Hindu woman publishes epic on the life of Jesus

After the successful production of a desi version of Bible, a Hindu woman in the country followed suit by publishing a 900–page poetic epic on the life and message of Jesus.

The book published by author Latha Rajasekhar has replicated the style of great Hindu classics such as Mahabarat and Ramayan, depicting the life of Jesus in a succinct manner.

Entitled "Jesu Maha Darsana" ("Great philosophy of Jesus") the book is written in Kannada, the local language in the state of Karnataka.

Speaking to ENI from Mysore, where the book was released in the presence of Bishops and notable literary figures, Latha said, "This is the fruit of my great devotion to Jesus Christ."

Latha, who is a very devout Hindu added, “Jesus' message of love, forgiveness and compassion makes him one of the greatest religious leaders."

Having written over 22 books, Latha took to pen the life of Jesus seriously, after she saw an apparition of him "waiting at my door", while she was writing on the life of Gautama Buddha.

"I discussed it with my husband and we visited the Holy Land for this in 2004," Latha told ENI.

Bishop Vasant Kumar, who heads the Church of South India's Karnataka central diocese said, "This is a wonderful work on the life of Jesus Christ."

Bishop Kumar, who was more than pleased to preside at the book release said, the courage and conviction of the Hindu author amid the growing persecution against Christians and churches in the state, has impressed him.

Since the year 2006, Karnataka has recorded over 90 violent incidents against Christians. Even last week, Christian Today reported a series of attacks against pastors and Christian missionaries in the state.

Latha who published the book with meticulous research said, she read the Bible, specially the Gospels repeatedly to understand the message and life of Jesus. "I did not want to distort history," she said.

Although eminent Hindu writers have praised the neatly juxtaposed epic, skeptics have questioned the author's Christian experience in writing about Christ instead of any Hindu religious icons.