In an earlier article, we had discussed in detail about how traditions and customs are very much accepted as sources of Dharma. Our scriptures declare that while the Vedas, Smritis, Itihasas and Puranas are the primary sources of our Dharmic law, the traditions or 'Achara' of a place or family can never be neglected. Given... Continue Reading →
Vishnu Rahasya: The Four Purusharthas
Though the basic definition of what Purushartha is, happens to be well understood by most genuine Hindus (and equally well misunderstood by 'liberals') there aren't many sources that expound well on the details of this concept. The 'Vishnu Rahasya' grantha written by Sri Badarayana is one of the few extant works that dwells into this... Continue Reading →
Religion: A Fundamental Right or Right Only to The Fundamentals?
The Judiciary in India has yet again engaged in their assumed duty - in the matter of religious freedom - of curtailing practices. The ancient and uninterrupted practice of Pashubali or sacrifice of animals in the temples of Tripura has now been banned. This decision has been based on the principle of 'Essential Practices Test'... Continue Reading →
Survival of Vedic Parampara: DVG’s Guidance
Sri D V Gundappa, the celebrated writer of Kannada literature of the 20th century, had published a series of books titled 'Jnapaka Chitrashale' (Theatre of Memories) in which he wrote short biographies of achievers in various fields such as arts, music, social service, literature and so on. The personalities he covered in this series of... 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 →
Dharma vs Sampradaya
I use the word Dharma in the generic sense in this post — as a representation for Hindu religion in general — for Sanatana dharma. And the word Sampradaya — used in the title — could very well be substituted by ‘jAti’ — caste. In this critical juncture of Hindu civilisation — it is important to ensure that the differences in the various sampradayas of Sanatana dharma — the... 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 →
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 →
Pranasutra 