Destiny plays
an important role in shaping up our lives and the decisions we take. But, how
do you know what is backing up your life and destiny – it could be luck,
support, astrology, self-belief, and so on. Among all factors, in India
astrology plays a major role in deciding life decisions, and marriages are no
exception. Now, the question is what happens to love marriages or people who
marry someone outside their caste or religion or country. Are they doomed? What
happens to astrological compatibility then? Of course, this is quite a
debatable topic and views differ from one person to another.
On the similar
lines and commotion, Vaishnavi Sanoj has sketched an interesting story where
some lovers, in full defiance, cross the line, which is otherwise forbidden by
their stars and zodiac signs and horoscope prediction. The novel is – Sidereal
Destiny. Its tagline says – If Fate Unfolds Beforehand. Well, in the novel you
will get the answer – “when fate unfolds its story, we can only play the role
of a witness.”
As the novel
opens up, we see Latha, Anand, and Arpitha residing in a well-known mansion
named Naimisham, but they are passing through stale mood because of conflicts.
Arpitha has fallen for a guy named Aarush. In fact, both are in love and want
to get married. Well, the problem is caste and creed. Aarush hails from some
other caste. This is a big worry for Arpitha’s mother Latha – she herself,
owing to obedience to family, succumbed to unsuitable marriage. Well, the irony
is that she now wants her daughter to follow the process of arranged marriage.
Latha fails in
altering Arpitha’s mood and decision, thus she seeks the services of astrology and
horoscope to prove that her daughter may suffer because of love marriage.
However, things turn out otherwise. However, the way to succeed in love isn’t
going to be easy for Arpitha. For some good part, Arpitha remains the lead
character of the book and astrology related terms and topics run like banter in
the backdrop. Outside, inside, the book has much more focus on astrology – if
someone has really scored less in this field, then this is going to be a worth
reading. By reading this book, you can get a good chunk of knowledge about
Indian astrology, and for sure you will get to know all of its divisions like
Jataka, Golam, Nimitham and so on. In fact, there is always more to learn about
astrology. Also the author has given special emphasis on as how most fortune-tellers
fool people, out in the market there are basically two types of astrologers, and
you can find specimens of them in the novel.
It’s
interesting to know, that where the astrology theories seemed awkward or out of
place, she piquantly placed the information in a very funny and clever way,
something like this:
“Interestingly, Indian astrology treats the
sun and the moon as planets and assumes that the sun revolves around the earth.
Perspective is everything!”
The second
story of love is that of Anand, brother of Arpitha. He was the guy who opposed
her sister’s love affair but soon he finds himself in the same trap of astrological
compatibility game. This time, the story is intense.
Apart from the
sidereal elements, the novel highlights family values, societal pressure,
parental expectations from their children, and changing views on marriage and
shunning of superstitious beliefs.
The crux of
the novel is that future cannot be predicted – and even if it could be – the
result will not be pleasant or enjoyable. Also, the kind of pressure it creates
on a person is unbearable, by reading Anand as a character you will sympathize
with him.
At times
intense, at times humorous; the author has made all aspects work in a perfect
blend to deliver a near perfect story. Well-written and well-edited, this novel
by Sanoj is good to have on your TBR list.
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