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Ashes for the Elephant God
Novel - Tale of love, reincarnation, spiritual awakenings, and suspense, against a mosaic of ancient and modern India. To scatter her brother's ashes over the Narmada River, Fabienne leaves France for the mysterious India of her childhood dreams. Soon, as she awakens to a newfound spirituality, unexpected visions of a former life during the Raj stir ancient yearnings for a long lost passion. Mukunda, the palace architect Fabienne loved a century and a half ago, lives again as an American Engineer and works on the local dam project. But, in the karmic land of the blue gods, the Kali worshiper who murdered the two lovers in a faraway pas also awaits...
328 pages, Paperback
First published February 7, 2000
9 people are currently reading
167 people want to read
About the author
Vijaya Schartz
54 books91 followersAward-winning author Vijaya Schartz never conformed to anything and could never refuse a challenge. She likes action and exotic settings, in life and on the page. She traveled the world and claims she comes from the future. Her books collected many five-star reviews and literary awards. She makes you believe you actually lived these extraordinary adventures among her characters. So, go ahead, dare to experience the magic, and she will keep you entranced, turning the pages until the last line.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 23, 2008
A not quite gripping tale about reincarnation, India, love, betrayal, and destiny. There is also an elephant involved. And a death goddess. I have a theory about this book. This book is what happens when new agey spirituality meets a romance novel.
October 26, 2012
Past and Present Meet in India
The story opens in 1849 with a young woman, Lakshmi caught in a roaring fire tearing through the jungle in India, attempting to find her lover, Mukunda, but instead is cornered by a mahout on an elephant who deliberately kills the woman by stepping on her.
Now in Paris, 1996, Jean Francois, dying brother of Fabienne, on his death bed asks his sister to go to the meditation center he attended there and pick up his will after his death. She does so and there is a magazine on the Shree Gurudu Ashram in Ganeshpiu, Mararashtra Province, India. Later the spirit of Jean Francois appears to Fabienne and tells her to go there and she will find her happiness. Now Fabienne is without family, her folks having died in an auto accident.
Fabienne, financially hard pressed, suddenly comes into funds through back pay, has a friend take over her apartment and flies to India. At first she can’t stand the filth, the poverty, the smells, the extreme press of people, but she continues on to the ashram with her brother’s ashes in an urn.
The story flashes back to the Rajah’s Zenana, 1849, and Korana, the Rajah’s daughter, who desires young Mukunda as her lover, cannot convince him to leave his fiancé Lakshmi. As a result she has him sacrificed to the goddess Kali by her half-brother and high priest Shankarananda who severs the young man’s arteries and then has him ripped apart by elephants.
In 1996 Fabienne finds the peace and quiet of the ashram to be just what she desires and she meets its leader and holy man, Baba. She learns to meditate and accepts the routines, disciplines and philosophy that the Ashram offers her. She considers becoming a nun.
Her room mate is a woman named Kora, an Australian, whose step-father has died under questionable circumstances; she has his money and the ashram is a good place to hide out. She doesn’t observe the rules of the Ashram and sneaks out to find new lovers. She is a hard, difficult woman. She experiences some flashbacks of a former lifetime as Karana.
Alex Springfield, an American engineer, heads the construction of a dam on the local river, which will help the natives. Baba’s ashram contributes to this project so Alex and Baba are in close contact and good friends. Baba tells Alex that from henceforth he will be called Mukunda. Alex then dreams of another time when he was a young man, in love with a woman, Lakshmi and wonders what it means.
The story proceeds with Fabienne, Kora and Alex having continuous flashbacks to this other life time and Baba reveals that a huge elephant, Shankar at the ashram, was formerly the half-brother of Kora and has chosen to pay his karma for the evil he did in that life time as a priest, by being contained in this animal’s body. As the story proceeds, Kora will go to any lengths to catch Mukunda, not just because he is attractive, but because he is the son of a wealthy American family. When Mukunda/Alex and Fabienne/Lakshmi first meet, there is instant love and Kora/Korana attempts to kill Fabienne. Fabienne remembering the past, chooses to stop the karma between them and help Kora overcome her viciousness and hate.
Through this web of reincarnation, karma, and intense passion, flow intense scenarios of monsoons causing flooding, murder, intrigue, and many descriptive scenes of the geography and culture of India. It is almost like a travelogue in some respects. This novel is well written, educational and dramatically satisfying. I recommend it to those readers who like to learn about a new culture in an entertaining manner.
The story opens in 1849 with a young woman, Lakshmi caught in a roaring fire tearing through the jungle in India, attempting to find her lover, Mukunda, but instead is cornered by a mahout on an elephant who deliberately kills the woman by stepping on her.
Now in Paris, 1996, Jean Francois, dying brother of Fabienne, on his death bed asks his sister to go to the meditation center he attended there and pick up his will after his death. She does so and there is a magazine on the Shree Gurudu Ashram in Ganeshpiu, Mararashtra Province, India. Later the spirit of Jean Francois appears to Fabienne and tells her to go there and she will find her happiness. Now Fabienne is without family, her folks having died in an auto accident.
Fabienne, financially hard pressed, suddenly comes into funds through back pay, has a friend take over her apartment and flies to India. At first she can’t stand the filth, the poverty, the smells, the extreme press of people, but she continues on to the ashram with her brother’s ashes in an urn.
The story flashes back to the Rajah’s Zenana, 1849, and Korana, the Rajah’s daughter, who desires young Mukunda as her lover, cannot convince him to leave his fiancé Lakshmi. As a result she has him sacrificed to the goddess Kali by her half-brother and high priest Shankarananda who severs the young man’s arteries and then has him ripped apart by elephants.
In 1996 Fabienne finds the peace and quiet of the ashram to be just what she desires and she meets its leader and holy man, Baba. She learns to meditate and accepts the routines, disciplines and philosophy that the Ashram offers her. She considers becoming a nun.
Her room mate is a woman named Kora, an Australian, whose step-father has died under questionable circumstances; she has his money and the ashram is a good place to hide out. She doesn’t observe the rules of the Ashram and sneaks out to find new lovers. She is a hard, difficult woman. She experiences some flashbacks of a former lifetime as Karana.
Alex Springfield, an American engineer, heads the construction of a dam on the local river, which will help the natives. Baba’s ashram contributes to this project so Alex and Baba are in close contact and good friends. Baba tells Alex that from henceforth he will be called Mukunda. Alex then dreams of another time when he was a young man, in love with a woman, Lakshmi and wonders what it means.
The story proceeds with Fabienne, Kora and Alex having continuous flashbacks to this other life time and Baba reveals that a huge elephant, Shankar at the ashram, was formerly the half-brother of Kora and has chosen to pay his karma for the evil he did in that life time as a priest, by being contained in this animal’s body. As the story proceeds, Kora will go to any lengths to catch Mukunda, not just because he is attractive, but because he is the son of a wealthy American family. When Mukunda/Alex and Fabienne/Lakshmi first meet, there is instant love and Kora/Korana attempts to kill Fabienne. Fabienne remembering the past, chooses to stop the karma between them and help Kora overcome her viciousness and hate.
Through this web of reincarnation, karma, and intense passion, flow intense scenarios of monsoons causing flooding, murder, intrigue, and many descriptive scenes of the geography and culture of India. It is almost like a travelogue in some respects. This novel is well written, educational and dramatically satisfying. I recommend it to those readers who like to learn about a new culture in an entertaining manner.
October 12, 2010
Schartz pens a fascinating tale of karma and the power of love with "Ashes for the Elephant God." Fabienne journeys to India to honor her brother's dying wishes only to come face-to-face with her destiny.
The novel opens with Fabienne making the decision to go to India and spread her dead brother's ashes in the town of Ganeshpur. Her brother believed in karma and reincarnation, but Fabienne isn't so sure. Still, she keeps an open mind. Fabienne travels from France to India and stays at the Ganeshpur monastery.
While there Fabienne meets Kora. Kora is also staying at the monastery. Kora has a bad attitude and is full of negative energy. Despite that, Fabienne comes to enjoy monastery life and resolves to help Kora overcome her negativity.
Nearby, an American engineer, Alex Springfield, who the head swami renames Mukunda, is working on a dam. He has a one night stand with Kora who quickly manipulates the event to her advantage. Claiming she's pregnant, Mukunda reluctantly agrees to marry her.
Stuck in a commitment he doesn't want, when Mukunda meets Fabienne, he knows she's his soulmate. Still, he reluctantly stands by Kora. After the dam fails to hold during a flood, Fabienne is trapped in a mudslide. Mukunda realizes he must follow his heart, but is it too late?
Schartz uses a fine touch in dealing with such concepts as karma and reincarnation, never preaching, but showing the reader through the characters the power of karma and how reincarnation allows the soul to grow. The plot is interesting, referring back to Mukunda and Fabienne's past life. The pacing is a bit slow in the beginning, but reflective of Fabienne's journey and acceptance.
There are a lot of foreign terms used in the text, but there is a glossary in the back to help the reader along.
The cast of characters is rich and deliciously complex as they have karma to work through. Kora has issues she needs to reconcile. Amit is a good and loyal friend. Fabienne is an honest soul and trusting, almost too trusting. Kora attempts to take advantage of this. Ultimately, Fabienne must come to see who Kora really is and she must stand up to her.
Mukunda has a good heart, but a momentarily lapse of judgment puts him in an impossible situation. He must find the strength and will to overcome.
Schartz's love scenes are tasteful and sensual. The novel inspires the reader to take a deeper look at their own spirituality. "Ashes for the Elephant God" is an intriguing story about the power of karma and love.
August 11, 2017
How incredibly predictable.
November 29, 2017
I liked the idea of reincarnation, the story was engaging, but to me a bit too predictible
November 30, 2019
A journey through time
I really enjoyed this beautifully written story. Along with the quest for true love, I learned about Indian history, Hindu religious practices and traditions, and the Western prospective about them. The authentic Indian phrases and detailed poetic descriptions of the places and people felt as if I was right there experiencing it all . I look forward to reading more from this author.
I really enjoyed this beautifully written story. Along with the quest for true love, I learned about Indian history, Hindu religious practices and traditions, and the Western prospective about them. The authentic Indian phrases and detailed poetic descriptions of the places and people felt as if I was right there experiencing it all . I look forward to reading more from this author.
January 2, 2012
The book is great and the author Vijiaya explore the middle east and tell you how the family and then how a young women who
is the only relative left for her brother. Fabienne and her brother live together, Fabienne is in the theater and then what
happen that trows a loop in to fabienne life for ever.Jean-Francois dies form the deadly aids virus he tell his sister that
he seen the light and now he live another life and want to be cremated and taken to India and then scatter across the ocean.
Well fabienne go and cremate her younger 17 year old brother and then his friends and one friend came to the service she is
desolate .She is alone for the first time in her live since her parent were killed in a car accident. fabienne go in to the
room her brother used and she seen a pic of him and thinks of happy time and he come back and tell her go and get my will and then
it will tell you and he tell her he will be all way with her.
So what in fabienne mine she want to do what her brother wish but how she had no money and then she had the theater
and then the apt and the cat to take care of.Well she receive a call form the theater and the play been canceled and her
boss said she will get paid for the show cancelled wow now what about the apt and the cat well her friend call and said she
had enough of her parent can she move in with her wow now fabienne said yes and then she is off to her adventure to India
The story take you through the up and down of India and what people believe in reincarnation and all,i will not say any more but i think you will love the book
is the only relative left for her brother. Fabienne and her brother live together, Fabienne is in the theater and then what
happen that trows a loop in to fabienne life for ever.Jean-Francois dies form the deadly aids virus he tell his sister that
he seen the light and now he live another life and want to be cremated and taken to India and then scatter across the ocean.
Well fabienne go and cremate her younger 17 year old brother and then his friends and one friend came to the service she is
desolate .She is alone for the first time in her live since her parent were killed in a car accident. fabienne go in to the
room her brother used and she seen a pic of him and thinks of happy time and he come back and tell her go and get my will and then
it will tell you and he tell her he will be all way with her.
So what in fabienne mine she want to do what her brother wish but how she had no money and then she had the theater
and then the apt and the cat to take care of.Well she receive a call form the theater and the play been canceled and her
boss said she will get paid for the show cancelled wow now what about the apt and the cat well her friend call and said she
had enough of her parent can she move in with her wow now fabienne said yes and then she is off to her adventure to India
The story take you through the up and down of India and what people believe in reincarnation and all,i will not say any more but i think you will love the book
July 11, 2012
It was a fun read, and learning India's culture. Reincarnation, their gods, lots of flowers, and foods spices......interesting indeed.
Fabienne journeyed India to honor his brother Jean-Francois's request who was recently dies in a deadly Aids virus disease. He begged at his sister to scattered his ashes in Ganeshpur, the province of Maharasthra in Narmada River.
In Ganeshpur she meets Mukunda which is Alex in the present life an American from California who's building a dam in Maharashtra, and princess Korana in 1896 a person named Kora in present life. Likewise, Shankarananda the priest of Kali and half brother of princess Korana, and reincarnated as an elephant in the present life, and of course Lakshmi which is Fabienne.
The story centered in Karma that... what you did in the past will affect you eventually. A consequence of action good or bad. As Fabienne said, "you're responsible for your own action, just like everyone else......that someday in this life or in the next, your Karma will catch up with you and you'll suffer the consequences, and It'll be too late to regret it.
A vivid story of reincarnation, jealousy, revenge, love, and destruction.
Fabienne journeyed India to honor his brother Jean-Francois's request who was recently dies in a deadly Aids virus disease. He begged at his sister to scattered his ashes in Ganeshpur, the province of Maharasthra in Narmada River.
In Ganeshpur she meets Mukunda which is Alex in the present life an American from California who's building a dam in Maharashtra, and princess Korana in 1896 a person named Kora in present life. Likewise, Shankarananda the priest of Kali and half brother of princess Korana, and reincarnated as an elephant in the present life, and of course Lakshmi which is Fabienne.
The story centered in Karma that... what you did in the past will affect you eventually. A consequence of action good or bad. As Fabienne said, "you're responsible for your own action, just like everyone else......that someday in this life or in the next, your Karma will catch up with you and you'll suffer the consequences, and It'll be too late to regret it.
A vivid story of reincarnation, jealousy, revenge, love, and destruction.
July 13, 2012
This is something I don't normall read but I do like differnet cultures and their take on humanity and thier afterlife. This is a book that deals with reincarnation and gives you a glimps of hindu relgion. Fabienne is a young french women that goes to India to spread her brother's ashes but finds spiritual enlightness and an old love. It goes through several trials of Kora and death but it really is a good story.
I really did like Fabienne and Makunda's love being that of soul mates. I really do believe that their might be someone out there for everyone it was really sweet when they finally find eachother again. I really felt bad for Kora though. You couldn't help but have love and hate relationship with her since all the evil things that happen to her and the evil things she does to others. You really get the sense of Karma with her. I'd recomend this if you want a really sweet love story.
I really did like Fabienne and Makunda's love being that of soul mates. I really do believe that their might be someone out there for everyone it was really sweet when they finally find eachother again. I really felt bad for Kora though. You couldn't help but have love and hate relationship with her since all the evil things that happen to her and the evil things she does to others. You really get the sense of Karma with her. I'd recomend this if you want a really sweet love story.
August 9, 2012
I love books about travel & foreign countries, so I enjoyed learning a little about India by reading this book. Fascinating culture! The author does a nice job of sharing the food, scents, religion, flowers, language, and culture with the reader. Not sure I buy into reincarnation, but it made for a good story. I just wish the author had refrained from the "bodice ripping" scenes....made it seem more like a trashy romance book.
July 12, 2012
I loved this book. It appealed to my spiritual nature and some of my beliefs which is why I chose to read it. Once into the book I was captured by the story itself. I usually don't like stories that involve past lives, not sure why but...... This one really captured me and I would recommend it to anyone for the story alone.
October 16, 2012
What I really enjoyed about this book was that it had a lot of culture references so I learned a lot and I liked how reincarnation was used in this book. Additionally, this book could have ended a little bit sooner and had a very cliche, unsatisfying ending, but the author chose to keep going a little bit and not everyone's story ends the way you might expect.
August 21, 2013
I absolutely could not put my Kindle down while reading this book. The story is engaging and the language is beautiful. It was handy reading on my Kindle because I wasn't familiar with a lot of the words in Hindu/related to Indian culture, so I used the dictionary a lot!
Overall a wonderful story that shows karma and soul mates are not bound by a single lifetime.
Overall a wonderful story that shows karma and soul mates are not bound by a single lifetime.
December 9, 2012
expected something deeper but the fundamental idea was great. the turn around in the story where all the problems got resolved was also quite fast as if the author wanted to finish the book already hehe
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February 25, 2016kindle 328 (toreadsoon)
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December 24, 2011Kindle PC
August 6, 2012
Really enjoyed this book. Definitely would recommend it.
October 2, 2012
this was a pretty good book, a little predictable in some places and slow in others. Easy read.
October 14, 2012
Really enjoyed the split story lines. Great narrative voice and fun romantic story to read.
February 28, 2013
Good solid casual read. Not too much deep thinking involved, but still entertaining.
September 16, 2013
I was very captivated by this book and felt it was one of the best I have read that dealt with past lives and reincarnation. Go Vijaya!!
January 31, 2015
I loved the setting and the history in this story. Vijaya makes India a magical type of place.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews