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Karma: Why Everything You Know About It Is Wrong
The meaning of Karma stands distorted by centuries of misplaced fictionalization. Karma remains a disquieting enigma to the few who refuse to accept compromised notions. This book is for them.If to live rightly is to act rightly, what then is right action? This has tormented us since ages. The scriptures answer this, but without stooping from their cryptic heights. Nor do they advise how their ancient words apply to the present. Acharya Prashant's work provides the missing link. He imparts clarity, leaving nothing to conjecture or belief.The book demolishes the myths surrounding action and decision by bringing to focus the actor, rather than action. When we ask, 'What to do?', the book handholds us into 'Who is the doer? What does he want from the deed?' This shift provides the solutions, and finally the dissolution of the question.Acharya Prashant demolishes ubiquitous beliefs and outdated notions to reveal some simple truths. If you can challenge the tyrannies of tradition and greet the naked truth, you will love this book.
284 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 9, 2021
118 people are currently reading
497 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
June 6, 2022
I. Introduction
Self-help is a massive genre in these turbulent times of the fast-paced, modern age. Several philosophers, poets, mystics and rationalists have attempted to put forward their version of how a human should process various events in life through different means from stoicism to bhakti. Due to the deep-seated need for such guidance, the industry has become saturated with dozens of sub-par books written in the hopes that it may strike a chord with somebody. This has left us with ideas being intentionally hazy that beat around the bush using verbose means of speech in their quest for satisfying their social aspirations by appealing to the emotion of the masses. Unfortunately, this book borders this negative ecosystem. This book, which presents itself as a Vedantic (re)interpretation of karma, a word depreciated due to cultural appropriation and corporate spirituality, has been written for people who have already been taken to the author’s personality and does not serve as a ground zero to embark on the journey of philosophy. There are undoubtedly some answers that may contain a statement that could have you put the book down for a minute and think, but even the best of such answers lack rigour and are a maxim one may have known from listening to or reading children’s books.
II. Layout of the Book
The book is divided into four parts – well segmented to allay monotony and inspire interest with regard to the contents of the book. The first part restricted itself to answering how one can choose the right action, the second continues the conversation asking if the right action would provide the right results, the third part breaks away and addresses how karma can instil positive change in the doer and the concluding section makes references to the scriptures, which was inarguably the most rewarding. There are moments which required the need for pause and thought, but these moments were few and far between among repetitive statements, shock factors and made-up words that are not adequately explained but would make one look silly for asking.
III. What did I expect?
While the word and usage of karma is known to everyone from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, its definition eludes us. There is an intuitive understanding of what the word stands for from growing up listening to stories from the ithihasas and puranas, and there was an expectation for the book to provide language to this feeling. The tagline, “Why everything you know about it is wrong”, indicated a radical shift in paradigm in the way we understood the word and be a milestone in bringing esoteric thought to the uninitiated.
IV. Critique:
Question 1 : How to know whether a decision is right or wrong…?
The above paragraph of 144 words can be simply summarised to “If your decisions lead to peace, joy, and contentment for you, then they are right. Otherwise, they are wrong” which answers the question and reduces the volume of the text. This theme of over-explaining by inserting unessential elongations dilute the essence of the answer and lose the reader. Unfortunately, the chapter goes on and gets entangled in confusion. It also ignores the highly relative meaning of “peace” and “contentment” given he regards this as a “universal” need. It oversimplifies human need and takes for granted materialism and inequality.
This adds very little to the answer and simply retells a fact of life. The above is more natural than philosophical given sentience tends to move away from pain instinctively.
Very simply put, the author advises one to choose between “heartful intelligence” and “conditioned self”, failing to elaborate on what these very specific words mean. The reader is expected to nod and go along pretending to understand the intentions of the author. The word is juxtaposed with “conditioned self” which means the mind that has been trained with a certain set of mundane practices. By means of induction, it can only mean that “heartful intelligence”, which has no meaning outside of this book, means the choices that takes one out of their comfort zone or “the right action”.
Question 3 : Is there any action that is inherently bad? Where does the right action come from?
In this answer, the author relegates morality to the backseat by engaging in pointless dualities. While attempting to make a (valid) point about the importance of right action at the right time, he flies off the edge claiming “killing is wonderful” if done at the right time. This is clear attempt at bringing in a shock factor to cement a rather straightforward point. Killing is bad, period. Being forced to kill in self-defence is an unfortunate compulsion with nothing “wonderful” about the situation. There was no need to use such an example to make his point, bringing in the fallacy of false dilemma as a result.
He continues on this path of confusing examples claiming one should wait for the perfect time to kill, and accusing mothers of criminal activity if they deliver “at the wrong time”. It is truly an unfortunate if a mother is forced to go into labour in between a war, famine or any natural disaster, but not only is it not a crime, it strays farther and farther from the question at hand. He justifies the bizarre killing example using someone who is “body-identified” and labels the action a crime. He wraps up the narrative saying “Right time, right place, right action—only that is not a crime, only that is not inherently bad” forgetting none of the above examples are conscious choices but forced reactions, far away from the question of the asker, and not inherently bad because the people involved, say, the mother, was forced to give birth at the wrong time as opposed to choosing to.
Having talked about the “heartful intelligence” in Question 1, it could very well explain where the right action comes from, and the wrong action from the “conditioned self”. It should be noted that this conversation occurs in 2016 while Question 1 occurs in 2020, which goes to show there is no set of fundamental principles in place that forms the basis for his philosophy.
This is a wonderful thought. When karma is done with an aim large than yourself, there is a push from within to pursue the dream as opposed to dreading it.
The rest of the chapter repeats itself.
Question 18 : What is one’s real duty?
The author over-romanticises and simplifies the notion of duty, especially given the modern-day context. There is feeling of the author taking real-life duties for granted or looking down on them, a sentiment not rooted in reality. He lashes out against the regular duties of an individual as an impeding factor against the real duty of striving for absolution. This mass-generalisation goes against his previous norm of “right action at the right time” from Question 3.
I am bewildered at the author’s cherry-picking of examples, falling right into the texas sharpshooter fallacy. There is an attempt to look at animals and humans as binaries and this human exceptionalism is the cause of the antagonistic relationship we have with non-human animals and nature. Expecting a semi-trained, domesticated animal to be dutiful is to expect rain to flow upwards as opposed to animals in the wild who have responsibilities from hunting, taking care and protecting the young ones, leading the pack, producing food and so on. Humans and animals very much share the regular duty and the only difference is us humans have the ability to think on a metaphysical plane, i.e., real duty as defined in the book.
Unclear if the author is referring to regular duty or real duty. This statement lacks pragmatism and is far removed from the daily struggles of a regular person. It is not simple to cast away duties based on the simplistic function of “will it take me to liberation” since many duties in an individual’s life may revolve around someone else, like children to provide for, aged parents to take care of, debts to pay, social activism to participate in and so on. Despite there being a 800-word passage explaining liberty, its gish-gallop with a few samskritam words thrown in for added measure. More often than not, duty is done not out of happiness but a sense of responsibility, which does not always lead to fulfilment, especially alone or with limited funds – real world problems faced by majority of the people. For instance, it may be a romantic idea to take care of aged people, but it is only when the action begins day-in and day-out one understands how taxing it can be, how it affects personal choices and how it could change your outlook on life given your options are restricted on account of having to factor them into your plans – yet it is done. One should be wary of becoming bitter, but to presume happiness ignores human emotions and ground reality.
V. Conclusion
The above three examples cover the criticism I have with the book on a fundamental level. Similar patterns of repetition, gish-gallop and obscure examples are found in other answers in varying degrees. For example, in Question 22, he claims
which is a scary recall to Descarte’s violent experiment to prove animals are automatons. Compassion can be seen in the animal world if human beings stop locking them up, torturing them and simply observe – it may not be the same kind of compassion expected out of fellow human-beings, but why is the author conjuring a one-to-one comparison of animal and human compassion? Does the mother kangaroo not protect its offspring? Aren’t there dozens of instances where (trained) dogs help their companions out burning buildings and deep waters? Being human alone does not encompass compassion, our history stands as witness. Claiming “No animal can be compassionate (by human standards and understanding)” is empirically false in addition to being contextually blank. The lack of nuance and binary view is disappointing. An argument can be made that humans are capable of more due to our better developed brains, physiological advantages and ability to make prophylactic decisions but to claim “dogs are just dogs” ignoring external situations that shape their personality while claiming humans are internally varied is simplistic.
To conclude, I cannot recommend this book. There are passages that are momentarily inspiring but hardly pragmatic or applicable in day-to-day life. It does not live up to the expectation created in the preface. The book forewarns the reader about the existence of contradictory answers – but there is difference between customising advice for each person and nullifying a previous take. For example, if fitness is the goal, an overweight individual would have a very different path to walk on as opposed to an underweight individual, but the participants would hardly be told to eat healthy while given a meal plan that consists of saturated fats and ketchup. At one point, we are told we do not know where the right action comes from while the wrong action comes from our conditioned self which is nullified in Question 28 where the title reads “The right action for you depends on your conditioning”. There is a lack of consistency in his discourses and an expectancy of blind belief and pretentious nodding.
Written for #1000reviewersclub2022 by @IndicaBooks
Review discussed and written with Achyuth
Self-help is a massive genre in these turbulent times of the fast-paced, modern age. Several philosophers, poets, mystics and rationalists have attempted to put forward their version of how a human should process various events in life through different means from stoicism to bhakti. Due to the deep-seated need for such guidance, the industry has become saturated with dozens of sub-par books written in the hopes that it may strike a chord with somebody. This has left us with ideas being intentionally hazy that beat around the bush using verbose means of speech in their quest for satisfying their social aspirations by appealing to the emotion of the masses. Unfortunately, this book borders this negative ecosystem. This book, which presents itself as a Vedantic (re)interpretation of karma, a word depreciated due to cultural appropriation and corporate spirituality, has been written for people who have already been taken to the author’s personality and does not serve as a ground zero to embark on the journey of philosophy. There are undoubtedly some answers that may contain a statement that could have you put the book down for a minute and think, but even the best of such answers lack rigour and are a maxim one may have known from listening to or reading children’s books.
II. Layout of the Book
The book is divided into four parts – well segmented to allay monotony and inspire interest with regard to the contents of the book. The first part restricted itself to answering how one can choose the right action, the second continues the conversation asking if the right action would provide the right results, the third part breaks away and addresses how karma can instil positive change in the doer and the concluding section makes references to the scriptures, which was inarguably the most rewarding. There are moments which required the need for pause and thought, but these moments were few and far between among repetitive statements, shock factors and made-up words that are not adequately explained but would make one look silly for asking.
III. What did I expect?
While the word and usage of karma is known to everyone from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, its definition eludes us. There is an intuitive understanding of what the word stands for from growing up listening to stories from the ithihasas and puranas, and there was an expectation for the book to provide language to this feeling. The tagline, “Why everything you know about it is wrong”, indicated a radical shift in paradigm in the way we understood the word and be a milestone in bringing esoteric thought to the uninitiated.
IV. Critique:
Question 1 : How to know whether a decision is right or wrong…?
“Understand it simply. What is it that we all fundamentally want?
We want peace.
We want relaxation.
We don’t want to be tense.
We want contentment.
Ever seen anyone who enjoys being dissatisfied or diminished or hurt or
angry? What is it that we all want? What is the common, universal need
among humans? Peace and contentment. Nobody wants to be sad. We want
a subtle joyful state of consciousness, and we all want that irrespective of
the country we come from, irrespective of our age, our gender, our religion,
our ethnicity. Nobody wants to be sad. Nobody wants to feel hurt.
So, if that is our core need, then you should know when to call a decision
right and when to call one wrong.
If your decisions lead to peace, joy, and contentment for you, then they are right. Otherwise, they are wrong”
The above paragraph of 144 words can be simply summarised to “If your decisions lead to peace, joy, and contentment for you, then they are right. Otherwise, they are wrong” which answers the question and reduces the volume of the text. This theme of over-explaining by inserting unessential elongations dilute the essence of the answer and lose the reader. Unfortunately, the chapter goes on and gets entangled in confusion. It also ignores the highly relative meaning of “peace” and “contentment” given he regards this as a “universal” need. It oversimplifies human need and takes for granted materialism and inequality.
“Are your
choices making you more insecure, anxious, jealous, unsettled, restless?
Then it would be dishonest to call these as right choices for you.”
This adds very little to the answer and simply retells a fact of life. The above is more natural than philosophical given sentience tends to move away from pain instinctively.
“Unfortunately, most people do not choose to exercise this option wisely.
What is the option all about? The option is: you could choose either from
your heartful intelligence, or you could choose and decide from your
conditioned self.”
Very simply put, the author advises one to choose between “heartful intelligence” and “conditioned self”, failing to elaborate on what these very specific words mean. The reader is expected to nod and go along pretending to understand the intentions of the author. The word is juxtaposed with “conditioned self” which means the mind that has been trained with a certain set of mundane practices. By means of induction, it can only mean that “heartful intelligence”, which has no meaning outside of this book, means the choices that takes one out of their comfort zone or “the right action”.
“But that option is scarcely chosen because there is a price to pay, and few people want to pay that price. We are lazy and stingy. We don’t want to work hard enough; we want to avoid exertion. We don’t want to pay the price, so we don’t go for the right option.”
The author has needlessly concocted the dichotomous nature of “heartful intelligence” and “conditioned self” in order to simply ask the reader to stop being lazy and step out of the comfort zone. This answer was long-winded, distracting, complicated and repetitive for what was a straightforward message."
Question 3 : Is there any action that is inherently bad? Where does the right action come from?
“At the right time and the right place, killing is wonderful. Coming is
wonderful at the right time, and going is equally beautiful at the right time.
Beginnings are lovely and so are the ends. There is nothing that is
inherently avoidable”
In this answer, the author relegates morality to the backseat by engaging in pointless dualities. While attempting to make a (valid) point about the importance of right action at the right time, he flies off the edge claiming “killing is wonderful” if done at the right time. This is clear attempt at bringing in a shock factor to cement a rather straightforward point. Killing is bad, period. Being forced to kill in self-defence is an unfortunate compulsion with nothing “wonderful” about the situation. There was no need to use such an example to make his point, bringing in the fallacy of false dilemma as a result.
“But if you come at the wrong time, then coming is bad. Not only is
killing bad at the wrong time, even giving birth at the wrong time is a
crime. But if one is too body-identified, then one takes only killing as a
crime because the body ends in the killing. When one is too body-identified,
then one does not even talk of procreation as a crime.”
He continues on this path of confusing examples claiming one should wait for the perfect time to kill, and accusing mothers of criminal activity if they deliver “at the wrong time”. It is truly an unfortunate if a mother is forced to go into labour in between a war, famine or any natural disaster, but not only is it not a crime, it strays farther and farther from the question at hand. He justifies the bizarre killing example using someone who is “body-identified” and labels the action a crime. He wraps up the narrative saying “Right time, right place, right action—only that is not a crime, only that is not inherently bad” forgetting none of the above examples are conscious choices but forced reactions, far away from the question of the asker, and not inherently bad because the people involved, say, the mother, was forced to give birth at the wrong time as opposed to choosing to.
“Where does the right action come from? You will never know. But you
can surely know where the wrong action comes from. Where does the
wrong action come from? Wrong action comes from one’s own personal
priorities, one’s own likes and dislikes, one’s own choices and preferences”
Having talked about the “heartful intelligence” in Question 1, it could very well explain where the right action comes from, and the wrong action from the “conditioned self”. It should be noted that this conversation occurs in 2016 while Question 1 occurs in 2020, which goes to show there is no set of fundamental principles in place that forms the basis for his philosophy.
"When you step back and let life function through you, that is the right
action.
When you step back and let your personal priorities be subservient to
something far bigger than yourself, that is the right action”
This is a wonderful thought. When karma is done with an aim large than yourself, there is a push from within to pursue the dream as opposed to dreading it.
The rest of the chapter repeats itself.
Question 18 : What is one’s real duty?
The author over-romanticises and simplifies the notion of duty, especially given the modern-day context. There is feeling of the author taking real-life duties for granted or looking down on them, a sentiment not rooted in reality. He lashes out against the regular duties of an individual as an impeding factor against the real duty of striving for absolution. This mass-generalisation goes against his previous norm of “right action at the right time” from Question 3.
“Similarly, are animals supposed to do their duty? Does the concept of
duty apply to animals? None of us ever thought that Golu, Sumsher, and all
the other rabbit chaps (referring to rabbits at the Advait BodhSthal) could
ever be assigned duties, did we? They just are. They do a lot but they never
perform duties.”
I am bewildered at the author’s cherry-picking of examples, falling right into the texas sharpshooter fallacy. There is an attempt to look at animals and humans as binaries and this human exceptionalism is the cause of the antagonistic relationship we have with non-human animals and nature. Expecting a semi-trained, domesticated animal to be dutiful is to expect rain to flow upwards as opposed to animals in the wild who have responsibilities from hunting, taking care and protecting the young ones, leading the pack, producing food and so on. Humans and animals very much share the regular duty and the only difference is us humans have the ability to think on a metaphysical plane, i.e., real duty as defined in the book.
“So, when something is touted to you as your duty, ask yourself, ‘Will this
take me to liberation?’ If it will take you to liberation, it is your duty.
Otherwise, it is not.”
Unclear if the author is referring to regular duty or real duty. This statement lacks pragmatism and is far removed from the daily struggles of a regular person. It is not simple to cast away duties based on the simplistic function of “will it take me to liberation” since many duties in an individual’s life may revolve around someone else, like children to provide for, aged parents to take care of, debts to pay, social activism to participate in and so on. Despite there being a 800-word passage explaining liberty, its gish-gallop with a few samskritam words thrown in for added measure. More often than not, duty is done not out of happiness but a sense of responsibility, which does not always lead to fulfilment, especially alone or with limited funds – real world problems faced by majority of the people. For instance, it may be a romantic idea to take care of aged people, but it is only when the action begins day-in and day-out one understands how taxing it can be, how it affects personal choices and how it could change your outlook on life given your options are restricted on account of having to factor them into your plans – yet it is done. One should be wary of becoming bitter, but to presume happiness ignores human emotions and ground reality.
V. Conclusion
The above three examples cover the criticism I have with the book on a fundamental level. Similar patterns of repetition, gish-gallop and obscure examples are found in other answers in varying degrees. For example, in Question 22, he claims
“No animal can be compassionate, really, because an animal is completely just Prakriti . The animal does not really have the option to have a liberated consciousness”
which is a scary recall to Descarte’s violent experiment to prove animals are automatons. Compassion can be seen in the animal world if human beings stop locking them up, torturing them and simply observe – it may not be the same kind of compassion expected out of fellow human-beings, but why is the author conjuring a one-to-one comparison of animal and human compassion? Does the mother kangaroo not protect its offspring? Aren’t there dozens of instances where (trained) dogs help their companions out burning buildings and deep waters? Being human alone does not encompass compassion, our history stands as witness. Claiming “No animal can be compassionate (by human standards and understanding)” is empirically false in addition to being contextually blank. The lack of nuance and binary view is disappointing. An argument can be made that humans are capable of more due to our better developed brains, physiological advantages and ability to make prophylactic decisions but to claim “dogs are just dogs” ignoring external situations that shape their personality while claiming humans are internally varied is simplistic.
To conclude, I cannot recommend this book. There are passages that are momentarily inspiring but hardly pragmatic or applicable in day-to-day life. It does not live up to the expectation created in the preface. The book forewarns the reader about the existence of contradictory answers – but there is difference between customising advice for each person and nullifying a previous take. For example, if fitness is the goal, an overweight individual would have a very different path to walk on as opposed to an underweight individual, but the participants would hardly be told to eat healthy while given a meal plan that consists of saturated fats and ketchup. At one point, we are told we do not know where the right action comes from while the wrong action comes from our conditioned self which is nullified in Question 28 where the title reads “The right action for you depends on your conditioning”. There is a lack of consistency in his discourses and an expectancy of blind belief and pretentious nodding.
Written for #1000reviewersclub2022 by @IndicaBooks
Review discussed and written with Achyuth
May 21, 2022
I have recieved this book from indicabooks for the 1000reviewersclub project and I can't thank them enough for the generosity. My heartiest gratitude to Abhinav Agarwal sir for giving me this opportunity.
The blurb reads:
The meaning of Karma stands distorted by centuries of misplaced fictionalization. Karma remains a disquieting enigma to the few who refuse to accept compromised notions. This book is for them.
If to live rightly is to act rightly, what then is right action? This has tormented us since ages. The scriptures answer this, but without stooping from their cryptic heights. Nor do they advise how their ancient words apply to the present. Acharya Prashant's work provides the missing link. He imparts clarity, leaving nothing to conjecture or belief.
The book demolishes the myths surrounding action and decision by bringing to focus the actor, rather than action. When we ask, 'What to do?', the book handholds us into 'Who is the doer? What does he want from the deed?' This shift provides the solutions, and finally the dissolution of the question.
Acharya Prashant demolishes ubiquitous beliefs and outdated notions to reveal some simple truths. If you can challenge the tyrannies of tradition and greet the naked truth, you will love this book.
Review: Reading the book is more of a journey. If you are anxious, traumatized, tensed, angry or depressed in your life, you should read the book.If you are feeling lost the book will give you guidance, if you are anxious, it will give you peace, if you are angry it will calm your mind, if you are in pain , it will heal your wound. In case reading the Geeta to learn about karma and duty is too much for you, you can go for this book which may serve as Geeta lite for you. Coincidentally I have started reading this book at a time while I had been a bit restless because of personal life problems, but reading the book came as a soothing balm that settled my unsettled mind.
To be honest I had started reading this one as a part of review project but it has definitely been worth my time. Wish I had read it sooner.
The blurb reads:
The meaning of Karma stands distorted by centuries of misplaced fictionalization. Karma remains a disquieting enigma to the few who refuse to accept compromised notions. This book is for them.
If to live rightly is to act rightly, what then is right action? This has tormented us since ages. The scriptures answer this, but without stooping from their cryptic heights. Nor do they advise how their ancient words apply to the present. Acharya Prashant's work provides the missing link. He imparts clarity, leaving nothing to conjecture or belief.
The book demolishes the myths surrounding action and decision by bringing to focus the actor, rather than action. When we ask, 'What to do?', the book handholds us into 'Who is the doer? What does he want from the deed?' This shift provides the solutions, and finally the dissolution of the question.
Acharya Prashant demolishes ubiquitous beliefs and outdated notions to reveal some simple truths. If you can challenge the tyrannies of tradition and greet the naked truth, you will love this book.
Review: Reading the book is more of a journey. If you are anxious, traumatized, tensed, angry or depressed in your life, you should read the book.If you are feeling lost the book will give you guidance, if you are anxious, it will give you peace, if you are angry it will calm your mind, if you are in pain , it will heal your wound. In case reading the Geeta to learn about karma and duty is too much for you, you can go for this book which may serve as Geeta lite for you. Coincidentally I have started reading this book at a time while I had been a bit restless because of personal life problems, but reading the book came as a soothing balm that settled my unsettled mind.
To be honest I had started reading this one as a part of review project but it has definitely been worth my time. Wish I had read it sooner.
July 5, 2022
One of the book on concept of Karma- Not easy book to read, need lot of attention if you want to deep dive in the concept, sometime you will fill like a motivational book. If serious then read it slowly think over the it again and again. It is not a book wherein you can read in 2 or 3 sittings. Book revolve around what is right action /deed . Lot of question are irrelavent from my point of view. Good book for beginners who are interested in knowing the Karma and having lot of doubts.
April 8, 2023
Acharya prashant tells us all about action in this book. Needless to say, he demolishes conventional concepts about the law of Karma like, do good and good will happen to you, because the very definitions of good and bad are subjective and the law doesn't care about them.
Karma is simply, he says, the universal law of cause and effect. That is, our actions/ choices and their results. These accumulated set of choices is Karma - in popular understanding. The book did make me think deeply about choices, and raised a lot of questions in my mind - where do they come from? Do we really make them freely? Who chooses our actions? What is Their importance in our life?
The most appealing teaching to me from the book is the concept of Nishkama Karma, talked about at length in Vedaant. Action without a purpose, without a desire for results. Or in other words - forgetfulness towards the results.
As Acharya Prashant writes , doing that which 'Must' be done, Never that which 'I' (me-tendency) desires to do. Since all 'my' desires are conditioned desires, I need to place trust in something that is beyond myself for sure.
What I learnt is Religion are telling us this same thing, when for example they say 'Have trust in Krishna.' or 'Dedicate whatever you do to Krishna'. Here Krishna signifies the thing beyond our 'self'. I understood here why religions are so relevant in conveying the message to millions of people effectively.
The Must-ness is the essence of Nishkama Karma.
"The right action is it's own reward, the wrong action is it's own punishment".
The chapter I liked the most is 'The fine line between Sattvika and Tamasika action'.
It taught me to simply look at the quality of our desires, to look at the results of our actions.
"Looking at the results of the actions is one foolproof way to know the actor and when you know the actor, that gains your freedom from the actor".
The chapter also reflects in apt way the contemporary state of the world, and reasons behind mindless consumerism rampant everywhere rooted in the Tamasic and Rajasik tendencies dominant in us.
I also loved some other concepts talked about, like the illusion of Doer-ship. The way we deceive ourselves most of the times that we are in control. Like the prisoner who is paid for the forced work he had to do in the jail and says 'I have earned this'. Yes, but No.
A caution which I feel needs to be exercised while reading such books is to be aware of the contextual relevance of each answer. It could act as double edged sword if taken absolutely. Though the final point will be same for everyone,
some advices given specifically to a person will depend on where he is located currently, and in which direction he needs to be driven.
Summary -
From whatever I learnt from the book - The immediate questions that would occur are
1 What is the right action?
2 How to choose the right action ?
3 Where does the right action come from ?
First answer is simple - If your action leads to (lasting) peace, joy and contentment for you it is right. Otherwise is wrong.
Second answer is more complex.
The method he prescribes is vedantic method of negation. (Neti Neti-Neither this nor that)
"Forget the right action, be cautious of the wrong action."
Keep rejecting whatever is wrong and ultimately what will remain is the Truth.
To begin with, if the actions are coming from a wrong center within you, for example from your conditioned self, your animalistic physical tendencies, or your social conditioning, they will most likely make you anxious, uncertain. Maybe not in the moment, but definitely in the long run.
The third question has no answer.
Where does the right action come from can never be known, and it is a great relief that it can't. We want to know it because once we know where does it, we will try to take control of the source, become it's master and again use it for self-interest. So, Don't even try to know it.
Instead, the prescription here is-
"Forget the action, look at the actor."
Karma is simply, he says, the universal law of cause and effect. That is, our actions/ choices and their results. These accumulated set of choices is Karma - in popular understanding. The book did make me think deeply about choices, and raised a lot of questions in my mind - where do they come from? Do we really make them freely? Who chooses our actions? What is Their importance in our life?
The most appealing teaching to me from the book is the concept of Nishkama Karma, talked about at length in Vedaant. Action without a purpose, without a desire for results. Or in other words - forgetfulness towards the results.
As Acharya Prashant writes , doing that which 'Must' be done, Never that which 'I' (me-tendency) desires to do. Since all 'my' desires are conditioned desires, I need to place trust in something that is beyond myself for sure.
What I learnt is Religion are telling us this same thing, when for example they say 'Have trust in Krishna.' or 'Dedicate whatever you do to Krishna'. Here Krishna signifies the thing beyond our 'self'. I understood here why religions are so relevant in conveying the message to millions of people effectively.
The Must-ness is the essence of Nishkama Karma.
"The right action is it's own reward, the wrong action is it's own punishment".
The chapter I liked the most is 'The fine line between Sattvika and Tamasika action'.
It taught me to simply look at the quality of our desires, to look at the results of our actions.
"Looking at the results of the actions is one foolproof way to know the actor and when you know the actor, that gains your freedom from the actor".
The chapter also reflects in apt way the contemporary state of the world, and reasons behind mindless consumerism rampant everywhere rooted in the Tamasic and Rajasik tendencies dominant in us.
I also loved some other concepts talked about, like the illusion of Doer-ship. The way we deceive ourselves most of the times that we are in control. Like the prisoner who is paid for the forced work he had to do in the jail and says 'I have earned this'. Yes, but No.
A caution which I feel needs to be exercised while reading such books is to be aware of the contextual relevance of each answer. It could act as double edged sword if taken absolutely. Though the final point will be same for everyone,
some advices given specifically to a person will depend on where he is located currently, and in which direction he needs to be driven.
Summary -
From whatever I learnt from the book - The immediate questions that would occur are
1 What is the right action?
2 How to choose the right action ?
3 Where does the right action come from ?
First answer is simple - If your action leads to (lasting) peace, joy and contentment for you it is right. Otherwise is wrong.
Second answer is more complex.
The method he prescribes is vedantic method of negation. (Neti Neti-Neither this nor that)
"Forget the right action, be cautious of the wrong action."
Keep rejecting whatever is wrong and ultimately what will remain is the Truth.
To begin with, if the actions are coming from a wrong center within you, for example from your conditioned self, your animalistic physical tendencies, or your social conditioning, they will most likely make you anxious, uncertain. Maybe not in the moment, but definitely in the long run.
The third question has no answer.
Where does the right action come from can never be known, and it is a great relief that it can't. We want to know it because once we know where does it, we will try to take control of the source, become it's master and again use it for self-interest. So, Don't even try to know it.
Instead, the prescription here is-
"Forget the action, look at the actor."
Read
September 1, 2021A book you can never complete so a book for your lifetime. Reading it again and again and again. Timeless.
Just absorb, understand, implement. The last two are the real challenges.
Need to work , work and work to dismantle the ego.
Just absorb, understand, implement. The last two are the real challenges.
Need to work , work and work to dismantle the ego.
February 8, 2023
Not an easy book to read as per my opinion, I will surely read it once more next year. The entire book is just question and answers from various sessions hosted by Acharya Prashant. I usually watch his YouTube videos so thought of giving a try. Each and every question asked is answered in a very deep and direct way without sugar coating anything which might sound rude and harsh for few audience but as the say truth is bitter to digest in a similar way this book was very difficult to understand as it requires great attention and curiousity to understand truth.
Acharya Prashant demolishes various so called truths which we were believing in since many years. I had previously read the book 'Karma' by Sadguru which was completely different than this. This book doesn't contain any fancy things or out of the world experiences. It's just for true seekers who want to understand the ultimate truth of life.
Acharya Prashant demolishes various so called truths which we were believing in since many years. I had previously read the book 'Karma' by Sadguru which was completely different than this. This book doesn't contain any fancy things or out of the world experiences. It's just for true seekers who want to understand the ultimate truth of life.
July 28, 2022
I must admit that when I first read he book's title I thought it a tad bit provocative . How would the author know what I (or any reader for that matter ) know of Karma ? To what extent they may be well versed in the nuances of karmic laws of the universe ? Suffice to say that I began reading the book with some slight bias and scepticism as to whether the book would truly bust myths and misconceptions I had on the matter .
With that said after taking a few days to complete the book , I can honestly say it's far from a mediocre book . Although it did'nt clear up misconceptions , it did introduce me to the Vedantic philosophies that I'd hitherto only had a basic understanding of .It took a while to get through some of the inane passages & paragraphs and get to the good parts . As i did so I increasingly got the sense that the author knew his stuff and wasn't indulging in any form of sophistry that might satisfy the more casual reader .
I'd made a mistake in assuming the book deals with the intricate laws of Karma and it's endless ramifications . It does not. Or at least not extensively . It more focused on Karma as 'Action ' which is the alternate meaning (and the one that's in popular parlance ).
Still initially I couldn't shake away the feeling that i was ploughing through the book like I would with some of my older college curriculum . Boring , not always making perfect sense but necessary as it had to be completed . Sample this .(Chapter 14 )
' The mind obsessed with it's upkeep , it's security , it's welfare , it'd wellbeing ,it's preservation , it's continuity cannot rebel .Only a carefree mind can rebel . Only a faithful mind can rebel . Only an assured mind can rebel .
&
'Even your love is man made . It is a manufactured love , it is a factory love . There is no possibility of reliance upon anything except yourself . To really rebel , one has to be very dismissive of the outcome of the rebellion . One must have a mind that says , 'Whatever comes is all right . Whatever comes will be takenccare of by something beyond me .
To really be able to play with life and through life , you must feel secure in the lap of caring father . We have lost all touch with the one who takes care .According to our limited perception and beliefs we take care of ...? '
Chapter 14 was difficult to get through .I can't figure out why so much stress is being laid on the supposed need to 'rebel ' . Still I kept going .Now I'm thankful I did because everytime I swore that I'd abandon the book ......
A revelatory insight would appear .
Almost as if on cue.
Case in point .Here's a section on the immense difficulty of renunciation .
" There is nothing really conducive towards liberation . All the senses , they remain so fond of the world . You are not asking for something small , remember ; you are asking for renunciation .Then you should not expect easy attainment " ( pg 99 , Some sentences have been placed together to emphasise their importance )
I picked this one because people often make light of spiritual practises as if liberation were something attainable in a day or two. I'm only counting those who have a somewhat favourable opinion of spiritual matters since most consider it a waste of time .
But back tracking a bit .
It's uncanny. Every time I was ready to add the book to my shelf of un completed ones , a sudden gem of an insight would present itself on the page . It more than made up for the frustration felt on reading through pages that simply didn't make sense .
The subject matter is well organised . Although it was first given in the form of talks and then recorded in written format , the author chooses not to compile the content chronologically but rather through relevance of sub topics . They are as follows .
1. How to Choose the Right Action ?
2. Will the Right Action give the Right Result ?
3. Action that Reforms the actor
4. What do the Scriptures say ?
The last one is heartening . Many a modern day ' scholar ' disregard Shastric injunctions with some even claiming they are of no relevance whatsoever . Acharya Prashant Ji does seem to fall fall into this category . The last section extensively cites select verses from the Upanishads and Bhagwat Geeta and then proceeds to elucidate them .
A slight disclaimer .Passages in the initial part of the book may appear to contradict sections in the middle or the end . However on deeper inspection , a discerning reader will easily pick up on why it appears so. These Pravachans or answers were in response to queries by individuals hailing from a variety of different backgrounds . Gender , Region , Age , Profession . The duration of certain answers were short with the answers being crisp , concise and to the point while other elucidations were detailed and were laboriously explained for upto even a hour . Given the variety of questioners and taking into account diverse temperaments it only makes sense that Acharya Ji would tailor his answers to specifically address each query . Hence passages in the initial part of the book may seem to contradict the latter half when in fact they need to be understood in the context in which they were asked .
With that said after taking a few days to complete the book , I can honestly say it's far from a mediocre book . Although it did'nt clear up misconceptions , it did introduce me to the Vedantic philosophies that I'd hitherto only had a basic understanding of .It took a while to get through some of the inane passages & paragraphs and get to the good parts . As i did so I increasingly got the sense that the author knew his stuff and wasn't indulging in any form of sophistry that might satisfy the more casual reader .
I'd made a mistake in assuming the book deals with the intricate laws of Karma and it's endless ramifications . It does not. Or at least not extensively . It more focused on Karma as 'Action ' which is the alternate meaning (and the one that's in popular parlance ).
Still initially I couldn't shake away the feeling that i was ploughing through the book like I would with some of my older college curriculum . Boring , not always making perfect sense but necessary as it had to be completed . Sample this .(Chapter 14 )
' The mind obsessed with it's upkeep , it's security , it's welfare , it'd wellbeing ,it's preservation , it's continuity cannot rebel .Only a carefree mind can rebel . Only a faithful mind can rebel . Only an assured mind can rebel .
&
'Even your love is man made . It is a manufactured love , it is a factory love . There is no possibility of reliance upon anything except yourself . To really rebel , one has to be very dismissive of the outcome of the rebellion . One must have a mind that says , 'Whatever comes is all right . Whatever comes will be takenccare of by something beyond me .
To really be able to play with life and through life , you must feel secure in the lap of caring father . We have lost all touch with the one who takes care .According to our limited perception and beliefs we take care of ...? '
Chapter 14 was difficult to get through .I can't figure out why so much stress is being laid on the supposed need to 'rebel ' . Still I kept going .Now I'm thankful I did because everytime I swore that I'd abandon the book ......
A revelatory insight would appear .
Almost as if on cue.
Case in point .Here's a section on the immense difficulty of renunciation .
" There is nothing really conducive towards liberation . All the senses , they remain so fond of the world . You are not asking for something small , remember ; you are asking for renunciation .Then you should not expect easy attainment " ( pg 99 , Some sentences have been placed together to emphasise their importance )
I picked this one because people often make light of spiritual practises as if liberation were something attainable in a day or two. I'm only counting those who have a somewhat favourable opinion of spiritual matters since most consider it a waste of time .
But back tracking a bit .
It's uncanny. Every time I was ready to add the book to my shelf of un completed ones , a sudden gem of an insight would present itself on the page . It more than made up for the frustration felt on reading through pages that simply didn't make sense .
The subject matter is well organised . Although it was first given in the form of talks and then recorded in written format , the author chooses not to compile the content chronologically but rather through relevance of sub topics . They are as follows .
1. How to Choose the Right Action ?
2. Will the Right Action give the Right Result ?
3. Action that Reforms the actor
4. What do the Scriptures say ?
The last one is heartening . Many a modern day ' scholar ' disregard Shastric injunctions with some even claiming they are of no relevance whatsoever . Acharya Prashant Ji does seem to fall fall into this category . The last section extensively cites select verses from the Upanishads and Bhagwat Geeta and then proceeds to elucidate them .
A slight disclaimer .Passages in the initial part of the book may appear to contradict sections in the middle or the end . However on deeper inspection , a discerning reader will easily pick up on why it appears so. These Pravachans or answers were in response to queries by individuals hailing from a variety of different backgrounds . Gender , Region , Age , Profession . The duration of certain answers were short with the answers being crisp , concise and to the point while other elucidations were detailed and were laboriously explained for upto even a hour . Given the variety of questioners and taking into account diverse temperaments it only makes sense that Acharya Ji would tailor his answers to specifically address each query . Hence passages in the initial part of the book may seem to contradict the latter half when in fact they need to be understood in the context in which they were asked .
January 8, 2025
Review co-written
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
December 19, 2021
At a time when everything we do in our lives is to avoid a constant unease, dissatisfaction that keeps our mind occupied (by either overpowering us as anxiety or exists as an uncomfortable background noise in the mind), a time when books are written for the sole purpose of making us forget our current state, by either making us feel good about ourselves or taking us into fictional realms, when information is produced & consumed at a record rate for apparently no reason except, making the creators rich & consumers, miserable (in ways both evident & elusive), this book came out, to me, as a strict master who tells me, how miserable my current state of mind is, how it wasn't always this way, how I am responsible for it & then as a friend, reminds me of my potential.
Karma, very eloquently, takes both, the ideal & the practical, the ancient & the modern, & shows how both are not different, & thus how both are not even two, that which is essential, is the same from the beginning.
Most importantly it tells us about how "we", if aware of our reality & potentiality, if aware about our true self, can use the wisdom that has been present since ages.
This book(in its last part) talks of ancient scriptures, still it is one of the most practical books I've ever read.
It has touched every aspect of our daily life, & the solution it offers, unlike others, does not target the symptoms, or gives us ways to cover our problem & pretend everything's alright, infact it doesn't ask us to add something to our life to become something, instead, it shows us how, we don't need to add something, but lose the extra, the unnecessary, that which obfuscates our true nature, like clouds cover the sun.
While it's true that no book can give "realisation" & "awareness" , it's also true that almost all the books very effectively take us away from it, by adding an unnecessary clutter to our mind & there have been books who, not only don't do that but also "point" to the right direction, this book is definitely one of them.
Karma, very eloquently, takes both, the ideal & the practical, the ancient & the modern, & shows how both are not different, & thus how both are not even two, that which is essential, is the same from the beginning.
Most importantly it tells us about how "we", if aware of our reality & potentiality, if aware about our true self, can use the wisdom that has been present since ages.
This book(in its last part) talks of ancient scriptures, still it is one of the most practical books I've ever read.
It has touched every aspect of our daily life, & the solution it offers, unlike others, does not target the symptoms, or gives us ways to cover our problem & pretend everything's alright, infact it doesn't ask us to add something to our life to become something, instead, it shows us how, we don't need to add something, but lose the extra, the unnecessary, that which obfuscates our true nature, like clouds cover the sun.
While it's true that no book can give "realisation" & "awareness" , it's also true that almost all the books very effectively take us away from it, by adding an unnecessary clutter to our mind & there have been books who, not only don't do that but also "point" to the right direction, this book is definitely one of them.
July 23, 2022
I received "Karma: Why Everything You Know About It Is Wrong" by Acharya Prashant from INDICA books under their #1000reviewersclub project.
This book makes you pause and think and rethink about everything, things you know, or rather thought you knew, what you are reading in the book, your beliefs, etc. It cannot be read like a novel where you start from page one and go on reading till the end for it makes you pause and ruminate. It is in the form of Q&A collected from various talks of Acharya Prashant and sometimes you realize that the question being asked has also been there at the back of your mind for quite some time!! The book tells us about right & wrong actions, how we cannot escape Karma just by choosing not to act, for that in itself is an action, how humans were made different from animals & hence should consciously strive to be better than them. It talks of our past life & past karmas, how it affects our present birth and how the cycle will continue in each birth we take till we attain moksha.
This book gets you thinking about your own life, where you are & where you wish to go from here. It makes you evaluate your every action/choice/karma. It also can serve as a good guide for decision making. This book can really help someone who is willing to reflect and change. Towards the end he also shares wisdom from our scriptures and as always that wisdom is timeless! In a way it moved me like "The Secret" by Rhona Byrne had, making me get into action mode rather than thinking of all the advice as just flowery words.
Thank you INDICA for sending me this wonderful book.
This book makes you pause and think and rethink about everything, things you know, or rather thought you knew, what you are reading in the book, your beliefs, etc. It cannot be read like a novel where you start from page one and go on reading till the end for it makes you pause and ruminate. It is in the form of Q&A collected from various talks of Acharya Prashant and sometimes you realize that the question being asked has also been there at the back of your mind for quite some time!! The book tells us about right & wrong actions, how we cannot escape Karma just by choosing not to act, for that in itself is an action, how humans were made different from animals & hence should consciously strive to be better than them. It talks of our past life & past karmas, how it affects our present birth and how the cycle will continue in each birth we take till we attain moksha.
This book gets you thinking about your own life, where you are & where you wish to go from here. It makes you evaluate your every action/choice/karma. It also can serve as a good guide for decision making. This book can really help someone who is willing to reflect and change. Towards the end he also shares wisdom from our scriptures and as always that wisdom is timeless! In a way it moved me like "The Secret" by Rhona Byrne had, making me get into action mode rather than thinking of all the advice as just flowery words.
Thank you INDICA for sending me this wonderful book.
July 20, 2022
I am lucky to read this book as it was sent by Indica books. Thanks to Indica books for sending me such a wonderful book. I found this books as someone who is mentoring me through inner sense, by making me aware, that few things which I knew before was wrong and I need to look at the Life in a new perspective. This book guides you through Right and Wrong actions, Selfless actions, Detachment, Love, Effects of acting, Non-acting, Fulfillment of our job or actions, Completeness to our mind, Karma, How we are different than Animals, Past life, Goal of Life, Freedom and Joy of life and finally the Liberation.
This books answers many many questions and doubts of any human being who encounters many different situations in life. End of the book is much more interesting as author Acharya Prashant gives few examples from great Mahabharata, where Lord Shri Krishna guides Arjuna and what is the take away from that to our Life. Thus don't miss the last pages of this book.
This books will definitely helpful for all the people who seek knowledge and answers to many questions of Life. I strongly recommend this book to all. This books also shows how much intense knowledge author Acharya Prashant has and whos guidance has helped and helping the human generations through this book.
Here is one best quote from the author Prashant from this book which I liked.
"The central thing is : Whatever we do, we do for a purpose. Let the purpose be a great purpose"
This books answers many many questions and doubts of any human being who encounters many different situations in life. End of the book is much more interesting as author Acharya Prashant gives few examples from great Mahabharata, where Lord Shri Krishna guides Arjuna and what is the take away from that to our Life. Thus don't miss the last pages of this book.
This books will definitely helpful for all the people who seek knowledge and answers to many questions of Life. I strongly recommend this book to all. This books also shows how much intense knowledge author Acharya Prashant has and whos guidance has helped and helping the human generations through this book.
Here is one best quote from the author Prashant from this book which I liked.
"The central thing is : Whatever we do, we do for a purpose. Let the purpose be a great purpose"
May 21, 2022
KARMA Theory Redefined
The book Karma by Acharya Prashant is a collection of discourses or replies to the queries of a varied audience for approximately 10 years rendered at different places. The fulcrum of his discourse is the Karma (or Action) theory woven around the teachings of our scriptures mainly on Vedanta. Acharya is of the view that this has been highly misunderstood. He tried to redefine it when he says - Any action comes from our conditioned centre. Further, he says energy must not be given to the wrong action that arises from our mind's limited domain so bad karma is avoided. Even in our daily routine, we must constantly think that our actions are directed toward liberation. Although certain actions cannot be stopped they must also be aligned with the direction of liberation. This book must be treated as Upadesh (preaching) centred on the karma theory in a different way we ought to think and act upon.
By G S Pandey
The book Karma by Acharya Prashant is a collection of discourses or replies to the queries of a varied audience for approximately 10 years rendered at different places. The fulcrum of his discourse is the Karma (or Action) theory woven around the teachings of our scriptures mainly on Vedanta. Acharya is of the view that this has been highly misunderstood. He tried to redefine it when he says - Any action comes from our conditioned centre. Further, he says energy must not be given to the wrong action that arises from our mind's limited domain so bad karma is avoided. Even in our daily routine, we must constantly think that our actions are directed toward liberation. Although certain actions cannot be stopped they must also be aligned with the direction of liberation. This book must be treated as Upadesh (preaching) centred on the karma theory in a different way we ought to think and act upon.
By G S Pandey
July 3, 2022
As an engineer and MBA from India's top schools (IIT Delhi, IIM Ahmedabad), Acharya Prashanth brings a practical flavour to Vedanta and bursts many unpopular myths. For example, he explains why 'spontaneity' and 'passion' could be just conditioning, why we should research and understand(but not too long) before immersing outselves into things(don't be that uninformed placard warrior) and that aloofness/detachment should be from a position of strength, not fear.
Some key advice includes picking the correct battles(are you digging a grave or foundation of your success, lode-stone of what makes 'you' happy(with you being the consicous self), living not to compensate for a sin
Some amusing analogies exist like hostile takeover compared to bull trying to eat vegetables, detachment not being passivity but that hands free to help that person(love is when welfare of the other is your objective)
Some key advice includes picking the correct battles(are you digging a grave or foundation of your success, lode-stone of what makes 'you' happy(with you being the consicous self), living not to compensate for a sin
Some amusing analogies exist like hostile takeover compared to bull trying to eat vegetables, detachment not being passivity but that hands free to help that person(love is when welfare of the other is your objective)
July 5, 2022
This book is a compilation of talks by Acharya Prashant at various times and places. The queries answered by the Acharya is made into a readable form. These events were mostly at IITs, NITs and also at his courses. Hence both the questions and answers are class apart. The book is divided into 4 parts. The last part named " What do the scriptures say?" deal specifically with the scriptures although every answer in each part of the book is based on scriptures. It is not a book that discusses on metaphysical and philosophical aspects with jargons and sound heavy to a seeker. It is practical workbook on how to apply these philosophy of Indian scriptures in day to day life to achieve work life balance, increase productivity etc. You can read it from beginning to end or select a random page and go through. Simple and effective language. A great self help book.
April 11, 2023
After reading all the highlights of this book, all i can say is there is something of value and importance in this book. But i do now now yet how it all applies to my life right now. This is a spiritual book, maybe like everything spiritual, it takes some time to digest(SO A SECOND READING WILL DO). I read the whole book loudly, if not anything this book helped me in improving my english speaking, i hope so. Acharaya Prashant is still a fascinating personality to me, i dont watch anything by him these days but i will definitely explore more in the future.
May 7, 2022
@IndicaBooks Just finished reading this wonderful book by Acharya Prashant. A must read for every reader. Beautifully explained the terms Karma, duty, consciousness,truth. Practical and thought provoking advice to all the mysteries of life problems.
The format of questions and then answer is very good, it seems that I am listening to Acharyaji instead of reading. Excerpts from Gita, Upnishads and other scriptures are beautifully curated and explained.
The format of questions and then answer is very good, it seems that I am listening to Acharyaji instead of reading. Excerpts from Gita, Upnishads and other scriptures are beautifully curated and explained.
March 16, 2023
Acharya Prashant is blunt & direct. Which will put off certain people.
The book is basically a printed version of his talks. I used to watch his YouTube videos and thought that if i could read his work it would be more beneficial as I'm just not a visual learner. This book will take a lot of time to read and digest.
The book is basically a printed version of his talks. I used to watch his YouTube videos and thought that if i could read his work it would be more beneficial as I'm just not a visual learner. This book will take a lot of time to read and digest.
November 30, 2021
Best karma book that I’ve read so far
This is probably the best material on karma that I’ve come across so far. Many concepts are explained by actual examples that make the content more relevant to one’s life.
This is probably the best material on karma that I’ve come across so far. Many concepts are explained by actual examples that make the content more relevant to one’s life.
June 7, 2022
I came to know about certain things through this book only. It has changed my perspective towards everything. This book is something that you'll visit often to realise what you are doing right or wrong. I am going to read it again and again.
March 8, 2023
This is by far the best book I have read on “karma”. Definitely not a one-sitting read. And for good reason! Every page and every chapter needs to be read and re read to be thoroughly absorbed. This is definitely one of those books that you revisit every now and then when shit hits the fan.
September 12, 2021
Deep and Penetrating
The book challenges your very basic fundamentals. If you want to be challenged,this one should definitely be your pick. On the path of Upanishads.
The book challenges your very basic fundamentals. If you want to be challenged,this one should definitely be your pick. On the path of Upanishads.
September 30, 2021
Written in simple words. He is not very famous yet and may be because of that he has directly spoken the truth. :)
Read
December 3, 2021Good book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 11, 2021
Upanishads are not meant to be read like books. Injunction are given in it to read it under guidance of learned ones.
I bet you, rarely will you find one.
I bet you, rarely will you find one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 14, 2022
If you want to get more confused, then go ahead with this book. Not worth my time. Its unreadable, I skimmed through the whole thing.
February 18, 2022
Best book on karma.
August 2, 2023
Just unbelievable/inconceivable knowledge/wisdom
March 14, 2024
Very good and straight forward
June 4, 2025
This is the best book to know the karma theory.
July 4, 2025
Achary prashant one of the famous social reformer amoung the youth. This book might get you a clear path of doing karna, so keep reading. Best book that I ever bought.
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