601 ratings | 189 reviews | avg rating:4.00

more photos (2)

Dipa Sanatani’s Followers (102)

Dipa’s Bookshelves

to-read (35)
currently-reading (0)
read (603)
did-not-finish (0)
favorites (0)
indian (8)
writing (0)

Dipa’s Friends (27)

Sagheer Afzal

374 books | 327 friends

2 Read Or Not

210 books | 68 friends

Jess

899 books | 88 friends

Emilienne

1,422 books | 112 friends

Colin Falconer

40 books | 336 friends

David Wasserman

85 books | 1,060 friends

Tal

2,588 books | 163 friends

Smeets

217 books | 13 friends

More friends…

Dipa Sanatani

Goodreads Author

Born

Singapore, Singapore

Website

https://www.dipasanatani.com

Genre

Poetry, Spirituality, History

Influences

Paulo Coelho, Roald Dahl, Rabindranath Tagore, Kahlil Gibran

Member Since

January 2012

URL

https://www.goodreads.com/dipasanatani

edit data

Dipa Sanatani is a Singaporean author and the founder of Twinn Swan, an independent publishing house dedicated to Modern Sacred Literature. Through her body of work, Sanatani invites readers into a literary universe where spirituality, philosophy and the sacred converge.

Across more than a dozen books, she writes at the confluence of Hindu thought, world wisdom traditions, and the universal longing for transcendence. Her narratives bridge cultures and faiths, reflecting a cosmopolitan devotion to the idea that all paths—however diverse—lead toward a shared truth. Through myth, history, and introspective storytelling, she contemplates the mysteries of destiny, divinity, and the timeless dialogue between soul and world.

She holds a Bachelor of ...more

Learn more
Ask the Author

To ask Dipa Sanatani questions, please sign up.

Popular Answered Questions

The Little Light is truly an innovative take on spirituality. Written simply, tinged with humour and so incredibly accessible--unlike most books in the genre--which are heavy, moralistic and preachy. Could you share a bit about your creative process? How did you condense so much wisdom into such a short, fun yet profound read?

Dipa Sanatani Many erroneously believe that spirituality is something that one practises later in life. Admittedly, the language it is written in can be difficult t…moreMany erroneously believe that spirituality is something that one practises later in life. Admittedly, the language it is written in can be difficult to understand and some of the concepts can be inaccessible without the proper context. As for myself, I have been fascinated by the ancient texts all my life--even as a young person.

During my early 20s--with a fair bit of education under my belt--I began to truly immerse myself into what the ancient ones were trying to tell us. I now think some of it got lost in translation, some of it simply got lost, and some of it just needed to be updated--much like a software update--for the modern era.

Spirituality and material existence are often depicted as opposites. Life is an assortment of many experiences that cannot be neatly put into boxes. Over the years, I've met many people who espouse the doctrine that to embark on the path of spirituality; one has to renounce the material world. Or conversely, that if one is flourishing materially--that person is somehow not spiritual or perhaps even a soulless capitalist.

Everything is interrelated and interlinked. One cannot exist without the other. We all have our own unique path in life. Not everyone is destined for great wealth nor is everyone destined to be a spiritual leader. In The Little Light, I discuss how every soul is born with a unique soul task--one that varies from individual to individual over a continuum of lifetimes.

The Little Light is a testament to the innate curiosity that I believe every soul is born with. Through the Little Light's journey in the Cosmic Womb--where it meets the nine planets--I narrate the story of a soul's journey through life, death and rebirth. The book is a product of years of research, my own quest to understand of the hidden mysteries of life; and the Mythology of the Cosmos that has inspired, entertained and educated mankind for millennia.

It is my hope that readers enjoy rediscovering these ancient myths with a modern twist. (less)

flag

8 likes · like
Comment

The startup scene now bears all the hallmarks of convention. Everyone seems to want to be the next Zuckerberg, Jobs and Gates. In your book, you speak of the notion that the entrepreneurial journey--not the destination--is the real goal. In an era of fads and get-rick-quick schemes, how did you come down to this conclusion?

Dipa Sanatani I think any true entrepreneur would not be seeking to be the next 'Zuckerberg, Jobs or Gates'. Firstly, even as entrepreneurs, their individual journe…moreI think any true entrepreneur would not be seeking to be the next 'Zuckerberg, Jobs or Gates'. Firstly, even as entrepreneurs, their individual journeys and their businesses are entirely different. So why would any entrepreneur seek to emulate them? Whilst one could undoubtedly admire and even learn valuable lessons from their individual journeys, every entrepreneur needs to embark on their own journey and decide whether or not that path is the right one for them.

There is also absolutely nothing wrong with starting a conventional or even a traditional business. Your business idea doesn't even have to be particularly innovative. What's important is passion--not for the idea--but the passion to sustain the venture over a long period of time. The entrepreneurial journey is full of failures, even after one has 'succeeded'. It is full of missteps, even after one has gone down many roads in the right direction. One thing I've learnt is that we really have no idea what--or who--is right around the corner.

Over the years, I've also heard many stories of entrepreneurs who have suddenly passed away in the wake of large successes. If they didn't enjoy the journey--what was it all for? It might be a difficult question to answer on one's deathbed.

The entrepreneurial journey is the goal in itself. Life is short. We must savour it--whatever it is that we choose to do. The same destination awaits everyone. (less)

flag

2 likes · like
Comment

See 2 answers from Dipa Sanatani…

Combine Editions
Dipa Sanatani’s books

Average rating: 4.8 · 816 ratings · 366 reviews · 15 distinct works • Similar authors

	The Little Light (The Guardians of the Lore #1) 4.52 avg rating — 203 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Merchant of Stories: A Creative Entrepreneur's Journey 4.52 avg rating — 137 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Heart of Shiva : A Story of Rebirth, Enlightenment and Creation (The Guardians of the Lore Book 2) it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 63 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Prophetess of Dharma : Long Lost Journeys of Divine Justice, Healing and Peace (The Guardians of the Lore Book 3) it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 62 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	A Thousand Names it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 60 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Illuminator it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 44 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The River Empress it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 43 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Oneness it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 42 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Divinely Destined it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 42 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Ink Stained Soul it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 41 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

More books by Dipa Sanatani…

903 posts
Dipa Sanatani's Blog

Theology of the Triadic Force | Shakti in the Sarabha Manifestation

For many devotees navigating the spiritual landscape as part of the Hindu diaspora, the introduction to specific deities often occurs in sacred pockets of ancient traditions far removed from the Indian subcontinent. My own journey into the mystery of Sri Sarabeshwara began many years ago in the heart of Singapore’s Chinatown.

It was amidst the rhythmic chanting and the fragrant smoke of a havan at

rss
Dipa’s Recent Updates

Dipa Sanatani wrote a new blog post Theology of the Triadic Force \| Shakti in the Sarabha Manifestation For many devotees navigating the spiritual landscape as part of the Hindu diaspora, the introduction to specific deities often occurs in sacred pocket Read more of this blog post »
Apr 20, 2026 05:35AM · like

More of Dipa's books…

Quotes by Dipa Sanatani (?)

“I believe that when we come into this world, we are not promised glory, fortune, fame, a happy family or really anything at all. All we get is the journey. And in these pages, you will find mine. -Dipa to her Grandfather”
― Dipa Sanatani, The Merchant of Stories: A Creative Entrepreneur's Journey

tags: ambition, death, family, family-relationships, grandfather, life-lessons, life-wisdom, travel, wisdom

12 likes

“You will always be the Matriarch—the Queen of Hearts. Your hand rocked my cradle, and you ruled my world.”
― Dipa Sanatani, The Merchant of Stories: A Creative Entrepreneur's Journey

tags: dipa-sanatani, goddess, matriarch, mother, mothers-love, robert-frost, son

9 likes

“Every entrepreneur begins with a desire and a vision. Along the way, one inevitably encounters the difficulties of manifesting one’s vision in the world. But that’s part of the journey. It isn’t easy, but with one step at a time and one day at a time, you will get there.”
― Dipa Sanatani, The Merchant of Stories: A Creative Entrepreneur's Journey

tags: challenges, difficulties, entrepreneurship, leadership, manifestation, vision

6 likes

See all Dipa Sanatani's quotes »

Dipa’s Quotes

“Fate gives all of us three teachers, three friends, three enemies, and three great loves in our lives. But these twelve are always disguised, and we can never know which one is which until we’ve loved them, left them, or fought them.”
― Gregory David Roberts, Shantaram

tags: bombay, india, mumbai

617 likes

“Love is the opposite of power. That's why we fear it so much.”
― Gregory David Roberts, Shantaram

141 likes

“Every virtuous act is inspired by a dark secret.”
― Gregory David Roberts, Shantaram

51 likes

“The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof.”
― Richard Bach, Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah

tags: family

1275 likes

“Remember where you came from, where you're going, and why you created this mess you got yourself into in the first place.”
― Richard Bach, Illusions

307 likes

More of Dipa’s quotes…