"The Difficulty of Being Good" – by Gurcharan Das
While most successful retirees fancy surfing the sands in an exotic locale, Gurcharan Das decides to study the Mahabharata and write the book titled “Difficulty of Being Good” a contemporary analysis of the Mahabharata. Although there are number of books on this epic, this book is different and refreshing and a must read for the current generation folks from all walks of life, including Corporate citizens and Businessmen. . The author reads thru each chapter of the epic, and in his unique style leverages real-world analogy in explaining the essence in simple English. The central theme is the description and the importance of following the Middle Path in this world, which is intricately mixed with right and wrong in a bewildering manner. To explain the central theme, the author explores Yudhisthira’s dilemma and the transformation from extreme idealism to pragmatic middle path as epic unfolds. The author combines his years of experience of understanding India at the grass root level to compare and juxtapose with events in the epic, and repeatedly infer the key messages and the meaning of “Dharma” throughout the epic.
Just being good does not bring about happiness and neither reserves a seat in Heaven, but then why does the epic extol followers to be Good and follow the path of Dharma. The book provides the answers. It’s fascinating to read the different interpretations of Dharma espoused by the main characters – Bhishma, Vidura, Yudhisthira and Krishna. Bhisma’s post war advice to the remorseful Yudhishthira is captured brilliantly to convey the meaning of Dharma, which is absolutely contemporary and relevant to today’s real-world.
While most successful retirees fancy surfing the sands in an exotic locale, Gurcharan Das decides to study the Mahabharata and write the book titled “Difficulty of Being Good” a contemporary analysis of the Mahabharata. Although there are number of books on this epic, this book is different and refreshing and a must read for the current generation folks from all walks of life, including Corporate citizens and Businessmen. . The author reads thru each chapter of the epic, and in his unique style leverages real-world analogy in explaining the essence in simple English. The central theme is the description and the importance of following the Middle Path in this world, which is intricately mixed with right and wrong in a bewildering manner. To explain the central theme, the author explores Yudhisthira’s dilemma and the transformation from extreme idealism to pragmatic middle path as epic unfolds. The author combines his years of experience of understanding India at the grass root level to compare and juxtapose with events in the epic, and repeatedly infer the key messages and the meaning of “Dharma” throughout the epic.
Just being good does not bring about happiness and neither reserves a seat in Heaven, but then why does the epic extol followers to be Good and follow the path of Dharma. The book provides the answers. It’s fascinating to read the different interpretations of Dharma espoused by the main characters – Bhishma, Vidura, Yudhisthira and Krishna. Bhisma’s post war advice to the remorseful Yudhishthira is captured brilliantly to convey the meaning of Dharma, which is absolutely contemporary and relevant to today’s real-world.
If I get a chance to meet the author, I would love to understand his views on the Middle Path India should follow in its engagement with China and how does he view China in the comparison with Duryodhana in the context of one more analogy in the book.
"Five People you meet in Heaven" by Mitch Albom
The book "the five people you meet in heaven" by Mitch Albom fascinated me, and is not only enlightening but makes you reflect on your life and makes you live each moment pondering that you are answerable for it in your afterlife. The lead character dies and meets 5 people in his post death journey, 5 people who have crossed him in his real life. I particularly liked the part where he meets his father and develops a bond, which even though he was yearning, he could not accomplish in his real life. Think of the 5 meetings:) - like 5 gates you have to cross, or 5 examinations you have to pass, to attain entry in Heaven. Somewhere in the middle, I had this gut feeling that this is a perfect script for a family Hindi movie, which can have all ingredients to be a blockbuster. At various points the book leads you to reflect, and during once such moment, I thought of another book closely related to this topic - "Man's search for Meaning" by Viktor Frankl, which is a real life story of the prisoner in the Nazi concentration camp, and how he managed to survive, only because he had a "purpose" or "meaning" to live.
All the three books, each based on Legend, Fiction and a Real Life story are deeply moving and has helped me shape my thoughts. I would strongly recommend it to all, to understand the importance of the Middle Path, the importance of having a purpose, vision and mission in our lives.
