ABOUT: THE PROPHET - KAHLIL GIBRAN // BY ANOUSHKA BAHADUR//

 

"The Hunter was also The Hunted"

Published in 1923, The Prophet is considered to be the most widely read book of the 20^th century. Translated to around 40 languages throughout the world, it is estimated to have sold more than 20 million copies in English alone. The Prophet deals with the ‘philosophy of Kahlil Gibran’ (the author, chiefly known for this work), which later came to be termed as ‘Gibranism.’ The context of the book revolves in Orphalese where Almustafa is bidding farewell to the natives of Orphalese. The natives have all gathered to bid Almustafa goodbye and seem to be pretty upset at his departure. The book catches my eye when Almustafa, on seeing the natives gloomy, says “Shall the day of parting be the day of gathering? And shall it be said that my Eve was in truth my dawn….And ever has it been that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation.”

The book is divided into numerous chapters, rather, numerous topics – which the natives ask Almustafa to share his thoughts on. Ranging from love, marriage, children, work, to reason, passion, beauty, religion, death, this book covers ample aspects of what we deal with in life per se.

If you are someone who likes to introspect, this book has got your back. Reading this book helps one find solace with what the book offers. The element for introspection starts playing its part when you come (and you will come) to terms with thoughts not reverberating yours. Finding yourself with different thoughts on a subject of the book makes one wonder, or rath, makes one debate and come to a conclusion – you either agree with Gibranism, or your original thoughts become stronger.  The bottom line being that you, as a person, as a self-aware soul, grow. In the words of Kahlil Gibran, “Say not ‘I have found the truth’ but rather ‘I have found a truth’.”

“To judge you by your failures is to cast blame upon the seasons for their inconsistency” – something which I believe in. Another aspect of reading The Prophet would be to have more clarity about your thoughts, your principles, and above all, what you are from within (Needless to mention that having clarity about what you are makes way for you to understand what you want from life, thus, improving and streamlining your goals and desires). I believe giving insights into the book will  help you understand  better as to why this book needs to be added in your bucket reading list.

In the words of Almustafa –

“But if in your fear you would seek only love’s peace and pleasure,

Then it is better for you to pass out of love’s threshing-floor,

Into the seasonless world where you shall laugh, but not all your laughter, and weep, but not all of your tears”

Gibran compares The Maker to an archer where children are arrows and their parents, bows, from which the bows are sent forth – “for their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow.” The book features meticulous use of metaphors and symbolisms. Kahlil Gibran compares Work to love which is made visible. “You work that you may keep pace with the earth and the soul of the earth…And when you work with love you bind yourself to yourself, and to one another, and to God.” Joy and sorrow, however different they might feel, are after all, what you call the two sides of the same coin – having a common source. “Your joy is your sorrow unmasked….When you are joyous, you look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that it giving you joy. When you are sorrowful look again in your heart and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.” Kahlil Gibran showcases what crime is when our spirits wander upon the wind, that we, alone and unguarded, commit a wrong into others, and therefore, unto ourselves.

Concluding that “life and death are one, even as the river and the sea are one,” The Prophet does not entirely belong to a philosophical genre – it is more of a self-help book (an effective one though). It is one of those books you wish to re-read after a few monsoons. To sum it up, it is a mixture of philosophy, mysticism, and poetic description.

Some critics say “The Prophet’s vast popularity is baffling in the face of its ‘mediocre’ qualities as a piece of prose poetry.” Although I do believe that it is more of a thought-provoking book than a prose-poetry one.

Don’t wait. Order it online, or go to your nearest bookstore – because it is a must have irrespective of your age. Concluding this review with some of my favourite lines from the book –

“And beauty is not a need but an ecstasy.

It is not a mouth thirsting nor an empty hand stretched,

but rather a heart inflamed and a soul enchanted

It is not the image you would see nor the song you would hear

But rather an image you see though you close your eyes

and a song you hear though you shut your ears.”

Happy Reading :)

Fun fact: To date The Prophet has sold over 9 million copies in its US edition alone – about a million every decade.