Sita : The Warrior of Mithila - 2/4 Rama chandra Series

 

"Sita: Warrior of Mithila" is the second book in the Ram Chandra Series by Amish Tripathi, following the success of "Ram: Scion of Ikshvaku." In this book, Amish continues his reimagining of the Ramayana, focusing on the character of Sita.

The book presents Sita as a strong, independent, and fiercely determined woman who defies societal norms and expectations. Amish's portrayal of Sita challenges traditional gender roles and stereotypes, depicting her as a skilled warrior, strategist, and leader in her own right.

One of the highlights of book is its exploration of Sita's backstory and upbringing, shedding light on her origins and the circumstances that shaped her into the formidable figure she becomes. Through Sita's journey, the book delves into themes of identity, destiny, and self-discovery, offering readers a deeper understanding of her character and motivations.

Amish's narrative is rich in detail and imagination, transporting readers to the vibrant world of ancient India. The author seamlessly blends elements of mythology, history, and fantasy, creating a compelling and immersive reading experience.

In addition to Sita's story, the book also introduces readers to other key characters from the Ramayana, including Hanuman and Ravana, further expanding the scope of the narrative and setting the stage for future events.

This book is a captivating and thought-provoking retelling of the Ramayana that celebrates the strength, resilience, and complexity of its titular heroine. Amish's reimagining of Sita's story is both empowering and inspiring, making it a must-read for fans of mythology, fantasy, and epic adventure.

Ram: Scion of Ikshvaku - 1/4 Rama Chandra Series

Ram: Scion of Ikshvaku is a depiction of the classic Indian epic Ramayana written by Amish Tripathi with his own imaginary extrapolations. The book is the first one in the Ram Chandra Series and provides a contemporary take on the ancient tale.

Amish Tripathi's rendition of the Ramayana is characterised by his unique storytelling style, blending elements of mythology, history, and philosophy. The author presents familiar characters and events from the Ramayana in a fresh and engaging manner, offering new perspectives and insights into the timeless story. Author also presents characters and stories that are never heard of earlier and it makes the book a purely fictional work

One of the notable aspects of book is its exploration of moral and ethical dilemmas faced by the characters, particularly the protagonist, Ram. Through Ram's journey, the book delves into themes such as duty, honour, sacrifice, and the nature of leadership, inviting readers to reflect on timeless philosophical questions.

Amish's narrative is fast-paced and filled with suspense, intrigue, and action, keeping readers hooked from start to finish. The author also infuses the story with elements of mystery and political intrigue, adding depth and complexity to the plot.

Overall, this book is a captivating retelling of the Ramayana that appeals to readers of all ages. It has elements of Amish's own imagination that are not part of original Ramayana plot. It combines the richness of Indian mythology with contemporary storytelling techniques, making it a compelling read for both fans of the original epic and newcomers to the genre.

The Great Gatsby

 

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a timeless classic of American literature, first published in 1925. Set in the 1920s, the novel is narrated by Nick Carraway, a young man from a well-to-do family who moves to Long Island's affluent West Egg community to pursue a career in bond sales. Through Nick's eyes, readers are introduced to the enigmatic Jay Gatsby, a wealthy and mysterious figure who hosts lavish parties at his mansion.

At its core, "The Great Gatsby" is a story of the American Dream, exploring themes of ambition, wealth, love, and the pursuit of happiness. Gatsby, driven by his love for the beautiful and unattainable Daisy Buchanan, becomes emblematic of the American Dream's illusion and the corrupting influence of materialism.

Fitzgerald's prose is celebrated for its lyrical beauty and keen observations of society, capturing the excesses and disillusionment of the Jazz Age. The novel's vivid imagery, evocative symbolism, and complex characters contribute to its enduring appeal and status as a literary masterpiece.

Through its exploration of themes such as the emptiness of wealth, the fleeting nature of time, and the impossibility of recapturing the past, "The Great Gatsby" offers profound insights into the human condition. Its tragic yet compelling narrative continues to resonate with readers, making it a staple of high school and college curricula and a perennial favorite among readers of all ages. Overall, "The Great Gatsby" remains a poignant and thought-provoking work that continues to captivate and inspire generations of readers.

David Copperfield - Charles Dickens

This is an iconic novel penned by Charles Dickens, considered a classic in English literature. The book follows the life and adventures of its titular character, David Copperfield, from his birth to adulthood. Here's a review of this timeless masterpiece:

The story is a bildungsroman, a coming-of-age narrative, tracing David Copperfield's life through various stages, from his troubled childhood to his eventual success as a writer. Dickens crafts a rich tapestry of characters, each with their own quirks and complexities, contributing to David's growth and experiences.

The novel touches on various themes, including the struggles of the poor, the impact of industrialisation on society, the significance of friendship, the resilience of the human spirit, and the quest for identity and belonging.

One of the book's strengths lies in its vivid and memorable characters, from the kind-hearted and wise Betsey Trotwood to the enigmatic and villainous Uriah Heep. Each character adds depth and color to the story, making it a captivating read.

Dickens' writing style is renowned for its vivid descriptions, intricate plots, and a blend of humor and pathos. He paints a vivid picture of Victorian England, portraying its social issues and disparities with skilful storytelling.

"David Copperfield" remains relevant today due to its timeless themes and relatable characters. It's a story that transcends its era, resonating with readers across generations.

It is a literary gem that offers not only a compelling narrative but also a reflection of the human condition. Dickens' ability to build a tale that combines heartache, humor, and hope has secured its place as a classic in literature.

Man's search for meaning

This book by Viktor Frankl is a profoundly moving and insightful book that digs into the human experience in the face of extreme suffering. Frankl, a Holocaust survivor and psychiatrist, recounts his experiences in Nazi concentration camps and explores the mental and emotional resilience that enabled some individuals to find meaning and purpose even in the midst of unimaginable hardship.

The book is divided into two parts. The first part details Frankl's personal story of survival, depicting the brutal conditions of the camps and the psychological struggles faced by inmates. Despite these horrors, Frankl observes that those who could find meaning, whether in small moments of joy or in a greater purpose, were often better equipped to endure their circumstances.

The second part introduces Frankl's concept of logotherapy, a psychotherapeutic approach centered around the idea that the primary motivational force for humans is the search for meaning in life. He argues that even in the most dire situations, individuals possess the freedom to choose their attitude towards their circumstances and find meaning, which can provide strength and resilience.

What makes "Man's Search for Meaning" so powerful is its universal message about the human capacity to find purpose and meaning in life, even amidst suffering. It offers valuable insights into the human psyche and provides readers with a perspective that can be applied to various challenges and struggles in life.

It's a thought-provoking and deeply impactful book that encourages reflection on the human condition, resilience, and the pursuit of meaning, making it a timeless and essential read for anyone seeking profound insights into the human experience.

A thousand splendid suns - Khaled Hosseini

A heart rendering and emotionally gripping novel that delves into the lives of two Afghan women, Mariam and Laila, whose lives become intertwined amid the tumultuous backdrop of Afghanistan's history, spanning from the Soviet invasion to the Taliban regime.

The book masterfully intersperses together the personal stories of Mariam and Laila, showcasing their resilience, courage, and the profound bond that develops between them amidst the challenges they face. Hosseini's storytelling mastery vividly portrays the harsh realities of life for Afghan women, addressing themes of oppression, sacrifice, survival, and the enduring strength of the human spirit.

The narrative captures the brutality and hardships faced by women in a war-torn society while also celebrating moments of hope, resilience, and solidarity. Hosseini's evocative prose evokes a range of emotions, from heartache and despair to moments of compassion and love.

The characters are intricately developed, allowing readers to empathize deeply with their struggles and triumphs. The book's emotional depth and powerful storytelling shed light on the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity, leaving a lasting impact on readers.

It is a moving and powerful narrative that sheds light on the often-overlooked experiences of Afghan women, offering a compelling and sorrowful portrayal of their strength, endurance, and the enduring power of hope and friendship amid challenging circumstances.

Some powerful quotes that I noted

1. "Of all the hardships a person had to face, none was more punishing than the simple act of waiting."
2. 
   
3. "Like a compass needle that points north, a man's accusing finger always finds a woman."
4. 
   
5. "One could not count the moons that shimmer on her roofs, or the thousand splendid suns that hide behind her walls."
6. 
   
7. "She remembered Nana saying once that each snowflake was a sigh heaved by an aggrieved woman somewhere in the world."
8. 
   
9. 
   
10. "You see, some things I can teach you. Some you learn from books. But there are things that, well, you just have to see and feel."
11. 
    
12. "Miriam wished for so much in those final moments. Yet as she closed her eyes, it was not regret any longer but a sensation of abundant peace that washed over her."
13. 
    
14. "Laila wondered if this was what hope felt like, a tingling in the chest, a catch in the breath, a hollow feeling around the gut, like a flare of warmth under the skin."

False Impression - Jeffrey Archer

 

I happened to falsely pick this book to read on an over night journey. The plot is about an art piece from Van Gogh - Self portrait with bandaged ear. The detail of art is plenty. There is a protagonist - Anna Petrescu that is praised by everyone for no heroic reason. There is a villain who loots the art collections of royal families by over lending them money and making them bankrupt. Anna and her friend - Tina are on mission to hand over this villain to the cops and they succeed. 

The other details are too many and too irrelevant. For eg: Anna wears a certain dress on a certain day. The reader is awaiting to have a connection of this fact somewhere in the plot. But there is no mention. Most of the book is like this. 

Personally I tried hard to finish the pages. Plot is weak and the characters lack motive for their actions. Well.. why would someone take  mountainous effort to cross borders and reach out to someone to just alert of an impending danger when she herself is stuck in 9/11 WTC building collapse?.  Jack - who had always been investigating the Fenston drama has no good inputs in the whole tale. What is he meant for?. 

Wrong pick really. Sorry for the bad review and its really my view. 

Holcroft covenant - Robert Ludlum

The Holcroft Covenant is a thriller novel written by Robert Ludlum. The story revolves around a man named Noel Holcroft, who discovers that his father, a high-ranking Nazi official, has left him a mysterious legacy. In order to claim the inheritance, Noel must fulfill a covenant, which involves using the money to compensate the victims of the Holocaust.

However, Noel soon discovers that he is not the only one searching for the inheritance. A group of former Nazis, known as the "Fourth Reich," are also seeking the money to fund their resurgence. With the help of a woman named Helden von Tiebolt, Noel must race against time to fulfill the covenant and prevent the Fourth Reich from carrying out their plans.

The novel is filled with suspense, action, and intrigue, and explores themes of guilt, redemption, and the legacy of the Holocaust. Personally it felt like a marathon I am running during the time I read the book. Usual to the Robert Ludlum theme, the protogonist is always on the run and have someone always following him. An enjoyable ride if you love fast paced story line and Robert Ludlum. 

ಅರಮನೆ ಗುಡ್ಡದ ಕರಾಳ ರಾತ್ರಿಗಳು - ಗಿರಿಮನೆ ಶಾಮರಾವ್

I cant be sure if this is one of the worst books I've read. The story is an adventurous expedition by a set of 2 newly wed couples to one of the treacherous mountains in western ghats. They set out from Bangalore and check in to a hotel in Sakleshpur. Without even having a destination in mind, they dare to go see a hill top. From there, they see another hill top which appears to be close by and they decide to hike on that hill top. On the way, they cross a stream and lose valuable goodies like torch. After spending enormous time hiking, they realise the hill top is nowhere nearby and decide to return.

Now they lose track and lose the sight of the stream as they realise it all looks the same deep in the forest. They encounter some wild animals. They take shelter under a cave during the night and next day, find some jackfruits and mushrooms to eat. They are still unable to retrace and their phones dont work. Their folks from Bangalore are trying to contact them but in vein. 

Then they come across a temple and reside for the night. It rains on and off. One of them hold a gun. They want to kill some wild animals so they can eat them. In this attempt, they get attacked by a pack of wild dogs and one of the persons seem missing. They assume that the dogs ate him. There is no evidence of dogs eating the man but still they assume he is dead. His wife is in fits. She goes out frantically looking for him. The rest of them assume she is also dead. Then arrives the rescue team from the land. They give the 2 food and go out to look for 2 missing people. They realise that both are not dead and by chance of God survived the attacks. 

Review - My opinion is personal and should not bias the reader of this review. Its a very laborious book with repetition of same text for almost 50%. The author seems to cling to some sentences and keep them repeating almost of the pages. The thought process and perspectives of the characters seem to be same and repeat without progression. Still I finished the book to know what would happen to them. The story could be told in a short essay and if adopted for a film, it be over in 20 minutes but its a 180+ pages book. The author intends to educate the dangers of mountains to a non mountaineer. But that intent is lost. I could not imagine why someone wants to dare the nature without a single ounce of knowledge about mountains. 

Pregnant King - Devdutt Pattanaik

Its a book about a king accidentally become the mother of a child. Written by Devdutt Pattanaik, its a tale of maternal adoration and love by a male species as opposed to a woman. It a beautiful tale of a king and his 3 wives trying to conceive a prince for which the king's grand father is awaiting to go live on vaana prasta. The pitrus are waiting to be reborn but there is no conception of the child. When the king decides to call 2 siddhis - Yaja and Upajaya who perform extravagant ritual to create a potion meant to be given to the queens, the king accidentally drinks it. He eventually becomes pregnant and gives birth to happy healthy boy. The 9 months of pregnancy and the child birth is kept secret. 

When the child is born, the only wish of the king is to be called mother by his child. The child refuses. The longing of the king continues till his breath. He keeps wondering "What sounds sweetest, being called Mother or being called Father"

He tries to seek answers from all possible avenues. He is entangled in this dilemma and desperate to find answers. He speaks to Arjuna to whom the king believes Bhishma narrated the story of a man who became a man and then a woman. Arjuna brushes off the query saying he does not remember any such story being told to him. 

The king also bears another child through his second wife. So he wonders "I am not sure that I am a man…I have created life outside me as men do. But I have also created life inside me, as women do. What does that make me? Will a body such as mine fetter or free me?"

The king who is supposed to be the upholder of dharma and embodiment of manhood is in deep confusion whether he is a man or a woman. 

The book is a good narration of king's wild mind and how he sees the world with a definite distinction between man and woman and at the same time he being a man and woman in himself. There are references to Shiva and Shakti both having different forms and how king relates to Illeswar - The patron God of Vallabhi who is God on full moon days and Goddess on new moon days.  

Leap of Faith - Danielle Steel

Not a  great story line and not a great set of characters. The whole thing would've been over in a 20 min clip on a web series. Lol. But definitely I could read the book head to toe without hassle. That is because you dont need to remember anything from the book. Wherever you start or end, you can almost certainly predict what would happen in next few pages. It was a good experience when I read this book during my son's bed time story time and he read his own books without troubling me. 

The story is about a 11 year girl who gets orphaned when her parents and brother die in a terrible accident. She is moved from France to America to live with her great aunt. Aunt treats her badly but there is a very close friend with whom she finds happy times in her distress. She is left with a huge inheritance by her father. She is suddenly millionaire rich. She goes back to Chateau in France where she lived with parents. She meets a very amicable friend who marries her and she becomes mother of his children within a short time. The story from here becomes very predictable and even with the most open ended mind, one prejudices over her stupidity. 

Back in my college days, Danielle Steel's books were entertaining. This book may be looked like the worst of Steel. 

Murder in the vicarage - Agatha Christie

Life has been busy for the last few months. I wanted to read something thats not mind boggling and a simple thriller. This book was the first in a shelf in an abandoned library. So I picked up to amuse myself in a subtle way. 

About 20 years ago, I used to read a lot of Agatha Christie novels. Thats something that helped me with getting along with reading. The general theme is to find the murderer. So, it used to be thrilling. 

The plot is about an extra martial affair and a murder associated with it. There is an old lady character called Miss Marple - is over intrigued with general business of everyone in the village. She proves to be resourceful in solving the murder mystery. 

Most beautiful thing about the book is narration. Its like watching a movie fathom itself. Also there are no crazy twists and turns which you will have to remember. Good book to keep you entertained for a bus/train journey.  

 ಓಂ ಶ್ರೀ ಪರಮಾತ್ಮನೇ ನಮಃ

ಅಧ್ಯಾಯ ೯

ಶ್ಲೋಕ ೪

"ಮಯಾ ತತಮಿದಂ ಸರ್ವಂ ಜಗದವ್ಯಕ್ತಮೂರ್ತಿನಾ ।

ಮತ್ ಸ್ಥಾನಿ ಸರ್ವಭೂತಾನಿ ನಚಾಹಂ ತೇಷ್ವವಸ್ಥಿತಃ" ॥೪॥

ಅರ್ಥ

ಮಯಾ- ನನ್ನಿಂದ; ತತಂ-  ವ್ಯಾಪ್ತವಾಗಿದೆ; ಇದಂ- ಈ; ಸರ್ವಂ- ಎಲ್ಲ; ಜಗತ್- ವಿಶ್ವ ಅಭಿವ್ಯಕ್ತಿಯು; ಅವ್ಯಕ್ತ ಮೂರ್ತಿನಾ- ಅವ್ಯಕ್ತ ರೂಪದಿಂದ; ಮತ್ ಸ್ಥಾನಿ- ನನ್ನಲ್ಲಿ; ಸರ್ವ ಭೂತಾನಿ- ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಜೀವಿಗಳು; ನ- ಇಲ್ಲ; ಚ- ಕೂಡ; ಅಹಂ- ನಾನು; ತೇಷು- ಅವುಗಳಲ್ಲಿ; ಅವಸ್ಥಿತಃ- ನೆಲೆಸಿದ್ದೇನೆ.

ಅನುವಾದ

"ನನ್ನ ಅವ್ಯಕ್ತ ಸ್ವರೂಪದಲ್ಲಿ ನಾನು ಇಡೀ ವಿಶ್ವವನ್ನು ವ್ಯಾಪಿಸಿದ್ದೇನೆ. ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಜೀವಿಗಳೂ ನನ್ನಲ್ಲಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ನಾನು ಅವರಲ್ಲಿ ಇಲ್ಲ"

(ಈ ಎಲ್ಲ ಜಗತ್ತು ಮೈದೋರದ ನನ್ನಿಂದ ತುಂಬಿದೆ.ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಇರುವವೆಲ್ಲ ನನ್ನಲ್ಲಿ ನೆಲೆಸಿವೆ. ನಾನು ಅವುಗಳ ನೆರವಿನಲ್ಲಿಲ್ಲ)

ಭಾಷ್ಯ

ಕೃಷ್ಣ ಹೇಳುತ್ತಾನೆ - “ನಾನು ಇಡೀ ಜಗತ್ತಿನಲ್ಲಿ ತುಂಬಿರುವ ಅವ್ಯಕ್ತಮೂರ್ತಿ” ಎಂದು. ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಬಳಸಿರುವ ಅವ್ಯಕ್ತಮೂರ್ತಿ ಎನ್ನುವ ಪದದಲ್ಲಿ ಅವ್ಯಕ್ತ ಮತ್ತು ಮೂರ್ತಿ ಎನ್ನುವುದು ಪರಸ್ಪರ ವಿರುದ್ಧ ಪದಗಳು. ಅವ್ಯಕ್ತ ಎಂದರೆ ಕಾಣದ್ದು, ಆಕಾರವಿಲ್ಲದ್ದು. ಮೂರ್ತಿ ಎಂದರೆ ಆಕೃತಿ ಮತ್ತು ರೂಪ. ಭಗವಂತ ಆಕಾಶದಂತೆ ಎಲ್ಲೆಡೆ ವ್ಯಾಪಿಸಿರುವ ಅವ್ಯಕ್ತ ಆದರೆ ಆತ ಜ್ಞಾನಾನಂದಮಯನಾಗಿ ಎಲ್ಲರೊಳಗೆ ತುಂಬಿರುವ ಮೂರ್ತಿ. ಒಂದೊಂದು ವಸ್ತುವಿನಲ್ಲೂ ಒಂದೊಂದು ರೂಪದಲ್ಲಿ ತುಂಬಿರುವ ಅನಂತ ರೂಪಗಳುಳ್ಳವ ಆ ಭಗವಂತ. ಕೃಷ್ಣ ಹೇಳುತ್ತಾನೆ “ಪ್ರತಿಯೊಂದು ವಸ್ತುವಿಗೂ ನಾನು ಆಧಾರ, ಈ ಇಡೀ ಪ್ರಪಂಚ ನನ್ನನ್ನು ಅವಲಂಬಿಸಿಕೊಂಡಿದೆ. ಆದರೆ ನಾನು ನಿರಾಲಂಬನಾಗಿ ಎಲ್ಲೆಡೆ ತುಂಬಿದ್ದೇನೆ”. ಎಂದು.

ಭಾಷ್ಯ ಕೃಪೆ

||ದಿ|| ಶ್ರೀ ಬನ್ನಂಜೆ ಗೋವಿಂದಾಚಾರ್ಯರು

Translation

"This  entire  universe  is  pervaded  by  Me,  in  an  unmanifest  form.  All  beings  abide  in  Me,  but I do not abide in them"

Commentary

This  entire  universe  —  composed  of  both  sentient  and  insentient  beings,  is  pervaded  by  Me — the  inner  controller  whose  essential  nature  is  unmanifest.  The  meaning  is  that  all  this universe  is  pervaded  by  Krishna  the  Principal  (śeṣi)  so  that  He  may  sustain  and  manage  it. This  [doctrine  of]  universal  pervasion  by  an  inner  controller,  who  is  invisible  to  all  beings, is  taught  in  the  Antaryāmi- Brāhmaṇa. So  also  Krishna’s  primacy  over  everything  is  taught.

Commentary by Shree Rāmānujāchārya

Ponniyin Selvan

Today I put down this massive and magnificent art of eminence by Kalki Krishnamurthy. Its massive because it comes in 2000+ pages in 4 volumes. Each page is a sheer joy of witnessing the grandeur of Chozha kingdom. 

Vallavarayan Vandiyatheevan walks in the lanes and palaces of Thanjavur, Kanchi, Kadamboor, Kodumbalur, Madurai, strolls in the forests of western and southern Karnataka underneath the Kaveri river, rows in the Indian ocean between Rameswaram and Ilankai, fight wars, truces, take part in secret conspiracies, scandalises affirmations from kings, corners death threats, with luck escapes from precarious people and situations, laments the loss of a friend, craves for Kundavai yet, survives the trust placed on him. - Is he the Hero? No. 

Arulmozhivarman or Ponniyin Selvan is the hero. He is believed to be saved by mother Kaveri herself when he was placed in the river and thats how he gets the name Ponniyin Selva. He is in Ilankai(Srilanka) waging war and is only 19. He is the second son of the most handsome king of Chola dynasty - Sundara Chola. His siblings are Aditya Karikalan and Kunduvai. Kunduvai is a lady protagonist sharing much of the spot light along with Vandiyatheevan. 

The plot is eventful with many twists but the storyline is predictable though there are great many people involved. All conspires to one war and that war has to be waged. 

The summary of the plot and the family tree and whos who is well reported in the wikipedia. 

I lived through the eyes of Vandiyatheevan all along with his vulnerabilities, love, sheepishness, shallowness, trickery, maturity and his hope for seeing good things. The books took me through those lanes and palaces that he walked by in a visual experience. I read the english version translated by Pavithra Srinivasan though I so much wanted to read the original script written in Tamil by Kalki (due to my illiteracy in Tamil).  

iCon - Steve Jobs: The Greatest Second Act in the History of Business

 This is an unauthorized biography of the greatest - Steve Jobs. i in the title of the book specified in small is a representation of many apple products. It also has a "I am con" kind of representation. This book is about the second innings of Steve Jobs at Apple once he was thrown out by the board of directors in 1985. 

PC: https://www.gottabemobile.com/iphone-6-iphone-5s-designs-reportedly-jobs-influenced/

Steve Jobs, born in San Francisco was adopted by Paul Jobs - a mechanic in American coast guard and his wife Clara Jobs. Jobs family moved to Mountain View California where Steve met many friends having curiosity in electronics. He enrolled in to Reed college in Oregon but soon dropped out and took interest in calligraphy. He started working at Atari Inc. where he worked on circuit boards for games. He took help from his long time friend Steve Wozniak and submitted boards that shook Atari's product owners. With Wozniak on his side, Jobs persuaded him to demo the partially built Apple 1 computer at HomeBrew computer club. This proved to be a life changing event for Jobs and Wozniak. The Apple Inc. as its known today was first conceptualized in Job's garage. The first investor Mike Markkula who was a retired Intel product marketing manager quoted saying he is investing not in the idea of Apple but in the incredible man behind it ie Steve Jobs. 

Steve Jobs took the role of CEO of Apple and was very successful at it. He was even the youngest to make it to the Forbes list of richest people in USA. He brought in the chief marketing manager Scully from Pepsico to Apple in 1983 as CEO. Jobs released ads for the Macintosh in 1984 stating the machine is something that no one ever has imagined to exist. This was largely seen as marketing hype and Macintosh did not receive the response Jobs was expecting. There were differences between Scully and Jobs. Macintosh failed to outperform IBMs personal computer. Jobs controlled the Macintosh division and the CEO Scully controlled the Apple 2 division and these two divisions worked like 2 different companies though Apple 2 generated the most of the revenue. In 1985 Jan, during the annual meeting, Apple 2 was not mentioned at all and this brought more bitterness among the early employees of Apple 2. Most of them left. Scully planned to reorganize the Apple board of directors in response to which Jobs also developed a plan to eliminate Scully. But Jobs plan was leaked and he later resigned from Apple. 

Jobs in 1985 founded NeXT Inc. which sold workstations for education use. He also founded Pixar- a computer animation studio which later produced movies like Toy Story and Incredibles etc. 

In 1996, when Apple announced it would buy NeXT for 427 million dollars. With this Jobs became the interim chief executive. Much of the NeXT products found their way in to Apple technologies. Under the guidance of Jobs, Apple increased sales significantly with the introduction of iMac and other new products. Jobs introduced iPod, iTunes and iTunes Store. In 2007, Apple entered the Phone business with the introduction of iPhone. 

The book is a narration of how Jobs built back the Apple empire and launched breakthrough products like iPod and iPhone. He has been criticized for his salesman and persuasion skills all through and at the same time he is perceived as a jerk more and less of a genius when it comes to technology. 

ಧರ್ಮ ಎಂದರೇನು? - Part 2

ಧರ್ಮವನ್ನು ಮುಖ್ಯವಾಗಿ ನಾಲ್ಕು ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಎಂದು ವಿಂಗಡಿಸಬಹುದು

• ಸಾಧಾರಣ ಧರ್ಮ ಅಥವಾ ನಿತ್ಯ ಧರ್ಮ
• ವಿಶೇಷ ಧರ್ಮ
• ನೈಮಿತ್ತಿಕ ಧರ್ಮ
• ಆಪದ್ಧರ್ಮ

ಸಾಧಾರಣ ಧರ್ಮ ಅಥವಾ ನಿತ್ಯ ಧರ್ಮ

ಮನುಗಳ ಪ್ರಕಾರ ಸಾಧಾರಣ ಧರ್ಮ ಅಥವಾ ನಿತ್ಯಧರ್ಮದ ಲಕ್ಷಣಗಳು ಹೀಗಿವೆ

• ದೃಢತೆ ಮತ್ತು ಧೈರ್ಯ 
• ಕ್ಷಮೆ
• ದಮ 
• ಅಸ್ತೆಯ
• ಶೌಚ
• ಇಂದ್ರಿಯಗಳ ಮೇಲೆ ಹತೋಟಿ
• ಬುದ್ಧಿ ವ್ಯವಸಾಯ
• ತತ್ವ ವಿದ್ಯೆ
• ಸತ್ಯ ಶೀಲತೆ
• ಸೌಮ್ಯ ಶಾಂತಿಗಳು

ಈ ಹತ್ತು ಧರ್ಮದ ಗುರುತುಗಳು. ಇವು ದೇಶ ಭೇದ, ಕಾಲಭೇದಗಳಿoದ ವ್ಯತ್ಯಾಸವಾಗದೆ ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಮನುಷ್ಯರಲ್ಲಿಯೂ ಯಾವಾಗಲೂ ಇರಬೇಕಾದ ನೀತಿಗುಣಗಳು.

PC: https://bradstevenstattoo.wordpress.com/2012/04/04/young-krishna/

ವಿಶೇಷ ಧರ್ಮ

ಇದರಲ್ಲಿ ಎರಡು ವಿಧ

೧. ಜಾತಿ ಧರ್ಮ

ಚಾತುರ್ವರ್ಣ್ಯಕ್ಕು, ನಾನಾ ಕುಲಗಳಿಗೂ ನಾನಾ ಪ್ರದೇಶಗಳಿಗೆ ಸಂಬಂಧಪಟ್ಟಿದ್ದು.

೨. ಆಶ್ರಮಧರ್ಮ

ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಚಾರಿ, ಗೃಹಸ್ಥ, ವಾನಪ್ರಸ್ಥ, ಸನ್ಯಾಸಿ -  ಈ ನಾನ ಆಶ್ರಮಗಳಿಗೆ ಸಂಬಂಧಪಟ್ಟ ದೀಕ್ಷೆ - ವ್ರತ - ಸಂಸ್ಕಾರ.

ನೈಮಿತ್ತಿಕ ಧರ್ಮ

ಇದು ಯಾವುದೋ ಒಂದು ಕೊಂಚ ಕಾಲದ ಉದ್ದೇಶಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ನಡೆಯತಕ್ಕದ್ದು 

ಇದರಲ್ಲಿ ಎರಡು ಬಗೆ

ಕಾಮ್ಯ, ಎಂದರೆ ತಮತಮಗೆ ಇರುವ ಬೇಡಿಕೆಗಳು ನೆರವೇರುವುದುಕ್ಕೋಸ್ಕರ ಮಾಡುವ ಪೂಜೆ, ಯಜ್ಞ  ಮೊದಲಾದವು

ಶುದ್ಧಿಕ್ರಿಯೆ, ಎಂದರೆ ದೋಷ ಪ್ರಾಯಶ್ಚಿತ್ತ ರೂಪವಾಗಿಯು ಅಶೌಚನಿವೃತ್ತಿ ರೂಪವಾಗಿಯೂ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಳ್ಳುವ ಕ್ರಿಯೆಗಳು

ಆಪದ್ಧರ್ಮ

ರೋಗ ಅರಾಜಕ ಮೊದಲಾದ ಕಾರಣಗಳಿಂದ ಮೇಲೆ ಹೇಳಿರುವ ಧರ್ಮಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಯಾವುದನ್ನಾದರೂ ಸಾಂಗವಾಗಿ ನಡೆಸಲು ಸಾಧ್ಯವಾಗದೇ ಹೋದಾಗ ಒಂದು ಸೂಕ್ಷ್ಮ ಲಾಂಛನವನ್ನು ಮಾತ್ರವಾದರೂ ಉಳಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳುವುದಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ಮಾಡುವ ಆಚರಣೆಗಳು

ಧರ್ಮ ಎಂದರೇನು?

The most important question anyone will ask during a lifetime is "What is Dharma?" Here is some notes I made from Bhagavathgeete through the book - "Jeevandharma yoga" 

ಧರ್ಮ ಎಂದರೆ ಧರಿಸಬಲ್ಲದ್ದು.

ಧರ್ಮದ ಮೂರು ವಿಧಗಳು

• ನೈಜ
• ನ್ಯಾಯ
• ಮೈತ್ರಿ

ನೈಜವೆಂದರೆ ಸಹಜ ಲಕ್ಷಣ. ಯಾವ ಒಂದು ಗುಣದಿಂದ ಅಥವಾ ಶಕ್ತಿಯಿಂದ ಒಂದು ಪದಾರ್ಥ ಪದಾರ್ಥ ಆಗಿದೆಯೋ ಆ ಲಕ್ಷಣದ ವಿಕಾಸವೇ ಧರ್ಮ. ಸುಡುವುದು ಬೆಂಕಿಯ ಧರ್ಮ, ಬೀಸುವುದು ಗಾಳಿಯ ಧರ್ಮ, ಹಾರುವುದು ಪಕ್ಷಿಯ ಧರ್ಮ, ಬಿಸಿಯನ್ನು ಹೋಗಲಾಡಿ ಸಿ ತನುವಾಗಿಸುವುದು ನೀರಿನ ಧರ್ಮ, ಮೈ ಮುದಿಯಾಗುವುದು ದೇಹ ಧರ್ಮ. ಹಾಗೆಯೇ ವಯೋಧರ್ಮ, ಋತು ಧರ್ಮಗಳು. ಮನುಷ್ಯ ಯಾವ ತನ್ನ ಗುಣದಿಂದ ಅಥವಾ ಬಲದಿಂದ ಇತರ ಜನರ ಪ್ರಯೋಜನಕ್ಕೆ ಒದಗಬಹುದು ಆ ಗುಣವಿಶೇಷ ಅವನ ಧರ್ಮ. ಇಂಗ್ಲಿಷ್ನಲ್ಲಿ ಇದನ್ನು ವ್ಯಾಲ್ಯೂ ಎಂದು ಕರೆಯುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಯಾವ ಒಂದು ಗುಣದಿಂದ ಅಥವಾ  ಶಕ್ತಿಯಿಂದ ಒಂದು ಪದಾರ್ಥಕ್ಕೆ ಬೆಲೆ ಬರುತ್ತದೆ ಆ ಗುಣ ಅಥವಾ ಶಕ್ತಿ ಅದರ ಧರ್ಮ. ಹೀಗೆ ನೈಜ ದ ಪರಿಪಾಲನೆ ಧರ್ಮ.

ನ್ಯಾಯವೆಂದರೆ ಒಂದು ವಸ್ತುವಿನ ಅಥವಾ ಪ್ರಾಣಿಯ ನೈಜಾಭೀವ್ಯಕ್ತಿಯಿಂದ ಇನ್ನೊಂದುರ ನೈಜಕ್ಕೆ ಹಾನಿಯಾಗದಂತೆ ಒಂದು ಸಮೂಹದ ನಾನಾ ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿಗಳ ವಿಕಾಸನ ಗಳನ್ನು ಹದ್ದಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಇರಿಸುವ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆ.

ಮೈತ್ರಿ ಎಂದರೆ ಇತರರಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರೀತಿ. ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿಯು ತನ್ನ ನೈಜ ದಿಂದ ಎಲ್ಲರಿಗೂ ಪ್ರಯೋಜನವಾಗುವಂತೆ ಸ್ವ ಜೀವನವನ್ನು ವಿಸ್ತಾರ ಪಡಿಸುವುದು. ಅದೇ ಆತ್ಮವಿಕಾಸ. ಅದಕ್ಕೆ ಸಾಧಕ ವಾದದ್ದು ಲೋಕಸ್ನೇಹ. ಅದೇ ಧರ್ಮ.

ಶಂಕರಾಚಾರ್ಯರು ಧರ್ಮದ ಅರ್ಥ ಹೀಗೆ ಕೊಟ್ಟಿದ್ದಾರೆ

ಯಾವ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆಯೂ ಯಾವ ಚರ್ಚೆಯೂ ಲೋಕದ ಒಳ್ಳೆಯ ಸ್ಥಿತಿಗೆ ಸಾಧಕವಾಗಿ, ಜೀವಿಗಳಿಗೆ ಇಹದಲ್ಲಿ ಯೋಗಕ್ಷೇಮವನ್ನು, ಪರರಲ್ಲಿ ಸದ್ಗತಿಯನ್ನು ಸಂಪಾದಿಸಿ ಕೊಡಬಲ್ಲದೋ ಅದು ಧರ್ಮ. 

ಧರ್ಮವು ಜೀವವನ್ನು ಜಗತ್ತನ್ನು ಸಹ ಧರಿಸುತ್ತದೆ. ಜೀವಕ್ಕೂ ಜಗತ್ತಿಗೂ ಸಂಬಂಧ ತಪ್ಪಿದ್ದಲ್ಲ. ಹಾಗಿರುವಲ್ಲಿ

೧. ಜೀವಿಯ ನೈಜ ಗುಣಗಳು ಜಗತ್ತಿನ ಸಂಪರ್ಕದಿಂದ ಕೆಡದೆ ಉತ್ತಮ ಪಡುತ್ತ ಜಗತ್ತಿಗೆ ಉಪಕಾರ ವಾಗುವಂತೆ ಯು

೨. ಜಗತ್ತು ಜೀವ ಸಂಪರ್ಕದಿಂದ ಕೆಡದೆ ಉತ್ತಮ ಪಡುತ್ತಾ ಜೀವಿಗೆ ಉಪಕಾರಕ ವಾಗುವಂತೆ ಯು

ಯಾವ ಯಾವ ಚರ್ಯೆಗಳು ಕಾರ್ಯಗಳು ನಿಯಮಗಳು ನೀತಿಗಳು ಮನುಷ್ಯನಿಗೆ ಯುಕ್ತ ವಾಗುತ್ತವೆ ಅವುಗಳ ಒಟ್ಟು ಧರ್ಮ.

ಆತ್ಮ ಲಾಭಕ್ಕಿಂತ ಮೇಲ್ ಆದದ್ದು ಯಾವುದು ಇಲ್ಲ ಅದೇ ಹಿತ ಗಳಲ್ಲೆಲ್ಲ ಪರಮ ಹಿತ. ಆತ್ಮದ ಸ್ವರೂಪವನ್ನು ಕಂಡುಕೊಂಡು ಅನುಭವಿಸುವುದೇ ಮೋಕ್ಷ.

ಜೀವವು ಜಗತ್ ಪ್ರಕೃತಿ ಬೀಸುತ್ತಿರುವ ಮಾಯಜಾಲ ದೊಳಗೆ ಸಿಕ್ಕಿಕೊಂಡು ತನ್ನೊಳಗಿರುವ ಪರಮಾತ್ಮ ವಸ್ತುವನ್ನು, ಪರಮೇಶ್ವರನನ್ನು ಮರೆತು, ತದಿತರ ವಾದದ್ದನ್ನು ಸುಖವೆಂದು ನಂಬಿಕೊಂಡು, ಆ ಸುಖ ಸಾಮಗ್ರಿ ಗಾಗಿ ಪರದಾಡುತ್ತಿರುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಈ ಪರಿಭ್ರಮಣೆ ಸಂಸಾರ. ಜಗತ್ ವ್ಯಾಮೋಹದಿಂದ ಬ್ರಾಂತಿ. ಈ ಭ್ರಾಂತಿ ಪ್ರಮಾದಗಳನ್ನು ನೀಗಿ ಆತ್ಮ ಸ್ವರೂಪವನ್ನು, ಭಗವತ್ ಸ್ವರೂಪವನ್ನು ಕಂಡುಕೊಂಡು ಅನುಭವಿಸುವುದು ಹೊರಗೆ ಸಿಕ್ಕುವ ಸುಖಗಳಿಗಿಂತ ಮಹತ್ತರವಾದ ಸುಖ. ಈ ಉತ್ತಮೋತ್ತಮ ಲಾಭಕ್ಕೆ ಜೀವವನ್ನು ಅನುಗೊಳಿಸುವ ಗುಣ ಸಂಸ್ಕಾರ ವರ್ತನೆಗಳು ಧರ್ಮ. 

ಧರ್ಮದಿಂದ ಆಗುವ ಪ್ರಯೋಜನಗಳು ಮುಖ್ಯವಾಗಿ ಮೂರು

• ಲೋಕ ಸಂಸ್ಥಿ ತಿ
• ಜೀವಕ್ಕೆ ಸುಖ ಸಂಪಾದನೆ
• ಜೀವಕ್ಕೆ ಹಿತಸಾಧನೆ

ಸತ್ಯವೆಂದರೆ ಯಥಾರ್ಥ - ಸಂದರ್ಭ ವಾಸ್ತವವಾಗಿ ಹೇಗಿದೆಯೋ ಅದು. ತತ್ವವೆಂದರೆ ಅದೇ. ಪ್ರಸಕ್ತ ವಾಗಿರುವ ವಿಷಯದ ನಿಜಸ್ಥಿತಿಯೇ ತತ್ವ.  ನಮಗೆ ಇರುವ ಸಂದರ್ಭದ ತತ್ವವನ್ನು - ಯಥಾರ್ಥವನ್ನು ಗ್ರಹಿಸಿ ಅದಕ್ಕೆ ನಮ್ಮ ನಡುವಳಿಕೆಯನ್ನು ಹೊಂದಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳುವುದು ಧರ್ಮ

ಒಟ್ಟಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಮನುಷ್ಯನು ಸ್ವ ಸುಖವನ್ನು ಸಾಧಿಸಿ ಕೊಳ್ಳುವುದರಲ್ಲಿ ಜೀವದ ಸದ್ಗತಿಯನ್ನು ಮರೆಯದೆ , ಇತರ ಜನದ ಸುಖ ಸಾಧನೆಗೆ ಅಡ್ಡಿ ತಾರದೆಯು, ಇತರ ಜನಕ್ಕೆ ತನ್ನ ನೈಜದಿಂದ ಸಹಾಯವಾಗುವಂತೆಯು ನಡೆದುಕೊಳ್ಳಬೇಕೆಂಬ ನಿಬಂಧನೆಯೇ ಧರ್ಮ.

ಒಂದೊಂದು ಜೀವದ ಸ್ವಾಭಾವ ರಚನೆಯು ಸಂದರ್ಭ ಸನ್ನಿವೇಶವು ಒಂದೊಂದು ರೀತಿ ಬೇರೆಬೇರೆಯಾಗಿರುತ್ತದೆ ಆದ್ದರಿಂದ ಒಂದೊಂದರ ಧರ್ಮವು ಬೇರೆ ಬೇರೆಯಾಗುತ್ತದೆ ಹೀಗೆ ಪ್ರತಿಯೊಬ್ಬನಿಗೂ ಅವನ ಸ್ವ-ಧರ್ಮ ಇರುತ್ತದೆ.

ಧರ್ಮ ಪ್ರಯುಕ್ತ ವಾದ ಯುದ್ಧದಲ್ಲಿ ನಿಂತು ಹೋರುವುದು ಕ್ಷತ್ರಿಯನಿಗೆ ಸ್ವಧರ್ಮ. ಅದು ಅರ್ಜುನನಿಗೆ ಕರ್ತವ್ಯ ;ವ್ಯಾಸರಿಗೆ ಅಲ್ಲ. ಪಂಚಪತಿ ಸ್ವೀಕಾರ ದ್ರೌಪತಿಗೆ ಕರ್ತವ್ಯವಾಯಿತು; ಸ್ತ್ರೀ ಲೋಕದಲ್ಲಿ ಇನ್ಯಾರಿಗೂ ಹಾಗಾಗಲಿಲ್ಲ; ಭಾವನಿಂದ ಮಕ್ಕಳನ್ನು ಪಡೆಯುವುದು ಅಂಬಿಕೆ ಅಂಬಾಲಿಕೆ ಯರಿಗೆ ಕರ್ತವ್ಯವಾಯಿತು; ಮಿಕ್ಕಾ ಸ್ತ್ರೀಯರಿಗೆ ಅಲ್ಲ. ಹೀಗೆ ಧರ್ಮ ತತ್ವವು ಜಾತಿಯನ್ನು ಅನುಸರಿಸಿ, ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿಯ ಶಕ್ತಿ-ಸಾಮರ್ಥ್ಯಗಳು ಅನುಸಾರವಾಗಿ, ಸಮಾಜ ಸಂದರ್ಭ ವಶದಿಂದ ರೂಪ ತಾಳುತ್ತದೆ.

Picture credit - 

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/the-photo-blog/janmashtami-these-10-cute-little-krishnas-will-melt-your-heart/

ಭಗವದವತಾರಗಳು

The most empowering thing I read today are 7th and 8th verse of chapter 4 of Bhagavat geeta. The lines are as below 

ಯದಾ ಯದಾ ಹಿ ಧರ್ಮಸ್ಯ ಗ್ಲಾನಿರ್ಭವತಿ ಭಾರತ ।

ಅಭ್ಯುತ್ಥಾನಮಧರ್ಮಸ್ಯ ತದಾತ್ಮಾನಂ ಸೃಜಾಮ್ಯಹಮ್ 

ಪರಿತ್ರಾಣಾಯ ಸಾಧೂನಾಂ ವಿನಾಶಾಯ ಚ ದುಷ್ಕ್ರತಾಮ್ ।

ಧರ್ಮಸಂಸ್ಥಾಪನಾರ್ಥಾಯ ಸಂಭವಾಮಿ ಯುಗೇ ಯುಗೇ 

Context: 

ಭಗವದವತಾರಗಳು :

ಅರ್ಜುನ, ನೀನು  ನಾನು ಇಂದಿನವರಲ್ಲ ; ಮೊದಲಿನಿಂದಲೂ ಇರುವವರೇ. ನಿನಗೂ ನನಗು ವ್ಯತ್ಯಾಸ ಎರಡು ಸಂಗತಿಗಳ್ಲಲಿ ; ಮೊದಲೆನೆಯದಾಗಿ ನಿನ್ನ ಪೂರ್ವಜನ್ಮಗಳನ್ನು ನಿನಗೆ ಮರೆತುಹೋಗಿವೆ ; ನನ್ನ ಪೂರ್ವಜನ್ಮಗಳ ವೃತ್ತಾ oತ ನನಗೆ ಜ್ಞಾಪಕದಲ್ಲಿದೆ. ಎರಡನೆಯದಾಗಿ ನಿನ್ನ ಪೂರ್ವಜನ್ಮಗಳು ನಿನ್ನ ಪುಣ್ಯಪಾಪಗಳ ಕಾರಣದಿಂದ ಆದವು ; ನನ್ನ ಅವತಾರಗಳು ಧರ್ಮಸಂರಕ್ಷಣೆಗಾಗಿ ಆದವು . ಸಜ್ಜನರನು ಕಾಪಾಡುವುದಕ್ಕೆ, ದುಷ್ಟರನ್ನು ಸಂಹಾರಮಾಡುವುದಕ್ಕೆ, ಧರ್ಮ ಸಂಸ್ಥಾಪನೆಗಾಗಿ ಸೃಷ್ಟಿಯ ಮೊದಲಿಂದ ಯುಗಯುಗಗಳಲ್ಲೂ ನಾನು ಅವತಾರ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಲೇ ಇದ್ದೇನೆ.  

Becoming - Michelle Obama

This is the autobiography of one of the most powerful women - Michelle Obama. Her life is an account to send the message that one needs to be deliberately happy and have positive outlook on life. 

Michelle Obama spent her child hood in a racially mixed middle class neighborhood. She was thriving since the very beginning. She learnt the different perspectives on life from her great family. Her aunt thought her the sense of devotion through piano lessons and cheerful grand father taught her to cheer regardless of the circumstances. Her father always showed her the brighter side to life helping her to learn the long lasting habit of blocking bad/negative news. Her mother helped her build confidence and courage to make decisions. Her brother Craig was one she admired most for his ease and flexibility of relating to everyone. 

She went to Whitney High school which was 90 minutes away commuting in 2 different city bus routes. She overcame her fears of the new school and built her confidence back. She managed to avoid her doubts and gradually grew fearless. She realized it was safe to be smart. She never relented in standing up to anyone who tried to oppress her. 

As she completed studying law in Harvard law school, she learnt to care less of what people think of her and started focusing on building cordial relationship with her colleagues at work. She met Barack Obama in the law firm - "Sidley and Austin". She was impressed by his poise self assuredness, warm demeanor, unconventional and weirdly elegant aura. 

Later she realized that being a lawyer is not her passion even though she topped in her work. She married Barack Obama and took an offer in job at the city hall in Chicago. Michelle supported Barack through his political career. After Barack's tenure as president, Michelle stated that they were ordinary people who found themselves in extraordinary journey due to their constant drive to succeed. 

Michelle imbibed the spirit of being better than who she was yesterday, worked on her goals, all through enjoyed the journey with no fear of past, present or future. 

Me - Elton John

"Me" is a book on how never giving up on self can help one and all despite the situations and circumstances. Its the autobiography of Elton John - the don of rock and roll music. 

Elton John grew up in an emotionally draining and hostile environment which had long term effects on his adulthood. He was heavily influenced by the behaviors and nuances of those he grew up around - his father, mother and siblings. His father was a member of RAF and mother was a milkmaid during WW2. Elton grew up with his father hardly being around and when he was around, he was known to impose hars and stringent laws that would end up alienating Elton. Mother was borderline psychotic and enjoyed tormenting Elton as a boy. When both his parents were around, it was war - full frontal assault and cold deafening silence. Elton though had a friendly relationship with his grand mother. He lacked the feeling of family which had huge impact on his adulthood family life. No real guidance, no real affection or care, he simply floated in and out of fantasies that kept him grounded and hopeful for a better life leaving him detached from reality. 

A big amount of adults find themselves stuck, unsure of their worth and questioning their place in the world they've prepared whole lives to be part of. This emptiness, ever present and ever growing is a result f a longing for an identity that they've been robbed of growing up. Elton was no exception. 

He would find himself trapped in the cycle of  addiction and self loathing. Elton saw a sudden raise in the fame and eventually sought solace in cocaine, alcohol and extravagant parties. He was soothing an ache only he understood. He thought he was successful and famous and he won the battle but fame only brought him more loneliness and emptiness. 

Also, there was this glaring revelation about his sexuality. When Elton was growing up, he never realized he was gay. He married a woman without this knowledge and later divorced causing much pain to both the partners. He was clinically depressed and had suicidal tendencies several times. He questioned every bit of his existence and his achievements. He suffered from impostor syndrome too sometimes. 

Later he found his support group with people who saw him struggle and offered to help. Hugh Williams - his boyfriend also checked in to the same rehab as was Elton. Years later, Elton fought through the moment of darkness and came out the other end the massive success he is today. Bernie Taupin a friend with whom Elton wrote music influenced him. He finally stopped listening to voices in his head and started listening to the voices outside. 

Now reading the biography and knowing more about Elton, his songs sound a different tune to me.