Ranjit Kulkarni

Ranjit Kulkarni is an author with a penchant for portraying characters from the real world and weaving stories around their apparently mundane lives. He is the creator of Jigneshbhai and Swami. Born and brought up in Mumbai, Kulkarni spent his childhood in the environs of urban, middle-class India. As an adult, he’s travelled the world, exploring the cityscapes of America, getting lost in the natural beauty of Europe, and absorbing the tastes and sounds of Asia. With his constant knack for observation and a deep seated fondness of reflection, he loves crafting tales that entertain and provoke thought. When not writing, Kulkarni loves reading and going on trips with his wife. He is an avid traveller, a passionate investor and a devoted student of spirituality. He loves ice-cream and chocolate too. He lives in Bangalore India.

Karma and its effect on character

by

Karma and its effect on character:  Chapter excerpts from Karma Yoga – from the Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda Vol 1. Excerpts are reproduced below: *** Work for work’s sake. If a man works without any selfish motive in view, does he not gain anything? Yes, he gains the highest. Unselfishness is more paying, only … Read more

Happier Than Others

by

Jigneshbhai, Swami and I gulped a spoonful of the thirteenth and last dish participating in the annual organic cooking contest for which we had been invited by Shridhar Mama as judges. As part of the preceding twelve, we had relished whole wheat chapatis, fruit salad based on organic milk, sandwiches with organic jams and even … Read more

The Secret of Work

by

The Secret of Work:  Chapter excerpts from Karma Yoga – from the Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda Vol 1. Excerpts are reproduced below: *** Spiritual knowledge is the only thing that can destroy our miseries for ever; any other knowledge satisfies wants only for a time. It is only with the knowledge of the spirit … Read more

The Philosophy of Vedanta

by

My notes from ‘Vedanta: Voice of Freedom” – a selected compilation from the Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda. “The Philosophy of Vedanta” – Chapter Highlights reproduced below: *** To every man this is taught: Thou art one with this Universal Being, and, as such, every soul that exists is your soul, and every body that … Read more

What is Vedanta?

by

My notes from ‘Vedanta: Voice of Freedom” – a selected compilation from the Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda. ‘What is Vedanta’ Chapter Highlights reproduced below: *** Just as creation is infinite and eternal, without beginning and without end, so is the knowledge of God without beginning and without end. And this knowledge is what is … Read more

Vedanta and Vivekananda

by

My notes from ‘Vedanta: Voice of Freedom” – a selected compilation from the Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda. Highlights reproduced below: *** In nondualistic Vedanta, Brahman is the Ultimate Reality, Existence Knowledge— Bliss Absolute. The world is shown to be nothing but name and form, all of which is apparent, not real, having only a … Read more

Freedom

by

Freedom: Chapter excerpts from Karma Yoga – from the Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda Vol 1. Excerpts reproduced below: *** “Work incessantly, but give up all attachment to work.” Do not identify yourself with anything. Hold your mind free. “Misery comes through attachment, not through work.” This “I and mine” causes the whole misery. With … Read more

Non-attachment is the complete self abnegation

by

Non-attachment is the complete self abnegation: Chapter excerpts from Karma Yoga – from the Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda Vol 1. Excerpts reproduced below: *** He who in good action sees that there is something evil in it, and in the midst of evil sees that there is something good in it somewhere, has known … Read more

What is Duty?

by

What is Duty:  Chapter excerpts from Karma Yoga – from the Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda Vol 1. Excerpts are reproduced below: *** It is necessary in the study of Karma- Yoga to know what duty is. If I have to do something I must first know that it is my duty, and then I … Read more

Ranjit’s Newsletter