Whip of the Wild God: A Novel of Tantra in Ancient India

by Mira Prabhu

Whip of the Wild God catapults you on a wild ride into 1839 BCE India....Ishvari, an angry and spirited girl plucked out of rural poverty to be meticulously groomed by tantric monks, is elected to serve as spiritual consort to Takshak, powerful monarch of Melukhha. Her tumultuous journey--from terrified peasant to glamorous High Tantrika of Melukhha--hurls her into the abyss of addiction. As she sinks into depravity, Ishvari violates the ancient Melukhhan code of honor, infuriating Rudra-Shiva, the Wild God, and calling forth Takshak's sadistic revenge. And yet, as Ishvari flees for her life, now a notorious fugitive with a gold price on her head, the fire wisdom teachings she has grasped intellectually as a girl finally blaze into roaring life....here is a magnificent metaphysical saga you will find impossible to put down!

402 pages, Paperback

First published April 12, 2013

About the author

I was born in India and moved to New York in my mid-twenties. It was during my tumultuous residence in Manhattan that I first became fascinated by eastern philosophy’s power to transform the genuine seeker.So, during the freezing winter of 1993, I began to write Whip of the Wild God, a novel of tantra set in an ancient civilization reminiscent of India’s famous Indus Valley Civilization. I completed this novel–believe it or not!–twenty years later, in the shadow of Arunachala, the ancient hill considered by millions to be the God Shiva incarnate.

Reviews

[Art · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although set around 1900 BCE in ancient India, Whip of the Wild God could easily have unfurled in present day Washington DC, Paris or London. Mira Prabhu paints an exotic picture of humanity at its best… and worst. From this perspective, we haven’t changed much. Those were exciting times in India, and if they weren’t, Mira certainly has us believing they were.

With the setting comes a language and colloquialisms. Aware that this could cause confusion in a reader’s mind, Miss Prabhu gives us an extremely helpful glossary and a cast of characters. (I printed them out.)

A tantrika herself, Mira Prabhu beautifully describes the difference between sex and erotic love. She has beautifully woven into this work both the commonality of self-centered sex, and skillfully contrasted it with sacred union, which invites Kundalini fire to rise. If you want hot porn, sorry, you won’t find it here.

The so-called “magical events” in the book are little more than what we can see in our daily “Western” lives. Consider in: the 2004 tsunami, Indonesian natives knew to head for high ground while American tourists lolled upon the beach; dog and horse “whisperers,” who communicate with animals. We humans have these abilities: modern life conditions us to believe otherwise.

As a reader, I like paper books. This was the first one I have ever read in front of a computer monitor. The writing was so beautiful I forgot how uncomfortable I was.

[Stefan Vucak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lord Kushal, maharajah’s envoy, is selecting twelve virgins for training, making them fit to serve as mistresses to the maharajah and his nobles at court in the city of Melukhha. Ishvari is chosen to train at the temple of Rudralaya after her mother tells the envoy of her special birth and a sign from the gods. With other girls, the temple becomes her home for the next seven years, and her past is slowly forgotten. She grows beautiful and intelligent under the tutelage of the monks.

At end her studies, Ishvari is named high tantrika and consort to the maharajah. Her tutor warns her about being vengeful, prideful, to control her haughty ego, and not to forget her training. Arriving at the capital, Ishvari meets the maharajah. That night, he consummates their union. She would be his for the next seven years, living in unimaginable luxury—provided she can survive palace politics. The demons of her pride and ego slowly take over her spirit and she descends into taking drugs and having an illicit affair with a mendicant boy. As rumors spread about her loose morals, enraged, the maharajah orders that she participate in a group orgy with selected court nobles. Surviving the ordeal, her friends smuggle her out of the city.

In the years that follow, Ishvari communes with the gods, learning how to heal her spirit and banish her demons, becoming a renowned healer. The maharajah and his kingdom descend into wickedness. Mortally ill, he visits her, but her attempt to heal him fails; the demons possessing him are far too powerful. Escaping his vengeance, she retreats into a sacred valley where…but I will leave that for readers to find out.

‘Whip of the Wild God’ is a journey into India’s mystical past and its pantheon of very real gods. The book is well written, but some readers will find the cultural nuances difficult to understand. Mira Prabhu has a mastery of Indian lore and she weaves her tale with skill. The book is far reaching, but in some respects, it fails to fulfill its potential. While in Melukhha, Ishvari forgets her training and discipline, behaving like any young girl suddenly thrust into sophisticated society. Overwhelmed with her high status and power, she allows material luxury and pleasures of the flesh to darken her spirit. However, the section of the book dealing with her spiritual rebirth is well done and the reader is transported into the lap of Indian gods.

For readers who are prepared to be patient, ‘Whip of the Wild God’ will be a rewarding journey.

[Aileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Whip of the Wild God’s” is an enchanting tale set in BC India. It follows the life of Ishvari, as she grows from a disadvantaged peasant girl to High Tantrika and then through many trials to enlightenment. It’s as much a story as it is a beautifully depicted journey of spiritual growth and enlightenment.

[Usha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome writing a definite page turner. A great philosophical novel. Expect the author to write more :)

[Kavitha Kalyan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mira is a great writer, with an excellent command on her language. I did struggle through the book at certain points to even understand what she was trying to say... the language was a tad bit high for me. I understand her tryst with Tantra, her research is evident in the way the plot is stitched together and yet... i felt, it was a bit of an overdose of sex. Tantra is more than that, yes as a school of thought, sex is an integral part of it, but its not the only thing. I wish she had explored the world of Tantricism in entirety rather than focus on just one aspect of it.

The story is good, but a little too long when it starts to stretch. Its a little boring and I had to really stick through the story to finish it. I could be shortened a lot more. Sex, rape, drugs... ok... some of the explanations irked me a little too much... i had to put the book down to take a break. Its not that its not digestible, its not helping the story... I wish she had elaborated the good things in the book too.

At the end, I was left remembering all the negative stuff, though the book had a good ending. Nice read, but could have been shortened given the author's talent and love for the occult.

[Atul Ranchod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mira is a consummate storyteller!
Her characters are rich in depth jumping off the page, I could really connect to their psyche. A visceral adventure through ancient India that captures the angst and frustrations of the lead heroine, Ishwari, on her incredible journey. Bringing to life her rich human insights which plague many a mind on such a search for meaning. I highly recommend this book!
Can't wait to read the next two books in Mira's brilliant trilogy.

Atul Ranchod