Why Asuras Saw No Wrong in Ravana’s Act: Power, Dharma, and the Ramayana Two Worldviews, One Moral Conflict The Ramayana presents a profound contrast between two systems of values: the Dharma of the Devas and humans, rooted in righteousness, restraint, and duty, and the Asura Dharma, which is driven primarily by power, conquest, and dominance. Ravana’s kidnapping of Sita is not merely a personal crime but a symbolic act that exposes this clash of worldviews. While to Rama and the world of Dharma it was a grave sin, to Ravana and many Asuras it was an expression of strength and entitlement. Asura Dharma: Might Is Right In Asura society, authority flowed from physical and political power. Victory validated action. If one could defeat another, then one had the right to possess whatever the defeated owned, including land, wealth, and even relationships. This mindset did not require moral justification beyond capability. Ravana himself articulates this worldview when he says to Sit...

Dates of important upcoming festivals and fasting associated with Hinduism in March 2026 – based on major Hindu calendars and Panchang used in India. The festivals, Vrats and ritual days are based on Indian Standard Time (IST). March 1 – Pradosh March 2 – Holika Dahan, Holashtak ends, Purnima Vrat March 2 – Masi Magam March 3 – Attukal Pongala March 3 – Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Jayanti March 3 – Purnima – full moon day – Chandra Grahan – Lunar Eclipse March 3 – Holi play with colors – Dhulivandan March 4 – Chaitra month begins in North India. March 5 – Tukaram Beej March 5 – Chitragupta Puja – Bhai Dooj in Madhya Pradesh March 6 – Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat – Moonrise time 9:16 PM March 6 – Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti as per Tithi March 8 – Rang Panchami March 9 – Sant Eknath Shashti March 10 – Sheetala Saptami March 11 – Kalashtami March 11 – Sheetala Ashtami Vrat – Basora March 14 – Kharmas begins in North India March 15 – Karadaiyan Nombu i...

The Billionaire's Empty Wallet: Why Contentment is Hinduism's Greatest Treasure The Paradox of Having It All You can live in the best of houses, own numerous high-end vehicles, and have enough money to buy the entire earth multiple times, yet happiness can still elude you. On the other hand, a person who has nothing and isn’t even sure what he will have for lunch can be happy and blissful because he is content. There's an old joke in India about a wealthy merchant who owned seventeen palaces but couldn't sleep in any of them because he was too busy worrying about the eighteenth one he wanted to buy. Meanwhile, the watchman who guarded one of those palaces slept like a baby on his thin mat, snoring so loudly that even the marble statues seemed to complain. The punchline? The merchant paid a fortune for sleeping pills while the watchman's contentment cost him nothing. This isn't just humor—it's the essence of one of Hinduism's most profound teachings: ...

In Hindu philosophy, the term Upadanakarana  or Upadana Karana refers to the "material cause" of creation. It is the substance from which something is made, akin to how clay is the material cause of a pot, or gold is the material cause of a jewel. This concept is integral to understanding the metaphysical framework in Hinduism, particularly within schools like Advaita Vedanta, Samkhya, and others, which explore the origin, nature, and purpose of existence. The concept of karana (cause) is central to philosophical inquiry in Hinduism. Among the different types of causes recognized, Upadanakarana stands out as the basis or essence of creation. Without it, the manifestation of any object or phenomenon would not be possible. This doctrine is not only a metaphysical construct but also a practical guide to understanding the nature of reality, interconnectedness, and the ultimate truth. Importance of Upadanakarana in Hindu Philosophy Hindu philosophy seeks to address profound ques...

The Twelve Sacred Names of Surya: Divine Blessings Through Solar Worship The Twelve Names To Be Chanted  Mitra,  Ravi,  Surya,  Bhanu,  Khaga,  Pushan,  Hiranyagarbha,  Marichi,  Aditya,  Savitru,  Arka, and  Bhaskara The worship of Surya Bhagavan, the Sun God, holds a position of supreme importance in Hindu spiritual practice. As the visible manifestation of divine light and consciousness, Surya represents the life-giving force that sustains all existence. The practice of chanting his twelve sacred names, known as Dwadasha Surya Namavali, is considered a powerful spiritual discipline that bestows numerous material and spiritual benefits upon devotees. The Vedic texts proclaim the Sun as the soul of all beings. As stated in the Rigveda, "Suryam jyotih jyotih suryam" - The Sun is light, and light is the Sun. This ancient wisdom recognizes Surya not merely as a celestial body but as a divine consciousness that illuminates both ...

The Sacred Waters of Narmada: Birth of the Divine River and the Holy Banalingam The Divine Intervention for Humanity's Redemption In ancient times, when the earth became burdened with the weight of human transgressions and spiritual darkness descended upon mankind, the cosmic order itself trembled. The suffering of humanity reached such heights that Bhagavan Vishnu, the preserver of the universe, sought the intervention of Mahadeva Shiva. Understanding the gravity of the situation, Lord Shiva decided to bestow upon the world a means of purification and liberation that would flow eternally through the ages. Birth of the River Goddess From the crescent moon adorning Shiva's matted locks, where the sacred Ganga also resides, the Lord extracted a single drop of amrit—the celestial nectar of immortality. This divine essence, imbued with the power to wash away all sins and impurities, transformed into a magnificent river goddess of striking blue waters. This goddess became known ...

Chhinnamasta: The Divine Mother of Ultimate Self-Sacrifice and Cosmic Renewal The Sacred Account from Pranatosini Tantra In the sacred Pranatosini Tantra, a profound account describes the manifestation of Goddess Chhinnamasta, one of the ten Mahavidyas in Hindu tantric tradition. The narrative begins with Goddess Parvati bathing in a river, accompanied by her two devoted attendants, Jaya and Vijaya, who are also revered in tantric texts as Dakini and Varini. These companions represent the divine feminine energies that serve the Supreme Mother. As time passed during their bathing ritual, the two attendants experienced intense hunger and approached Devi Parvati with their plea for nourishment. The compassionate Goddess, understanding their need, requested them to exercise patience, promising to feed them once they returned home. However, the hunger of Jaya and Vijaya intensified, and they repeatedly implored the Mother to satisfy their desperate need immediately. Moved by their since...

When You're Your Own Worst Enemy: The Hell of Uncontrollable Anger According to Hindu Wisdom What is hell? It's not some distant place where you're roasted or endlessly tormented. Hell is here — it's your uncontrollable anger. It turns your life into a living hell and affects everyone around you. We've all imagined hell as some fiery underworld with demons wielding tridents and a particularly unpleasant seating arrangement. But what if I told you that hell isn't a destination on some cosmic subway line—it's the state you create right here, right now, when anger takes the wheel of your life? Hindu scriptures have been trying to tell us this for millennia, but we've been too busy being angry to listen. The Fire That Burns from Within The Bhagavad Gita, that eternal conversation between Krishna and Arjuna on the battlefield, doesn't mince words about anger. In Chapter 2, Verse 63, it lays out the domino effect with surgical precision: "From ang...

The Greatness of the Upanishads: Universal Teachings Beyond Sects The Upanishads, often referred to as the crown jewels of Indian philosophy, are a treasure trove of spiritual wisdom. Their greatness lies not only in their profound insights but also in their universal applicability, transcending the boundaries of sects, religions, and dogmas. These ancient texts focus on the essence of existence, consciousness, and the ultimate reality, making their teachings timeless and relevant to all. The Universal Scope of the Upanishads One of the most remarkable features of the Upanishads is their universal approach. Unlike many religious scriptures that are tied to specific sects or communities, the Upanishads are inherently inclusive. They delve into questions that concern all of humanity: Who am I? What is the nature of the universe? What is the ultimate purpose of life? These are inquiries that resonate with every human being, irrespective of their cultural or religious background. The Upani...

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Tuesday, January 20 2026 – It is Shukla Paksha Dwitiya tithi or the second day during the waxing or light phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Shukla Paksha Pratipada tithi or the first day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 1 :59 AM on January 20. Then onward it is Shukla Paksha Dwitiya tithi or the second day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 2 :15 AM on January 21. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.)  Good – Auspicious time on January 20, 2026 as per Hindu Calendar – Good and auspicious time till 8:00 PM.  Nakshatra  – Shravan or Sravana or Thiruvonam Nakshatra till 1:07 PM on January 20. Then onward it is Dhanishta or Avittam Nakshatra till 1:44 PM on January 21. (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, north Karnataka...