The Difficulty Of Being Good : On The Subtle Art Of Dharma (2009) - Plot & Excerpts
I am going to start with the negatives of this book only because I struggled to complete it. For me it did not have the urgency I usually have with book and therefore coming back to it was not natural. I thought the book had a number of themes that were repeated, several times in some instances. I guess that is a plus for someone really trying to get an understanding of Mahabharata but for me it didn't appeal as much and that is where most of my struggle was at.Overall the book is a brilliant description of what Mahabharata really is. This book talks about what one really needs to take home from this epic. It beautifully describes each character and their significance to the epic. Chapters such as Yudhishthira's Duty and Arjuna's Despair confused me a little.....the chapters talks about their refusal to go to war, their refusal to fight their own and their willingness to accept life as is and yet they were pushed and in some way persuaded to participate in the war by reminding them that it was their duty. And if they performed their duty they were doing the right thing even if it meant going to war and killing, they were following the orders of Krishna who is in some way was acting as the leader of this war. And I related this to the Nazi Regime and the number of Generals that were convicted years later for acts they committed under Hitler, some of them were just following orders and at the time were convinced they were doing the right thing? I am for the atrocities committed during the Nazi Regime but beg to see the difference in convincing someone to go for war by reminding them that it is their duty and obligation to do so. While wrong is defeated and right prevails, the ending of Mahabharata is not really a happy one, is it? What I am trying to point out is that different chapters in the book will motivate you to think and relate to the real life scenarios.Well it is comforting to know that it is not possible to be good...it is difficult and it is a struggle. But it also is extremely judgemental and that is where the struggle is for one. What is right for one may not be right for others and so on."The lust of vengeance and the thirst of vengeance are so powerful that they rival all other human needs" - who would have thought - yet "forgiveness is the strength of the virtuous". However there was no forgiveness in Mahabharata and that is why I think the end is but sad. War or no war the basic teaching of this book for me lie is the fact that:1. moral integrity begins with awareness of other beings2. benevolence..a not so commonly used word is the key to decide how good you really are.And therefore it is awareness and benevolence that I am taking from this book for my life. I have read extracts of Mahabharata and watched the entire series played on Tele for years...it is only now I have truly understood it in its entirety ...I hope the same is true for you and you find what you are looking for, to make part of your life - happy reading :-) As the title suggests dharma is subtle and the book does not tell you directly what is good and bad. We struggle to answer the philosophical questions which arise in our daily life. The author tries to answer them by inferring from the actions of various characters in Mahabharata. In short, dharma is to be TRUTHFUL, have COMPASSION for others and strive for NON-VIOLENCE. In other words follow RECIPROCAL ALTRUISM - adopt a friendly face to the world but do not allow yourself to be exploited.
What do You think about The Difficulty Of Being Good : On The Subtle Art Of Dharma (2009)?
Read it a few years back and enjoyed it then. Feel like reading it again now.
—damain
Highly introspective. Lots of points to ruminate on. Good book.
—Gina
Awesome book. Want to read it again...
—starsnight
