Two days ago, a 3-judge bench of the Supreme Court, that included the honorable Chief Justice, dismissed a ‘PIL’ related to the death of Justice Loya, a district judge of Maharashtra. Justice Loya was handling the Sohrabuddin case in which Amit Shah, the President of the BJP, was an accused. Several articles have been published... Continue Reading →
Pandava Ajnatavasa: Three Interpretations
Recently I happened to read an article on the internet where the ajnatavasa incident of virata parva in the mahabharata was used to interpret human psychology. The author felt that the roles that each pandava put on was an “attempt to accept their disowned sides”. So yudhisthira becoming kanka was an attempt to “get in... Continue Reading →
Definition of Paramatma in the First Shloka of the Vishnusahasranama
The vishnusahasranama is one of the most powerful stotras available in the literature of sanatana dharma. Upon dharmaraja’s request, it was recalled by bhishma while on his bed of arrows and delivered in the presence of krishna and others. Because of the presence of krishna next to bhishma, this stotra assumes special significance since it... Continue Reading →
Krishna’s Message on Dharma vs Power
In the ‘bhagavadyAna’ upa-parva of the ‘udyOga’ parva of mahAbharata, there is a very interesting incident which gives us a great lesson on the duty of a person when dharma is in danger. The pAndavas decide that peace must yet be given one last opportunity. Krishna decides he must play the role of the peace... Continue Reading →
The Cleansing of Jaya-Vijaya Inside Us
Note: This post is heavily influenced by the pravachana of Padma Sri Bannanje Govindacharya on the topic of narasimhaavatara. Many pranamas to him. (I have made a few extrapolations to what he has said) The story of jaya and vijaya — the doorkeepers of vaikunta — is well known to all readers of vaishnava literature. Their refusal to allow... Continue Reading →
Krishna — One Who is Always ‘satyavAk’
Those well versed in shAstras will tell you that paramAtma always says satya — truth. He never goes back on his words — he never lies — he never fails to keep his promise. The entire second adhyaya of the brahmasutras, as Sri Madhwacharya has elucidated — highlight this single quality of the paramatma — that he is ‘निर्दोष’ — without any defect. Therefore, if he did... Continue Reading →
The Contribution of The Bahamani Rulers
City of Vijayanagara: November: 1442 A.D — in the words of Abdur Razzak “Having left this mountain and this forest behind me, I reached a town called Belour, the houses of which were like palaces…… …..The city of Bidjanagar is such that the pupil of the eye has never seen a place like it, and the ear... Continue Reading →
Issues with the Karnataka HR & CE Act
Recently, the Karnataka Government sent out a circular seeking feedback from the public over the issue of taking over of Hindu mathas and (additional) temples. In the face of a strong backlash, the circular was withdrawn within a day. Even as the entire HR&CE Act was struck down as being unconstitutional by the Karnataka High... 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 →
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 →
