Book Reviews

Book Reviews

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The VedanTa Kesari, publishers need to send us two copies oF their latest publication. Knowing the Knower by Swami Tyagananda Published by Secretary, RMIC.,Gol Park, Kolkata - 700 029. E-mail: rmicsale@gmail.com. 2017, paperback, pp. 153+x, Rs.60. T his is a meticulously orgainised handbook of five chapters along with a preface and end notes section. ‘Preface’ presents a crisp synopsis that facilitates easier grasp of the concepts and instructions in the book. The source citations, mainly drawn from Swami Vivekananda’s lectures, authenticate the argument of course; but their greater significance lies in their potency to inspire the reader to passionately engage herself/ himself with yoga. The manual opens with the Upanishadic sage Saunaka’s query, ‘What is that by knowing which everything becomes known?’ This question sets the tone for the whole book. It is termed as the ‘master key’ or ‘master password’ that opens all passwords. Chapter one reflects on the origin, nature and possibilities of knowledge, and distinguishes between indirect/lower knowledge (paroksha/ apara vidya) that is merely informative, and direct/higher knowledge (aparoksha/para vidya) that is revelatory. The relation between the knower and the known is discussed without the burden of technical, epistemological jargon. The rendering of the abstract in clear, concrete terms is an obvious strategy adopted in manualwriting; yet it is a surprising feature of Knowing the Knower, because the substance and the material instruments to be handled (the mind and the senses) here are of a subtle category. And, the goal, the objective is attainment of the highest knowledge, awareness of atman, the non-material aspect of self. Chapter two pertains to ‘ignorance’ which is what thwarts knowledge. It is described as not just ‘absence of knowledge’ but as a ‘presence that exists and doesn’t’. The concept of maya introduced at this appropriate point is explained as that ‘translucent screen’ with power to conceal (avarana shakti) and to project (vikshepa shakti). One’s real identity as atman is concealed and a new, false identity gets projected due to the power of this veil. Maya is comprised of space, time and causality (desha, kala and nimitta). Since all our knowledge is framed or conditioned by these three categories, the challenge for the jnana yogi is to go beyond this frame. The chapter also traces samsara-chakra, the cycle of death and ephemeral life: desire that prompts karma which in turn gives scope to birth and sorrow and so on. The cycle elucidates the manner in which the identity of self as the undifferentiated ‘One’ descends to assume multiple identities. The best way to get out of this Karmic cycle is to strike at the weakest link—the desire-karma link—in the chain, which can be done, according to the manual, by fearlessly questioning every assumption. The argument at this stage ushers in the notion of discernment which is the title of chapter three. ‘Discrimination’ is defined as the practice of looking ‘carefully and deeply’ and not accepting anything at face value. Every idea, notion, concept, regarding the self, the world and god, every assumption including reason is to be examined thoroughly. One understands to an extent why the handbook takes the reader through paradoxical statements (‘Knowing the Knower’, ignorance

‘exists and doesn’t’, and so on). Since ‘Truth’ or ‘Truth Knowledge’ lies beyond the realm of reasoned thought, all communication regarding it must inevitably employ paradoxical statements. The next chapter, ‘Practice’ is about applying in practical life, the key concepts thus far elaborated. The manual lists three basic practices—hearing (sravana), reflection (manana) and meditation (nidhidhyasana) in relation to the three types of aspirants: the extraordinarily gifted (uttama), the moderately gifted (madhyama) and the lowest (kanishtha). The book then proceeds to suggest ways for ‘atman remembrance’ (atma smrita) Concrete steps to stay connected with the ‘Self’, from the moment of waking up till one goes to bed are proposed, not in the spirit of a conventional book on morals but with the gentle caution that practice should not become a ritual, or a ‘chore to the hurried through.’ The call is to be alert and creative every moment.

The concluding chapter elaborates further on the significance of Saunaka’s question and ponders over the meaning of self-knowledge or atma-jnana. It is a remarkable feat to narrate the story of cosmic boredom or monotony (‘the never-ending circular journey of repeated birth and death’) all the while ensuring the listener’s (a more appropriate word than ‘reader’ for the one who participates in the narrative process here) involvement, without lapsing into despair or frustration. Images such as wave-ocean, serpent-rope etc., which have been employed any number of times in the discussion of Vedantic ideas reappear in this work too, but with a startling freshness. An excellent daily companion to seekers of knowledge, the ‘manual’ sends invigorating echoes of Swami Vivekananda’s voice. ___________________________ DR.R. RAMACHANDRA, MYSURU

Spiritual Legacy of Ramakrishna Order: Brief Life Stories of Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother and Direct Disciples by Swami Satyaprabhananda Published by Sri Ramakrishna Math, Mylapore, Chennai - 600 004. E-mail: publication@chennaimath.org 2016, paperback, pp.126, Rs.45. T his slim volume is an easy-to-read and eminently accessible account of the lives of Sri Ramakrishna, the Holy Mother and the sixteen direct disciples of Sri Ramakrishna who had the great good fortune of coming in contact with him as young boys and having their lives transformed forever such that they grew to be stalwarts who inspired generations of people. The accounts are simple and short and would be very valuable to anyone who wants a brief history or make a first acquaintanceship with a religious movement which has only grown with time. The one difference in the narration, however, is (as the title suggests) that emphasis has been laid on the spiritual content of the lives of the subjects, rather than the biographical details. The boxed items at the end of each account is a very good idea and puts in a nutshell the main teaching of each of them. _________________________ PREMA RAGHUNATH, CHENNAI

Instead of sitting idly waiting for an illumined soul to become your Guru, make an effort to do these three things which are necessary for spiritual life: 1) Contemplate on God, 2) Study the scriptures, and 3) Associate with the holy. —Swami Saradananda