I truly loved it.

It was an experience that left an indelible mark on my heart and soul.

From the very moment I laid eyes on it, I was captivated by its charm and allure.

The way it looked, the way it felt, everything about it was simply perfect.

It brought a smile to my face and a warmth to my heart that I will never forget.

I cherished every moment spent with it, and I will always hold it dear in my memories.

Even now, as I think back on it, I can't help but feel a sense of joy and happiness.

It was truly a remarkable thing, and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to experience it.

I know that I will always love it, no matter what the future holds.

It will always be a part of me, and I will always remember it with great fondness.

Although now one can know more about the thought of India than what this compendium made by Paz offers, the fact is that the effort made to link his life experience with a simple prose to show an unknown universe for the Mexican is remarkable.

In fact, the reading was simple and it is an essay of a certain size. It is worth highlighting that Paz recalls thinkers who have become more famous later, such as Ramón Pannikar. This book by Paz turns out to be not only a delicious text but also a historical document for showing us how a Mexican saw India in the years of Nehru and Indira Gandhi.

Moreover, Paz's exploration of India's thought and culture provides valuable insights into the country's rich and complex heritage. His ability to present these ideas in an accessible way makes the book engaging for both scholars and general readers alike. Through his writing, Paz invites us to discover a new world and expand our understanding of different cultures and ways of thinking.

Reading Paz always upgrades my brain. It is an activity that has a profound impact on my intellectual growth and development. Whenever I engage with Paz's works, I am exposed to a wealth of new ideas, perspectives, and emotions.

Paz's writing is not only thought-provoking but also beautifully crafted. His use of language is masterful, and his ability to convey complex concepts in a clear and accessible way is truly remarkable. Through his words, I am able to explore different cultures, historical periods, and philosophical ideas.

Moreover, reading Paz helps me to expand my vocabulary, improve my grammar, and enhance my overall writing skills. It also allows me to develop my critical thinking abilities and to analyze and evaluate different arguments and ideas. In short, reading Paz is an essential part of my personal and intellectual journey, and I look forward to continuing to explore his works for many years to come.

I have a great liking for this author, and my interest in India is also quite profound. Therefore, I had a hunch that this might turn out to be an excellent book.

However, upon reading it, I found it to be a little lackluster and overly burdened with facts, which didn't quite suit my taste. What I was truly anticipating was to obtain an account of life in India as seen through the eyes of a Mexican. Regrettably, for the most part, I felt as if I was being subjected to a crash course in Indian history.

The author delves extensively into religion, but only scratches the surface when it comes to the religious tension in India. Mostly, he simply describes the dogma and writings of various religions.

My favorite segment was when he made a comparison between Mexico and India. :) Overall, I was rather disappointed with most of the book. If you already possess a good knowledge of Indian history, you are likely to find this book rather dull.

Ojalá fuera más ligero.

However, it undoubtedly mentions things about India that I was unaware of and which left me surprised.

The text seems to express a certain longing for something to be lighter or easier.

At the same time, it highlights the discovery of new and unexpected aspects of India.

This could potentially refer to various aspects such as the culture, traditions, or even the daily life in India.

The use of "ojalá" indicates a sense of hope or wish.

Perhaps the author was expecting a different kind of information or experience related to India.

Nonetheless, the things that were mentioned managed to capture their attention and leave a lasting impression.

It makes one wonder what specific details about India were revealed and how they contributed to the author's surprise.

Overall, this short statement implies that there is always more to discover and learn about different places and cultures.

While living in Mexico, I have personally observed numerous fascinating similarities between Indian and Mexican cultures.

When I discovered that Paz had penned a book on India, the country where I was born and raised, my curiosity was piqued. I was eager to explore a Mexican's perspectives and experiences of India.

This book, of course, is far more than a simple comparison between Mexico and India.

India is a complex and diverse nation that is difficult to explain. However, I believe Paz does an excellent job of it, avoiding the common clichés that the Western world often associates with India.

Paz's discussion of India encompasses various aspects such as politics, religion, and history. It is evident that he has conducted in-depth research on India and understands the reasons behind its unique characteristics.

I particularly enjoyed the historical lessons, especially when they were presented in the context of the rest of the world. His writings on colonization were also captivating. Although both Mexico and India were colonized, the resulting nations have developed in截然不同的 ways.

Admittedly, the book has some eurocentric tendencies, and Paz may have some misunderstandings. Nevertheless, his poetic and lyrical writing style won me over. I hope to reread this book again in the original Spanish version someday.

Octavio Paz was a remarkable writer who had the ability to write about the people of India with both erudition and simplicity.

He delved into various aspects such as architecture, literature, theology, history, and even gastronomy. In his writing, everything seemed to be interconnected, creating a rich and comprehensive tapestry of Indian culture.

This book of his is a unique blend of an essay, a travelogue, and a compilation of classic Indian poetry. It is truly a work of genius that allows readers to explore and understand the diverse and fascinating world of India through Paz's insightful and engaging words.

His writing style is accessible yet profound, making it possible for readers from different backgrounds to appreciate and enjoy his work. Overall, Octavio Paz's contribution to the understanding of Indian culture through his writing is truly remarkable.

Interesting for Paz is far clearer in its themes than other works by him. It presents a more straightforward exploration of the ideas and concepts that Paz wishes to convey. This clarity makes it easier for readers to engage with and understand the essence of the work.

Ultimately, it is a somewhat welcome departure from his structural style. While Paz is known for his unique and often complex structures in his other works, in Interesting for Paz, he seems to have adopted a more accessible approach. This allows the reader to focus more on the content and the themes without getting lost in the intricacies of the structure.

However, it should be noted that his prose is as poetic as ever. Despite the change in structure, Paz's writing still retains its beautiful and lyrical quality. His use of language is masterful, creating vivid images and evoking strong emotions in the reader. This combination of clear themes, accessible structure, and poetic prose makes Interesting for Paz a truly engaging and enjoyable read.

Octavio Paz, as a foreigner, provides his incisive insights into multiple aspects of India.

He delves into the concept of India as a nation, exploring its rich and complex history. The culture of India, with its diverse traditions and practices, also comes under his scrutiny. Additionally, he examines Indian cuisine, Sanskrit poetry, philosophy, and religion.

Paz further delves into the independence struggle and partition of India, analyzing the events and their consequences. He makes interesting comparisons between Mexican history and that of India, as well as between Hinduism (in its true and profound form, not the abhorrent Hindutva) and Christianity.

His observations offer a unique perspective on India, allowing readers to see the country through the eyes of an outsider and gain a deeper understanding of its many facets.

Even for those individuals who have no inclination to embark on a literary journey to India, there is still an opportunity to engage with a truly remarkable and supercalifragilisticexpialidocious writer. This writer has an acute eye for detail and a remarkable talent with a pen, typewriter, or word-processor. It makes one wonder, why haven't I delved deeper into the works of Paz?

Perhaps it is due to the vastness of the literary world and the countless other authors vying for our attention. Or maybe it is because we are simply unaware of the treasures that lie within Paz's writing.

Whatever the reason may be, it is clear that we are missing out on something truly special. Paz's works have the potential to transport us to another time and place, to introduce us to new ideas and perspectives, and to touch our hearts and souls.

So, the next time you find yourself in a bookstore or library, take a moment to seek out the works of Paz. You may just discover a new literary hero and embark on a journey of a lifetime.

Paz emphasizes time and again that this is not a personal history, and indeed it isn't. We catch brief glimpses of his life in India. There is a remarkable and concise history of India starting from the Mughals. We learn about what it was like for Paz, as a young man, to walk to his first hotel in India. There is a beautiful exploration of the art and poetry of India in relation to the poetry Paz was familiar with in other parts of the world. Additionally, there is an interesting discussion about Mexico, India, and food that I had never considered before, but once he mentions it, it makes perfect sense!

If you have a penchant for discussions on art and history or enjoy reading about travel, then this book is a wonderful addition to your reading list. It offers unique perspectives and insights that will surely enrich your understanding and appreciation of different cultures and their interconnections.

In Light Of India

In Light of India is a remarkable work by the Mexican poet and 1990 Nobel Prize laureate, Octavio Paz. It contains his 'reflections, impressions and objections that India provoked in him' during his tenure as Mexico's Ambassador to India in the years following India's independence. Originally penned in Spanish and translated to English by Eliot Weinberger, Paz's writing is a thing of beauty.

He delves deep into various aspects of India. He ruminates on India's religious identities, Sanskrit poetry, art, paintings, and philosophy. The birth of the idea of India as a Nation, Gandhi, Nehru, Savarkar, and the differences in their ideologies and visions of India as a nation are also explored. Paz further elaborates on the ideological beginning of Hindu Nationalist Movements, its doctrines, and the subsequent birth of the Bharatiya Janata Party. His insights on the Indian scriptures, Bhagavat-Gita, caste system, and the long coexistence of Islam and Hinduism in India are thought-provoking. He also compares and contrasts Mexico and India in terms of their culture, cuisine, and shared history of colonisation and its impact on their identities.

Interestingly, Paz also contemplates on the concept of Time as perceived by the various religions of India and how this synthesis of Time has contributed to India's Identity. He writes passionately, as if in love with India. In Light of India is a short but wonderful read for anyone eager to explore the abstract boundaries of this diverse and fascinating country.