‘Kamadhenu’ the Celestial Cow assures fulfillment of well deserved needs in both the contexts of ‘iham and param’ or during the ongoing and subsequent lives’. The popular Picture Post Cards depict Kamadhenu with its forehead ‘s upper part as of Parama Shiva with the symbolic AUM as the saffron spot while its nether part just […]
(COMPOSED AND EDITED BY V.D.N.RAO) Introduction: ‘Kaalamana’ in the context of Bharata Varsha which metamorphosed like a kaleidoscope gradually adopted Videsha Samskrti; new culture, life-style and even new psyche. In the process, the Vedic Dharma witnessed some changes in the process of evolution. As the Rulers changed, so did the cultures yet the core […]
Dharma in Hinduism, is an organizing principle that applies to human beings in solitude, in their interaction with human beings and nature, as well as between inanimate objects, to all of cosmos and its parts. It refers to the order and customs which make life and universe possible, and includes behaviors, rituals, rules that govern society, […]
The word ,or rather, concept, Sanātan Dharma. Now, the concept, or word, Hinduism. What are the similarities in both? Are they synonymous? No. These two terms are not synonymous. They indicate two different branches of spirituality. These are but two unique yet two imperial offshoots of the Hindu Dharma. Sanātan means constant. Thus, Sanātan Dharma […]
Hinduism has always been an environmentally sensitive philosophy. No religion, perhaps, lays as much emphasis on environmental ethics as Hinduism. The Mahabharata, Ramayana, Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, Puranas and Smriti contain the earliest messages for preservation of environment and ecological balance. Nature, or Earth, has never been considered a hostile element to be conquered or […]
The phrase Prajnanam Brahma literally translates to this :- “Prajnanam”= intelligence.” Brahma”=” Brahman”. This means Brahman is intelligence. This is a Mahavākya. Mahavākyas are used in Hindu spiritual tradition for meditation and contemplation. They are usually taken from the Upanishads. Most commonly, Mahavakyas are considered four in number Prajnanam Brahma (प्रज्ञानम् ब्रह्मा) Aham Brahma Asmi (अहम् […]
We,being Hindus know of the fact that Lord Shiva has numerous names and manifestations. Many local village deities in both northern and southern India are either named after him or associated with him. Among his many names few are very popular. Of them the name Shankarā (also spelled as Sankara) is one. The name “Shankarācharya” […]
The Vedic gods are those gods who feature prominently in the four Vedas. These gods were worshipped by the Vedic people. Their mode of worshipping was through rituals and sacrifices to the gods. According to the Vedas, the Brahman created Gods and humans in such a way that they had to be dependent on each […]
There are multiple stories about the origin of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. The Shrimad Bhagvatam states that Shiva emerged from a burning tower when Lord Vishnu and Brahma had an argument. The Shiva Purana states that lord Vishnu originated when lord Shiva rubbed some nectar on his ankle.The Vishnu Purana says that lord Shiva originated from […]
Jnana yoga is the path of non-dual realization that leads to an experience of absolute truth. What is the Meaning of Jnana? The word ‘jnana’ (pronounced ‘gyan’) means knowledge. This is of two kinds: 1. Shabdatmak jnana — theoretical knowledge 2. Anubhavatmak jnana — practical knowledge In Hinduism the word jnana has many connotations. […]
Advaita Vedanta refers to the non-dualistic school of Hindu philosophy, which is derived mostly from the Upanishads and elaborated in detail by eminent scholars like Gaudapada and Sri Adishankaracharya. Dvaita means duality, and Advaita means nonduality. In simple terms, Advaita means absence of the duality between subject and object. In our wakeful consciousness we experience […]
In ancient days, our forefathers, the Rishis of Aryavartha, went to the forest to do Tapasya during the four months following Vyasa Purnima—a particular and important day in the Hindu calendar. On this memorable day, Maharishi Veda Vyasa, an incarnation of the Lord Himself, began to write his Brahma Sutras. Our ancient Rishis did this Tapasya […]
