4 Rules to live HAPPY LIFE
Recently, I visited India, and this was my first visit after COVID. This experience was completely different compared to my last visit, as I noticed significant progress in all sectors. However, what caught my attention the most was how India has transformed from a cash-dependent country to a cashless society. In fact, India has taken a step further—not just cashless but even moving towards a plastic-free economy.
During my visit to Crossword, a book that grabbed my attention was The Four Purusharthas by Hector Garcia, the same author who wrote Ikigai.
Being from a religious Indian family, I have always been fascinated by Sanatan Dharma (often mistakenly referred to as "Hinduism"). I have found that most spiritual practices in Sanatan Dharma are deeply scientific and backed by reasoning. So, many of the concepts mentioned in the book were already familiar to me. However, what I particularly enjoyed was how the author connected Japanese culture with Sanatan Dharma.
The book starts with a beautiful foreword by Shashi Tharoor, where he explains the origin of the term "Hindu"—clarifying that it is not the actual name of the religion but rather a term given by foreigners. The real name is Sanatan Dharma, and Tharoor elaborates on this quite well in the introduction.
The book emphasizes that to achieve true happiness, one must focus on these four core values:
- Dharma (धर्मः) – Righteousness, Duty, Moral Values
- Artha (अर्थः) – Wealth, Prosperity, Means of Life
- Kāma (कामः) – Pleasure, Desire, Love
- Mokṣa (मोक्षः) – Liberation, Self-Realization, Spiritual Freedom
Each of these concepts is well explained in the book, and the author also explores their similarities with principles found in other religions.
After explaining these core principles, the book shifts its focus to practical applications—how to attain happiness. It covers various aspects, from mindful eating to yoga, Indian massages, and meditation. The book provides detailed steps on how to incorporate these practices into daily life.
My Thoughts on the Book:
Overall, I found the book to be informative. However, the author struggled to fully engage the reader. He attempted to cover all topics while keeping the book as concise as possible. But as a true follower of Sanatan Dharma, I feel that these deep concepts cannot be summarized in just one book. My suggestion to the author would be to consider launching a trilogy version to explore these ideas more thoroughly.
My Rating: 🌟🌟 (2/5)
📚 Book You Will Find Next: Corporate Chanakya
I am also looking for some business/finance books to read. If you have any recommendations or would like me to review a book, please drop a comment below! 👇