The Difficulty of Being Good

Manishankar S. Dey, Student, Sinhgad Institute of Business Administration & Research, Kondhwa, Pune.

As I read Gurcharan Das’s The Difficulty of Being Good, I found myself deeply engaged with its central question: What does it really mean to be a good person? The book uses stories from the Mahabharata to explore the idea of dharma, or moral duty, and connects these ancient lessons to modern life in a way that feels surprisingly relevant.
Each chapter introduces a new theme—envy, duty, justice, forgiveness—and dives into the struggles of characters like Yudhishthira, Draupadi, and Arjuna. Their dilemmas feel so real, even though they’re from an epic written thousands of years ago. I couldn’t help but see parallels to challenges we face today, whether in personal relationships or in how leaders make decisions.
What strikes me most as I turn the pages is the honesty of the book. Das doesn’t offer simple answers or claim that being good is easy. Instead, he shows how complicated it can be to make the right choice, especially when the lines between right and wrong are blurred. This honesty makes the book feel authentic and relatable.
I also love how Das connects these ancient stories to today’s world. From real-life politics to business ethics, he draws examples that make me reflect on my own life and decisions. The writing is clear and thought-provoking, making even deep philosophical ideas easy to understand.
Reading this book feels like a journey—one that’s not just about understanding the characters of the Mahabharata but about understanding myself. Every chapter leaves me thinking, “What would I do in their place?” and that, to me, is the mark of a truly powerful book.
The Difficulty of BeingGood isn’t just a book I’m reading—it’s a conversation I’m having with myself about what it means to live a good life.