Austerity of the tongue
A King once told one of his servants to bring him the best meat from the market. The servant brought him a Tongue. The next day the King told the servant to bring him the...
VASUDHAIVA KUTUMBAKAM—Part 1
The President of Chinmaya Mission suggested that we speak on the phrase “वसुधैव कु टुम्बकं .” It means that the whole earth is one family. Please pay attention to the word “earth” (vasudha). It is not merely...
True Motherhood embodies love, sacrifice, forbearance and selfless service
According to Hinduism, God manifests, maintains and contracts the universe, but the power with which these functions are performed is called Shakti, (Divine Energy) – the Divine Mother. This is the origin...
Durga of the Vedas
The origin of Durga worship is said to be in Bengal. Her worship is now universal. Interestingly, there is a Rig Veda mantra which speaks of the Goddess welcoming the world with Her open arms.
“She...
Understanding Nava Raatree—Part 1
Nava Raatree is observed twice per year, once in the month of Chaitra (April/May), which culminates in Raama Navami, and again in the month of Ashwini (September/October). During this period of 9 days, worship is done to...
The Promises of the Lord are unbroken
In Sanskrit a Promise is called pratijnaa. A Promise is defined as a vow and a declaration. It is an assurance that one will or will not do or undertake a certain action. Example, you make a...
Temptation leads to destruction
Temptation is called pralobhanam in Sanskrit – the ‘enticement to evil.’ It is to be enticed or incited to do a wrong or forbidden act, like a person is tempted to steal. You are tempted when you are attracted...
MARRIAGE, LOVE AND COMPROMISE
Marriage is defined as the legally or formally recognized union of two people as partners in a personal relationship – a sacred union between a man and a woman.
LOVE. Humans crave Love. No kind of relationship, whether marriage, family...
Bowing: A Hindu View of Divinity All-Pervasive—Part 5/5
Bowing and Sadhana
Developing humility is not merely a means of nation building. In fact it is part of Hindu sadhana or spiritual practice. We bow to develop humility as an aid...
Darshanam – Seeing the Sacred
Darshanam means “seeing”. It refers especially to ‘religious seeing.’ When we Hindus go to the Temple, we do so more for darshana. We go to “see” the Image of God present in the sanctum of the Temple – be it...
