Freedom from Anger

If you never become angry congratulations. You are already enlightened in the sense that you have risen beyond all the psychological bonds. You have developed the highest degree of compassion. If you are not not enlightened, brace for some unsavory remarks. It is either the enlightened or the stupid who never become angry. If Buddha …

How often do we call an old friend just to say hello?

I don't know if it is happening only with me. Or, it happens to every one past certain age. Or it happens only with the male of the species. Or, the casual sharing of posts in a whatsapp group has obviated such a need. A few days back, during a conversation, I told a friend …

understanding panchanga

Panchanga means five limbs. Most of us must have heard the term Panchanga in the context of the Indian calendar or while trying to fix an auspicious time for any important event like marriage or grihapravesha. What are these five limbs? What is their significance? How have these been derived?  Have we ever wondered about …

Lord Brahma’s Advice to His Creation

In vedic astrology human births are classified as Deva Gana, Manushya Gana and Rakshasa Gana. It does not mean that those who are born under Rakshasa gana are demonic in nature. Among other implications, such classifications are usually taken into account while matching  horoscopes of prospective brides and grooms.  Otherwise also we have lots of …

Shri Jaganathashtakam by Adi Shankaracharya

An Ashtakam is a composition in eight stanzas. This is quite popular in the stuti genre of Sanskrit Literature. The Jagannath Ashtakam was composed by Adi Shankaracharya. It is not possible to give the exact meaning of each line. However, I have tried to be as near as possible in my translation. I have also …

walking the path

In ancient times people undertook journey primarily for business and conquest. And sometimes for pilgrimages. These days people mostly undertake journey for business and pleasure. And sometimes for pilgrimages. Even though Yatra literally means  journey - any kind of journey,  whenever we hear the word yatra we can sense a tinge of holiness or spirituality …

of time and place

A lot importance is given in our culture and tradition to the concept of time and place. Choosing proper time for starting and doing any important activity is an integral part of our culture. Lots of research has been done in this regard since ancient times and our Rishis have shared many insights which were …

Deva Snana Poornima – the ritual and its significance

Deva Snana Poornima is an important ritual in the build up to the Annual Car festival of Lord Jagannath. For the un-initiate, on this day the idols of Sudarshana, Ma Subhadra, Lord Balabhadra and Lord Jagannatha are taken out to the 'Altar of Bathing' inside the temple premises. An elaborate bath is given which can …

know that food is brahman

So, what is Brahman? Maybe, thousands of slokas in Vedas and Darshanas have been dedicated to describe the nature of Brahman. Most of our principal Upanishads are primarily about Brahman. What I mean is - it is very difficult to define it in a few sentences. But some indications can be given. Recently scientists were …

Eat Pay Leave -the mandatory new year post

From the title of the post if you guessed that it is going to be a post consisting of lots of random thoughts, you will not be disappointed. I will try to make it as incoherent as possible. Or maybe there will be some coherence if I choose to restrict the post to a few …