Book excerpt: This book presents a fresh perspective on the works of canonical figures of Sanskrit literature. In the process, it raises interesting questions: Is Vālmīki’s Sīta a feminist archetype? Is infidelity a virtue of Cārudatta of the play, Mṛichchhakatika? Is Mudrārākṣasa of the seventh century an existential play? It answers such queries convincingly in a thoughtful and informative prose. Narrating the Indian doctrine of Rasa, the book explores whether evocation of rasa is a subjective phenomenon or, as a famous neurologist averred, universal. Juxtaposing the heroism of Achilles and Rāma, the book tempts the reader to evaluate their poetic influence in building an ideal human society. Drawing parallels between the nobility of Cordelia of Shakespeare and Śakuntala of Kālidāsa, it highlights the power of love, be it filial or otherwise. It is through such refreshing explorations in an engaging style that this book introduces Sanskrit literature to the modern reader.