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Param
Living a life that straddles the virtual and the real, enmeshed in technology and inspired by it, Param is a young man in the city. In his world, the virtual is as real as reality itself. But when a friend asks Param what he would do if he had just seven days to live, he answers, 'I would go to the Himalayas.'
Intrigued by his own response, Param sets out on a journey to the Himalayas, the land of his ancestors. En route, he makes an unscheduled stop at a village - one that would change his life. The village turns out to be a place of adventure, and home to a number of compelling characters, from the wise Suyash the Cobbler to the cheeky young boys Chilli and Polta, the kind farmer Kisanji and the endearing dog Poppy. Param discovers the joys of a simpler way of life. But can he resist the pull of his home world?
Thought-provoking and heart-warming, Param is a fable about the many worlds we dwell in and the many masks we wear.
Intrigued by his own response, Param sets out on a journey to the Himalayas, the land of his ancestors. En route, he makes an unscheduled stop at a village - one that would change his life. The village turns out to be a place of adventure, and home to a number of compelling characters, from the wise Suyash the Cobbler to the cheeky young boys Chilli and Polta, the kind farmer Kisanji and the endearing dog Poppy. Param discovers the joys of a simpler way of life. But can he resist the pull of his home world?
Thought-provoking and heart-warming, Param is a fable about the many worlds we dwell in and the many masks we wear.
- GenresSpirituality
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
2 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
About the author
Samarpan
17 books28 followersSamarpan is a monk in a reputed monastic organization in India. Born in 1960, he took his vows when he was twenty, and since then has been associated with varied organizational work, mostly educational. He was the principal of a well-known residential school and has been associated with medical, rural and relief services. Presently he teaches Indian scriptures at the university of his organization.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 17, 2019
A simple yet profound story.
June 3, 2017
The story is very simple but reflective which is very contextual to the contemporaneity society. It also present the real picture of the ancient Indian village. At one point of time you will believe that you are also the part of the story.
There are such incidents and analogy which will make think what actually are you doing? Are we wasting our time?, Are we on the right path?
The Language English is very simple and understandable to the all who knows basics of English.
There are such incidents and analogy which will make think what actually are you doing? Are we wasting our time?, Are we on the right path?
The Language English is very simple and understandable to the all who knows basics of English.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2015
A must read book for those who look for something different, something real and something higher than the mass fiction being dumped in book market. A must read book.
June 10, 2018
Simple yet profound. amazing story about a boy named param and his tryst with life. very interesting story which keeps you glued to the book. thought provoking and great learning
June 29, 2021
Param : The journey of self-realisation
Param is the mirror of contemporary materialistic society where virtual world is the new reality, loyalty is just like a tattoo, illusion chasing is the new goal, relationship is just like a quote, lying is the new truth, agression & suicide is the new way of life. Here everyone is trying to be what he is not. In this context the book revolves around the journey of a city youth named Param, both external & internal, in search of truth where illusions get destroyed & truth alones prevails.The storyline is very fresh, grippy, humorous & witty.The entire book is divided into seven chapters, each one begins with a profound quote, which has deep connection with the concerned chapter. The presence of peanut seller Tolaram, cobbler Suyash , Ludo baba , Punditji, naughty school kids Chilli & Potla , Pakhawaj player Baiju and rope climber Indra are very captivating & full of wisdom.There are some autbiographical chapters related to Poppy the dog, the Tree on the bank of river, Ferris wheel & Water wheel. Here great philosophy is introduced in a very simple but dramatic way through these animate & inanimate characters. For example trees are the real Karmayogi ( I think the author too) as they do not expect anything from anyone in return. One can appreciate Param more vividly if he/she has the adequate knowledge in scriptures or has the opportunity to hear author's lecture series, available on ISH. For example the citation of Ratri Suktam from Vedas, ideas from Swami Vivekananda's inspired talks like freedom from both iron chain & golden chain are absolutely fascinating & absorbing. The ending of the book is brilliant & heart touching. Truly it requires years of contemplative writing to compose such beautiful work of art. So, I offer my respectful salutation to Majaraj for making Param- a reality. Thank you. Pranam.
Param is the mirror of contemporary materialistic society where virtual world is the new reality, loyalty is just like a tattoo, illusion chasing is the new goal, relationship is just like a quote, lying is the new truth, agression & suicide is the new way of life. Here everyone is trying to be what he is not. In this context the book revolves around the journey of a city youth named Param, both external & internal, in search of truth where illusions get destroyed & truth alones prevails.The storyline is very fresh, grippy, humorous & witty.The entire book is divided into seven chapters, each one begins with a profound quote, which has deep connection with the concerned chapter. The presence of peanut seller Tolaram, cobbler Suyash , Ludo baba , Punditji, naughty school kids Chilli & Potla , Pakhawaj player Baiju and rope climber Indra are very captivating & full of wisdom.There are some autbiographical chapters related to Poppy the dog, the Tree on the bank of river, Ferris wheel & Water wheel. Here great philosophy is introduced in a very simple but dramatic way through these animate & inanimate characters. For example trees are the real Karmayogi ( I think the author too) as they do not expect anything from anyone in return. One can appreciate Param more vividly if he/she has the adequate knowledge in scriptures or has the opportunity to hear author's lecture series, available on ISH. For example the citation of Ratri Suktam from Vedas, ideas from Swami Vivekananda's inspired talks like freedom from both iron chain & golden chain are absolutely fascinating & absorbing. The ending of the book is brilliant & heart touching. Truly it requires years of contemplative writing to compose such beautiful work of art. So, I offer my respectful salutation to Majaraj for making Param- a reality. Thank you. Pranam.
July 23, 2019
Book is very interesting.Reflects only strength. Great philosophy expressed in a very simple way. Great is the thought process of the writer.
May 21, 2021
What would you want if you were to die just now?
What would be your last wish if you had 7 days to live?
Have these questions ever occurred to you? Has anyone ever posed these questions to you? Well, this book isn't written to provide answers to these questions. But this is the opening scene of the book Param. A book that I read twice. A book that can be read again and again. As each reading would give one a new perspective.
Param is a city-bred youth like most urban millennials. He lives in 'the City'. He comes across as a nihilist. An urban millennial who is always immersed in the vagaries of the cyber world. Jing his friend poses the above two questions to his friend Param. Like many of us would do, Param too expressed his wish to go to the Himalayas once. Don't most of us who seek peace, happiness in our lives, long to go to the Himalayas in search of them? This then sets the pace for the rest of the book. Swami Samarpanananda of the Ramakrishna Mission has authored this book. He writes under the pen name Samarpan.
For a change, it felt nice not to read through a preface and author's note. More often than not, I tend to struggle reading prefaces and authors notes and end up not reading the rest of the book.
On his journey to the Himalayas, which Param considered the land of his ancestors he comes across a plethora of interesting characters. A beggar at the railway station, Tolaram the peanut seller on the train, Poppy the Dog, Kisanji the Farmer, Chilli and Polta - the naughty schoolkids, Sukrit the moralist, Punditji, Prajapati the mask merchant, Gannu, Maddhu, Suyash the cobbler, Ludo Baba, Tarang, Baiju the Pakhawaj player and Daily wage Laborer are the characters you would come across. I have listed the names, not only for their uniqueness but because each name has been chosen according to the character sketched by the author. Every character offers wisdom, sometimes profound, sometimes stupid. But there is something to learn from each of them. They're characteristic of Bharat, where everyone oozes philosophy in one form or the other right from birth till death. Also, despite the differing personalities, the wise folks seemed to have the same thread of religion uniting them.
Let me try to explain the story in a nutshell, without giving away any spoilers. Param Sets out on his journey to the Himalayas on a Train. Loses his luggage to theft. Feels despondent. Decides to alight from the train at a random village railway station. Knowing little that his decision to alight would change his life ever after. He comes across a myriad of characters and thought-provoking situations. These are in eternal conflict with his innate nature and tendencies. Each character and conversation affects him at the innermost realms of his soul. I consider his meeting Kisanji, the farmer as his first turning point. After a month he decides to go back to the city only to find himself fired from his job. He attends a 'garden mask party' where the conversation with the mask merchant (named Prajapati) turns out to be the second turning point. He feels disillusioned with 'the City' and goes to meet Ludo Baba. This turns out to be the third and perhaps most important turning point in his life. But, the story doesn't end here. He goes back to the Village trying to put to practice what he had learnt during his stay with Ludo Baba. The events that unfold hereafter are the most compelling. Offering a distilled version of all the teachings of our Vedas. Yet never does the narration appear to be too preachy. It is seeped in profundity yet laced with simple subplots and character sketches which keep one hooked throughout. There are a few autobiographical chapters devoted to Poppy the Dog, the Forest Tree, the Ferris Wheel, and the Water Wheel. They fit well within the scheme of narration and do not fail to amaze the reader with new perspectives.
My favourite episode would have to be the one with Ludo Baba. Read the book and you would understand why. Well, the name is quirky, but the entire episode would leave any red-pilled seeker on the path of the truth grinning and laughing. The second would be the one with Suyash the cobbler. Some anecdotal lines from these two encounters which had a lasting impact on me:
Param was referring to the menial nature of Suyash's work and lack of respect for his profession. Suyash replies: "If you can earn your own respect, the world will respect you. True masters never play to the gallery. They derive their strength from their own satisfaction. I am satisfied with myself. Babuji, you see me doing menial work, but I see myself doing work. You see me as a cobbler, but I see myself simply as a worker. You are putting qualifying adjuncts on me; you are putting masks on me to watch an illusion. That is your problem, not mine"
Param was playing Snake and ladders with Ludo Baba and had lost every game played till then. He remarked:
"Excuse me, sir, we have always heard that the Pandavas lost their kingdom because of dice. King Nala lost his wife and kingdom because he lusted after dice. So how is it that you indulge in this game?
Baba laughed so loudly that the inmates came running. 'Look who is talking! The ghost taking Rama's name. You're a true Indian, Param. Trying to hide behind religion when cornered. Ha Ha! It is difficult to be a true nihilist, young man."
In another similar instance where he keeps losing in a ludo game he remarks:
'Do no deny it, Baba. The Ludo board, die and the pieces are all bewitched - or else you're a conman.
Hahaha! A city-bred young man does not believe in God but believes in magic and witchcraft. What a wonder. You city folks are amazing! The monk rolled on the carpet with laughter.
These are only some spicy trailers. The book is laced with several such subplots. Also, living under the guidance of the Guru myself, I couldn't help but wonder and marvel at the subplots, situations through which Param goes through. As a seeker myself, I could resonate with Param's thoughts, actions, experiments and predicaments in quite a few situations.
The book ends with Param probably realising his self. I say probably because it is difficult to describe what it means to realise oneself. Is it some eureka moment? Is it a moment where the bulb within our mind glows all of a sudden? Is it a moment where one sees something that those un-realized don't see? Difficult to say. Many wise people say it is a moment when the mind dissolves. Or a moment when one transcends the mind. In Param's story, everything is a mask - life, death, disease, health poverty....the mind too is a mask. It is beyond the capacity of the mind to grasp what lies behind it. He feels he is the universe, the universe is in him. His the whole, the whole is in him. He is free. He is happy. He is.
"Learn to Serve. Learn Silence. The rest will follow on its own."
'All power is within you....You can do anything and everything without even the guidance of anyone. Al power is there. Stand up and express the divinity within you.' ~ Swami Vivekananda
What would be your last wish if you had 7 days to live?
Have these questions ever occurred to you? Has anyone ever posed these questions to you? Well, this book isn't written to provide answers to these questions. But this is the opening scene of the book Param. A book that I read twice. A book that can be read again and again. As each reading would give one a new perspective.
Param is a city-bred youth like most urban millennials. He lives in 'the City'. He comes across as a nihilist. An urban millennial who is always immersed in the vagaries of the cyber world. Jing his friend poses the above two questions to his friend Param. Like many of us would do, Param too expressed his wish to go to the Himalayas once. Don't most of us who seek peace, happiness in our lives, long to go to the Himalayas in search of them? This then sets the pace for the rest of the book. Swami Samarpanananda of the Ramakrishna Mission has authored this book. He writes under the pen name Samarpan.
For a change, it felt nice not to read through a preface and author's note. More often than not, I tend to struggle reading prefaces and authors notes and end up not reading the rest of the book.
On his journey to the Himalayas, which Param considered the land of his ancestors he comes across a plethora of interesting characters. A beggar at the railway station, Tolaram the peanut seller on the train, Poppy the Dog, Kisanji the Farmer, Chilli and Polta - the naughty schoolkids, Sukrit the moralist, Punditji, Prajapati the mask merchant, Gannu, Maddhu, Suyash the cobbler, Ludo Baba, Tarang, Baiju the Pakhawaj player and Daily wage Laborer are the characters you would come across. I have listed the names, not only for their uniqueness but because each name has been chosen according to the character sketched by the author. Every character offers wisdom, sometimes profound, sometimes stupid. But there is something to learn from each of them. They're characteristic of Bharat, where everyone oozes philosophy in one form or the other right from birth till death. Also, despite the differing personalities, the wise folks seemed to have the same thread of religion uniting them.
Let me try to explain the story in a nutshell, without giving away any spoilers. Param Sets out on his journey to the Himalayas on a Train. Loses his luggage to theft. Feels despondent. Decides to alight from the train at a random village railway station. Knowing little that his decision to alight would change his life ever after. He comes across a myriad of characters and thought-provoking situations. These are in eternal conflict with his innate nature and tendencies. Each character and conversation affects him at the innermost realms of his soul. I consider his meeting Kisanji, the farmer as his first turning point. After a month he decides to go back to the city only to find himself fired from his job. He attends a 'garden mask party' where the conversation with the mask merchant (named Prajapati) turns out to be the second turning point. He feels disillusioned with 'the City' and goes to meet Ludo Baba. This turns out to be the third and perhaps most important turning point in his life. But, the story doesn't end here. He goes back to the Village trying to put to practice what he had learnt during his stay with Ludo Baba. The events that unfold hereafter are the most compelling. Offering a distilled version of all the teachings of our Vedas. Yet never does the narration appear to be too preachy. It is seeped in profundity yet laced with simple subplots and character sketches which keep one hooked throughout. There are a few autobiographical chapters devoted to Poppy the Dog, the Forest Tree, the Ferris Wheel, and the Water Wheel. They fit well within the scheme of narration and do not fail to amaze the reader with new perspectives.
My favourite episode would have to be the one with Ludo Baba. Read the book and you would understand why. Well, the name is quirky, but the entire episode would leave any red-pilled seeker on the path of the truth grinning and laughing. The second would be the one with Suyash the cobbler. Some anecdotal lines from these two encounters which had a lasting impact on me:
Param was referring to the menial nature of Suyash's work and lack of respect for his profession. Suyash replies: "If you can earn your own respect, the world will respect you. True masters never play to the gallery. They derive their strength from their own satisfaction. I am satisfied with myself. Babuji, you see me doing menial work, but I see myself doing work. You see me as a cobbler, but I see myself simply as a worker. You are putting qualifying adjuncts on me; you are putting masks on me to watch an illusion. That is your problem, not mine"
Param was playing Snake and ladders with Ludo Baba and had lost every game played till then. He remarked:
"Excuse me, sir, we have always heard that the Pandavas lost their kingdom because of dice. King Nala lost his wife and kingdom because he lusted after dice. So how is it that you indulge in this game?
Baba laughed so loudly that the inmates came running. 'Look who is talking! The ghost taking Rama's name. You're a true Indian, Param. Trying to hide behind religion when cornered. Ha Ha! It is difficult to be a true nihilist, young man."
In another similar instance where he keeps losing in a ludo game he remarks:
'Do no deny it, Baba. The Ludo board, die and the pieces are all bewitched - or else you're a conman.
Hahaha! A city-bred young man does not believe in God but believes in magic and witchcraft. What a wonder. You city folks are amazing! The monk rolled on the carpet with laughter.
These are only some spicy trailers. The book is laced with several such subplots. Also, living under the guidance of the Guru myself, I couldn't help but wonder and marvel at the subplots, situations through which Param goes through. As a seeker myself, I could resonate with Param's thoughts, actions, experiments and predicaments in quite a few situations.
The book ends with Param probably realising his self. I say probably because it is difficult to describe what it means to realise oneself. Is it some eureka moment? Is it a moment where the bulb within our mind glows all of a sudden? Is it a moment where one sees something that those un-realized don't see? Difficult to say. Many wise people say it is a moment when the mind dissolves. Or a moment when one transcends the mind. In Param's story, everything is a mask - life, death, disease, health poverty....the mind too is a mask. It is beyond the capacity of the mind to grasp what lies behind it. He feels he is the universe, the universe is in him. His the whole, the whole is in him. He is free. He is happy. He is.
"Learn to Serve. Learn Silence. The rest will follow on its own."
'All power is within you....You can do anything and everything without even the guidance of anyone. Al power is there. Stand up and express the divinity within you.' ~ Swami Vivekananda
February 19, 2014
It was boring in the beginning but as the story progressed it showed some real content. The narration style and the narrators is what is best about this book. The selection of narrators-tree,Ferris wheel,dog etc-is unique. Param's journey seemed to be much short considering the type of wisdom he is said to have attained in the beginning. But it's not strange since self-realization can occur in a single moment,even though it rarely happens. A good book,pleasant reading.
June 3, 2024
Revered Swamiji has captured the essence and path of Raj Yog in this beautiful tale of a young man named Param (the "Supreme").
This journey beautifully explains how we are all Param - supreme in reality, yet in search of the supreme. In this quest, Service and Silence are the means. Service is the preparation and Silence is the method. We come across "Chillis" and "Poltas" (mind and senses) to distract, but they too can be tamed and will accept the shelter of the true master, Param. Every relationship is like "Poppy", which demands something in return. To help detach from "Sona" (a wonderfully apt name), learned "Kisanji" will guide us through the wisdom of scriptures.
The Ferris Wheel of life and creation will keep on rotating, but the likes of Kisanji and Param will find their stillness amidst this continuous motion.
(" ") are the names of characters in the book. Please read this book to feel the rush, and your are sure to be mesmerized by the depth hidden in this simple story.
This journey beautifully explains how we are all Param - supreme in reality, yet in search of the supreme. In this quest, Service and Silence are the means. Service is the preparation and Silence is the method. We come across "Chillis" and "Poltas" (mind and senses) to distract, but they too can be tamed and will accept the shelter of the true master, Param. Every relationship is like "Poppy", which demands something in return. To help detach from "Sona" (a wonderfully apt name), learned "Kisanji" will guide us through the wisdom of scriptures.
The Ferris Wheel of life and creation will keep on rotating, but the likes of Kisanji and Param will find their stillness amidst this continuous motion.
(" ") are the names of characters in the book. Please read this book to feel the rush, and your are sure to be mesmerized by the depth hidden in this simple story.
Read
April 10, 2020The story is very simple but reflective which is very contextual to the contemporaneity society. It also present the real picture of the ancient Indian village. At one point of time you will believe that you are also the part of the story.
There are such incidents and analogy which will make think what actually are you doing? Are we wasting our time?, Are we on the right path?
Keeping a clam mind can lead you to know the depth of this story.
There are such incidents and analogy which will make think what actually are you doing? Are we wasting our time?, Are we on the right path?
Keeping a clam mind can lead you to know the depth of this story.
January 23, 2022
Param is the mirror of contemporary materialistic society where virtual world is the new reality, loyalty is just like a tattoo, illusion chasing is the new goal, relationship is just like a quote, lying is the new truth, agression & suicide is the new way of life. Here everyone is trying to be what he is not. In this context the book revolves around the journey of a city youth named Param, both external & internal, in search of truth where illusions get destroyed & truth alone prevails..
May 19, 2013
Good simple book. A bit of Indian touch Paul Coelho style. This is not my cup of tea.
Read
June 9, 2015Very nice book about an Young man, who travels all the way.
April 17, 2016
enlightening in an unconventional way.
November 26, 2021
Loved it, I often wonder how can the writer able to brew a small novel with lots of emotions and enriched characters.
January 26, 2014
Simple n loved the flow. Enjoyed Poppy's character.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews