings that disciplined, curious mind to questions of philosophy and culture. His scientific training gives the book an unusual balance where metaphysical ideas are treated carefully rather than tossed about loosely. That mix of science and spiritual inquiry felt honest and grounded to me.

What resonated with me the most

The strongest part for me was the way the book treated symbols as living things. The Urdhvamūlavṛkṣa is used not as a mere metaphor but as a way to read art, polity, and daily practice. I liked how the book does not simply ask for a nostalgic return to the past. Instead it invites a living recovery, a way to bring old insights into present life. The chapters that explore aesthetics and polity through this lens made me pause and re-evaluate familiar ideas.

Style and readability

The voice of the book felt both learned and approachable. The author writes with clarity and a steady pace. Complex ideas are unpacked without being dumbed down, and there are moments of sharp, memorable phrasing that make the book easy to carry in the mind. I found it easy to follow, and many times I had to stop and think because a single paragraph opened up a whole new angle for me.

Why I would recommend it

I would recommend URDHVA to anyone who wants more than a history book. If you are someone who enjoys thinking about culture, symbolism, and inner life, this book will give you a fresh framework to hold those thoughts. It felt like a thoughtful companion for someone trying to understand India beyond headlines and timelines. I also appreciated that the book is available widely, so it is easy to get a copy and read it at your own pace.

Final note from me

Reading this book felt like being handed a compass. It does not tell you exactly where to go, but it helps you see where north might be. For me the experience was renewing and quietly powerful. If you care about ideas that shape how a people see themselves, URDHVA is a book I think you will want to spend time with.