Bhavan's Library

Remembering Munshiji......

Bhavan's Library wishes all its young readers a "Happy Children's Day".

Calling all Young Explorers!!
Take part in a Photography Contest on the occasion of Vana Mahotsava!!
Best 1000 entries will get the book titled 'Stories of Vikramaditya - Vetala Panchavimasati.'

Contest Date: 1st to 10th July 2025
More Details: https://bhavans.info/contest.php

Contest open to all school students across India upto Grade 12.

Yoga: A Path to Wellness

International Yoga Day, celebrated on June 21, is dedicated to promoting the ancient practice of yoga and embracing yoga’s benefits for physical health, mental clarity, and spiritual balance. The word yoga is derived from the Sanskrit word “yuj”, meaning “to unite”. The practice aims to create a union between body, mind, and spirit, as well as between the individual self and universal consciousness.

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali are widely considered the foundational text in the philosophy and practice of yoga. Composed of 196 short verses (or “sutras”), this ancient guide offers timeless wisdom on the nature of the mind, the purpose of yoga, and the path to inner freedom. Known as the ‘Eight Limbs of Yoga,’ this path offers a guide for individuals who wish to explore the deeper dimensions of yoga.

Bhavan’s Library has a wide collection of books on various aspects of yoga in multiple languages. These books will inspire you and teach you something new about yourself, yoga, and life. Whether through asanas, meditation, or mindful living, let this Day be an inspiration for positive change.

For more, visit our website and catalogue – www.bhavanslibrary.org

Booker-Worthy Reads - “Heart Lamp” & “Tomb of Sand”

Banu Mushtaq is the latest Indian author to win the International Booker Prize for her collection of short stories, “Heart Lamp: Selected Stories”, translated from Kannada by Deepa Bhasthi. These stories give readers a glimpse into the lives of Muslim women in Southern India, exploring their struggles, strengths, and resilience.

Another book by an Indian author that won the International Booker Prize in 2022 is “Tomb of Sand” by Gitanjali Shree, originally written in Hindi titled “Retsamadhi”. This is a novel about an 80-year-old woman finding a new purpose in life.

Read these and more at the Bhavan’s Library.

For more, visit our website and catalogue – www.bhavanslibrary.org

Buddha Purnima (Vaisakha Purnima. May 12, 2025)
Read books on the life and teachings of Buddha at the Bhavan’s Library.

Lord Buddha was born as the son of Suddhodana and Mayadevi at Lumbini near Kapilavastu. He was named Siddhartha, ‘He who has accomplished his purpose.’ When Siddhartha saw an old and diseased man, he was distressed and sank into deep thought, and decided to renounce everything in search of the highest truth. He came to Buddha Gaya and attained enlightenment after years of hardship.

Buddha delivered his first sermon at Sarnath near Varanasi and established his order of bhikhus (monks). He passed away at Kushinara on a Vaisakha Purnima (full moon) day, which is known as the thrice-blessed day, as on this day he was born and also attained enlightenment.

Buddha’s contribution to the spiritual advancement of humanity is vast, and his life and teachings have inspired the lives of many. The Buddha's teachings, collectively known as the Dharma, revolve around the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path, guiding individuals towards enlightenment and liberation from suffering.

The Four Noble Truths are Existence of Sorrow, Cause of Sorrow, Cessation of Sorrow, and the Way which leads to the cessation of Sorrow. The Eight-Fold Path is a guide to living a meaningful life and is divided into three areas – Wisdom (Right Understanding, Right Thought), Ethical Conduct (Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood), Mental Discipline (Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration).

For books on Buddhism, visit our website and catalogue – www.bhavanslibrary.org

On World Book and Copyright Day (April 23), here’s a Quiz to revisit and celebrate Classic and Contemporary (Global and Indian) Literature.

Take the Quiz to test and enhance your knowledge of classics. Also, read some interesting quotes and trivia.

Look for the answers, select your next book to read, and win prizes too…

Click on the link to participate: https://forms.gle/5cALfpBP8cUkVUxq9

For more: https://bhavanslibrary.org

Join us at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Library, Chowpatty, Mumbai for a conversation on ‘The Gujaratis: A Portrait of a Community’.

Author Salil Tripathi in conversation with Prabodh Parikh.
Bilingual (English & Gujarati) interactive dialogue with the author.

DETAILS:
Date: 28 February 2025 | Friday
Time: 5:00 pm