I picked up The First Love Story: Dakshayani because the idea of a love story that is also a meditation on being sounded right to me. Right away I felt the book wanted to do two things at once: lovingly retell the ancient bond between Śiva and Dakṣāyanī and also ask bigger questions about why love matters to the universe. The voice felt gentle and curious, like a friend inviting me into a big, old story.
What the book is about
In simple terms, the book follows the life and soul of Dakṣāyanī and her connection with Śiva. It moves from cosmic beginnings to the human moments of devotion, marriage, conflict, loss, and a kind of transcendence. Along the way the narrative threads in ideas about creation, Ardhanarīśvara, and the way love shapes consciousness. The chapters are arranged so the myth unfolds almost like a slow, reflective walk rather than a rush.
Themes that stayed with me
The biggest thing I took away was how the author treats love like a force that builds and heals and also breaks and remakes the self. Love is not just romance here, it is devotion, courage, and a path to higher awareness. I also appreciated how the book links ancient symbols to simple human feelings. That made the myth feel less far away and more like something inside me.
The science angle and why it worked for me
One unexpected but welcome touch was the way the author brings in a scientific lens now and then, talking about mind, brain, and how feelings might map to our biology. It never feels like a lecture. Instead, those moments read like someone quietly trying to translate sacred experience into everyday language. For me that added a fresh layer — the spiritual and the scientific side by side, each making the other more interesting.
Writing style and pace
The writing is calm and uncluttered. Sentences are plain, images are clear, and there’s a steady rhythm that suits the subject. The book does not rush climaxes; it lingers on feelings and small gestures, which made me slow down and pay attention. I liked that a lot.
How it made me feel
Reading this felt like sitting with someone telling a very old, very tender story and then pausing to ask what it means for us now. I felt moved, quietly reflective, and strangely hopeful. The story lifted me without ever trying too hard to preach. It felt honest.
Who I think will love this book
If you like myth retellings that are thoughtful rather than flashy, if you enjoy writing that makes you pause, or if you are curious about the meeting point of devotion and lived experience, this book will likely speak to you. It’s gentle, soulful, and takes its time to show you why the love between Śiva and Dakṣāyanī has lasted in people’s hearts.
Final thoughts
I closed the book feeling quietly full. This is not just a retelling. It’s an invitation to feel the story, to think about love as something both personal and cosmic, and to see ancient symbols in a fresh light. I’m glad I read it and I’d recommend it to anyone who wants a calm, reflective journey into one of the oldest love stories I know.
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