The Expression Hub

Author: Dhananjay Gokhale

Genre: Self help/ motivational/ spiritual

” By stretching yourself beyond your perceived level of confidence, you accelerate your development of competence.”

Michael J. Celb

Indian culture is filled with a lot of religious texts. Actually, if you are a spiritual person, you will always find the study of religious texts fascinating. And this thing is not restricted to any one religion. Open the religious text of any religion or spiritual sect, you will literally appreciate the genius that has been put into these texts. And even if you are not a spiritual or a religious person or maybe even an atheist but just love studying about different aspects of life to figure out the meaning of our life’s existence I would definitely recommend going for the study of religious texts at least once in your lifetime. Also these texts hold key to some scientific facts. Maybe that is why it is said that ‘science without religion is lame and religion without science is blind.’

The reason why I built this backdrop was because of my latest pick – yet another fantastic book in the awesome world of books; Ek Tari Rucha Angikaravi .

About the book : This book is a self help, motivational or spiritual as you want to call it book. The author is a mechanical engineer by profession who actually is also a a freelancer trainer, facilitator and mentor. Basically he likes to call himself as a ‘catalyst’. He is also a practicing healer and a psychotherapist. In short, he is a person who dons various hats in his life. So, this book is actually his study on one of the shlokas in Hinduism. Hinduism is a religion which boasts of many shlokas. This book is his attempt to understand and explain one of the most famous shlokas-Atharvashirsha. Atharvashirsha for those who are not aware is a very powerful shloka dedicated to the god of wisdom- to lord Ganesha. It is said that the one who recites this shloka with utmost faith and dedication is blessed with the utmost clarity of thoughts in his/ her brain. So this book tries to understand the nuances of the shloka and how one can apply these fine details to one’s own personal as well as professional life. On application of these fine details, one is surely destined to achieve excellence as well as a sense of serenity in one own’s life. And who doesn’t deserve some peace of mind as we traverse our ways through uncertainty?

Analysis: This book is an attempt to understand the meaning of the phrases in the shloka. Each phrase in the shloka holds deep meaning. The book tries to unfold the meaning behind each phrase. Not only it unfolds the meaning behind each phrase, but it also guides us how we can apply those phrases in our personal as well as professional life. The author also assures us of the fact that if applied to our lives, we can achieve excellence in both professional as well as our personal lives. Though the book is written in a vernacular language (my mother tongue Marathi)the author also has this translated into Hindi as well as English. This actually makes it easily accessible to all. Also, the book has a digital version of its which adds icing to the cake.

Another great reason of choosing this book is that the author donates 50% of the book proceeds to those who need it the most- beneficiary students . What can be a better reason if you can contribute your hand to something which really is worth pursuing a cause?

Verdict: This one is definitely worth giving a shot . This book is not only beneficial for those who are into religion or spirituality . This book is also a blessing for atheists or are believers of science and rationality. The reason why I tell this is because it literally holds the key to achieving peace as well as excellence in both aspects of your life- professional as well as personal life. If a book can guide you to become the best version of yourself, then should it be ignored ? That is for you guys to decide. But if you ask me my opinion, I wouldn’t miss any chance to explore the book . This is because just like I enjoyed reading it , so will you.So, what are you guys waiting for? Go and grab a copy of the book in whatever form you can and whatever language you are comfortable with. After all you will be doing a great service not only to yourself but also to humanity.

Cite bite: “Ati laad pan nakot ani ati shist pan nako. Laad ani shist yaancha samtol saadhne mhanje aashray ani uttar shodayla madad karne udyukt karne mhanje aadhaar. (Don’t love someone too much nor should you discipline someone too much. The balance between loving someone too much and disciplining creates dependence while helping someone find answers to someone is giving your support in the real sense ) { Chapter 20: Tvam Mulaadharstithosinityam}

Que: Who made this statement, ” I am in the game but people should feel that I am not in the game.”?

a. Dhananjay Gokhale

b. Vineet Kulkarni

c. Vimala Thakkar

d. Dr. Jagdish Suchak