Ecstasy

Sudhir Kakar, a renowned psychoanalyst and the author of the acclaimed The Ascetic of Desire, brings a penetrating understanding of philosophy, religion, and the human psyche to his evocative second novel, Ecstasy. Ram Das Baba, as his devotees call him, is the son of a devout Brahmin family. He spends a lifetime seeking spiritual knowledge and his journey is filled with illuminating visions, severe tribulations, and an unwavering faith. His destiny as a highly evolved Sadhu is fulfilled through ordeals of monastic bliss, tantric awakening, madness, and transexuality. But as his life nears its end he meets a young man who belongs to a very different India and a profound relationship develops.

Author Biography: Sudhir Kahar is a distinguished writer and noted psychoanalyst whose books have been translated into many languages and sold throughout the world. The recipient of such honors as the Goethe Medal and a MacArthur grant, he divides his time between Berlin, New Delhi, and teaching positions around the world.