Book excerpt: Brahmanic Vignettes is a boon to readers of all ages interested in Indias past, its traditions, as well as its possible future. The authors erudition in Sanskrit, English, and French has been used to illuminate his varied experiences first as student, then teacher, later as career diplomat, and after retirement, founder of a unique school in Mysore, India. The school emphasizes Sanskrit teaching; its students participate in a unique experiment called Dharmamananam (described in the book), introducing them to Vedantic values of ancient Indian culture. Glimpses of other countries, leaders, benefactors, and common folk are vividly brought to light, prompting the readers intellectual and moral involvement. His meetings with Dr. S. Radhakrishnan (scholar and former president of India), Jawaharlal Nehru (first prime minister of India, who chose him as a diplomatic recruit in the new Indian Republic), and many events and encounters with fascinating people from varied cultures have many interesting insights. The authors unique Brahmanic perspective of Indias foreign policy, Shakespeare, the Indian epic Ramayana, and the need to revamp society and education using the Gurukula model of ancient India and the Kibutzims of Israel makes for compelling reading. His personal involvement with and the account of the Portuguese enclaves and Goa becoming integral with the nascent Indian republic, describes the pulls and pressures of history and political reality with his own clarity of vision and immediacy. There are many such sketches meriting study and reflection.