Paropakaaram idam shariram– this is what our scriptures advise us. This body has been given to us only for serving others. In this busy world, it is very difficult to look beyond I-me-mine kind of life that we all live. Still, if we can set aside some time, even a teeny weeny little time toContinue reading “Looking Beyond one’s self”
Category Archives: Spiritual Path
Cross the negativity
I remember having read an old Native American tale where a grandpa explained to his little grandson about the two great beings within each one of us. One is the angel and the other is the beast constantly waging a war between themselves. The little boy curious wanted to know which one usually wins. TheContinue reading “Cross the negativity”
The Holy Cow
The poor humble cow seems to be in the news lately for all the wrong reasons. The cow is worshipped by millions of devout Hindus in India. The very sight of a cow first thing in the morning is supposed to confer good fortune. The mere thought of slaughtering cows or feeding on it isContinue reading “The Holy Cow”
Of Temples Old and New
This year on the holy day of Mahashivaratri, I participated in the opening of a new temple in the town of Kericho. The Kamleshwar Mahadev Temple built by our Foundation came up in 2013 in Kibigori near Kisumu. Ever since, atleast four other temples have come up in Kenya and I feel very happy that manyContinue reading “Of Temples Old and New”
Tuning in to Krishna Consciousness
The holy Vaikunta Ekadashi day on 8th January 2017 was a memorable one for me. I happened to visit the magnificent ISKCON temple in Bengaluru and felt I was literally going through the Vaikunt dwar. This holy day is dedicated to the worship of Lord Vishnu. The Vaikunt dwar or the special north side entranceContinue reading “Tuning in to Krishna Consciousness”
The Holy Tulsi
Today is the twelfth day of the waxing moon (Shukla Paksha Dwadashi) of the month of Kartika. According to the Skanda Purana, the wedding of Tulsi with the Shaligram (sacred stone, symbolising Lord Vishnu) is celebrated today. The holy basil or tulsi is a symbol of purity and by wearing a garland of fresh tulsiContinue reading “The Holy Tulsi”
Of Homas and Yagnas
It has been a memorable dassera for me as I got to perform the Chandi Yagna at the Sanatan Hindu Union temple on Vijayadasami day. As I was participating my mind went back to how our religion has so many wonderful events like these to purify our body and uplift our soul. These are meantContinue reading “Of Homas and Yagnas”
The Bhakthi of the Gopis
Recently there was a discourse series at Pushti Marg Haveli in Nairobi. I was very fortunate to attend these lectures. The theme was the love of the gopis for Krushn in Gopi Geet. Pujya Jejeshree conducted the discourses and in his usual style explained so beautifully all the verses and dwelt at length on theContinue reading “The Bhakthi of the Gopis”
Welcoming Shraavan
I look forward to this month each year because it is very special and has a special place in my heart. This month Shraavan is also known as Shivmaas, the holy month of Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati. As per the scriptures Lord Shiva tells his beloved wife Parvati that out of all theContinue reading “Welcoming Shraavan”
An encounter with Naga Bawa in Ujjain
The experience to know who Naga bawa is and why they are so important during Kumbh mela is completely out of the world. I always wondered about these clan who roam without clothes and live in the jungle and practice world’s weirdest cult. Many of us always thought that they practice witchcraft and harm peopleContinue reading “An encounter with Naga Bawa in Ujjain”
Who is the pop of Hindu religion?
We often forget our roots in religion and how our roots were saved by our beloved Shankaracharya more than two thousand years ago. I met the current Shankaracharya of Kashi and Dwarka, Shree Swarupananadji during Kumbh in Ujjain after having met him earlier during the Allahabad Kumbh. I have known him for more than aContinue reading “Who is the pop of Hindu religion?”
Presented a case paper on who are the authors of Hindu scriptures
This session was about my favourite topic of Indian scriptures and the relevant importance of the same in today’s life. The HWPL came up with very relevant questions and expected us to share our thoughts on the same. The meeting was attended by various leaders from Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Sikhism. Everyone presented interesting quotesContinue reading “Presented a case paper on who are the authors of Hindu scriptures”
An interesting journey to kumbh snana at Haridwar
It is an interesting fact that who doesn’t know what is Kumbh Mela. From Maxico to China, every individual familier with world’s wonders would know what is Kumbh Mela in India. It was my third kumbh visit at Haridwar this January. Though it is an ardh kumbh- half kumbh which comes after every six yearsContinue reading “An interesting journey to kumbh snana at Haridwar”
Temples-Providing leadership, networking and serving as resource center
Temples or Mandir or Devalayam in Sanskrit is the house of god, place of worship and a platform to connect with the inner soul. Temples have been a significant part of Indian culture for thousands of years. It has been a torch, a leading light, a social image of the society and a place to find the solace.Continue reading “Temples-Providing leadership, networking and serving as resource center”
Chanakya Niti!!
I am so glad that finally I completed watching series of Chanakya on DVD. It was an interesting journey watching this saga after so many years again. This series was released more than 20 years back in India which I watched again after more than a decade. I could relate the same to the bookContinue reading “Chanakya Niti!!”
Theories of Moksha in various vedic beliefs in Bharat- part 2
I was thinking about the statement that ‘India is a cradle of many religions’. Well, that means India must have always been a tolerant country that has welcomed newer thoughts getting infused into existing religion and breaking out into new religions. That speaks volumes about the nature of its people who were ready to embraceContinue reading “Theories of Moksha in various vedic beliefs in Bharat- part 2”
Various theories of Moksha in Vedic scriptures part 1
Hinduism is such a fascinating religion that the more I delve into it the more I am fascinated by it. It seems to offer something to everybody. Look at Adi Sankara, on the one hand, he has given us so many stothras like the Ganesh Pancharatna, Kanakadara etc. and many other vaidik rituals and inContinue reading “Various theories of Moksha in Vedic scriptures part 1”
THE ESSENCE OF THE 3D’S -Daan, Daam, Daya
Hindu Scriptures stress on values that are universal and can be cultivated by all. The virtues of Dama- Self Restraint, Dana- Charity or giving and Daya- Compassion can be practiced by all easily. Read on to understand the essence of the 3D’s as they are collectively called in this article. Sanathan Dharma has always stressedContinue reading “THE ESSENCE OF THE 3D’S -Daan, Daam, Daya”
THE ETERNAL RELEVANCE OF SWAMI VIVEKANANDA’S PHILOSOPHY
“It is an insult to a starving man to teach him metaphysics” This one quote by Swami Vivekanada even as early as the nineteenth century sums up the situation of the common man in India. Swamiji’s compassion to the poor stemmed from his real life experiences of seeing them roam pathetically the length and breadthContinue reading “THE ETERNAL RELEVANCE OF SWAMI VIVEKANANDA’S PHILOSOPHY”