Brahmin Reborn (Paperback) by Bhaskar Sreerangam and Esther Sandys

'I took a glass and carefully broke it. I ground it, then mixed it into some cooked rice. This lethal meal would be the end of my insufferable ignorance. In only a matter of hours I’d discover the secret of the afterlife …’

It is 1966. Madras, India. A young Brahmin realises the futility of his ritualistic Hinduism. Unable to face another day, he gives his gods an ultimatum: reveal yourself, or I will kill myself. After preparing a deadly meal, he heads out for what he thinks will be his final walk around the city. As he does he passes a man handing out flyers. They catch his eye. He’s intrigued. He heads inside to see what’s going on. What happens next changes the direction of his life and the ill-fated meal waiting at home.

What others are saying about Brahmin Reborn:

"What a wonderful story of Bhaskar, a devout and dedicated Hindu, who spent years searching for the meaning of life. Finally, he met a Christian who was instrumental in leading him to Jesus Christ – the one who is “the way, the truth and the life”. How many of us would be willing to give up friends and family to follow our Lord Jesus Christ, as Bhaskar did? It is my great pleasure to recommend this touching and powerful book. You will be inspired and challenged as you read it." — Maud Kells OBE, WEC International missionary in DR Congo for 50 years and author of An Open Door

"A fascinating insight into a very different world and world view and a wonderful reminder of the power of the gospel to transform the lives of people from any background. After reading this book I felt better informed about Hinduism and more motivated to share the gospel in my multi-cultural community." — Clare Heath-Whyte, St Lawrence Morden, writer and speaker

"In Brahmin Reborn, Esther Sandys gives us a fascinating window into the inner workings of Hinduism. Through the story of her father-in-law, Bhaskar, she paints a clear picture of the difference between Hinduism and Christianity and of one man’s transition from one to the other. A gripping story, engagingly written, this book will increase your understanding and encourage your faith." — Jean Gibson, author of An Open Door

Title

Brahmin Reborn
Author(s)

Bhaskar Sreerangam and Esther Sandys
Series

10Biography
ISBN

9781913278045
Format

Paperback
Publisher

10Publishing
Pages

160
Published

01/10/2019

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Overall rating

4.8 based on 5 reviews

Brahmin Reborn

I enjoyed this book so much more than I expected to! It’s written in an engaging and easy to read style. I found I wanted to keep reading to find out what happened next, even though it is just a straightforward account of him growing up as a Hindu in India – it really draws you in with the warmth of personal detail. It was fascinating to learn more of what it is like to be a Hindu from his first hand experience and I really appreciated the way the book opened my eyes and educated me without being dry and boring. It was so encouraging to read how God is at work in contexts and cultures so different from my own, and has helped me pray for neighbours and missions more passionately. I would recommend it!

Eleanor Godwin

This excellent book is the true story of a man born into a loving family in the very highest caste of Hinduism. He is deeply religious and obsessed with avoiding being reincarnated as a lower being rather than achieving a better reincarnation and eventually achieving the “Supreme reality. “ But as he desperately seeks answers from priests and family to his questions and his search for God he encounters only doubts and disappointments. Nobody can answer his questions. Going to university he becomes so obsessed with his quest that he decides that unless he gets an answer to his question “How God do I reach you when I die?” that he will commit suicide. He roams around madras looking for an answer but none comes. He is already prepared his poison to kill himself. As he wanders around he meets a man who gives him a leaflet which he thinks is about blood donation. “I will do this good deed before I die” he thinks. The leaflet is actually an invitation to a church and there he finally get an answer to his lifelong question: he can find an answer in the death of Jesus Christ. He experiences not only an answer but a direct supernatural experience of how he can finally lift the burden from his back and get right with God. This is a great book for Christians to understand and love our Hindu friends and their beliefs and background. And to give to a Hindu friend who is searching for truth. It also underlined to me the importance of showing warmth and hospitality to such Hindu friends, as this makes a crucial difference, as the book shows, in lovingly welcoming people into the church when their own family may have rejected them. The church needs to be a loving community caring in all ways for its members. The book ends slightly abruptly and I would have liked to learn much more about what happened after Bashkars conversion. Hopefully there will be a second volume of the story! Highly recommended.

Jeremy Marshall

It is great to read a testimony of a Hindu coming to know the Lord Jesus, going from the verge of suicide to salvation. I won’t spoil the story as it is gripping. It is shame it doesn’t say more about his life from his baptism in 1967 to his death in 2017.

Stephen Ayre

An inspirational testimony taking you on a rollercoaster ride with every page, putting this book down to make a cup of tea is almost impossible. The prologue is captivating and draws the reader into Bhaskar’s life, leaving the desire to read more. With each page we are drawn in and immersed in Hinduism, Indian culture and the heartaches of Bhaskar’s family, even before he was born. These details really bring the story alive and showcase his testimony within the context of Indian culture, revealing his difficulties and hardships in more depth. The author walks the reader through his journey as he tries to find answers as to how he could avoid reincarnation and hell, and instead go straight to heaven. His quest leads him to search in many places, from questioning every religious leader he encounters to the extremes of summoning demons. At eighteen years old and with still no answers, he boards a train and heads off to university. After more heartaches, failed promises and inconsistencies, Bhaskar has had enough and gives the Hindu gods an ultimatum. “Speak to me or I’ll kill myself!” It’s only in the midst of confusion that he finds himself at the foot of the cross. But that’s only really the beginning! With a simplistic and easy to read writing style, this is a great read for every Christian. This book could also be used in an evangelist sense and given out to Hindus who may relate to Bhaskar and be struggling with the same questions regarding their faith. ‘Brahmin Reborn’ is a reminder of how powerful the gospel truly is and the cost that many people face for simply giving their lives to Jesus.

James Edwards, Insane Theologian Blog

I was delighted to receive this book and have not been able to put it down for the last 48 hours! The book took me back to my many years in India and to the memory of struggles folk had and have once they profess their new found Christian faith and try to make sense of all that is part of our faith and tradition. This book will be used to be a very great blessing –– not least because it provides so much insight for those who read it having minimal knowledge of Hinduism. Much of what is entailed when someone is facing the choices challenging family traditions are really spelt so clearly by Bhaskar’s personal experience. It is such unknown territory for a convert to try and grasp biblical truths and insights which guide into a life of Christian commitment. Much prayer is needed as one witnesses the struggle this can be.