Book Review: The Direct Path by Sri Raman Maharshi

‘The Direct Path (The Ramana Way)’

Eighth Edition (Pocket Edition)

By Sri Ramana Maharshi

Translated and commentary by: AR Natarajan

Ramana Maharshi Center of Learning, Bangalore

ISBN: 81-85378-05-3

I had heard about Sri Ramana Maharshi and his philosophy before but never got a chance to read him. When I got this book in its pocket edition, it was a perfect chance for me to get a glimpse of his thoughts which I found representing ancient truth and boundless wisdom.

This book is actually a compilation of two of his works:  

(1)  Bhagwan Sri Ramana Maharshi’s Upadesa Saram (Essence of Teaching)

and

(2)  Sat-Darshanam (Forty Verses on Reality)

Only after reading him I realized what I had missed so far. Verses from Ramana Maharshi have infinite wisdom in them. If we do some more meditation over those, we get to feel and understand what wisdom the great sages and rishis from India/Bharat had.

This book has an introduction in the beginning, and then the two portions as told above come with Sanskrit Verses along with their English translation. The translations are perfect; here are two verses from the book:  

The controversy whether fate is stronger than free-will or vice versa

is only for those who do not know their source.

Those who know the individual for whom they pertain

remain untouched by them. ||19||

Both the wise and the ignorant regard the body as “I”.

The ignorant limit the “I” to the body

For the wise, the Self shines in the heart,

Limitless, including the body and the world. ||17||

The translator and commentator A.R. Natarajan was a disciple of Sri Ramana Maharshi. He was also the president and founder of the Ramana Maharshi Centre for Learning and the Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi Research Centre.

If you are interested in philosophy or Vedic knowledge, this is a must-have book for you. 

Some interesting webpages on him:

http://www.sriramanamaharshi.org/teachings.html

http://eternalissue.weebly.com/

http://www.vedicbooks.net/direct-path-ramana-p-16078.html

http://www.hinduism.co.za/newpage110.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramana_Maharshi

Book Review: Myth = Mithya by Dr. Devdutt Pattanaik

‘Myth = Mithya: A Handbook of Hindu Mythology’

By Dr. Devdutt Pattanaik

Penguin

ISBN 0143099701; ISBN 13: 9780143099703

Dr. Devdutt Pattanaik is one of India’s most popular present day mythologists. My curiosity to know more about Hinduism and to get real meaning of our mythology or the inherent symbolism found a savior in him. His pen is so powerful, knowledge so deep and expression so simple that I think he is changing the way we look at Hinduism and Hindus, and revitalizing the world’s interest in Hinduism and India.

‘Myth = Mithya” is aptly termed a Handbook of Hindu Mythology. In its pages you would find descriptions and elaborations on numerous Hindu mythological stories and their real meanings and symbolism. I think this is one book which has given me most knowledge points per page than any other book I have ever read.

In my opinion this book is a must read and must kept book for all Hindus or anyone really interested in understanding Hinduism.

- Rahul

Book Review: Maverick by Ricardo Semler

‘Maverick’

By: Ricardo Semler

Arrow Books

ISBN 978-0-712-67886-5

Semco has been one of Latin America’s most successful and fast growing companies, best known for its innovative and democratic business practices and philosophy. The credit to all goes to Ricardo Semler who grew the company with himself. This book, first published as Virando a Própria Mesa ("Turning Your Own Table") is a best seller in which Ricardo spills the beans about his company and its practices.

The book captures the historical growth of the company. For this purpose, Semco and Ricardo Semler are no two separate entities but one. Reading about his ways and the kind of revolutions he made in the way businesses are conducted, I had to consistently fight my disbelief and skepticism. Semler has shown us that it is possible to run a company where every employee feels great about his/her job, a company which is most ethical in practices, where all employees are empowered irrespective of anything, where there are no hierarchies, and no rules and policies!

If you are interested in business management, this is one book you just can’t miss to read!

- Rahul

Semco website: http://www.semco.com.br/pt/

Here is a good capture of some stuff that make the Semco Way:

The above image is from: http://www.thelearningweb.net/chapter04/page156.html

Book Review: Dabawalas by Shrinivas Pandit

‘Dabawalas: Lessons for building lasting success based on values’

By: Shrinivas Pandit

Tata McGraw-Hill

ISBN-13 978-0-07-062151-0

Mumbai’s Dabbawallas are a case study to the world. They are a proof that in order to achieve business and process excellence, you don’t necessarily need a technically superior and cost wise expensive setup in place. The basic business ethics and zeal to provide best customer service score more to make organizations great and successful than technical tools and capital resources. In this book, Shrinivas Pandit has done a comprehensive analysis of Mumbai’s (once called Bombay) 5000+ semi-literate famous Dabawalas who serve thousands of customers with their individual home cooked food, every day for the last 115 years!

The book has been written in the format of a conversation with mainly two Dabawalas – Raghu and Ganga. It captures things like their origin to the journey, personal beliefs to business rules, daily challenges to client satisfaction – almost everything on the subject that comes to mind. Intermittently the authors have inserted and documented the learning taken from Dabawalas which can be applicable to businesses of all size, be it entrepreneurs or the MNCs.

The size of the book is concise and the language is simple. It may not be enough to cover each and every aspect to the minutest detail, but captures a good part overall for a less-heavy read.

A good read for anyone curious about Mumbai’s Dabawalas.

- Rahul

Book Review: Shiva Plays Dumb Charades by Devdutt Pattanaik

‘Fun in Devlok: Shiva Plays Dumb Charades’

By: Devdutt Pattanaik

Puffin Books

ISBN 978-0-143-33169-8

Dr. Devdutt Pattanaik is one of India’s most popular present day mythologists. I am a big fan of his writings and I picked up this book looking at its curious title. In his “Fun in Devlok” series of books which he has written for the children, Dr. Pattanaik tells simple and very interesting mythological stories explaining concepts in the easiest ways for children to grasp.

“Shiva Plays Dumb Charades” is set into a home where a group of children are playing the game of dumb charades. Suddenly, Lord Shiva, the ultimate and Supreme God, appears in front of them and becomes a participant. Next, as they all play Dumb Charades, the children get to know the real meanings of the symbols, gestures and portraits of Lord Shiva as seen in the Nataraj form. I found myself unable in explaining many of those concepts and this book was an enlightening read for me too.

The book is full of sketches friendly to children and font sizes are big. I found the back cover mentioning that the book is for children above 6 years age. Since I am also above 6 years of age, so I hope no one gives me a curious look if I collect all the books in this series for myself!

It’s a wonderful gift to children and an enlightening read for all. I highly recommend it to everyone.

- Rahul