Rahul Writes

‘Forget the Elephants, Watch Out for the Fleas’

By: Justin Herald

Allen & Unwin

ISBN: 978-1-74175-691-3 

This book starts by a powerful thought:  

“You never know how many apples are in a seed.” 

Justin Herald is a successful entrepreneur and was named one of the 50 most influential leaders of the next generation in Australia. The main concept of this book is that most of our problems start out as small as a flea (at times we don’t find them, or see and ignore them), but too often those problems eventually become as huge as an elephant (which we can’t ignore, and these threaten our survival).  

Though the idea looks pretty simple, the author has made it more interesting with his examples and expansions. The language of the book is friendly and I think anyone who reads this book will really enjoy it and learn many things from it.

‘Art of God Symbolism’

By: Swami Chinmayananda

Central Chinmaya Mission Trust

ISBN: 8179570588 

Hinduism is a mysterious religion for many. Are there millions of gods in Hinduism; and so many goddesses? Why there are so many different images in worship – at times opposite and so different than others? Why gods have sometimes four hands, sometimes four heads; and at times they are not even in human image but with a head of a lion or an elephant! There is even a Monkey god in Hinduism, whom Hindus worship with equal devotion! Did Lord Ram really leave Sita Mata and yet is idolized as ideal husband? Such questions are many and the journey to find clear answers to these is not readily available… Until, we have this book in hand.  

‘Art of God Symbolism’ is a wonderful book which explains the real meaning of so many diverse images in Hinduism. It also reveals real meanings of many mythological stories which led to the development of these images. I can’t thank Swami Chinmayananda more; he has done a really brilliant work publishing this book. I am sure it will help in dispelling a lot of wrong perceptions amongst us. The writing in this book is of very high quality and content is not heavy too.  

I have just purchased some more copies of this book which I am gifting to my friends. I think this is a must-read and must-have book for all of us.

‘Emotion, Intellect and Spirituality’

By: Annie Besant

Pilgrims Publishing (2008)

ISBN: 8177695959 

We Indians know Annie Besant as one of the major freedom fighters during our freedom struggle against the British. She was also a Theosophist, women’s rights activist, secularist, writer and orator. As part of her Theosophy related work she had travelled to India and took part in its freedom movement becoming President of the Indian National Congress in 1917.  

This book is a publication of one of her lectures at the Theosophical Society. It gives sight of her thoughts which represent also those of Theosophy. Her thoughts are very learned and she has a deep understanding of human psychology and life. I especially remember the portion of this book where she tells about the importance of a balanced development (intellect Vs emotional) and also her pointers towards our one incarnation to the other.  

This is a small-size book. I think the topic is not light and her writing can best enjoyed by being reflected upon in a second read.

‘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