Shree Hanuman Chalisa by Bhaskar Sharad (Book Review: 4.25*/5) !!!

2162nd BLOG POST

4^th Book of 2026

There are certain texts in Sanatan Dharma that we grow up hearing long before we fully understand them. Hanuman Chalisa is one such sacred composition. We memorize it as children, chant it in moments of fear, recite it before exams, interviews, journeys, and sometimes even before sleep. Yet, very few of us truly pause to understand the depth hidden within those forty verses.

 

Shree Hanuman Chalisa, translated and commented upon by Bhaskar Sharad and published by Rupa Publications, is a 92-page devotional companion that attempts to bridge this very gap. It brings together the original verses, the concluding dohas, and a clear, contemporary English translation, followed by a lucid explanation of each chaupai. What makes this book stand apart is not merely the translation, but the intention behind it — to make the sacred accessible without making it superficial.

 

Whenever life feels slightly unstable or emotionally heavy, I find myself turning toward spiritual literature. There is something deeply grounding about revisiting timeless verses that have carried generations through uncertainty. Reading this book felt less like “completing” a book and more like sitting down with a guide who gently explains what we have been chanting for years.

 

The author does not attempt to over-intellectualize the Chalisa. Instead, he unpacks its spiritual depth in simple language, allowing the reader to see Hanumanji not only as the embodiment of physical strength but as the ultimate symbol of devotion, humility, and fearless service. Often, in popular culture, Hanuman is celebrated for his power — lifting mountains, crossing oceans, defeating demons. But this commentary repeatedly reminds us that his real strength lies in surrender, discipline, loyalty, and unwavering faith.

 

One of the aspects I appreciated most is how the commentary connects ancient wisdom to everyday life. The explanations do not remain confined to mythology; they move into reflection. For example, verses that speak of fearlessness are gently linked to how we handle adversity in our personal and professional lives. Lines that praise Hanuman’s humility are interpreted in the context of ego and self-image in modern society. Without sounding preachy, the book quietly invites the reader to introspect.

 

The English translation is contemporary and clear, making it accessible even for those who may not be deeply familiar with Sanskritized Hindi. At the same time, the sacredness of the verses is preserved. This balance is not easy to achieve. Many translations either become too literal and rigid, or too simplified and diluted. Here, the devotional energy remains intact.

 

Another beautiful aspect of this book is that it encourages the reader to slow down. The Hanuman Chalisa is often recited quickly — sometimes mechanically. But when you read each chaupai followed by its explanation, you naturally pause. You reflect. You begin to see patterns — themes of surrender, courage, wisdom, discipline, service. It almost becomes a meditative exercise.

 

The commentary also subtly shifts the way we perceive devotion. Hanumanji is shown not as a distant deity to be feared or merely worshipped for favors, but as an ideal to be imbibed. His strength is not aggression; it is restraint. His courage is not arrogance; it is faith. His service is not compulsion; it is love. This shift in understanding can transform the way one approaches prayer itself.

 

In today’s fast-paced world, spirituality is often reduced to quick rituals or motivational quotes. This book resists that tendency. It does not try to market the Chalisa as a “success formula” or a miracle shortcut. Instead, it presents it as a lifelong companion — something to revisit during chaos, confusion, or even moments of gratitude.

 

If I have to mention a small limitation, it would be that readers looking for deeper historical or scriptural cross-references may not find extensive academic detailing here. The focus is devotional and reflective rather than scholarly. But perhaps that is also its strength. It does not overwhelm; it guides.

 

What I personally felt while reading this book was a renewed connection with verses I had taken for granted. It reminded me that repetition without understanding becomes habit, but repetition with awareness becomes transformation.

 

This book is not meant to be rushed. It is meant to be kept near your bedside, revisited on Tuesdays or Saturdays, carried during travel, or opened randomly on a difficult day. It works beautifully for young readers trying to understand the Chalisa in English, as well as for elders who wish to deepen their reflection.

 

Overall, Shree Hanuman Chalisa by Bhaskar Sharad serves exactly what it promises — a lucid, devotional commentary that bridges tradition and understanding. It preserves sacredness while enhancing clarity. It turns recitation into reflection.

 

For anyone who chants the Hanuman Chalisa regularly but has never truly explored its meaning, this book can become more than just a translation. It can become a spiritual mirror.

 

I would rate this book 4.25 stars out of 5 — not merely as a reading experience, but as a companion for inner steadiness and faith.

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WRITING BUDDHA

Wabi Sabi by Nobuo Suzuki (Book Review: 4.5*/5) !!!

2161st BLOG POST

3rd Book of 2026

Whenever life is not very pleasant, I try picking up a self-help book because there is always one or a couple of insights that make it easier to move forward through tough phases. Sometimes, even if the ideas are not new, a book presents them differently, bringing the same old advice into a more productive and implementable perspective. Reading “Wabi Sabi” by the Japanese author Nobuo Suzuki did exactly that for me. This 160-pages hardover book takes us deep into one of the Japanese Zen philosophies, which also forms the title of the book, meaning “The Wisdom in Imperfection.” The book carries a foreword by none other than Hector Garcia, the co-author of another famous Japanese bestseller, Ikigai.

 

The author explains the individual meanings of the words Wabi and Sabi, and what they represent when considered together. Taking us through different interpretations, Nobuo emphasizes that it is about finding wisdom and beauty in incompleteness, imperfection, the unfinished, and the impermanent. The book is divided into three sections—The Philosophy of Wabi Sabi, Wabi Sabi in Art, and Wabi Sabi as a Way of Life.

 

In the first section, the author introduces Zen philosophy and Wabi Sabi briefly before delving deeper. One chapter explains why we should not be too hard on ourselves while chasing perfection, as the world conditions us to believe that perfection is the ultimate goal. It highlights how, when we begin to accept our own imperfections, we also learn to accept the imperfections of others. In doing so, the world becomes slightly more bearable and empathetic.

 

The author further discusses relationships, explaining how expectations can often lead to disappointment. Everyone is living life according to their own timeline and vision; comparison and expectation only complicate relationships unnecessarily.

 

In the chapter on drawing inspiration from nature, the author explains how nature is endless and rarely perfectly finished. Even ancient palaces often have a corner left incomplete. The foam of the sea forms and dissolves endlessly. The idea of a “proper ending” is largely a human construct, and it is often the source of our inner turmoil.

 

The second section is dedicated to Japanese art and aesthetics, where creations are not always made with the intention of being perfectly finished. Instead, broken parts, recycled elements, and purposeful incompleteness are embraced to create something unique. Within this section, the chapter on melancholy stood out for me. The author beautifully explains why melancholy is an indispensable emotion and how it can exist without necessarily leading to depression or loneliness. Nobuo also highlights how people today often suppress melancholic feelings through medication. He gently guides us toward understanding how creativity, calmness, and even happiness can emerge by embracing Wabi Sabi principles.

 

In the third section, the author shifts towards practical implementation. He provides examples and tabular formats that contrast how things are commonly perceived versus how they could be approached through Wabi Sabi. The example of a broken bucket and the story of a painter who never saw his work as genius—even at the age of 110—illustrate how imperfection can lead to excellence. It reinforces the idea of focusing on personal growth rather than comparison.

 

The chapters on creating space through minimalism may sound like common advice, but the step-by-step guidance on decluttering both externally and internally makes it actionable. The author also references modern habits—constantly checking emails, scrolling social media, rushing towards our phones—instead of spending time in silence or with nature.

 

The book contains beautiful black-and-white and coloured glossy images, reinforcing how imperfection can be just as beautiful as something seemingly perfect. Each chapter ends with a poetic “Meditation” section. There are numerous lines that feel deeply reflective, even if they are not presented as typical motivational quotes.

 

Talking about drawbacks, I felt the author could have provided clearer guidance on how to maintain a Wabi Sabi mindset when professional and personal expectations constantly demand urgency and deadlines. Living this philosophy in a fast-paced environment is challenging. Additionally, including more real-life examples of public figures who embraced imperfection and turned it into success could have strengthened the practical aspect. For most of the book, the narrative leans more towards philosophy than implementation, placing it in the same segment it subtly critiques in other self-help books.

 

Overall, Wabi Sabi feels like a meditation in itself—best read when life feels chaotic and cluttered. It resonates deeply in such moments; otherwise, it may come across as just another philosophical self-help book rooted in spirituality. I give this book 4.5 stars out of 5. Thanks to my sister-in-law for gifting it to me.

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WRITING BUDDHA

The Sacred Weight of Sadness/Melancholy!

2160th BLOG POST

I was reading a book where melancholy was given a positive perspective. It spoke about how, in the modern world, people suppress the feeling of melancholy through medication, terming it an illness. There are moments in life when you don’t understand what’s happening with your mind, and the automatic way of handling it brings out tears for no particular reason. People around you get confused about why you are acting depressed and throw every kind of motivational talk at you. How do you ever explain to them that there is nothing making us sad, but that it is a phase where the mind seems unable to calculate what it is being overpowered by — null moments of happiness and a trace of sorrow, or a complete silence of emotions, which makes it difficult for the mind to comprehend what exactly scares it enough to respond with tears?

 

Maybe these are those moments when we are not controlling our mind, but the mind itself is controlling our senses. Hence, it processes emotions in a particular manner that makes it even more difficult for us to understand the whole phenomenon. These melancholic moments appear rarely, and often when we least expect them. It can happen on a fine evening when your day has been wonderful, perhaps while driving back after one of the most happening parties where you have danced your heart out. Perhaps the mind balances its emotions; rather than allowing itself to be overwhelmed by happiness and joy, it makes you shed a few tears so that you realize there is more at work within you than you consciously understand. Your mind may be trying to tell you that, ultimately, it is the boss and not you.

 

I remember going to the very first satsang organized by the Isha Yoga Foundation after completing my Inner Engineering program with them. Through a guided meditation by Sadhguru, all of us were practicing a new meditative process with our eyes closed, following all kinds of visualizations the voice on the audio asked us to imagine. After a few minutes, I found many people crying with loud outbursts, which scared me for a moment. But, as instructed by the hosts before beginning — not to open our eyes and to concentrate on our own practice — I continued with my meditation.

 

After we opened our eyes, I found all of them wiping their tears and smiling. That smile which emerges from nothingness — where it feels as if you were given a blank canvas and could paint anything on it: a Full Moon radiating brightness or a New Moon painting the entire canvas black, revealing the deepest darkness imaginable. It was evident that people had found their minds blank after shedding tears and releasing excess pain. They had a choice to begin afresh, and they did — with a smile so powerful and soothing that even a spectator like me could feel its energy, though I hadn’t experienced the same thing myself.

 

Sometimes, we should respect the inevitable and accept it as life — or as a part of it. We shouldn’t judge every aspect of our actions, reactions, responses, and emotions. Some things happen because we are part of this vast universe and are deeply connected to it. We can’t disassociate ourselves from nature. You must have heard about the Butterfly Effect, and perhaps we have become the effect of nature’s cause somewhere in this world. We should feel acknowledged by this planet and the universe for allowing us, among billions of lives, to experience melancholy rather than feeling bad, sad, or depressive about it. Let life be the way it is, without constantly trying to change it.

 

Thanks!

WRITING BUDDHA