My 'Promise to Purpose' Debut Novel Is For Anyone That Is Questioning Their Path

There is a question that has echoed in my heart for as long as I can remember: Am I truly living my purpose?

When I created my debut adult novel, Promise to Purpose, I wasn’t simply writing a story. It is partly a mirror of my own journey — one that depicts the doubts, struggles, and awakenings we all face when life nudges us toward something deeper.

Before we delve into this concept, let's explore the premise of the book's plot together.

At the heart of the novel is Arjun Verma, a gentleman who seemingly has it all: a prestigious IT career, financial stability, and the respect of his peers. Yet beneath that polished exterior resides a subtle restlessness — a sense that something essential is missing.

When the illness of his best friend, Yash Gupta, and his grandmother’s timeless wisdom crack open his carefully constructed life, Arjun embarks on a soul-stirring trip that takes him from the boardrooms of London to a humble orphanage in Mumbai. There, he discovers an unexpected joy between soccer matches and coding lessons, and an unforgettable bond with the extraordinary girls at Shanti Safar. Arjun also uncovers truths that compel him to make a promise that changes everything.

Promise to Purpose is a story about the transformative power of promises, the strength of family and friendships, and the potential each of us has to leave a lasting impact through service.

You may wonder where the inspiration for this novel is coming from. Actually, Arjun’s search for his true dharma reflects my own. For years, I worked in product management, excelling in the cycle of meetings, deadlines, and achievements — and yet I was quietly hoping for something more. Despite outward corporate success, I often asked myself: Is this really why I am here? Is this what I am authentically meant to do? Perhaps, the answer to these questions can be traced to my enjoyment in writing!

Another similar aspect of the plot and my life is volunteering. Service has been my compass, my grounding force — where I have felt the most human, most connected, and most aligned with something greater than myself. Whether teaching children, mentoring aspiring product managers, or contributing to local community initiatives, I learned that purpose is less about what we do for ourselves and more about what we give to others. This truth is why Arjun finds himself at Shanti Safar orphanage, sharing unselfishly his skills and knowledge to the girls so that they can perform well in their future. These girls in the novel are not just characters — they are inspired by the resilience and wisdom of children I have had the privilege to serve during my volunteering experience.

My entrepreneurial path has also been part of my journey, as for Arjun. Years ago, I built a meditation app called Enlightened Energies from scratch, on my own — not just as a business venture, but as a gift for the society. A way to help humanity breathe a little deeper, find more peace, and remember that stillness is always available to us. In the book, Arjun’s creation of Dharmic Donors carries that same spirit: blending business with service, purpose with impact. It is a reminder that we are all entrepreneurs of our own journeys that we can build, and our callings can be vehicles of service.

These are just a few parallels between the plot and my life. Read the full story to see what other similarities you may find between us!

So, why does this story matter in today's era?  At its core, Promise to Purpose is not just about Arjun, Yash, or the girls of Shanti Safar orphanage. It is about all of us. It reflects the inner journeys we silently wrestle with on a regular basis: burnout, grief, disillusionment, or the knowing that success on the outside does not always equal peace on the inside.

This book is a call to anyone who has ever whispered in the middle of the night: There must be more to life than this. It invites us to honour the sacred promise we carry within — the one that asks us to step into authenticity, serve with love, and live fully aligned with our dharma.

Here is a piece of wisdom told by Arjun's grandmother in Chapter 3 that embodies the definition of purpose:
"A purpose isn’t always a job title or a fancy degree. It’s the quiet way you leave a mark on the world. The lives you touch. The good you plant. Only then, you will be truly living."

Writing Promise to Purpose has been more than a creative act. It has been an act of surrender to my own purpose. And a promise that I would no longer hide behind externally-driven, unfulfilling activities, but instead share my truth with the hope that it awakens something in others. And here is my advice to you: it is never too late to begin again. I am a living example of this advice!

If you have ever found yourself questioning or yearning for something more, I hope Promise to Purpose helps you in some way. May it remind you, as it has reminded me, that the journey to dharma is not about finding a perfect path — it is about walking forward, one step at a time, toward the life your soul already knows it was meant to live.

 

LISTEN TO A CHAPTER READING

I have created a video where I discuss the mirror image of this novel's plot with my journey, as mentioned previously. I also included the reading of Chapter 4 as a bonus gift. This chapter is close to me as it contains celebrations with loved ones, fascinating travel stories, and the first stirrings of the protagonist's awakening.

Alternatively, you can listen to this chapter reading via Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6XHH5RzfU4lBsCTsyRRnSz?si=LhjxfZo_Tza5MJ4E1vMROw

 

GET A COPY TODAY!

If these words resonate with you, I invite you to get a copy of this novel. Please visit this link: https://anjusharma.ca/products/promise-to-purpose (make sure that you select the right country for the Amazon store).

By the way, you may notice the sequel for this Promise to Purpose book already out. It is titled Desire to Destiny, and it is based on one of the girls from Shanti Safar. More to come on it soon!

 

SUPPORT FOR BOOK REVIEWS AND PROMOTIONS

Promise to Purpose has been born from my own search for meaning, but it truly belongs to the community of readers walking this path with me. One of the greatest gifts you could give me as an author is to share your reflections. If the story touches you, inspires you, or even makes you pause for a moment, I would be very grateful for you to leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads, which will eventually be added to the 'Praises' section of this book. 

For media promotions, book signing, podcast interviews, here is an overview of Promise to Purpose and information on how we can collaborate: Book Overview

 

Thank you in advance for your generous support!

 

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