The Books Are Too Long

“Out of many thousands among men, one may endeavor for perfection, and of those who have achieved perfection, hardly one knows Me in truth.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 7.3)

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मनुष्याणां सहस्रेषु
कश्चिद् यतति सिद्धये
यतताम् अपि सिद्धानां
कश्चिन् मां वेत्ति तत्त्वतः

manuṣyāṇāṁ sahasreṣu
kaścid yatati siddhaye
yatatām api siddhānāṁ
kaścin māṁ vetti tattvataḥ

“Given the present dynamic of dwindling attention span across the newer generations, in the cultural shift towards shorter content, preferably in video form, have you given thought to how classic literature will be received going forward? In the Vedic tradition, there is emphasis on associating with books that are so far from the past that there is no accurate date of origin. It is believable to say that the books are anadi in nature, or beginningless, since they describe someone who is both anadi and ananta. For God, there is no beginning and there is no end.

“The etiquette is to reference such literature when discussing transcendental topics. Esteemed leaders commit verses from Bhagavad-gita to memory, for example. They sprinkle in a few of the well-known verses from Vedanta-sutra. They might reference one of the many Puranas, such as Bhagavata Purana and Vishnu Purana. This is all to say that the books are the basis for a lot of what goes on. The prayers sung in the temples originate from the books, often times. The books consist of teachings of saints from the past, histories put into narrative form, words of wisdom from notable figures who are considered avataras of the Divine, and question and answer sessions between disciple and guru.

“Transition to the modern day and consider the response when showing the physical form of even one of those books. I am talking about a printed copy. Bhagavad-gita is a relatively short work, if considering only the original content. With the need for a translation into the language of a specific region and explanations to bridge the gap over time and shift in culture, a published work such as Bhagavad-gita As It Is might spill over the thousand-page mark.

“Who wants to read a book that is a thousand pages long? Even the most popular celebrities have to edit down their memoirs in order for a publisher to take on the project. Thousand-page books are textbooks, which students are forced to consult in formal education. No one wants to read a book that long for fun. Show such a book to a child and they will get overwhelmed. The weight itself is enough to convey the gravity of the situation, no pun intended. With so many pressures in daily life, who wants to add weight? Who wants to assume an extra burden? Do you see what I am saying?”

If we are binge-watching our favorite television series from the streaming provider, how many hours are involved? If someone goes out for a night of fun, sitting in a cold, dark, and noisy club, consuming one intoxicating beverage after another, how many hours go by? If someone wants to sleep the night away, to forget their troubles, to get some relief from the daily grind, how many hours does it take?

The books for this discussion are not intended to serve as a way to casually pass the time for a cross-country flight, wherein you pick up the latest bestseller at the airport newsstand. These books will be read over and over, across an entire lifetime. The material is always fresh and new, as nava-yauvanam as the subject matter Himself.

“This nava-yauvana, or pre-youth, is the eternal transcendental form of Krishna. Krishna never grows older than nava-yauvana.” (Shrila Prabhupada, Chaitanya Charitamrita, Madhya 20.384 Purport)

One person complains that the books are too long, but the person who is attached to the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead feels that the books are not long enough. How can someone who is unlimited be limited to a certain page count? After all, the books are like an extension of Him. He is Absolute in nature. Just saying His name is like calling Him to the room: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

एतदाख्यानमायुष्यं पठन्रामायणं नर:
सपुत्रपौत्रस्सगण: प्रेत्य स्वर्गे महीयते

etadākhyānamāyuṣyaṃ paṭhanrāmāyaṇaṃ nara:
saputrapautrassagaṇa: pretya svarge mahīyate

“The man who reads and recites this narration of the Ramayana will be blessed with a long duration of life and after death will be welcomed and respectfully received in the heavenly region, along with sons, grandsons, and relatives.” (Valmiki Ramayana, Bala Kand, 1.99)

It is not like the time goes to waste, either. At the beginning of the Ramayana history, Narada Muni assures the recipient of that sacred sound that there will be everything beneficial on the other side. Through a little sacrifice in time, in consuming the content through hearing, shravanam, the rest of this life will transpire auspiciously. The same conditions await the individual in the afterlife. There is no doubt on the matter. This is the entire reason someone like Maharishi Valmiki puts together the verses of Ramayana to begin with.

If someone is overwhelmed at the size of the books, we can ask them if they are overwhelmed with life. Is there something that they cannot understand? Is there something which makes them sad? Are they depressed at the loss of a loved one, for instance? Do they wonder why human beings are put on this earth? Do they ever ponder the issue of conflict, and how it could easily be avoided through knowledge? Do they ever think about what happens to their beloved animals? Do they ever worry about doing what is right, at all times? Not just isolated to a specific situation, but from birth until death. Do they ever wonder what religion is really about?

A single work like Bhagavad-gita addresses these issues and more. It is not a race to the finish. It is not like a person has to complete every single chapter by the end of a current semester. There is ample time for contemplation, for consideration, for questioning, and most importantly, for practical application. The books are jnana, which is knowledge, and the person who assimilates that jnana has the opportunity for vijnana, which is the practical realization.

The highest knowledge is to know the Supreme Personality of Godhead. There is ample material for assisting in that realization. The living being has many varieties of training manuals, in a sense. It can take only one second to know the truth, to realize that this life is meant for pleasing the one who is wishing well to everyone. If it takes more than one second, there is a trusted companion nearby, ready to help at any time.

In Closing:

If more than second requiring,
Steady as companion inspiring.

Not to finish a race,
At each individual’s pace.

Again and again to read,
For true wisdom to feed.

Bhagavad-gita and Puranas too,
Describing eternal well-wisher who.