For centuries, Shiva has been revered as one of the most profound and enigmatic figures in Indian spirituality—a deity of paradoxes, embodying destruction and creation, asceticism and compassion, silence and cosmic dance. But what if behind the layers of mythology and symbolism existed the memory of an extraordinary human being whose wisdom and teachings gradually evolved into legend?
In this fascinating conversation, we speak with the author about his unique retelling of Shiva’s life—one that draws from Tamil literature, archaeology, Siddha traditions, folklore, medicine, and philosophy. Blending scientific curiosity with deep reverence for cultural traditions, the author invites readers to look at Shiva not merely as a distant deity but as a healer, philosopher, teacher, and embodiment of compassion.
Join us as we delve into the inspirations, discoveries, and reflections that shaped this remarkable literary journey.
1. When did you first come across the idea that Shiva may have once lived as a real person among ancient communities?
The first time I encountered the idea that Shiva may have lived as a real human being among ancient communities was through the teachings of Ramalinga Swamigal (Vallalar) from Tamil Nadu.
Vallalar was a renowned mystic, philosopher, and spiritual reformer. According to tradition, he attained the highest state of spiritual realization and mysteriously disappeared from a locked room in 1874, an event that was officially documented by the British administration of the time.
In his spiritual writings, Vallalar described Shiva not merely as a distant supernatural deity but as an enlightened being who had once lived among humanity. He portrayed Shiva as the embodiment of supreme compassion and spiritual wisdom an ideal that human beings can aspire to realize.
The central philosophy of Vallalar is ‘Jeevakarunyam’ (compassion toward all living beings), founded on universal love, non-violence, and the recognition of the divine in every life. This perspective inspired me to consider the possibility that figures later revered as gods may have originally been extraordinary human beings whose lives and teachings gradually became sanctified over time.
The idea of Shiva as a historical figure rather than solely a divine being is both intriguing and thought-provoking. We were curious to know where this perspective first emerged in your own journey.
2. What do you hope readers take away from this retelling of Shiva’s life? Your story draws from Tamil literature, folklore, archaeology, Siddha traditions, and philosophy. How did you bring these different sources together?
This book grew out of two parallel journeys—one as a veterinarian searching for answers in medicine, and the other as a student of Tamil literature, archaeology, and philosophy.
As a veterinarian who has witnessed the suffering caused by diseases like rabies, I became fascinated by India’s ancient medical traditions, particularly the Tanjavur Pills historical arsenic and mercury based treatments for rabies documented during the British period. This led me deep into Siddha medicine, alchemy, and the Raseswara traditions associated with Shiva.
Simultaneously, my study of Tamil literature especially the ‘Tolkappiyam’ and its concept of ‘Thinai’ (harmonious living with nature) revealed recurring themes of compassion, ecological balance, healing, and knowledge. Tamil tradition holds that Shiva imparted the foundations of Tamil grammar to Agastya, which Tolkappiyar later systematized.
Rather than viewing these as isolated subjects, I asked whether they could reflect the life of a remarkable human being whose story gradually became legend. Drawing from literary sources, archaeology, folklore, metallurgy, and scientific reasoning, I reimagined Shiva as a historical teacher, healer, metallurgist, philosopher, and enlightened being who lived among ancient people.
This retelling portrays Shiva not merely as a deity to be worshipped, but as a timeless symbol of compassion, wisdom, and humanity. I hope readers gain deeper appreciation for Tamil civilization, approach traditional knowledge with scientific curiosity, and embrace Shiva’s core teaching: love and compassion for all living beings, harmony with nature, and the pursuit of knowledge that heals rather than harms.
One of the most fascinating aspects of your work is the way it bridges multiple disciplines and traditions. We wanted to understand how these seemingly diverse influences came together to shape your vision of Shiva.
3. What was the most surprising discovery you made while researching the book?
The most surprising discoveries were the moments when seemingly unrelated pieces of evidence began to fit together and move the story forward.
One of the biggest puzzles that fascinated me was the archaeological question of why much of South India appears to have transitioned rapidly from the Stone Age to the Iron Age, with relatively limited evidence for a prolonged Copper or Bronze Age compared with many other ancient civilizations. Since copper and bronze metallurgy often exposed people to arsenic and lead poisoning , I began imagining what kind of knowledge, or what kind of extraordinary individual, might have accelerated a different path. That question became one of the foundations of my fictional retelling of Shiva as a master of metallurgy and toxicology.
My research into metal toxicology led to another intriguing thought. I learned about localized argyria, a condition in which silver exposure can produce a bluish discoloration of the skin. It inspired me to imagine a biological basis for the legend of the blue throat (Neelakantha), allowing mythology and medical science to meet in an imaginative way.
Another fascinating moment came when I explored the Iron Age landscapes of Karnataka, especially the ashmound sites, the iron ore rich regions around places such as Sanganakallu and Kupgal, the Beerappa folklore, and the remarkable rock art depicting bulls, trident-like horns, and human figures. within the novel they came together naturally, providing a vivid setting for Shiva’s journey.
Finally, my medical background shaped how I interpreted many traditional symbols. While studying disorders such as Wilson’s disease and the toxicology of arsenic, I found creative ways to relate them to symbolic representations of Shiva, including Dakshinamurthy, the ecstatic dance, the meditative ‘Mulabandhasana’ posture, the symbolism of the ‘Pashupati’ seal, and other iconographic features.
The greatest surprise was realizing that archaeology, medicine, literature, and folklore did not have to compete with one another. When viewed through the lens of historical fiction, they complemented each other and helped me tell a story that is both imaginative and deeply rooted in the cultural heritage of South India.
Research often leads writers to unexpected places. Your exploration spans medicine, archaeology, folklore, and ancient metallurgy, making us wonder which discoveries left the deepest impression on you.
4. Were there any myths or commonly held beliefs about Shiva that you found yourself questioning during the writing process?
Yes. One of the central questions I kept asking myself throughout the writing process was whether Shiva was truly meant to be remembered as a god of destruction.
In many northern traditions, Shiva is often associated with destruction as part of the cosmic cycle of creation, preservation, and dissolution. Yet in the Tamil tradition, I repeatedly encountered the idea expressed as “Anbe Sivam” Love is Shiva. That led me to wonder: if Shiva’s core philosophy was compassion, healing, and enlightenment, was he really a destroyer, or had later interpretations emphasized only one aspect of a much deeper personality? This question became one of the guiding themes of my novel.
Another belief I found myself re-examining was the worship of Shiva in the form of the ‘linga’. Rather than seeing it as merely a symbol of sexuality, I explored a fictional possibility that some physical features associated with Shiva’s iconography may have originated from illness and were later misunderstood over time. From there, the story evolved into a broader symbolic interpretation: the union of the ‘linga’ and ‘yoni’ representing the inseparable balance of masculine and feminine energies, consciousness and creative power, much like complementary forces in nature.
In my retelling, Shiva himself comes to realize that people should not worship him as an individual, but instead remember the universal principle he wished to teach. The ‘linga yoni’ union therefore becomes not simply an object of worship, but a profound symbol of balance, creation, harmony, and above all, love.
Whether readers agree with these interpretations or not, I hope they encourage people to look beyond familiar narratives and appreciate the rich layers of philosophy, symbolism, and humanity that have shaped the many traditions surrounding Shiva.
Great stories often begin with great questions. As you revisited familiar narratives surrounding Shiva, were there any beliefs or interpretations that you found yourself re-examining?
5. Do you see Shiva more as a spiritual teacher, a revolutionary thinker, or a compassionate human being?
All.
Shiva has been interpreted in countless ways across traditions and generations. We were interested to know how you personally perceive this timeless figure after spending so much time with his story.
6. What challenges did you face while writing about a figure who is worshipped by millions?
The greatest challenge was balancing faith with imagination. Shiva is worshipped by millions of people, and I wanted to approach that devotion with genuine respect.
Throughout the writing process, I constantly reminded myself that this is not a biography of Shiva it is an imaginative retelling inspired by Tamil literature, archaeology, Siddha traditions, folklore, and medical science. Whenever I introduced a scientific or historical interpretation, I asked whether it added meaning to Shiva’s timeless teachings rather than merely offering a sensational explanation.
Reimagining a figure held sacred by so many undoubtedly comes with immense responsibility. We asked how you balanced creative interpretation with reverence and sensitivity.
7. Which scene or chapter was the most rewarding for you to write?
Ans.Omkaran… The birth of sacred sound.
Every author has a chapter or moment that remains particularly close to their heart. We were eager to learn which part of the book resonated with you most deeply during the writing process.
8.After spending so much time researching and writing about Shiva, has your own understanding of spirituality or life changed in any way?
Absolutely. More than anything else, my understanding of compassion changed.
As I researched Shiva through Tamil literature, Siddha traditions, archaeology, and medicine, I gradually came to see him as the archetype of a healer. In my interpretation, he was not only a physician for humans but possibly the first great veterinarian as well. The depth of medical knowledge reflected in the Siddha and Ayurvedic traditions made me wonder what kind of person could have inspired such healing systems in an ancient world. My answer was simple: someone with extraordinary empathy.
To heal, one must first understand suffering. That realization changed the way I practice veterinary medicine. Earlier, I focused primarily on diagnosing and treating disease. Today, I spend more time observing animals, trying to understand their emotions, behaviour, and silent expressions of pain. Since they cannot speak, it becomes the veterinarian’s responsibility to listen in other ways.
For me, that is the essence of spirituality is not miracles or supernatural powers, but the ability to feel another living being’s suffering and respond with compassion. In many Siddha traditions, compassion is considered the first step toward enlightenment, and after writing this book, I understand that teaching much more deeply.
Whether readers accept my interpretation of Shiva or not, I hope they embrace that one lesson: every act of healing begins with empathy.
Immersing oneself in such profound themes often transforms the writer as much as the work itself. We wondered how this journey reshaped your understanding of spirituality, healing, and compassion.
9. How has your journey of bringing this book to readers with Paper Towns Publishers been, and what has the experience taught you as an author?
Ans.My journey with Paper Towns Publishers has been a wonderful experience. From the very beginning, they treated this book with great care and respect. Since this is a novel that blends history, Tamil literature, archaeology, Siddha traditions, medicine, and imagination, presenting it attractively to readers was just as important as writing it.
I was particularly impressed by the quality of the book’s production. The cover design beautifully captures the spirit of the story, the paper and printing quality are excellent, and the overall layout gives readers a premium reading experience. Holding the finished book in my hands was a proud and emotional moment.
I also appreciate the effort Paper Towns Publishers has invested in promoting the book. In today’s publishing world, writing a good book is only half the journey the other half is ensuring it reaches the right readers. Their marketing, publicity, and commitment to showcasing the book have given it the visibility every author hopes for.
As an author, this experience has taught me that publishing is truly a collaborative effort. A manuscript may begin with a single writer, but it takes a dedicated team of editors, designers, printers, and marketers to transform it into a book that readers can discover and cherish. I am grateful to Paper Towns Publishers for believing in my vision and presenting it with such professionalism and care.
Publishing a book is a journey that extends far beyond writing. We concluded our conversation by asking you to reflect on the experience of seeing your vision come to life and reaching readers.
Our conversation reveals that this book is far more than a retelling of mythology—it is an invitation to rediscover Shiva through the lenses of history, compassion, science, and human experience.
By weaving together Tamil literary traditions, archaeology, Siddha philosophy, and medical insights, the author offers readers a deeply imaginative yet respectful exploration of one of India’s most revered figures. Whether one views Shiva as a deity, a teacher, a healer, or an enlightened human being, the central message that emerges is timeless: compassion lies at the heart of wisdom.
We thank the author for sharing this remarkable journey with us and for encouraging readers to approach ancient traditions with both reverence and curiosity. In a world increasingly divided by differences, perhaps the most enduring lesson from Shiva’s story remains the simplest one—love, empathy, and harmony with all living beings.
As readers turn the pages of this novel, they are invited not only to explore the mysteries of the past but also to reflect on what it truly means to heal, to understand, and to be compassionate.
The Book Is Here – Get Your Copies Now!
