“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one”- Jojen
“There are worse crimes than burning books. One of them is not reading them.” ― Joseph Brodsky “
Books are the bees which carry the quickening pollen from one to another mind’- James Russell Lowell
“Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.” – Charles W.Elliot
“Few are sufficiently sensible of the importance of that economy in reading which selects, almost exclusively, the very first order odf books. Why, except for some special reason, read an inferior book, at the very time you might be reading one of the highest order?”
And I Hereby Recommend some Highest Order Unmissable Classics to Drown in.
Unmissable Classics
1. The Holy Geeta – Commentary by Swami Chinmayananda
“When disappointment stares me in the fact and all alone I see not one ray of light, I go back to the Bhagavadgeeta…I immediately begin to smile in the midst of overwhelming tragedies”- Mahatma Gandhi
“Its teaching is acknowledged as of the highest value if not wholly accepted by almost all shades of religious belief and opinion..All we need of spiritual truth for the spiritual life is to be found in the Geeta”- Aurobindo Ghose
“To all such souls in the East and the West come these divine lessons ; for the path is one, though it has many names”- Annie Besant.
The Geeta gives Philosophical Advice as to how one should Live one’s Worldly Life. It’s a Prescription on “How to Live”.
Immortal words that have & will continue to stand the Test of Time.
This particular translation is by FAR the best I’ve read.
No other translation comes even slightly close to it in terms of its Crystal Clear Explanations ( in the ‘commentaries’) & its inimitable Style of Expression.
2. Maxims of Chanakya – By V K Subramanian
The Crystallised worldly wisdom in the form of more than 1000 Maxims in this book is close to none.
This unparalleled Genius is well known for his Political Acumen & Statecraft which enabled him to win bloodless victories over his Enemies, overthrow a tyrannical Regime & prevent the Balkanisation of India at a Time when it was Brutally Ravaged by Foreign Invasions.
No Branch of Life he left untouched in his works.
He covered Human Nature, Administration, Politics, Economics, Ethics, Education, Health, Relationships, & overall Self Improvement.
This is a Brilliant Book.
3. Emperors Handbook – by Marcus Aurelius
As the Title of the Book indicates, this book is a Compilation of Deeply Intimate Thoughts of an Ancient, Long Dead Roman Emperor, Marcus Aurelius.
If I were to Summarise in 3 Words: “How to Live”- This Book deals with this age-old, Eternal Question.
Devour the Deep, yet Simple Wisdom in these Piece of Art.
You’ll never look at Life the same way after doing so.
4. Ethics of Confucius- by Miles Alexander Dawson
The masterpiece, the Key to cultivating a keenly Discriminating, Discerning Intellect.
Practical Subjects such as Self Development, Constituents of the Superior Man, Family, Human Relations- all covered in one book.
This book will not only help you Develop yourself, but also teach you to read people.
5. As a Man Thinketh – By James Allen
Our own Thoughts make or Break us.
They Lift us up or Pull us Down.
As you think, you will be.
No book I’ve read, captures more powerfully the Power & Relevance of our own Thinking. A True, Timeless Classic.
Every Single Sentence reverberates with hard hitting incontestable Truth.
It’s a Short Book. May be an ‘Easy Quick’ Read, but the Impact is Eternal.
6. The Prince – By Nicolo Machiavelli
– What are some everlastingly True & Real, Ignored Aspects of Human Nature?
– How should a Prince conduct himself to Maintain Power?
– What are the Fundamental Principles of Power & Government?
– How must Rascals be dealt with?
– How to Retain power in a ruthless environment?
Get into the works of Machiavelli without further adieu.
7. Art of War- by Sun Tzu (translated by Thomas Clearly)
Sun Tzu was a Mysterious Warrior Philosopher who lived more than 2000 years ago.
This is one of the Most Prestigious books on the Inner meaning of the Principles of Strategy in the world today.
Conflict is a part of Life. Instead of Avoiding it, we must Learn to Master it.
This book deals with Conflict & Competition on every level.
This particular Version includes commentaries of 11 other Chinese Strategists & Military Leaders.
Internalise these Principles & you can do away with your other books on ‘Leadership & Conflict’.
8. Raja Yoga – By Swami Vivekananda
“Each soul is potentially divine.
The goal is to manifest this Divinity within by controlling nature, external and internal.
Do this either by work, or worship, or psychic control, or philosophy — by one, or more, or all of these — and be free.
This is the whole of religion. Doctrines, or dogmas, or rituals, or books, or temples, or forms, are but secondary details”– Swami Vivekananda
This is not a book which delves into the Doctrines of any ONE Religion.
What is Yoga Exactly?
What is Consciousness?
Does God Exist?
What’s the Proof that God Exists?
Why can’t God be Proven using Scientific means readily available?
Why can’t we see/hear/taste/touch God? Why is ‘He’ out of our Immediate reach?
How to reach him?
What are the exact Action steps one must take?
Read this Brilliant Manual & start Implementing.
9. Autobiography of a Yogi- by Paramhansa Yogananda
10. Think and Grow Rich- by Napolean Hill
This is an all time Bestseller in this Field of Literature.
Schools need to Teach the Stuff in this book, but they won’t – so read it.
Full of Gold, this Mindset Transformer will increase your Drive, Motivation & give Practical Advice to fulfil your Goals in Life.
One of the Best Original, Classical, ‘Success Books’ out there.