Gurcharan Das: The Difficulty of Being Good: On the Subtle Art of Dharma

Abstract

The Difficulty of Being Good: On the Subtle Art of Dharma by Gurcharan Das is reviewed. The Sanskrit word dharma has many meanings but, for the purpose of this review, it is apposite to think of it as being related fundamentally to doing the right thing. systematically studying the meaning and the purpose of the Mahabharata and by linking its findings with those of texts about ethical behavior in the Western philosophical tradition. The Mahabharata is the story of the futile and disastrous war of annihilation between the children of two brothers of the Bharata clan. Certain caveats notwithstanding, it is important to comprehend that this book sheds valuable light on the appropriate course of action in situations of choice.