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 →
The Extraordinary Fearlessness of Bhagat Singh
Even the bravest people tend to lose control over fear in the face of imminent death. The facade of fearlessness falls off when the reality of one’s life being cut short hits you. Life is precious to almost all. Even a 100 year old hopes he can cling on to dear life for as long... Continue Reading →
The Childhood of Sri Madhwacharya
Sri Madhwacharya, the great vedanta acharya, who propagated the siddanta of tattvavada, was born in the 13th Century at Pajaka, near Udupi, Karnataka. There are two dates — 1199 C.E and 1238 C.E — that is proposed by scholars as his date of birth. But 1238 C.E is the more widely accepted date. There is, however, no confusion over... Continue Reading →
Bhima Bala: The Slaughter of Keechaka
This post is a part of the series of posts highlighting the ten guNas that bhimasena displays in the mahabharata. The ten gunas have been explained by Sri Madhwacharya in his mahabharata tatparya nirnaya as follows भक्तिर्ज्ञानं सवैराग्यं प्रज्ञा मेधा धृतिः स्थिथिः | योगः प्राणो बलं चैव वृकोदरो इति स्मृतः || २-१४१ || Vrikodara is... Continue Reading →
The Non-severability of Economic, Financial and Religious Practices in Hindu Temples
Link to an article arguing how Government takeover of Hindu temples is unconstitutional.
Udupi Paryaya: A Unique Tradition
On the 18th of January 2018, Sri Sri Vidyadheesha Tirtha Swamiji of the Sri Palimaru Matha will be taking over the responsibility of worshipping the Lord Krishna murthy at Udupi. This occasion is known as the “paryaya” mahotsava and is a unique tradition in the entire world — and one that has survived for nearly 500 years!... Continue Reading →
Medhashakti of Bhima: The Right Time for Dharma
This post is a part of the series of posts highlighting the ten guNas that bhimasena displays in the mahabharata. The ten gunas have been explained by Sri Madhwacharya in his mahabharata tatparya nirnaya as follows भक्तिर्ज्ञानं सवैराग्यं प्रज्ञा मेधा धृतिः स्थिथिः | योगः प्राणो बलं चैव वृकोदरो इति स्मृतः || २-१४१ || Vrikodara is... Continue Reading →
Tradition as ‘Essential Religious Practice’ under Sanatana Dharma
Post independence, the Hindu religion, or more appropriately sanatana dharma, has been the focus of “reform” both by our ruling dispensation and by the judiciary. Our Constitution itself provides for such a reform by mandating it as a clause under the Right to Religion. Due to this attitude, the Hindu religion has been constantly targeted... Continue Reading →
The Aspirations of the Majority
Dear Narendra Modi ji and Amit Shah ji: Many congratulations on yet another fantastic electoral performance in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh. The BJP juggernaut just keeps on rolling. May it continue to do so for a long time. Many pundits are saying the reduced margin of victory this time in Gujarat is indicative of an... Continue Reading →
Educational Rights According To The Makers Of Our Constitution
Over a number of articles, we have seen the various phases of development of Article 30 during the framing of our Constitution. In particular, we have looked at how the text of the Article, as it stands today, was derived heavily from a memorandum submitted by a group of minority leaders during the Second Round... Continue Reading →