A Search in Secret India: Unabridged

by Paul Brunton

Paul Brunton (1898 - 1981) was a British philosopher, mystic, traveler, and guru. He left a journalistic career to live among yogis, mystics, and holy men, and studied Eastern and Western esoteric teachings. Dedicating his life to an inward and spiritual quest, Brunton felt charged to communicate his experiences about what he learned in the east to others. His works had a major influence on the spread of Eastern mysticism to the West. Taking pains to express his thoughts in layperson's terms, Brunton was able to present what he learned from the Orient and from ancient tradition as a living wisdom. His writings express his view that meditation and the inward quest are not exclusively for monks and hermits, but will also support those living normal, active lives in the Western world. Brunton is credited with introducing Ramana Maharshi to the West through his book "A Search in Secret India" and "The Secret Path."

Genres: Spirituality, India, Nonfiction, Travel, Biography, Philosophy, Religion

493 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1934

About the author

Paul Brunton was a British philosopher, researcher, mystic, and adventurer. He left a journalistic career to live among yogis, mystics, and holy men, and studied a wide variety of Eastern and Western esoteric teachings. With his entire life dedicated to the spiritual quest, Brunton felt charged with the task of communicating his knowledge and experiences in layperson's terms. He was one of the first persons to write accounts of what he learned about spirituality in the East, and his works have had a major influence on the spread of Eastern philosophy and mysticism to the West. Paul Brunton continued to write after his final publication in 1952, and a significant portion of his large archive of original writings was posthumously published by Larson Publications as "The Notebooks of Paul Brunton" (in 16 volumes). The entire archive will soon be housed at a university (2017) and available to read online (2019).

Reviews

[Alok Mishra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gateway to the West and a revisiting experience for those who are in the east already. This book will help cynics and nay-sayers realise that India is indeed the land of emancipation... freedom from the known and unknown. And yet, Paul has made this narrative better with his personal touch.

[Bharath · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was referred this book by a friend more than a year back. It is Paul Brunton’s travelogue of sorts – in search of spiritual masters in India. The edge of doubt which he used to assess all the people he meets makes for interesting reading. Using this doubt is certainly important in fusing rational thought with meaningful spiritual experiences.

As Paul Brunton lands in India on his search, he keeps his options very open. He meets a wide section of people starting with an Egyptian magician Mehmoud Bey (quite by chance), going on to a Parsi Seer Meher Baba, a yogi in the South whom he refers to as Brama in short, and several other yogis all across India. His rational mind finds a lot wrong with how Indians view materialism – being content with limited resources when wealth and comfort can actually be uplifting. There is also this problem with a large section of the population not according rationality the respect it deserves.

His meeting with the Kanchi Mahaperiyava emerges as the turning point, as he suggests Paul Brunton meet with Ramana Maharishi. After meeting a wide spectrum of spiritual masters, all of whom he assesses critically – he returns to Ramana Maharishi as his disciple. He summarises excellently why he felt drawn to Ramana Maharishi – his presence by itself radiated calm & insight, he never sought a following, was humble, encouraged deep self-enquiry and never harboured resentment or hatred for anyone. As he remarks, at one point, it was as if Ramana Maharishi’s presence by itself made many of his questions irrelevant.

Since Paul’s search starts from the very basic elements of spirituality, large part of the book describes his experiences in simple terms. The last section is especially beautiful and an apt culmination to Paul Brunton’s learnings from Ramana Maharishi. I have become aware of the criticism around Paul Brunton as a person, though I have not yet read Jeffrey Masson’s book. Nevertheless, this book is a frank and especially insightful read which I certainly recommend.

My rating: 4.5 / 5.

[Neelesh Marik]

The last chapter called 'Tablets of forgotten truth' is the crowning glory of this tale of exploration, standing out like a beacon of light in an otherwise pedestrian narrative. Just read that and get the full import.



'Men make formal and pretentious enquiry into the mystery and meaning of life, when all the while each bird perched upon a green bough, each child holding its fond mother's hand, has solved the riddle and carries the answer it its face. That life which brought you to birth, O Man ! is nobler and greater than your farthest thought; believe in its beneficent intention towards you and obey its subtle injunctions whispered to your heart in half-felt intuitions'.



In case you are ever 'searching' for a guru, this book will offer a thoroughly refreshing perspective that goes beyond words.

[Ashish Iyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

यह पुस्तक उन लोगों के लिए जरूरी है जो भारत के मनीषियों के बारे में जानना चाहते हैं, आत्म-साक्षात्कार की इच्छा रखते हैं या योग के बारे में अधिक जानना चाहते हैं। लेखक ने योग, ध्यान, आत्म-साक्षात्कार, ज्योतिष और जादू आदि पर छिपे ज्ञान का पता लगाने के लिए पश्चिम से दक्षिण से पूर्व से पश्चिम और अंत में दक्षिण की यात्रा की थी। उन्होंने इन विज्ञानों का अध्ययन किया, देखा गुरुओं और सहस्राब्दी पुराने ज्ञान का लेखा-जोखा लेते हुए लिखा। पॉल ब्रंटन एक पत्रकार थे जो अपने गुरु से मिलना चाहते थे। भगवान रमण की तलाश के लिए उन्हें महापेरियाव श्री चंद्रशेखरेंद्र सरस्वती द्वारा निर्देशित किया गया था। लेखक भारत में आध्यात्मिकता और सदियों पुरानी प्रथाओं को पेश करने में विशेष उल्लेख के पात्र हैं। उन्होंने रमण महर्षि के साथ बहुत करीबी समय बिताया है।

[Peter Upton · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1992 or thereabouts when I first read it. The quiet honesty with which it is written and the older, slower, gentler style of writing from the 1930s sat in my heart and set my spiritual journey towards India. It was a directional light in my life when I was searching and ultimately it is responsible for my own 'Candles on The Ganges'. Yet reading it again in 2016 it didn't seem quite so special as I am now a different person-probably as a result of the journey to India that this book inspired me to take. If you are lost this is one of the books I would recommend.
P.S. In May 2018 I read 'My Father's Guru' by Jeffrey Masson who grew up with Dr. Paul Brunton as his personal spiritual adviser. This book is a warts and all expose of Paul Brunton and I recommend it as a warning that all of us, including Gurus, Godmen and Maharishes are human and have human faults. Take knowledge from wherever you may find it but don't make the mistake of worshipping another person. There is only one God and if you look hard enough you fill find him/her within yourself.

[Sampath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unputdownable!!
A must read and must own book.
I know I will read this book again.
The author has shared his invaluable and spellbounding dialogues with Maharishis and Yogi's. Its a great service to a man kind that the author has shared his experience.

[Yigal Zur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brunton was one of these who India took to her heart. this one of the great spiritual travel writing. his descriptions are vivid and great. one of the best of so many travel books on india

[Prashanth Bhat · Rating 5 out of 5]

ಹಳೇ ಪುಸ್ತಕ. ಈಗಲೂ ಕುತೂಹಲ ಕಾಯ್ದುಕೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತದೆ. ಮರು ಓದು.

[Krystn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here is a very readable tour of India during the early 1900s. Paul Brunton Ph.D. went on a quest to find real Yogis, holy men, in India and try to ascertain their legitimacy. Being a British intellectual with a scientific and philosophical education, he approached Yogis with skepticism and an open mind (quite unusual for the scientific minded). He describes in detail the Yogis dedicated to spiritual growth and gives brief reviews of those focused on magic and egotism. He spends the last quarter of the book describing his time with Ramana Maharishee at his small ashram in Tamil India. He was changed forever by the months spent with the Maharishee. During the period of his travel, Gandhi was gaining a huge following but Brunton avoided asides on the political movements except when revolutionary fervor produced violence in his vicinity.
Altogether, this is a well written and honest account of travel in India.

[Sumangali Morhall · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone seeking a spiritual teacher, or even anyone having found the right one, this story is incredibly moving. Brunton's erudite use of language, coupled with his ruthless inner and outer search, makes this a gripping read from start to finish. Following an inner call, he spends months travelling around India, interrogating yogis, pundits and fakirs – some genuine and some not so. His descriptions of the journey alone would make a beautiful travel journal. But his descriptions of inner experiences are breath-taking, especially those in the company of the great Ramana Maharshi. I can't believe I had not come across this book before now – it's amongst the very finest examples of this genre.

[Abhi · Rating 5 out of 5]

||• ನಿಗೂಢ ಭಾರತದಲ್ಲೊಂದು ಹುಡುಕಾಟ •||

ಇಂಗ್ಲೀಷ್ ಮೂಲ: ಪಾಲ್ ಬ್ರಂಟನ್
ಕನ್ನಡ ಅನುವಾದ: ಗಿರಿಜಾ ಶಾಸ್ತ್ರೀ

ಅತೀಂದ್ರಿಯ ಶಕ್ತಿಗಳು, ಅತಿಮಾನುಷ ಕಲೆಗಳು, ಐಂದ್ರಜಾಲಿಕ ವಿದ್ಯೆಗಳು, ಕಣ್ಕಟ್ಟು ಮುಂತಾದವುಗಳೆಲ್ಲಾ ಯೋಗಿಗಳಿಗೆ ಸಿದ್ಧಿಸಿರುತ್ತದಾ? ಅವು ಸಿದ್ದಿಸಿರುವವರೆಲ್ಲರೂ ದೇವಮಾನವರಾ ಎಂಬ ಪ್ರಶ್ನೆಗಳು ನನಗೆ ತೀರಾ ಕಾಡುವಂಥವು..!

ಈ ಪುಸ್ತಕದ ಹೆಸರೇ ಸಜೆಸ್ಟ್ ಮಾಡುವಂತೆ ಇದು ಭಾರತದಲ್ಲಿ ಆಧ್ಯಾತ್ಮಿಕತೆ ಮತ್ತು ಧಾರ್ಮಿಕತೆಯ ಹೆಸರಲ್ಲಿ ನಡೆಯುವ ಆಚರಣೆಗಳ ಕುರಿತದ್ದಾಗಿದೆ. ಸುಮಾರು ೧೯೩೪ರ ಕಾಲಾವಧಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಬಿಡುಗಡೆಯಾದ ಈ ಪುಸ್ತಕವು ಓದುಗರಿಗೆ ಹೊಸದೊಂದು ಅನುಭವ ನೀಡುವಲ್ಲಿ ಗೆದ್ದಿದೆ. ಕೆಲವು ಉಲ್ಲೇಖಗಳು ಕನಸಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಬಂದು ಕಾಡಿದ್ದು ವಿಶಿಷ್ಟ ಮತ್ತು ವಿಚಿತ್ರ.

ಪಾಲ್ ಬ್ರಂಟನ್ ಎಂಬ ಬ್ರಿಟಿಷ್ ಪತ್ರಕರ್ತನೊಬ್ಬ, ಅವನ ಚಿಕ್ಕಂದಿನ ಬಯಕೆಯಂತೆ ಭಾರತದಲ್ಲಿನ ಧಾರ್ಮಿಕ ಹಾಗೂ ಆಧ್ಯಾತ್ಮಿಕ ನಂಬಿಕೆಗಳ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ತಿಳಿದುಕೊಳ್ಳುವ ಸಲುವಾಗಿ ನಮ್ಮ ನಾಡಿಗೆ ಬರುತ್ತಾನೆ. ಇಲ್ಲಿಗೆ ಬರುವಂತೆ ಅವನಿಗೆ ಸಿಗುವ ಪ್ರೇರಕ ಶಕ್ತಿಯಿಂದ ಶುರುವಿಟ್ಟು ಪಾಲ್ ಭೇಟಿಯಾಗುವ ಕೊನೆಯ ಯೋಗಿಯವರೆಗೂ ಈ ಪುಸ್ತಕ ತನ್ನ ಓಘವನ್ನು ಕಾಯ್ದುಕೊಂಡಿದೆ!!

ಬರೋಬ್ಬರಿ ೪೧೪ ಪುಟಗಳ ಪುಸ್ತಕದ ತುಂಬಾ ಪಾಲ್ ಭೇಟಿ ಮಾಡಿದ ಇಪ್ಪತ್ತಕ್ಕೂ ಅಧಿಕ ವಿಚಿತ್ರವಾದ ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿಗಳ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಮುಕ್ತವಾಗಿ ಬರೆದಿದ್ದಾರೆ.‌ ಕೆಲವು ನಂಬಿಕೆಗಳನ್ನು ವ್ಯಾಪಕವಾಗಿ ಖಂಡಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಕೆಲವು ಯೋಗಿಗಳು ಮಾಡುವ ಚಮತ್ಕಾರಗಳು ಕೇವಲ ದುಡ್ಡಿಗೆ ಸೀಮಿತವಾಗಿರುತ್ತವೆ ಎಂಬುದನ್ನು ಹೇಳಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ವಿಭೂತಿ ಬಳಿದುಕೊಂಡು ದೇವರ ಹೆಸರಲ್ಲಿ, ಧರ್ಮದ‌ ಹೆಸರಲ್ಲಿ ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯರನ್ನು‌ ವಂಚಿಸುತ್ತಿರುವ ಗುರುಗಳನ್ನು ಟೀಕಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಅವರ ವಿಚಿತ್ರ ವೇಷಭೂಷಣ, ವಿಚಿತ್ರ ಮಾತಿನ ವೈಖರಿ ಎಂತಹವರನ್ನು ಸೆಳೆದುಕೊಳ್ಳು���್ತದೆ ಆದರೆ ಅವರ ಮಾತಿಗೆ ಹುರುಳಿತ್ತಾ ಇಲ್ಲವಾ ಎಂಬುದನ್ನು ‌ಯೋಚಿಸದೇ ಹಿಂಬಾಲಕರಾಗುವುದರ ಕುರಿತು ಹೇಳಿದ್ದಾರೆ.

ಪಾಶ್ಚಾತ್ಯ ದೇಶಗಳಿಗೆ ಮತ್ತು ಪೌರ್ವಾತ್ಯ ದೇಶಗಳ‌ ನಡುವೆ ಇದ್ದ ಅಭಿಪ್ರಾಯವನ್ನು ತಿಳಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ.‌ ನಮ್ಮ ಶಾಸ್ತ್ರ ಸಂಪ್ರದಾಯಗಳ ಬಗ್ಗೆಯೂ ಮಾಹಿತಿಯಿದೆ. ಪುಸ್ತಕದ ಮತ್ತೊಂದು ಪ್ರಮುಖ ಅಂಶ ನಮ್ಮ ಯೋಗಶಾಸ್ತ್ರದ ಮಹತ್ವ ಮತ್ತು ಅದರ ಅದಮ್ಯತೆಯನ್ನು ತಿಳಿಸಿರುವುದು. ಅದೊಂದು ಅಸಾಧ್ಯ ಆತ್ಮಶುದ್ಧಿಯ ಹಾದಿ ತೋರಿಸಲು ಯೋಗ ಹೇಗೆ ಸಹಾಯ ಮಾಡುತ್ತದೆ ಎಂಬುದನ್ನು ಯೋಗಿಗಳ ಮಾತಿನಂತೆಯೇ ಬರೆದಿದ್ದಾರೆ.

ಆತ್ಮಗಳೊಂದಿಗೆ ಮಾತನಾಡುವ ಯೋಗಿ, ದೇವಮಾನವ ಎಂದುಕೊಳ್ಳುವ ಯೋಗಿ ಹೀಗೆ ಹಲವಾರು ಉಲ್ಲೇಖಗಳಿವೆ. ಅಂಥವರು ಮಾತ್ರವಲ್ಲದೇ ಪಾಲ್ ದಾರ್ಶನಿಕರನ್ನು, ಐಂದ್ರಜಾಲಿಕರನ್ನು ಭೇಟಿ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಕೆಲವರ ಚಮತ್ಕಾರಗಳು, ಭವಿಷ್ಯದ ನುಡಿ ನಮಗೆ ಹೌದಾ ಎಂದು ಹುಬ್ಬೇರಿಸುವಂತೆ ಮಾಡುತ್ತವೆ. ಇವು ಅಭ್ಯಸಿಸಿ ಬಂದ ವಿದ್ಯೆ. ಆದರೆ, ಆಧ್ಯಾತ್ಮ ಮತ್ತು ಸತ್ಯಾನ್ವೇಷಣೆ ಇದ್ಯಾವುದು ಅಲ್ಲ. ಅದರ ದಾರಿ ಬೇರೆಯೇ ಇದೆ ಎಂಬುದನ್ನು ಪಾಲ್ ಅರಿತುಕೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಈ ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಉತ್ತರಿಸಲಾಗದ ಪ್ರಶ್ನೆಗಳ ನಡುವೆ ಪಾಲ್‌ರಿಗೆ ಗುರು ಸಿಗುವರೇ? "ಮನುಜನ ಆತ್ಮವೇ ದಿವ್ಯತೆ" ಎಂಬ ಸತ್ಯದ ಹಾದಿ ಕಂಡೀತೆ? ಹೇಗೆ? ಉತ್ತರ ಪುಸ್ತಕದಲ್ಲಿ.‌ ಇನ್ನೂ ಹಲವು ಉತ್ತಮ ಚಿಂತನೆಗಳಿವೆ. ಒಮ್ಮೆ ಓದಿ!

ಅಭಿ...

[Mary-lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had been recommended to me about thirty years ago by the father of a close friend, Mr Goss, and I had never sought it out until now. I am glad I didn't read this book until I was 'ready' for it. It is,in short, a classic on the search for spiritual meaning. It is set in India but this search is ultimately a search for Self which can occur in very many situations. At times Bruntons lack of understanding of the ways of another culture made me cringe especially when it is things that I think even in 1934 were unforgivable. Eg: taking a photo of a yogi in meditation. It is also a good insight into just how much control, respect and power the English had in India at that time. He was very much writing from the perspective of a far superior being in his eyes any way BUT that doesn't change the fact that he got it in the end. It was a marvellous journey!

[Priyanka · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know a lot of people who have been totally blown over by this book. Considering the time and perspective from which it was written, it indeed is path breaking. However, for me, this was a reiteration of beliefs I already have. Raised a Hindu lot of the occurances that come across as facinating to a Westerner is a part of mythology we grow up learning and accepting. Things do change with eductaion and a bent for rational thinking.
 
I think it all boils down to our personal experiences. Certain amount of introspection or some deep suffering sometimes becomes the key to unlocking the vast potential of the Universe to a skpetical mind. That has been my personal experience as well. I see the same happen to Paul Brunton. We know the truth in our heart, by no means can we provide a proof of its existence.

[Joli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved that this author explored India the way I might. Wanting to find inspiration/insight but always having a skeptical eye. He went quite slowly, as far as explaining the spirituality of gurus. Then, at the end, he LEAPT to some high spirituality. I wish there had been a medium step to bridge the gap. Brunton has many books and I have just requested about 5 of them. I'll write about them as I read them.

[Suba · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the writer's style of writing. It is more like a diary and the writer's experience is recorded vividly through his own words.

Paul Brunton wrote about his journey to india to explore the secrets of the spiritual world. My prior knowledge in Hinduism and my own experience in India helped me to digest his words easily. Its worth reading if you are interested in yoga, spiritual and mystic.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful. Tells about British authors strange experiences exploring India. Really makes you think...particuarly for ethnocentric Americans/Brits!

I learned that the US/Western way of thinking is not exclusive(or necessarily best)

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable travelogue. Though it may have widsom it wasn't obvious/densely enough packed for me to search for it.

[Bernie Gourley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Search in Secret India is a travelogue by Paul Brunton as he wondered through India in search of sages. In the process, he found a number of masters of body, mind, and both. However, he finds these individuals as rare nuggets in a sea of frauds.

Brunton states up front that he won't waste time with any of the blatant frauds or suspected frauds, but he does devote space to a number of the more impressive ones. Impressive either by way of a large following or artfulness of technique. He also finds individuals he doesn't know what to make of. These individuals appear to have impressive otherworldly skills, but skills that he can neither reconcile with known scientific understanding nor uncover as hoaxes despite his best skeptical inquiry. Given Occam's Razor, he seems to be left suspecting that these are masters of illusion, but he maintains skepticism of his skepticism. A prime example of this is a Yogi who seems to be able to conjure any scent upon request.

Brunton also runs across individuals who are able to do amazing things that are inconsistent with his knowledge of the world, but which his exhaustive investigations leave little room to dispute. For example, there is one yogi who can completely cease his respiration for a seemingly impossible length of time, and who resumed breathing not with a gasp but with a slow, calm series of breaths.

As suggested above, this book is really an attempt to analyze India's spirituality through the lens of Western logical and scientific approaches. The author is a Brit and the book was first published in the 1930's. His worldview is consistent with that status. While Brunton would like to master his own mind, he is unwilling to let himself be duped.

There is another side to this juxtaposition of East and West. The yogis and gurus with which Brunton comes into contact often have trouble grasping the Western mindset (there is one notable exception.) What these wise-men have difficulty understanding is why a people, like the British, devote so much time to mastering the external world (and with a great measure of success it must be added), but put so little effort into mastering or understanding the self. Most of the gurus appreciate that a Brit is taking an interest in the spiritual and yogic ways of India, but with their own skepticism. They find Westerners materially rich, but bankrupt of the mind. They find the Brits strong, but lacking the supple power that yoga introduces.

After completing his travels, it seems the book is set to draw to an end. However, Brunton realizes that while there were a number of skilled individuals that he came across in his travels,there is one that stands out as someone he should not miss an opportunity to learn more from. Therefore, instead of getting on a steamer back to England, he returns to South India to a man called the Maharishee in order to find out if the guru will take him as a student. The last couple chapters describe his time under the Maharishee's tutelage as well as under one of the guru's most advanced students. The Maharishee is a sage the likes of which Brunton has not seen in all his travels. The guru has the humility to say that he cannot teach Brunton anything, but instead can only show him some things that he learned on his own journey.

If there is a lesson for those who would like to follow in Brunton's footsteps, it seems to be that there is an inverse relationship between how easy a guru is to find(/how eager a guru is to talk to one) and the level of skill of that teacher. In almost all cases, Brunton had to take great initiative and steer off the beaten path to find the true masters. On the other hand, most of the individuals who were easily found, and eager to talk, were just con men.

I recommend this book for those interested in development of the mind and body.

[Maria Carmo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A marvellous book, taking us by the hand through an India which had all sorts of contradictions, but also the best and more excellent Human Beings expressing the Wisdom of Perenial Philosophy. The search for truth and for a suitable, credible Teacher takes Paul Brunton, a Western skeptic, to a journey of Self discovery in which he learns to distinguish betwwen simple fakirs and really Holy Men, culminating with his realisation that Ramana Maharishi is the One who deserves to be recognised as a Holy, Wise and transforming Guru - excatly because he respects his disciple's free will and discrimination. He often teaches through silence, but can also use sparce words in order to get to Brunton's Soul and leave an indelible mark of LOVE nad Faith in him. A wonderful, almost pictorial book. Absolutely a GOOD READ!

Maria Carmo,

Lisbon 18th. Augusr 2012.

[Lohit Namboodiri · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a biography of author's travel in India searching for sages/Yogis. The author beautifully describes his journey with a critical mindset. In this book, you will get introduced to Ramana Maharshi.
The book has a lot of old English words which makes it a bit difficult to read.
In technical terms, I can call this as a survey paper on different Yogis of India in early 20th Century. :P

[Alina Lazarescu - Abboud · Rating 3 out of 5]

I absolutely loved his encounter with Maharishi and the days spent with him. This pages emanate such a special energy. The rest of the book is interesting describing the author quest for true knowledge, for a true spiritual master in India.

[Bhashini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paul Brunton's account of his search for genuine spirituality in 1920s India was a delightful discovery for me.
The writing is exquisite and the sincerity and determination with which he pursues his goal is both inspiring and moving.
I can see myself coming back to it again and again.

[Indra Vijay Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

2021 में पढ़ी गयी 48वीं किताब

गुप्त भारत की खोज - पॉल बर्टन

इस किताब के बारे में मुझे गुडरीड एप से पता चला। आशीष अय्यर जी जो ज्यादातर अंग्रेजी किताब पढ़ते है उन्होंने इसे रेकमडेड किया। जैसे ही मैंने इसे सर्च कर पढ़ना शुरू किया इसमें मेरे मन को मोह लिय���। कोई पश्चिम से आकर हमारी आध्यात्मिकता का जांच करे और उसे ये भी पता हो कि ज्यादातर ढोंगी है। यह विचार ही उत्तेजित करने के लिए काफी था। जहँ जहँ चरण पर गौतम के पढ़ने के बाद ऐसे भी आध्यात्मिकता मेरे ऊपर हावी थी। जैसे वह किताब किसी अफीम के नशे की तरह मेरे ऊपर हावी थी। सबसे कमाल की बात इस किताब के बारे में यह थी कि लेखक बिना पड़ताल और सबूत के किसी भी दावे को मानने के लिए तैयार नहीं थे। अपने भारत प्रवास के दौरान वो बहुत ही रोचक आध्यात्मिक लोगों से मिलते है और इंटरव्यू लेते है। इस क्रम में उनकी मुलाकात कई लोगो से होती है -

1. मिश्र का जादूगर - जो उन्हें मुंबई के होटल में मिलता है वो आत्माओ से अपने काम कराता है। यह अध्याय रॉचक तो है पर ज्ञानवर्धक नहीं है।

2. मेहर बाबा - जो खुद को मसीहा बताते है। यह भी आध्यत्मिकता के लिहाज से खाली है, किन्तु एक वृद्धा जिसके स्पर्श से मेहर बाबा को ज्ञान प्राप्त होता है वो काफी रोचक है।

3. अड्यार नदी का संन्यासी - एक योगी जो एकांत में जीत है और किसी से बात नहीं करता है। यहाँ से लेखक की सच्चे योगी से मुलाकात और ज्ञान वर्धन की बाते होती है। योग की बारे में कुछ ऐसे रहस्य उद्घाटित होते है जो मैं नहीं जानता था।

4. मौनी बाबा - बहुत ही शानदार योगी जो मौन रहते है और हमेशा समाधि की स्थिति में रहते है। इनसे मुलाकात वास्तव में बहुत ही ज्ञानवर्धक होती है।

5.बनारस का करामाती संन्यासी - यह ज्योतिष का वास्तविक अध्ययन करता है और बहुत ही ज्ञानी रहता है। उसने हजारो किताबों का अध्ययन किया हुआ होता है।

6. दयालबाग: ईश्वर की वाटिका - यहाँ जो गुरु रहते है वो काफी आधुनिक होते है और दयालबाग नाम का शहर बस रखते है। यह अभी भी प्रचलन में है और भारत ऐसे बाबाओ से भरा पड़ा है जिनकी काफी फैन फॉलोइंग है। यह सहारन पर व्यवहारिक ज्ञान से पूर्ण बाबा होते है।

7. अनूठी मुलाक़ात - राश्ते में दो गुरु शिष्य मिलते है जो कि आध्यात्मिक ज्ञान से भरपूर सच्चे योगी हॉट है जब उनसे उनके अतित के बारे में सवाल होता है तो वो जबाब होता है -

‘मनुष्य का अतीत, राख के ढेर से अधिक कुछ नहीं है,’ वह उत्तर देता है। ‘मुझे उस राख के ढेर में हाथ डालने के लिए मत कहिए। मुझे बीते हुए अनुभवों से कोई मतलब नहीं है। मैं न तो भविष्य में जीता हूँ और न ही अतीत में! मनुष्य की आत्मा के संदर्भ में, अतीत और भविष्य केवल परछाइयाँ मात्र हैं। यह भी एक तरह का ज्ञान है जो मैंने प्राप्त किया है।’

8. महर्षि - यहाँ आकर अंत में लेखक को सत्य की प्राप्ति होती है।

बीच में बहुत सारे लोग छूट गए है जैसे आदि शंकराचार्य से भेंट होती है जो उन्हें महर्षि के पास जाने की सलाह देते है।

अब उपन्यास के कुछ अंश जिससे आपको यह पता चलेगा कि अनुवादित होने के बाद भी यह कितनी उत्कृष्ट साहित्यिक रचना है -
मैंने सारा जीवन सत्य की तलाश की है तथा मैं सत्य के साथ मिलने वाली हर चीज़ को स्वीकार करने के लिए तैयार रहा हूँ।

बाबा का चेहरा तत्काल मेरी स्मृति में बैठ जाता है। वह ऐसे व्यक्ति का चेहरा है, जो जीवन पर विजय प्राप्त करने के बाद मुस्करा रहा है। ऐसा व्यक्ति, जिसने जीवन की उन दुर्बलताओं पर नियंत्रण प्राप्त कर लिया है, जिन्हें हम कमज़ोर मनुष्य, इच्छा अथवा अनिच्छा से झेल रहे हैं। बाबा का मुँह थोड़ा खुला है। उनकी नाक छोटी और सीधी है। उनकी आँखें खुली हैं। वह बिना पलक झपकाए ठीक अपने सामने देख रहे हैं। मौनी बाबा किसी प्रतिमा की भाँति बिना हिले-डुले चुपचाप बैठे हैं। मुझे जिस बात ने सबसे अधिक प्रभावित किया है, वह यह है कि पूरे समय बाबा की पलकें नहीं झपकी हैं। मैं आज तक किसी ऐसे मनुष्य से नहीं मिला जो दो घंटे से भी अधिक समय तक बिना हिले-डुले और पलकें झपकाए बैठ सकता हो।

‘तुम्हें जब परम सत्य का आभास हो जाएगा तो तुम स्वयं जान जाओगे कि मानव-जाति के कल्याण के लिए क्या सर्वोत्कृष्ट है। तुम्हारे पास ऐसा करने का सामर्थ्य भी होगा। यदि फूल में शहद है, तो मक्खी उसे अपने आप खोज लेती है। यदि मनुष्य के पास आध्यात्मिक ज्ञान और शक्ति है तो उसे लोगों की तलाश करने की आवश्यकता नहीं पड़ती, बल्कि लोग स्वयं उसके पास पहुँच जाते हैं। स्वयं को पूरी तरह पहचानने का प्रयास करो। इसके बाद किसी अन्य निर्देश की आवश्यकता नहीं होगी। बस, तुम्हें इतना ही करना है!’

‘क्या किसी व्यक्ति के भीतर दो लोग हो सकते हैं? दो व्यक्तित्व?’ महर्षि उत्तर देते हैं। ‘इस आत्म-तत्व को समझने के लिए अपना विश्लेषण करना आवश्यक है क्योंकि व्यक्ति को दूसरों की तरह सोचने की आदत पड़ जाती है, इसलिए वह अपने भीतर के उस “मैं” को ठीक से नहीं जान पाता। मनुष्य भी अपने आपको सही ढंग से समझ नहीं पाता। वह हमेशा स्वयं को शरीर और मस्तिष्क के साथ जोड़कर देखता है। इसलिए मैं आपको कहता हूँ कि आप पहले “मैं कौन हूँ” का उत्तर खोजिए।’

बहुत सारे नोट्स है बहुत लंबी पोस्ट हो जाने के कारण मैं सारे यहाँ नहीं डाल सजता हूँ। किताब बहुत ही रॉचक और ज्ञानवर्धक है। एक विदेशी आदमी की दृष्टि से पूरे नजरिया को देखना महसूस करना अपने आप में एक नया जीवन जीना है। मुझे उपन्यास बहुत पसंद आया।

[Lavanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was in a book store happy about the fact that I had finally found a book i was long searching for(not this book). As I scanned thru the shelves randomly, I came across two or three books and this one in particular drew me such intense inquisitive feelings.

I skimmed thru a few pages in random and decided to buy the book.
As I returned home, I got a whatsapp message out of nowhere from a friend of mine with a picture of this book and a very profound paragraph from it. Mind you, no one including me knew I was going to buy this book. Truly felt like a divine coincidence and I knew something was waiting for me in the book

About this book:

The first few pages were relatively very dry and I sensed that the author was a little too boring in elaborating smaller events in detail and I must admit I was compelled to skip a few paragraphs and lazily skim one or two pages too. I was a little too disappointed and was wondering if I had made a huge mistake of buying this book and i doubted my instinctive deep urge to buy the book at the book store

In a matter of few minutes of skipping a few paras and reading thru, I completely lost myself to the book
The author has literally shown his truest self in this book as every page there after felt like a journey with him.

The chapters have been very neatly organised and there is very little room for unnecessary details in the book.
Each chapter gives you that spiritual suspense and mysticism that the author encounters.

To be able to pen down everything which is spiritual and yet not highlight his success in different searches and present to us readers as if he was just a mere observer of sorts indeed shows the spiritual maturity of the person and the professional maturity of a journalist/writer

There are some places that made me very emotional but the fact was there was clearly nothing sad in his writings. The author had done an exemplary job of touching the soul of the reader

The last few pages of the chapter reveals the self realisation journey of the author and he writes some profund messages which I would leave for the reader to probe and understand for themselves

Mr. Paul Brunton acted like a mere messenger but in real , he was a blessed and a very spiritually evolved man. It makes a reader like me envy him for such spiritual thirst he possessed. FromThe journey of the thirsty and ready Spiritual student that he was to the master that he finally saw amidst true and fake yogis, magicians, real yogis and spiritualists and the guidance and affirmations he encountered in between was a treat to my soul’s journey as well

Thank you is one gratitude I owe to Mr.PAUL BRUNTON . Great great great book 🙏

[Sambasivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had heard a lot about this book over the last many years. First time got hold of it through serendipity.

What a great book it is. It was published in 1934. Nearly 100 years back and about 14 years before independence.

He meets a lot of mystics but actually is in search of a real fakeer against a normal quack.

He does have many experiences which are really inform him of the spiritual progress made by India thousands of years back.

His meeting of Periyava and then going to meet Ramana Maharishi are penned so beautifully.

So is his coming back again at the end to meet Maharishi.

Overall a life changing book.

Leaves more questions that are unanswered but the book makes it clear that this part of India is largely unexplored even today.

And may continue to remain a secret for years to come.

[Amit · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wonder if an Indian had written this book then would it have meant as much. That a western searches and discovers a secret makes this book more emphatic in my opinion.
Being Hindu, and having grow in the culture and spirituality of India, we do not question much of the learnings and wisdom of our rishis and ancient texts. This book does that and separated truth from quackery in the modern world. It brings focus in our pursuits to find a guru and in believing with all our rationality and heart. For that I give this book the highest rating.
A western or a person brought up in western education and temperament but with a flair for eastern will enjoy this book immensely. An eastern, who grew in the potpourri of Indian mysticism, will see validation and hope in this book. A good read indeed.

[Aliona Barbăscumpă · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deschid atent, și fără grabă, o ușă a cunoașterii, a spiritualității și a exaltării … care încă urmează a fi studiată.

“Adevărată fire a omului e fericirea.
Fericirea e un dar al înțelepciunii.”

“Învață să cunoști, și adevărul va străluci în sufletul tău ca o rază de soare”

Corp. Spirit. Suflet.

[Elena Petrova · Rating 4 out of 5]

Интересно пътешествие на Пол Брънтън, журналист и изследовател, който в началото на миналия век предприема пътешествие до Индия. Заинтригуван от тогава не толкова популярните йоги и гурута, той е в постоянно изумление и научното му изследване в много моменти граничи с фантастика, но пък най-вероятно така е видял нещата.

[J.J. Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hidden wisdom

This book was poorly written and sometimes hard to follow because the author didn’t separate dialogue and often jumped from on topic to another all in the same paragraph. Nevertheless, there is a great deal of fascinating spiritual knowledge. Some of the information jumps out at you and other you have to astute enough to see what it right in front of you.

[Praveen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never expected such an easy read, when it comes to books on spiritual journey.
Paul Brunton has put forward his valuable personal experience in a lucid manner, which makes the book unputdownable, which I never expected in almost 100-year-old book.

A gem … not just for western audience but for anyone who is seeking self-knowledge.