31st
Book of 2022
Since last decade,
the way Sanatan Dharma is being spoken and spread to its own people who didn’t
even know that the Dharma they follow is called Sanatan and not Hinduism – the
word we keep referring in religious context. I must have read more than 100
books which speaks about our ancient history which few people refer as
mythology in either fiction or non-fiction formats which is great as people are
getting to learn about our own religion in easier language. I recently
completed one similar book sent to me by Indica Books called “Maxims from
Mahabharata” written by Sridhar Potaraju.
This is a
short-book not even of 100-pages with 12 different chapters. You must be
wondering what is the meaning of the word “Maxim”. So, it basically means “few
words that express a rule for good or sensible behavior”. Here, author has read
Mahabharata and he feels that it’s an ocean of knowledge which talks not only
about religion but a lot about human beings and their philosophy and
psychology. He tried to pick few which he had noted down or highlighted while
reading the same. The 12 Maxims that is discussed in this book chapter-wise are
Dharma, Truth, Principles Governing Punishment, Karma, Hygiene as Good Conduct,
Nature, Faith, Anger, Reputation, Eternal Values, Mental Health and Power of
Words.
Each of these
chapter consists of shlokas picked up from Mahabharata which are written in the
Sanskrit text itself along with English text for English readers to help them pronounce
it. It further has its one-liner translation and the exact chapter or parva in
Mahabharata from where it’s picked up. Author also provides context before
providing the shlokas so that the reader is able to understand who spoke it to
whom and under what situation. This helps in avoiding misinterpretation of the
shlokas and referring to it in wrong context – something that atheist or people
not believing in our ancient history regularly do to disrespect it.
The book helps you
understand how advanced our ancient texts are where they not only cover the
then contemporary issues but also speaks in context that it sounds relevant in
our modern time too. In the chapter of truth, there’s a mention that if a
person is truthful, it’s a bigger good karma than reading all religious books.
I evaluated and found it to be so true. If a human being restricts himself in
being truthful always – the kind of image he’ll have in society plus the kind
of people who’ll want him to be on their side or have him in their team will
give him great fortune. Not only this, it also mentioned 13 forms of truth
which are Impartiality, Self-control, forgiveness, modesty, endurance,
goodness, renunciation, contemplation, dignity, fortitude, compassion and
abstention from injury.
Similarly, I liked
the way forgiveness has been explained where it is asked to forgive someone who
has made mistake so that he/she can get a chance to improve in future.
Punishment always is not the right solution. It also talks about punishing
someone definitely if the mistake is repeatedly being committed knowingly. I
felt this to be so relevant in our professional and corporate life these days.
Some managers don’t have these basic skills of understanding when to punish and
forgive due to which the career is affected of many employees.
In the Karma maxim,
you will just get into the self-evaluation mode when you will read that it has
been said – everyone knows their deed – if what they are doing is right or
wrong. Still if one chose to go with it, the karma will definitely return back.
I was wowed by this. We, as human beings, definitely know about the quality of
our action if it’s good or bad still we do it thinking that we will never
suffer by it. There are chapters which tells about the significance of
protecting nature, maintaining good hygiene, concentrating on our reputation
and managing our anger. All this talks about the variety of topics on which
Mahabharata is able to guide us upon.
The chapter on
mental health again open our eyes as we think this is a modern concept whereas
our texts have given its challenges and remedy thousands of years ago. The book
also teaches about humility – speaks on son and daughter equality – the
consequences of having ego and how it takes everything away from you. Overall,
the book is a good beginning for people trying to understand a little bit about
the kind of lessons our epics deliver.
Now talking about
the drawbacks- firstly, the same context is repeated multiple times which makes
it boring and monotonous. Author could have someone arranged the chapters in a
manner where for a single context, listing down all kind of lessons we can
learn for different maxims. Secondly, the English text for Sanskrit is not
appropriate. If you’ll read it, you’ll pronounce it completely different than
what it is. Thirdly, I feel that the book could have consisted more shlokas
with detailed explanation like a full-fledged book rather than a short read.
Overall, this is a
fine attempt which must have taken lot of efforts to compile and put together.
I would give the book 3.75* out of 5.
Thanks.
WRITING BUDDHA
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