Books

Gita is the most translated and interpreted book in the world. The beauty of Gita is that everybody gets his pie of thoughts in it. Further analysis reveals that Gita is the most misinterpreted book, too, and most of the time, religious leaders or influencers have done that. There are tons of religious societies across the world chanting Bhagavat Gita with no clue why they are doing it and how they will benefit from it. Chanting the names of Krishna may soothe one for a while, but without the proper knowledge of the purpose, it cannot do any good further. One’s confusions, one’s problems, one’s conflicts, one doubts will remain there, unopposed and unsolved.

Millions of people read the Gita and leave it by saying that they find no solutions to their problems, yet they continue to follow it because it is believed that it was told by God and they must follow it, following without understanding, following because it is considered as a sacred book and following because one must not question the sacred texts and scriptures. Instead of a journal or an encyclopaedia of solutions, Gita is kept as a coffee-table book as any other book, which we love to keep to keep up the glamour of our knowledge (rather perceived knowledge) in front of others.

We have to accept that the world has changed a lot and is changing every moment. With the introduction of science and technology, many myths and beliefs have changed; people are changing, new generations believe in facts and science, and unknown phenomena are getting known. Time has changed and so do the meaning of everything, like relations, personality, attitudes, and rationalism; everything is changing. So how can we accept that the new generation will learn and understand things the same way our ancestors have understood? It is our duty to change the learning process. Imagine we are working towards implementing technology in our new education system. Facts and figures have changed a lot. We have introduced smart education and intelligent machines and upgraded every aspect of life, but when it comes to understanding and learning concepts and philosophies associated with sacred text, our approach is just orthodox. We are forcing everybody to believe blindly; we are stopping them from questioning; we are trying to teach them the same stories and characters which are thousands of years old.

Let’s come out of our nostalgia and understand the need for an hour. The interpretations and translations we have today are too old to be continued. The world is integrating, technology is integrating, nationalities and different religions are communicating, geography has changed, and we are global citizens. So, it is our duty to re-write these interpretations and update them according to the present times. If we believe in the theory of Gita, then we have to change; this is in accordance with the philosophy of Gita that the social rules, morals, ethics and self-conducts must be changed according to the times, and Gita is the only philosophy that allows one to change and remain unorthodox. If we believe Mahabharata is a true story, then we have to admit that the reasons for war were the orthodox beliefs, rituals, and practices which needed to be altered at that time.

Gita is a journey of finding self, eliminating our rotten beliefs and starting with a fresh thinking process. It is a journey to be aware of self and fight with self. Before analysing or becoming critical towards others, we need to accept them as they are and then introspect our actions and decisions in a way that protects our self. Gita creates a lot of turbulence in our minds; many of our facts will change, our beliefs will remould and our philosophies will shatter. Gita will never tell you to accept anything blindly; it will teach you to analyse first and then apply it.

Welcome to this exciting and wonderful journey of Gita. 

Sant Kabir Das is a well-known figure in the philosophical and spiritual world; therefore, he doesn’t need any introduction. Since childhood, we have been reading his Dohawali (Verses), their translations, and interpretations. They all sound good and feel good to be followed in our lives. Still, when we live our day-to-day lives following these teachings, they seem impractical or hard to follow. We cannot ignore the fact that wisdom is nowhere related to formal education, and anybody can be wise irrespective of their background and conditions. The entire work of Kabir Das is based on his observations and awareness. He observed his surroundings and people’s reactions to different situations. If we look closely, we will find that the verses of Sant Kabir Das always talk about interactions, whether interpersonal or man and nature to space. Only a person having self-awareness can analytically comprehend these interactions.

If we look at the era of Sant Kabir Das, very few people were bilingual, and there is no mention of Kabir Das being bilingual. This means that the verses were sung by him in his native language and in the form we know today. Furthermore, if we analyse the personality of Sant Kabir Das, then we can infer that he only sang his verses and did not go beyond to interpret those verses for anybody. Sant Kabir Das did not bother to make the masses understand him. He enjoyed his freedom of expression irrespective of other’s opinions about him and also whether people would accept him or reject him. So the question arises, who translated and interpreted these verses? As far as translation is concerned, any bilingual person can translate them. But even after translation, if we look at the verses, it seems like Kabir Das was talking about general day-to-day events and situations that happened around him. Therefore, translation is not my focus in this work.

Sant Kabir Das’s verses are full of wisdom, and this wisdom can be extracted only when we try to rationally analyse the verses and also the state of day to day situations which crossed his mind. It is said that if one wants to know the philosophy of a certain person, then instead of just knowing about the person, one has to understand and explore the era in which the person lived: the thought process, morals, ethics, rules and the lifestyle of that era. To do this, we have to go back to the times of Kabir Das, when life was simple, and people were just like us but living with the means present in that era. All personality types that are present among us were present at the time of Kabir Das too. People were good, bad, just, unjust, rich and poor. Every condition that we see today was present at that time too. Technology and resources have obviously increased with every era, but people’s perception and thought process remains the same. So, amongst these people and lifestyles, if Kabir Das had observed something, the same could be observed in the present era, too.

From the times of Kabir Das to our present era, lots of things have changed. Our lifestyle, technology, and boundaries have changed. We are now global citizens rather than inhabitants of a particular cluster. This has changed our thinking ability and perspective. Following the interpretations done in past eras would be an injustice to the wisdom of Sant Kabir Das. With every change in the era, these words of wisdom must change their meanings and must be put into a domain where everyone can observe what Kabir Das had observed. When the things around us have changed when we are interacting with different cultures and adopting diverse moralities and ethical systems, then why not get help from the wisdom of Sant Kabir Das in present-day living? While working on the verses, I kept my mind free from any bias of what people would think or how they would react. In this way, I have avoided sugar-coating anything.

Enjoy the journey of Sant Kabir. 

Lao Tzu, left us an incredible treasure of wisdom in "Tao Te Ching." Even though it was written centuries ago, its teachings remain relevant today. This book will interpret Lao Tzu's verses not just from a philosophical perspective but also through the lenses of science, technology, psychology, and everyday experiences.

Who was Lao Tzu?

Lao Tzu, is a somewhat mysterious figure. Born in the state of Chu, likely in the 6th century BCE, he worked as a keeper of the archives at the royal court of Zhou. This role gave him access to vast knowledge and wisdom. Disillusioned by societal corruption, he retired and journeyed into the wilderness, where he wrote the "Tao Te Ching," that distill his philosophy of life. From his verses, we can infer he was a thinker who valued simplicity, harmony, and living in accordance with the Tao, the principle that underlies and unifies everything in the universe.

Lao Tzu's Personality

Lao Tzu's personality shines through in his writings as a gentle, introspective soul who valued peace and harmony. He used metaphors and paradoxes to encourage deeper understanding, reflecting his belief that true wisdom must be experienced and internalized.

The Simplicity of Taoism

One of the most striking aspects of Taoism is its simplicity. Lao Tzu teaches that the key to a fulfilling life lies in embracing simplicity and letting go of unnecessary complexities. This message is particularly relevant in today's fast-paced, technology-driven society.

Wu Wei: The Art of Effortless Action

A central concept in Taoism is Wu Wei, meaning "non-action" or "effortless action." It's about aligning our actions with the natural flow of life, responding to situations naturally and spontaneously. This principle isn't passivity but a highly engaged way of living, where life unfolds smoothly with less stress and resistance.

The Philosophy of Taoism

Taoism emphasizes living in harmony with the Tao, letting go of excessive desires, and practicing Wu Wei. While its principles are simple, living by them requires a deep, intuitive grasp of the world, challenging in our fast-paced society.

Taoism and Modern Science

Modern science aligns with Taoist principles, such as Wu Wei seen in the psychological concept of "flow." The interconnectedness of all things, a central theme in Taoism, is reflected in ecological science, where the health of our planet depends on the balance of its ecosystems.

Psychology and Taoism

Lao Tzu's teachings resonate with modern psychology. Letting go of excessive desires aligns with reducing stress and finding contentment. Mindfulness, rooted in Taoism, helps cultivate inner peace and balance, aiding in navigating life's challenges.

Daily Observations and Taoism

Taoist principles manifest in daily life, from the peace of a simple home to the effortless way nature operates. Observing these can remind us of Wu Wei and the importance of living in harmony with the natural world.

Individualism and Minimalism

Lao Tzu emphasizes individualism and minimalism, encouraging authenticity and self-awareness. In today's consumer-driven society, embracing minimalism helps find peace and clarity by recognizing what truly matters and letting go of the rest.

Harmony with Nature

Taoism teaches that true harmony is achieved when humans live in accordance with the natural world. By embracing individualism and minimalism, we foster a deeper connection with nature, crucial for the sustainability of our civilization and planet.

This book aims to bridge ancient wisdom with contemporary understanding, inspiring a life that flows effortlessly with the Tao. Enjoy the journey of Taoism and see how Lao Tzu can help us craft our lives with the incredible concept of Wu Wei!