वन्दे तं त्वा सुपूर्ण प्रमतिमनुदिना सेवितं देववृन्दैःवन्दे वन्दारुमीशे श्रिय उत नियतं श्रीमदानन्दतीर्थं |वन्दे मन्दाकिनीसत्सरिदमलजलासेक साधिक्यसङ्गम्वन्देSहं देव भक्त्या भवभयदहनं सज्जनान् मोदयन्तम् || 40 || This is the 40th shloka of Sri Hari Vayu Stuti, the penultimate one before the author offers his mangala padya. In this shloka, Sri Trivikrama Panditacharya repeatedly offers his pranamas to Srimadanandatirtha... Continue Reading →
Ramo Vigrahavan Dharmah
For thousands of years, Sanatanis have believed that Sri Rama is the embodiment of Dharma. He is the very personification of Dharma. Traditional commentaries on the Ramayana have highlighted this fact repeatedly by explaining how every word he uttered and every action he undertook was fully within the realm of Dharma. Be it him giving... Continue Reading →
Sri Rama Ashtottara Shatanama Stotra
From the Padma Purana - Uttara Khanda Source of text: Wikisource ॐ श्रीरामो रामचंद्रश्च रामभद्रश्च शाश्वतः |राजीवलोचनः श्रीमान्राजेंद्रो रघुपुंगवः || 1 ||जानकीवल्लभो जैत्रो जितामित्रो जनार्दनः |विश्वामित्रप्रियो दांतः शरण्य त्राणतत्परः || 2 ||वालिप्रमथनो वाग्मी सत्यवाक्सत्यविक्रमः |सत्यव्रतो व्रतफलः सदा हनुमदाश्रयः || 3 ||कौशलेयः खरध्वंसी विराधवधपंडितः |विभीषणपरित्राता दशग्रीवशिरोहरः || 4 ||सप्ततालप्रभेत्ता च हरकोदंड खंडनः |जामदग्नि महादर्प्पदलनस्ताडकांतकृत् || 5... Continue Reading →
Dharma: Who decides right and wrong?
The one fundamental principle that sustains order in this world is the sense of right vs wrong. Hindus of course are very familiar with this and use the term Dharma to refer to this principle. There is a prevalent opinion in intellectual circles that the word Dharma has manifold meanings and represents a collection of... Continue Reading →
Mahabharata: Puru Vamsha Kathana
In the Adi Parva of the Mahabharata, as Vaishampayana Muni begins to narrate the story of the Pandavas and the Kauravas, Raja Janamejaya requests him to explain the benefits of listening to, or reading, the Mahabharata. Vaishampayana then narrates the great benefits of Mahabharata Katha-Shravana highlighting how it rids the listener of major sins and... Continue Reading →
Time For A Relook At Freedom Of Speech?
There is great euphoria in the country over the fantastic repeat victory of Sri Narendra Modi. In a few days, he will take oath - for the second time - as the Prime Minister of India. Naturally, supporters and well wishers are delighted. A section of the supporters have also expressed hope that a lot... Continue Reading →
The ‘Essential Practices’ of Hinduism
The recent Sabarimala judgment by the Supreme Court of India has once again thrown open the debate about ‘essential’ practices of a religion. The honourable judges have declared, yet again, that any practice that is not ‘essential’ to the religion shall be open to reinterpretation — by the non-religious, secular institution called judiciary! The honourable judges say... Continue Reading →
Hinduism and Religious Denominations
Once every 12 years, the Kumbha Mela takes place at Prayaga in Uttar Pradesh. Similarly three other Kumbha Melas take place at Haridwara, Nashik and Ujjain. Depending primarily upon the placement of Jupiter in the vedic astrological chart, the timings of these melas are determined. The mela at Prayaga is the world’s largest religious congregation... Continue Reading →
Bal Gangadhar Tilak: Speech on National Education
Source: “Bal Gangadhar Tilak His Writings and Speeches” — Ganesh & Co, Madras, 1919 I shall speak here this evening on national education. We are not accustomed to this term; hence it needs a little explanation. To be able to read and write alone is no education. These are simply the means of its attainment. That which... Continue Reading →
‘Opposing’ Parties And The Freedom Of Speech and Expression
The Indian Constitution grants complete freedom of speech to Parliamentarians (and members of state legislatures). Under Article 105, nothing that is said by a Parliamentarian can be challenged in any court of law. The founders of this nation granted such a rare privilege, not bestowed on any other institution in the country, with the hope... Continue Reading →
Pranasutra 