A book about the fragrance of goodness

Mama Kauda?
Who am I?
Author R.R. Kumarage
An author publication

Reviewed by Padma Edirisinghe

The title question as to one’s own identity, needless to say, does not occur in everybody’s mind. The majority take their identity for granted and never pause to question it. Those who get obsessed with the identity problem usually end up in homes for the mentally disturbed. Some in utter confusion about it declare themselves to be Napoleon Buonaparte or Adolf Hitler or queen Cleopatra.

Without going to extremes on an issue such as the above, one can stop this side of such imbalance and do positive studies about oneself and even go on to produce a book of this nature. May be many have produced books aligned to such a title but naturally I am letting myself on the only book under this title that I have been invited to review.The author, presumably young and hopeful, clarifies his objective at the outset in this strain, “This book is a positive guide to knowing oneself and leading one to further progress”, perhaps eliminating faults discovered and developing good traits.In a world where words such as “good”, “decent” and “civilised” are almost going out of vogue it is nice to find a young man dabbling in matters connected to the goodness of life. The book is almost scented with the fragrance of goodness. Be good, be good, the whole book resonates with this message while a philosophical thread of thinking runs throughout the book.

Before going further let me produce some grand and inspiring quotes by eminent persona the author has used for even such quotes are going out of fashion, and even considered anachronisms.“Everyone thinks of changing the world but no one thinks of changing himself” Leo Tolsttoy...

“Never break a trust because when it breaks, it does not make a noise but pains a lot”, Charles Dickens.

Never believe what the lines of your hands predict for people who don’t have hands also have a future” - Anon.

When the moon shines little flowers bloom but lotuses do not blossom. Likewise in an assembly of great pundits, it is better to maintain silence” - Lokopakaraya.William Shakespeare’s words of wisdom are “Listen to many but open your mouth with a few”.

“Smooth roads never make good driversSmooth seas never make good sailors”

- Anon.