To the reader who is yet to be steeped in the philosophy of Advaita, this Chapter is about the glories of Bhagwan Sri Krishna. He proclaims himself toTo the reader who is yet to be steeped in the philosophy of Advaita, this Chapter is about the glories of Bhagwan Sri Krishna. He proclaims himself to be the source of everything, and the potency that lies in anything - be it good or bad,. Krishna says he is the best among the good and the worst among the bad. He cites numerous examples to make his point. From being the first letter / sound of the alphabet to the arrow of Indra, he even cites a parallel to gambling, stating that among all forms of gambling, he is the dice. Interestingly, it is this weakness of Yudhishtira that brings the downfall of the Pandavas. If, however, we go beyond the superficial interpretation, we realise that what He is indeed stating is the essential oneness in everything. Everything around us, living or otherwise, has an essential nature. And that which sustains the essential nature of everything is Brahman or Consciousness. It is this understanding that Krishna is trying to impart in this chapter. There is a verse where he also says those that are devoted to Him are blessed with this understanding. For, not all can make sense of this statement. While at a cognitive level, one may still appreciate it, if we had to actually see and experience oneness, we need to get rid of our mental impurities through self-effort and various techniques prescribed in previous chapters. ...more
The plot is enormous in its scope. A Ukranian in England, along with some Jewish-Ukranian acquaintances, plots the downfall of Russia and eventual emaThe plot is enormous in its scope. A Ukranian in England, along with some Jewish-Ukranian acquaintances, plots the downfall of Russia and eventual emancipation of Ukraine. The Russian president meanwhile, is battling an impending famine & is on the verge of signing a treat with America. The treaty would de-escalate weapons and warfare by the Russians while in return, America would supply them the food grain required to overcome the famine. If that were not enough problems for the Russian president, there is also an extremist faction demanding that Russia go to war with western Europe. And in the midst of all this is an English secret agent posted in Moscow and running a mole. What's more, the nature of his relationship with the mole makes it a complex affair. The climax is staged on the world's largest supertanker, parked somewhere in the North Sea with the captors threatening to release some a million tons of oil into the sea of their condition is not met. The plot is epic in its sheer magnitude and scope. And the intricate details which come together from the different events playing across multiple continents are quite astounding in the manner in which the author manages to write such complex details, and yet make it quite a riveting read from the start to the end....more
One of the most profound reads for me, in recent times. The book attempts to theorise love, and the different kinds of it. It has the deepest ideas woOne of the most profound reads for me, in recent times. The book attempts to theorise love, and the different kinds of it. It has the deepest ideas worth contemplating and trying to emulate in one's life. It wasn't an easy read for me, despite the author mentioning that he has attempted to make it more accessible to the common reader. Brilliant stuff....more
I've loved the mountains and always fancies climbing some. Never got around to doing it and so the subject is very dear to my heart. I picked this booI've loved the mountains and always fancies climbing some. Never got around to doing it and so the subject is very dear to my heart. I picked this book up because it was supposedly based on George Mallory's life. The writing is very British, the language simple yet elegant and enjoyable. The plot is simple and revolves pretty much around the life of the protagonist, his early adventures and later on, his attempts to scale the Everest or Goddess Mother of Earth Chomolungma, as he calls it. The romance between Mallory and his wife Ruth is also captured in all its delicate intimacy. While it makes a great novel, I was a tad disappointed with the space dedicated to Everest, which was only towards the end....more
I've had an interesting relationship with my father. As a kid, I hardly got to spend time with him. On regular days, he would be working overtime and I've had an interesting relationship with my father. As a kid, I hardly got to spend time with him. On regular days, he would be working overtime and in unpredictable hours, given he was a doctor. I remember him then as an angry person, very particular about how things ought to be done. And I, as kid, would be tempted to do the things I had been forbidden against. Naturally, he would find out and the consequences weren't exactly pleasant. Later, as I grew up, I realised that he was growing more and more open in many things, especially when it came to me. I don't know if it is a consequence of having a rebellious kid or just age. At the same time, he was also growing increasing fastidious with a few other things - he would not change his ways and that would trouble me. Looking back, I don't hold grudges against him. Our relationship over time has matured into something very beautiful. And despite the very deep differences we may have on some issues, we know that we can count on each other. This is the story of a father and a son, and the relationship is not even close to pleasant. The father is a drunk and a womaniser. He is violent against his wife and son. His personality is such that almost nobody likes him, yet he is so confident of himself that he is oblivious to others presence in his life and their needs - or so it seems. Towards the end, he knows he knows with certainty that he would die and very soon. Does he do something to redeem himself, on whatever small way? How does his son react to all this, from his childhood to the present, when he himself is a father of two young children? That is what this story is about. The characters are powerfully etched, the emotional tussles very real and raw. All this is set against American in the 70's , being the past, and thirty years later, with a lot of baseball. The technicalities of the game found me struggling. Even though I tried hard, I couldn't fully grasp the game, despite the comprehensive introduction to the sport the author later added. I didn't let that bit bother me though....more
The initial parts made me feel the plot development was laboured, it didn't hold my attention. I have watched one of the movies first, so I knew in geThe initial parts made me feel the plot development was laboured, it didn't hold my attention. I have watched one of the movies first, so I knew in general what I was getting into and my expectations were not far off mark. You could kill time with such a book but that's it....more
This one is among the more complex plots among the Perry Masons I have read. And I am reading one after a long, long time. I was introduced to this chThis one is among the more complex plots among the Perry Masons I have read. And I am reading one after a long, long time. I was introduced to this character by my Grandpa, when I was much younger. He had a bunch of his books and encouraged me to read them. And I fill in love with Della Street, a tad more than Mason obviously :) Was glad to read one again after all these years and was looking for more, this time, in one of my uncle's homes....more
The book gives powerful insights into setting and tracking goals. It also advocates a cultural transformation, to create an environment supporting goaThe book gives powerful insights into setting and tracking goals. It also advocates a cultural transformation, to create an environment supporting goal driven work culture that can at the same time be supportive to employees.
The stories, doubtless meant to inspire, were a bit too much for me and i tended to gloss over them...more
The plot revolves around a team of people led by an ambitious young woman, in search of some rare minerals in Africa, Congo / Zaire to be precise. TheThe plot revolves around a team of people led by an ambitious young woman, in search of some rare minerals in Africa, Congo / Zaire to be precise. The expedition is perilous and involves multiple dangers both natural and human-made. One of the central characters, is Amy, a gorilla who is being trained to communicate using sign language by a young primatologist.
However, what impressed me particularly, is the background research that has gone into writing the book. Many aspects, from mining to primatology to technology, the author goes deep into the nuances of each and has painstakingly compiled data and insights from across these domains....more
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