Thanks ned for the appreciative words. The whole purpose is to point out misrepresentations in the “scholarly” biography, particularly for the intellectuals-academics to realize the flaws present in it. This is necessary before they draw any measure conclusions from such a work. But let me make here another point. As I’ve said earlier, Is this the End is not a negative view of sadhana; it is a counterpoint to what is to happen in spite of all the obstacles and difficulties. Let me quote Shankaracharya taking refuge in Lord Shiva in the fleeting circumstance of life full of pain and anxiety: “Life ebbs away each second and each minute; kala is the eater of the world. Lakshmi the Goddess of wealth is transient and fickle, as the breaking of the waves on the surface of water. Life, jivitam is evanescent as lightning, vidyuchalam. Youth like all these is transient and disappears in no time. Therefore, O Lord Shiva, I seek refuge in thee.” The Gita also speaks of this world as “transient and sorrowful, anityam-asukham and conjoins the seeker to remain in blessedness of the Eternal. The fact of existence is stated in its boldness and solution offered in its trueness. Drawing conclusions only from the first becomes fallacious if not pervert. ~ RYD