TAMIL
Tips for a better life
C. G. RISHIKESH
ENTHA VAANAMUM UYARAMILLAI: Ramanan; Reem Publications Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi-110002. Rs. 125.
THIS BOOK is a self-improvement guide, a pointer to the spiritual path, a manual for a better everyday life, all rolled into one. With the motto that translates as “When you propel yourself with your own wings, no sky is so high that it cannot be reached” (the latter part of which gives the title), the author sets out to give ideas for a purposeful life.
In each section, he asks himself a question, answers it, and expatiates upon it in a well-argued-out essay. For instance, in the chapter “What is more trifling than grass? Worries” he talks about the futility of worrying. Worrying is different from thinking — which is necessary. Too much of thinking, without giving it a break periodically, is also inadvisable. Illustrations the author gives are drawn from the ordinary experiences of ordinary people.
A husband’s best friend; the soul of man; man’s second companion; the best boon of life; the path to inner peace; the control of mind; resorting to truth; and man’s most important duty are among the other themes discussed.
Throughout the well-designed book, which is laced with a sense of humour and dotted with lines of poetry, the author adumbrates useful tips for the art of living. Crossheads, bulleted sentences, and other such typographical devices are deployed to bring clarity to the subject.
The cover illustration shows a path stretching out into infinity, with the sky nowhere in sight, maybe to emphasise that to reach the sky we must be well-grounded and have a clear vision of the way ahead!
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