The Somnath Temple in Gujarat, India, is a sacred place for Hindus. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and has been a symbol of Hindu faith for centuries. But this holy temple faced brutal attacks by Muslim invaders who wanted to destroy it and loot its treasures. Despite the destruction, brave Hindu kings, queens, and warriors fought to protect the…
In the heart of ancient India, where rivers whispered sacred hymns and mountains stood as silent sages, a luminous soul was born to illuminate the path of truth. Adi Shankaracharya, the divine philosopher, saint, and poet, emerged as a beacon of wisdom, uniting the scattered threads of Hindu thought into a tapestry of eternal unity. His life, a celestial melody,…
Rabindranath Tagore has written some Buddhist-inspired works and he makes a very interesting point. Buddha’s Return (also known as Buddha’s Homecoming or Buddha’s Meeting with Yashodhara), a dramatic poetic piece by Rabindranath Tagore that captures the poignant moment when Gautama Buddha, after attaining enlightenment, returns to his palace and meets his wife, Yashodhara. And Yashodhara just asked him one question:“Was…
My early memories of Pasayadan goes back to school when I was in 4th or 5th grade. Around 8 or 10 years old. At that age of course I couldn’t read such big words of Marathi. This is not how I learnt Pasayadan. I learnt it thru oral recitation in my school. I am grateful to my music teacher ‘Mr.…
As a child, singing Vande Mataram was a feeling. It was so lyrical, and beautifully weaved. It’s first two verses are in Sanskrit. And Sanskrit itself has a musical touch to words. The Sanskrit verses are in “Dwitiya Vibhakti”, making it even more and more musical, lyrical, directly touching the heart. A song that was also a prayer in my…
In the sacred land of India, over a thousand years ago, a luminous soul named Adi Shankaracharya graced the earth. Born in the 8th century in Kerala, this sage, philosopher, and spiritual giant revived the timeless wisdom of Advaita Vedanta, the philosophy of non-duality. At a tender age, he mastered the Vedas and Upanishads, and by his teens, he was…
Imagine a court so powerful that it can block laws made by your elected leaders, delay justice for decades in cases that matter to millions, and protect its judges even when piles of burnt cash are found in their homes. This is the Supreme Court of India today, and it all traces back to a single case in 1973 called…
In Hinduism, the shankh (Sanskrit: शंख, meaning “conch”) holds a revered place as a sacred object deeply embedded in religious rituals, mythology, and spiritual practices. Often associated with divine beings like Bhagwan Vishnu, the shankh is not just a natural conch shell but a symbol of purity, prosperity, and the cosmic sound of creation. This article explores the various types…
In the holy city of Ayodhya, where Shri Ram was born, there is a special temple called Hanuman Garhi. This temple is dedicated to Hanuman, the loyal devotee of Shri Ram. People believe Hanuman still protects Ayodhya. In 1998, a remarkable event happened that made everyone feel Hanuman’s divine presence. A small monkey, acting like Hanuman himself, saved the temple…
