How to Get the Most Out of Reading

Knowledge is the most powerful tool of human beings to lead a purposeful life. Next to personal communication with an expert, books are the primary means of transmission of knowledge. It is important to have a structured approach to get the most out of reading a book. Here are some guidelines.

Importance of Knowledge

Knowledge acquired by learning connects us to the common heritage of humanity. Just as we inherit genes through biological means, we inherit knowledge through education. The Guru Parampara (chain of teacher-student relationships) is an alternate inheritance of a human being. Knowledge is the greatest inheritance. (Thirukkural 411) We are indebted to the lineage for all science, philosophy, art and technology. It is this knowledge that differentiates human beings from animals. (Thirukkural 420)

Mankind has achieved everything by action based on knowledge. Where there is the power of knowledge and the power of action, success is assured. (Gita 18.78) This combination can solve any problem in the world and in our life. Knowledge should precede action. (Thirukkural 467) Introspection on the results of the action should collect back the lessons learnt to improve the available body of knowledge. Thus, all actions culminate in knowledge. (Gita 4.33)

Book Knowledge

Organized bodies of knowledge are the foundation of human civilization. The Rig Veda is the first book known to mankind. Based on the astronomical observations recorded in the Rig Veda, it is being dated several thousand years back. Even in that oldest book, beautiful poetry on Nature, abstract poetry on the nature of knowing, sublime philosophy, foundation of ethics, etc. are all present. It was composed when writing was not very common. It was passed down from generation to generation as an oral tradition for centuries before it was written down.

Today, we have numerous sources of knowledge apart from the traditional books, like articles on the internet, videos, documentaries, movies, podcasts, etc. The way of learning itself is not very different. So, though we would refer to “book” here, most of the concepts are applicable to all media.

Anubandha Chatushtaya – Four Connections

Before reading a book, you should have a definite reason. Most traditional Indian texts start with a list of four connections. (Vedaantasaara 5) Even if a book does not explicitly list them, it will help to think about these four connections and have a clear understanding of these before starting an in depth study.

1. Adhikaari – Who is this book for? What are the prerequisites for the reader of this book?
2. Prayojana – What is the purpose of this book?
3. Vishaya – What does this book say? What is the message?
4. Sambandha – How is Vishaya connected to Prayojana? How is the purpose of the book served?

These are explained in greater detail below.

Adhikaari – Prerequisites

This has two aspects.

1. Previous Knowledge – All knowledge is built on previously known knowledge. Without studying some basic mathematics and physics, a person cannot appreciate a concept like Schrodinger’s equation. This prerequisite is from an intellectual point of view.
2. Relevance – Every topic has a relevance to some people and can be understood correctly only by a person who has the necessary maturity. This prerequisite is from an emotional and value point of view. A knowledge is relevant only to a person who knows its value and seeks it earnestly.

Prayojana – Purpose

This defines what will happen to the reader by acquiring this knowledge. There are four things that a book can give.

1. Icchaa Shakti – motivation. Such books appeal to the heart. Traditionally this power is associated with Goddess Lakshmi.
2. Jnaana Shakti – information. Such books appeal to the head. Traditionally this power is associated with Goddess Saraswati.
3. Kriyaa Shakti – skill. Such books appeal to the hand. Traditionally this power is associated with Goddess Durga.
4. Lila – entertainment. Such books help to view human life from a refreshingly new angle. Traditionally this power is associated with Goddess Lalitha.

The purpose of reading should be very clear from the beginning. The approach to the usage of the book will vary based on this.

Vishaya – Message

This is a summary of the contents of the book. This becomes especially important if the purpose of the book is information. Complicated concepts are presented in a question and answer format as a discussion between the purvapakshi (questioner) and siddhaanti (answerer). Often, the questioner goes into an elaborate presentation of his point of view. Sometimes, it becomes confusing if this is the stance of the author of the book or this is the opponent’s view. So, there are six lingas (markers) that are used to identify the real message of the author of the book. (Vedaantasaara 184) They are the following:

1. Upakrama-upasamhaara – opening and closing summary. The message of the book will be usually given in the opening summary, preface, first and last chapter, back cover, etc. Read these first to get a high-level understanding of the message.
2. Abhyaasa – repetition. The central message will be usually repeated and presented from several points of view. Have an eye to locate these. Going through the table of contents will help to identify this.
3. Arthavaada – eulogy. The greatness or benefits of the message will be praised and the opposite will be despised in the book. Sometimes the book will contain reviews and comments by other experts in the field. This will give an indication.
4. Apoorvata – novelty. There will be a novelty in the message or its presentation to warrant the book’s existence. Looking for the uniqueness of the book can help arriving at its message.
5. Phala – benefit. The book will talk about the benefit of its central message. This can be used to get a clear understanding of the central message.
6. Upapatti – demonstration. The book would connect the message to everyday experience using examples and illustrations. You can look for diagrams, tables, pictures, etc in the book, that will help to quickly come to the message of the book.

You should have a good high level understanding before reading the book. After reading the book, ensure that you have understood the central message correctly by identifying these six markers.

Sambandha – Application

This specifies the relationship between the contents of the book and the purpose of the book. This largely depends on the Prayojana.

1. Icchaa Shakti – If the goal of the book is to motivate and inspire, then the book has to be read fully. The book will have some exaggerations, which should be excused. This is called arthavaada. Some parts of the book cannot be taken as facts. There will be stories in the book, which may be based on real events. But the presentation need not be accurate because that is not the purpose of this book. Just having a glimpse of the contents will not serve the purpose of the book. A person must read through the book even though the information in the book may be already known. For example, a person may know the life of Saint Purandaradaasa. Reading his life again will give rise to more vairaagya (renunciation) and bhakti (devotion). Even a person who knows the life of the saint can read one more book or article on his life. The new reading may not give any new information. But it can give new inspiration. Sometimes, there will be some amount of drama in the book. So the book must be read in sequence without skipping ahead.
2. Jnaana Shakti – If the goal of the book is information, then it is enough for a person to read it thoroughly once and understand it fully. If the reader is already familiar with the topic, he can just have a glimpse at the various topics to see if there is anything new. It is not necessary to read word by word. It will be convenient if the book is already presented in a manner convenient for this with topics given in bold, important definitions in boxes, preparatory questions at the beginning and review questions at the end of each chapter, etc. This will help the reader to efficiently grasp the idea being conveyed. Also, if the reader is already familiar with the topic, it will help him to skip over without reading every word. If the book is not already organized in this manner, the reader can do it by making some markings. It is advisable for the reader to prepare lists of important points for future ready reference. Lists can be made pictorially as mind-maps.
3. Kriyaa Shakti – If the goal of the book is to give training on some skill, mere reading the book is not sufficient. The reader must practice what is given in the book. For example, a person cannot benefit from a book that teaches programming in C, cooking, yoga aasanaas or meditation techniques by just reading it. The instructions must be put into action. Without putting into action, the expected results cannot be achieved. Often, the book would present as a sequence. The earlier part of the book may be prerequisite for the later part of the book, unless explicitly mentioned. Also, in most cases, steps cannot be skipped.
4. Lila – If the goal of the book is entertainment, then reading the book itself is the benefit. So, merely having a glimpse of the book will not give the full effect. In most cases, there will be a lot of drama and suspense. So, you must read it in sequence without knowing even a hint of what comes later. You cannot skip any part of the book. Also, often the artistic or humorous language itself would be a major element of the book. It can be enjoyed best by reading every word.

Thus, when you pick up a book for reading, you should decide these aspects. Often a book is designed to serve multiple purposes. In that case, you need to identify the portions of the book that fall under each category and tune your reading accordingly. For example, a story might be told to inspire you to do something. A story may be given as an illustration or a memory aid to understand and remember a complex concept. Always keep this in mind before and while reading different sections of the book.

Process of Studying

There is a popular Sanskrit proverb that says, “A student learns one fourth from the teacher (or book), one fourth by reflecting within oneself, one fourth by discussion with others and one fourth by experience in due course of time.” The Vedas say, “Never ignore the duties of studying and teaching,” (Taittiriya Upanishad 1.11.1) “It has to be heard, reflected and meditated upon.” (Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 2.4.5). A popular Tamil text says, “Select and study what is to be studied without any gap in understanding. After that follow what has been understood.” (Thirukkural 391) For Self-knowledge, the steps listed are “hearing, reflecting, meditation, absorption.” (Vedaantasaara 181) Thus, we can benefit by a generalization of these four steps to studying.

1. Sravana – reading or hearing – The essential message must be understood by analyzing the six markers that are spread throughout the text. Cross connections should be made between different parts of the text to form a clear understanding of what the author is trying to convey. There is no obligation to accept what the author says. However, there is an obligation to understand what the author says.
2. Manana – reflecting – The concepts that have been understood must be analyzed for logical gaps and inconsistencies. These must be clarified by asking questions to someone who is an expert in the concepts. Also, new connections between different concepts must be established to form a personal understanding of the text. It also helps to make a personal selection of points or excerpts from the text and memorize them or put them into an easily recallable location.
3. Nididhyasana – meditating or implementing – Depending on the purpose of the book, it should be applied into practice. If it is a text on self knowledge, meditation will be the way of implementing. If it is a book on cooking, getting a stove and the ingredients, and actually trying out the recipe will be the way of implementing it. If it is a book on developing good habits, a selection of the habits must be tried out in everyday life, to evaluate their efficacy.
4. Pravacana – teaching or discussing – After the reader has got a certain grasp of the knowledge, more depth can be gained by teaching it to others or by discussing with others.

Concentration

The human brain can focus only on one thing efficiently. So, when we read, we should not be distracted by other activities. If other sounds and sights are around, they can reduce the efficiency of reading. Concentration of all the energy and attention on the current work is important. Swami Vivekananda says, “To me the very essence of education is concentration of mind, not the collecting of facts. If I had to do my education over again, and had any voice in the matter, I would not study facts at all. I would develop the power of concentration and detachment, and then with a perfect instrument I could collect facts at will. Side by side, in the child, should be developed the power of concentration and detachment.” (CW-VI.38)

Another interesting phenomenon to note is this. The human mind is so powerful that it can actually read very fast. If we do not read at the fastest speed that we can, our mind will not be fully engaged and it will start to wander or fall asleep. We can have more concentration when we read as fast as we can. Another support to focus is to use a finger or a pointer to guide the eyes as we read. This will help the eye movement and make it easy to concentrate on the reading.

Read

The Vedas say, “Let noble thoughts come to us from all directions.” (Rig Veda 1.89.1) There is no difference between a person who cannot read and a person who does not read. It is a pity that most people stop reading when they graduate out of school or college. A Tamil text says, “A person who does not read is like one who has two sores on his face instead of eyes.” (Thirukkural 393) It is important that everyone reads good books everyday. There are several videos on the internet on how to read efficiently. There are several websites with free online books and good articles. There is no reason why a person does not read regularly.

I hope this article inspires you to read at least 30 minutes a day. I hope the ideas given here help you to squeeze information out of books like a machine pressing juice out of sugarcanes, and helps you to enjoy the sweet nectarine juice.