The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli

Finished an unusual book - The Prince by the 15th century political philosopher, historian, writer and diplomat Niccolò Machiavelli. In those times Italy was being ravaged, humiliated and controlled by foreigners and hence he wrote this book as a political guide to the Italian Prince. The pages are full of ideas that are unethical, cunning and wicked in the normal discourse, but these were indeed the norms those days when kings played games of wars. The book was published in 1532, about 5 years after his death (I think it is unfair to publish one’s writing after death, unless so willed), and brought much controversy and negative image to Machiavelli. Interestingly, the Italian prince did not agree with the suggestions of this book; I think either because true leaders don’t need manuals of leadership or else since even wicked people don’t want to publicly endorse wicked methods. The historical account also throws light on the military history of Christian Church and Pope.

Reading the book I also realized that much of history shown in Hollywood epic/historical films is real... In the book I could also find so many points which are positive and constructive wisdom, even applicable today.

If you are interested in history and politics, I am sure you will find it very interesting. The book is also available on Flipkart.

 

Reading Machiavelli I also thought of Arthshastra by Chanakya. I think the main difference is that focus of Chanakya's verses is on maintaining a state's law and order; rules and legislation, economy and the system, while The Prince is focused on acquiring new lands and keeping the reigns no matter by what means. There is little of what can be called "rules" or "system" in Machiavelli's texts but it is more about "strategy" here. There is little, except a prescription on taxation in newly acquired regions, of economics in The Prince. Also this book is based on 'case studies' method rather than being structured in the manner of verses or nuggets of prescriptions, like Arthshastra is. So I think The Price is basically a historical book on military Strategies; while Arthshastra is a book of management and economic policies. Only sections on national security or military from Chanakya’s work would match with subject of Machiavelli’s book; so Arthshastra is much broader. Just last month I finished reading ‘Corporate Chanakya’ by Radhakrishnan Pillai where entire Arthshasta has been presented as a text book of modern day management…

Time; July 1, 2013 (Vol. 182; ;No. 1; 2013)

A few interesting facts taken from Time magazine’s July 1, 2013 issue:

China:

Chinese authorities seized 213 bear paws from two smugglers in Chinese region of inner Mangolia; some in China consider the laws a delicacy. (Page 6)

Buddhism:

World religious population:

·         Christianity: 2.2 billion

·         Islam: 1.6 billion

·         Hinduism: 1 billion

·         Buddhism: 488 million

World Buddhist populations:

·         China: 244 million

·         Thailand: 64 million

·         Burma: 38 million

·         North America: 3.9 million

Three main traditions of Buddhism:

1.    Theravada: Popular in Thailand, Burma and Sri Lanka; emphasizes asceticism as the route to personal salvation.

2.    Mahayana: Popular in China, Japan and Korea; teaches that salvation lies in compassion and helping others.

3.    Vajrayana: Mostly in Tibet; offers a relatively quick, tantric path to salvation.

Wirathu, 46 year-old Buddhist monk says, “Muslims are breeding so fast that they are stealing our women, raping them. They would like to occupy our country, but I won’t let them. We must keep Myanmar Buddhist.” (Page 16)

One out of eight children ended up in a monastery because his parents wanted one less mouth to feed.

Among the country’s majority Bamar – or Burman – ethnic group, as well as across Buddhist parts of Asia, there is a vague sense that their religion is under siege, that Islam has already conquered Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Afghanistan – all these formerly Buddhist lands – and that other dominoes could fall. (Page 18)

Iran:

Leaning against the wall in Ayatullah Ruhollah Khomeini’s Tehran sitting room is a portrait of a young boy. A portrait of the Prophet Mohammad as a young boy, to be exact. How is it that this fire-tongued figure of radical Shi’ism, this thrower of fatwas, the face of political Islam, would permit something so sacrilegious as a portrait of the Prophet in his presence, when we all know that depicting the founder of Islam is a sin? The guard at the gate of Khomeini’s house and museum in Tehran just shrugged. “I don’t know. He just liked it.” (Page 24)

I often tell Americans that there are two ways to understand Iran. The first is to think of the most chauvinistic Texans they know and then add 5000 years of history. The Persians are surely among the world’s most prideful people. The other way is to consider the Cyrus Cylinder, a chunk of baked clay shaped like a rugby ball that is inscribed with one of the world’s earliest declarations of human rights. (Page 50)

Happy Janmashtami!

Krishna is the Truth. Krishna is the Infinite Wisdom. Krishna (the truth, the wisdom) was born in Prison (heart of Rishis) on a dark night (miseries and struggles of life). The baby (the scriptures) was removed from the prison to Yasoda's house (came into disciples' hearts) when gatekeepers of prison (bodily senses) were sleeping. Krishna's Birth is the Enlightenment. People keep fasts (starve the senses), do upasana (which means living near the Lord) and do meditation (turn inwards) and then only Krishna comes... Happy Janmashtami! Jai Shri Krishna!

Krishna’s birth in those dark days symbolically stands for hope and defeat of negativities in this world. May you stand victorious and your life full of happiness and content…

Wish you all very happy Janmashtami! 

SPARK: Be More Innovative Through Co-Creation

Finished reading ‘SPARK: Be More Innovative through Co-Creation’ by John Winsor. It is a good book on innovation. It is a collection of articles written around the theme with practical examples from all across the diverse industries. Reading it though looks like reading a quality supplement from some business magazine! Also, it looks more suitable if the reader is a business owner or leader rather than member or associate. It is not about giving you examples of innovative ideas to implement in your businesses or companies, but it is more about giving you glimpse of what this whole thing is about.

PS:

·         Flipkart the book

·         My Book Shelf: www.shelfari.com/rahulbemba/shelf

Avoid Imported Products

Bloomberg editors suggest PM to step down and call fresh elections, so that decision making and reforms scenario improve. GDP growth is at 10 year low; Rupee is worst performing currency in Asia; and Current account deficit at 4.8% of GDP is highest among emerging markets and it is 2 times the level in 1991. We still have time but govt needs to act. I think we should try to avoid imported products (even avoid buying gold and prevent wasting fuel to the extent possible), as it will help economy in these difficult times...

India’s Economy Needs an Early Election

By the Editors 2013-08-20

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-08-20/india-s-economy-needs-an-early-election.html

Touching Song: Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin from Agneepath

I don't remember any other song so full of emotions and life as in this song and I am talking about its video. I am so proud of my favorite actor Hrithik Roshan for acting so brilliantly! A man finds his little sister after so many years... How does he react? Does he laugh or cry or does both? A flood of emotions washes our feet and sinks us in a gentle heart warming feeling which we normally try to avoid in real life... So touching and so brilliant... This is also made possible by Sonu Nigam's golden voice, kudos to him too.

Overcoming Economic Crisis

It may sound provocative but due to India’s current balance of payments crisis, the meaning of ‘anti-national’ has never been so simple. If you buy Gold, you are anti-national. If you spend on personal foreign travel, or buy anything other than made-in-India, or imported foreign brands, you are anti-national. If you work in outsourcing industry or any company which exports something, you are our govt’s darling. If you are an NRI, send in Dollars home and a throne in Heaven belongs to you. And most important – Never think of what caused this crisis but if it appears even slightly that we have chance to survive this one, remember to vote for the Party our Economist Prime Minister belongs to, for saving us all…