The Sacred Sword by Hindol Sengupta

Book: THE SACRED SWORD.

Author: Hindol Sengupta

Publisher: Penguin Random House Pvt Ltd.

Code : ISBN 9780143440192

Let me say it very clearly, this is a book that I picked up with the most anticipation and excitement.

It is a story of the Religious leader of one of the most brave, jubiliant, warm and welcoming sects of India, the Sikhs.

It is also a story of a warrior, religious head.

That means it has all the ingredients to make it an instant hit.

It is set in ancient India. It is set against the backdrop of barbarity of the Mughals. It traces the story of Guru Gobind Singh.

But frankly this book to me read like a documentary. 
I was left with a wish to taste more. I would have wished for this book to be a series of 3 books and detailed stories. Or atleast this book to be 1000 pages and allow more detailed introspection into the life of Guru Gobind Singh.

It doesn’t. 
It left me dissatisfied.

To be honest, the author has an awesome story telling style. Beautifully builds up the scenes, tension and drama. But I would have wished for more depth.

Also the author wasted a lot of pages and my attention in meaningless word breakup of war cries or the Sikh salutation.

Having said that, I loved that someone wrote this book. A book on one of the favourite religious leaders of India. I would request the author to write a longer, detailed, in depth book.

A definite must read. This could even be made into a movie.

  

Introduction to Vedanta by Swami Dayanand Saraswati

Book: Introduction to Vedanta

Author: Swami Dayanand Saraswati

Publisher :Vision Books & Shri Gangadhareshwar Trust (Phone :Rishikesh : 0135-430769)  ( www.sastraprakasika.org )

ISBN 81-7094-289-6

Swami Dayanand Saraswati is a living enlightened human being. He is well versed in the Vedas and Upaniishads and also has a grasp of the modern world, sciences and society. His discourses are structured to suit the modern life and individual and yet adhere to the immutable fundamentals of atma and moksha.

Vedanta is a Sanskrit word and means the Knowledge of the self, found in the Upanishads at the end of the Vedas. Hence the term Vedanta.

Man is continuously in pursuit of some mirage and chasing some unspecified ‘happpiness’ which always eludes him, even after attainment of object of lust …. Or the happiness is impermamnent. And yet there are moments and instances of happiness without bounds and limitation.

This limitlessness and completeness is called moksha or the realization of the atma. This is the basis of Sanatana Dharma ( a philosophy) which is loosely (and falsely) called as Hinduism.

All pursuits of security and pleasure by man are bound to fail as they are directed to the attainment of an object which in itself is ephemeral and temporary or flawed. Plus there is an inherent misunderstanding or ignorance of the fundamental problem or the ever existent solution. Therefore the result of an ignorant and misdirected effort is bound to meet with disappointments.

Vedanta introduces you to the vast subject of Veda and Sanatana Dharma. First you have to understand your malady to understand and accept the cure.

Swami Dayanand Saraswati is very lucid and precise with his words and thoughts and is able to convey the intricacies of our Upanishads in a very clear fashion and language.

A must read for any person wishing to understand the basis of Sanatana Dharma ……. Or Hinduism.

In fact I recommend each and every book of Shri Dayanand Saraswati for his clarity of thought and his precise knowledge about your quest towards finding Moksha or Atma.

With much humility and taking the excuse of my ignorance, I find some of his books and thoughts very repetitive. But the Truth is just one and hence is bound to be repetitive.   Please persevere in your quest for ultimate truth. 

The discourses of Swami Dayananda Saraswati are in English. Available on audio CDs.

Vivekacudamani by Swami Dayanand Saraswati

Book: Vivekacudamani

Author: Swami Dayanand Saraswati

Publisher : Shri Gangadhareshwar Trust (Rishikesh : Phone: India 0135-430769) ( www.sastraprakasika.org )

Swami Dayanand Saraswati is a living enlightened human being. He is well versed in the Vedas and Upaniishads and also has a grasp of the modern world, sciences and society. His discourses are structured to suit the modern life and individual and yet adhere to the immutable fundamentals of atma and moksha.

Vivekacudamani is an ancient treatise. Vivekacudamani is a book addressed to the jignasu (one seeking knowledge) who desires to become a mumukshu (one seeking liberation) and desires to attain Moksha (liberation) which being an attribute of atma (soul) is therefore already attained and just to be understood.

Vivekacudamani is a collection of 108 verses selected from the Upanishads. The Lord was the creator of the 4 Vedas. The Upanishads are the treatises of various saints upon what they thought was relevant or important from these Vedas. Hence each Upanishad usually carries the name of its creator saint. This is the basis of Sanatana Dharma ( a philosophy) which is loosely (and falsely) called as Hinduism.

Any Indian sage or spiritual Guru worth his salt has written a treatise upon the Vivekacudamani.

Swami Dayanand Saraswati is very lucid and precise with his words and thoughts and is able to convey the intricacies of our Upanishads in a very clear fashion and language.

A must read for any person wishing to understand the basis of Sanatana Dharma ……. Or Hinduism.

In fact I recommend each and every book of Shri Dayanand Saraswati for his clarity of thought and his precise knowledge about your quest towards finding Moksha or Atma.

With much humility and taking the excuse of my ignorance, I find some of his books and thoughts very repetitive. But the Truth is just one and hence is bound to be repetitive.   Please persevere in your quest for the ultimate truth. 

The discourses of Swami Dayananda Saraswati are in English. Available on audio CDs.

Talks with Shri Ramana Maharshi

Book: Talks with Shri Ramana Maharshi

Author: Shri Ramana Maharshi

Publisher:Shri Ramana Ashrama (www.shriramanamaharshii.org)

ISBN 81-88018-07-4

For me to talk about Shri Ramana Maharshi is like holding a candle to the sun. Ramana Maharshi is my Guru and guide.

Shri Ramana Maharshi is one of India’s greatest sages and seers, who lived in the early 19^th century near his beloved Arunachala in Tiruvannamalai, India.

Though I call him India’s greatest sage, Shri Ramana Maharshi had no great thesis or discourses to his name. This is because the basis of Maharshi’s teaching was silence and contemplation. It is folk lore of Indian mythology and history that the great sage Sri Sri Adi Sankaracharya taught his 4 disciples through silence.

This book “Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi” is a record of the conversation and discussions that Maharshi had with his disciples and visitors between 1935 and 1939.

The basis of Shri Ramana Maharshhis teaching was : Why are you so confused? Whenever any doubt or question arises, find out who is asking the question. And is he different from who he is asking the question about. Discard all that is not you and find out, who or what defines the you. Anything that is common to mankind, easily accessible, an adjective or a vice, discard that. Find out what remains….. And yet, why are you so impatient about finding out? You are HE. You just have to find yourself out……. Self Inquiry.