Book Review: Religion and Dharma by Sister Nivedita

‘Religion and Dharma’

By: Sister Nivedita

Advaita Ashrama (Publication department)

ISBN: 81-7505-128-0

‘Dharma’ is a term which has larger and more complex significance than the word ‘Religion’.  Yet it is by and large used for ‘religion’ almost everywhere. Dharma literally is the force or principle that binds together. Dharma for Hindus includes the whole social conception of law and conduct and worship. Sister Nivedita preferred to translate the word Dharma as the “National Righteousness”.

This book is a collection of essays written by Sister Nivedita in the early years of 20^th century. All the essays are relevant for today and for long time to come in the future also. In the pages of this book the author talks about topics of national and spiritual interests, like “Mukti: Freedom”, “Hinduism and Organization”, “the past and the future”, “the spirit of renunciation”, “the sacred and the secular”, “luxury and manhood”, “character”, “fitness”, “national righteousness”, “the task before us” and “the ideal”. All are wonderful topics which provide us with as much food of thoughts as they give us glimpse into the mind of the author.

Some quotations from the book:

“As the ignorant fight, from selfish motives, so must we fight unselfishly. Our struggle must be as intense as that of the meanest miser. We must labor for the good of the others as the drowning man clutches at a straw….”

“The struggle with material conditions is eternally necessary to the upward growth of the spirit. When Karma has been exhausted, and the moment of enlightenment is at hand, this condition also must be held to have transcended.”

“Nothing is a greater test of education than the noble employment of leisure and means. It is not nearly so much by our performance of duties, as by our selection of interests, that our character is revealed.”

This book has been a wonderful read and it provided me with much knowledge enrichment on the world at large and also insights on Hinduism and India are wonderful; an awareness of the same to the general masses is the need of the hour.

Highly recommended book for all.

- Rahul

Book Review: Vedanta for the Common Man by Swami Sarvagatananda

‘Vedanta for the Common Man’

By: Swami Sarvagatananda

Advaita Ashrama

ISBN: 978-81-7505-331-1

This book is a compilation of lectures by Swami Sarvagatananda of Ramakrishna Vedanta Society, Boston, USA. Some lectures were delivered at Massachusetts Institute of Technology around Jan 1981. And what a compilation it has become! I think it is one of the best books when it comes to explain Vendanta concepts to the uninitiated… Swami Vivekananda puts Vedanta to be ‘the future religion of the world’. When we learn about it, we can only be proud of the wisdom our Rishis shared with us and some of the greatest souls in Hinduism have experienced divinity first hand.

If you want to know and understand what Vedanta is, this can be the perfect first book on this journey. Highly recommended read to all.

- Rahul

Book Review: In Indian Culture Why We do...

‘In Indian Culture Why We do...’

By: Swamini Vimalananda and Radhika Krishnakumar

Central Chinmay Mission Trust

ISBN: 9788175970717

Hindu culture and concepts of Hinduism are one of the most interesting ones one can get across. The deepest philosophies of this world are symbolized in such simplistic signs and rituals which are done almost daily, that the outsiders will only keep wondering at those… But those who take interest in the matter and want to dive slightly deeper Hinduism has only an ocean of knowledge and wisdom to offer.

Why do we light a lamp? Why do we do namaste? Why do we wear marks on the forehead? Why do we apply the holy ash? Why do we regard plants and trees as sacred? Why do we fast? Why do we chant Om? Why do we do aarati? Such and numerous other questions are answered in this book. The writing has really excellent quality and explanations are easy to understand. This small booklet is one of the best books on this subject. I am sure every reader will end up enriched many folds if one reads this book.

Highly recommended to all.

- Rahul

Book Review: Swami Vivekananda’s Childhood by Pronabesh Chakraborty

‘Swami Vivekananda’s Childhood’

By: Pronabesh Chakraborty

Publisher: Advaita Ashrama

ISBN: 9788175053335

Swami Vivekananda, one of the greatest men born in India, has been inspiring generation after generations on a path of enlightenment. Innumerous books have been written about him and his philosophies as well as books written by him are always sought after and are timelessly relevant. Here is a book which is especially for children. It tells in very simple and eloquent way, all major events during Swami Vivekananda’s (then called Naren) childhood. Some of the stories may be known to you if you have read about him much, but most of the life events are fresh. These life-stories give us a glimpse of what his childhood was like.

It was immensely delightful to read this book. I also bought some extra copies of the book and gifted to my young cousins and sisters.

Highly recommended to all.

- Rahul

Book Review: Kama Vs Yama by Devdutt Pattanaik

‘Kama Vs Yama’ (Fun in Devlok Series)

By: Dr. Devdutt Pattanaik

Puffin Books (Div of Penguin Books)

ISBN: 978-0-143-33195

Dr. Devdutt Pattanaik is one of India’s most popular present day mythologists. I am a big fan of his writings. In his “Fun in Devlok” series of books for children, Dr. Pattanaik tells simple and very interesting mythological stories of Hinduism explaining concepts in the easiest ways for children to grasp, appreciate and love telling to others too. ‘Kama Vs Yama’, as the title suggests is a book about two gods, Kama and Yama. In Hindu mythology, Kama is the god of love and desires while Yama is the god of death. I think their relation or comparison is a new dimension which is explored in this book and it has come out very well.

In this book, a young kid Jayshree curiously finds god Kama in her neighborhood garden. She was rather a very studious student, but on that day somehow she got the idea of not doing the homework but watching the TV and eating potato chips. Kama becomes her friend and while they planned a shopping trip, suddenly Yama appeared there and started asking Jayshree not to follow Kama’s advice. While the gods argued and Jayshree evaluated the two propositions, she discovers many facts of life and messages which both gods Kama and Yama carry for all… In the end, she finds a perfect ‘balance’ where she could have fun as well as perform all her duties. I will leave more particulars for you to get when you actually pick up this book.

The book is full of sketches friendly to children and font sizes are big. The book as categorized by the publishers is fit for 6+ years. But I am sure readers from any age group will certainly find this book a thrilling experience. It is also a wonderful gift to children. I highly recommend this enlightening book to one and all.

- Rahul

Other reviews:

Book Review: Shiva Plays Dumb Charades by Devdutt Pattanaik

Book Review: Saraswati’s Secret River by Devdutt Pattanaik

Book Review: Saraswati’s Secret River by Devdutt Pattanaik

‘Saraswati’s Secret River’ (Fun in Devlok Series)

By: Dr. Devdutt Pattanaik

Puffin Books (Div of Penguin Books)

ISBN: 978-0-143-33196-4

Dr. Devdutt Pattanaik is one of India’s most popular present day mythologists. I am a big fan of his writings. In his “Fun in Devlok” series of books for children, Dr. Pattanaik tells simple and very interesting mythological stories of Hinduism explaining concepts in the easiest ways for children to grasp, appreciate and love telling to others too. ‘Saraswati’s Secret River’, as the title suggests is a book about Saraswati. In Hindu mythology, Saraswati is both the name of Goddess of learning, education and wisdom as well as the name of a sacred river. It is believed that on the banks of Saraswati, some greatest scriptures of Sanatan Dharma were written during the Vedic era.

In this book, Mrs. Sivakami, principal of Madame Mira High School gets a curious visitor who is none other than Goddess Saraswati. Goddess Saraswati is in search of a missing river and enquires if Mrs. Sivakami is aware about it. Mrs. Sivakami is surprised in the beginning but as she goes on in her conversation with Goddess, she actually commences on an eye opening journey which changes the way she looked at education and the modern schooling system… She realized that river Saraswati had stopped flowing in her school because her students were no longer curious… I will leave more particulars for you to get when you actually pick up this book.

The book is full of sketches friendly to children and font sizes are big. The book as categorized by the publishers is fit for 6+ years. But I am sure readers from any age group will certainly find this book a thrilling experience. It is also a wonderful gift to children. I highly recommend this enlightening book to one and all.

- Rahul

Other reviews: Book Review: Shiva Plays Dumb Charades by Devdutt ...

Book Review: The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran

‘The Prophet’; By: Kahlil Gibrahn; UBSPD; ISBN: 978-81-85674-72-8

Kahlil Gibrahn was a Lebanese American artist, poet, and writer. He is chiefly known for his 1923 book The Prophet which includes a series of philosophical essays written in poetic prose.

It is said that much of Gibran's writings deal with Christianity, especially on the topic of spiritual love. Though his mysticism is a convergence of several different influences from Christianity, Islam, Sufism, Hinduism and theosophy.

In this boo, the Prophet Al-Mustafa who has lived in the foreign city of Orphalese for 12 years is about to board a ship back to home. He is stopped by a group of people, with whom he discusses topics on life and human conditions. The book is divided into chapters dealing with love, marriage, children, giving, eating and drinking, work, joy and sorrow, houses, clothes, buying and selling, crime and punishment, laws, freedom, reason and passion, pain, self-knowledge, teaching, friendship, talking, time, good and evil, prayer, pleasure, beauty, religion, and death. I found the thoughts shared in portions of the book really amazing. I also found some thoughts similar to those of Hinduism, Vedanta or Advaita.

Some portions:

“Of the good in you I can speak, but not of the evil. For what is evil but good tortured by its own hunger and thirst? You are good when you are one with yourself. Yet when you are not one with yourself you are not evil. For a divided house is not a den of thieves; it is only a divided house.” (=> Similar to the concept of Hinduism which has no concept of Devil or Satan.)

“The soul unfolds itself, like a lotus of countless petals.” (=> A very exact example of Hindu symbolism behind lotus flower.)

“You can be free when even the desire of seeking freedom becomes a harness to you, and when you cease to speak of freedom as a goal and a fulfillment.” (=> I read an exact similar text from Sister Nivedita of Ramkrishna-Vivekananda, in her book Religion and Dharma, around 1905).

“The murdered is not unaccountable for his own murder. And the robbed is not blameless in being robbed.” (=> Theory of Karma?)

Please excuse me of making it a parallel with Hinduism, for the book contains so many great nuggets of wisdom. Similarity can be because Hindu and Vedic texts have not left almost any aspect of life unexplored and hence we are bound to find similar references in them, for much of the modern thoughts and reflections.

Btw, I found the book littered with art which tried to express many things through nude images of men and women – I found it unnecessary given that this book has a global audience.

I find that this entire book, which is not long in size, is available for online reading on the internet. So you can refer to those also. It’s a very good book on philosophy and life-issues.

- Rahul