Dhumra Varahi Devi: Symbolism, Worship and the Hidden Truth She Guards Within the vast and layered tradition of Shakti worship, Goddess Varahi occupies a place of singular importance as one of the Sapta Matrikas, the seven mother goddesses who emerged to aid Devi in her battle against the forces of adharma. Among her many forms, Dhoomra Varahi, the smoke hued manifestation, stands out for her association with protection from unseen and hidden negativities, including black magic, ill will, and forces that operate in secrecy. While Varahi as a whole is worshipped in Shaktism, Shaivism and Vaishnavism alike, Dhumra Varahi represents a more specialised, esoteric aspect of the goddess, drawn upon by devotees seeking shelter from that which cannot be seen with ordinary eyes. Origin and Place Among the Varahi Forms Varahi is described as the shakti, the feminine energy, of Varaha, the boar incarnation of Bhagavan Vishnu. Just as Varaha lifted the earth from the cosmic waters, Varahi carri...

Jaratkaru and His Wife: A Marriage Made for Dharma In Mahabharata, there is a story of Rishi Jaratkaru that many people find confusing. He marries, his wife becomes pregnant, and then he leaves her over a small matter. At first look, it seems unfair and harsh. But when we study the story closely, we see that it is about duty, dharma and a bigger purpose than personal happiness. Why Jaratkaru Agreed to Marry Rishi Jaratkaru was a man of great austerity. He had no interest in family life and wanted to spend his whole life in tapas. One day he met his ancestors, the pitrs, who were hanging upside down in a cave and suffering. They told him that their line was going to end because he had no children. Without a son to offer them rites, they could not get peace. Hearing this, Jaratkaru agreed to marry, but he put a condition. The girl must be offered to him willingly, and she must have the same name as his. He also said he would not take care of her, since he had no wish for a normal h...

Pushkara Dakshinamurthy is indeed a significant form of Dakshinamurthy, a manifestation of Lord Shiva. In this form, Dakshinamurthy is depicted playing the mridanga, a traditional Indian drum. The term "Pushkara" refers to the lotus flower, symbolizing purity and enlightenment. As the Master of instruments, Pushkara Dakshinamurthy represents the cosmic rhythm and harmony of the universe. Through his playing of the mridanga, he teaches the rhythm of life and existence, symbolizing the divine music that permeates all creation. In Hindu tradition, Dakshinamurthy is often depicted as a teacher or guru, imparting spiritual knowledge and wisdom to his disciples. His form as Pushkara Dakshinamurthy emphasizes the importance of music and rhythm in spiritual practice, as well as the idea that all aspects of creation are interconnected and harmonious. Devotees often seek blessings from Pushkara Dakshinamurthy for musical talent, spiritual enlightenment, and inner peace. His form ...

Vessel of Readiness: The Quiver (Tunira) in Hindu Art and Philosophy Among the many auxiliary attributes carried by deities in Hindu sculpture, the quiver, known in Sanskrit as tunira, holds a distinctive place. Unlike the bow or the arrow, which are counted as weapons in themselves, the tunira is classified within the projectile support class, an auxiliary object that carries and preserves the arrows rather than delivering harm directly. Its presence in an image is never incidental; it completes the narrative of preparedness, discipline and duty that surrounds the archer deities of Hindu tradition. Form and Iconographic Representation Sculptors and bronze casters render the tunira as a cylindrical or gently tapering container, open at the top so that the arrow shafts and their fletching remain visible above the rim. The surface treatment varies from plain smoothed stone or metal to banded patterns that suggest binding cords or decorative metalwork. In most depictions, the quiver i...

Prakriti in Sankhya Darshana: The Creative Power That Makes Everything in the Universe What is Prakriti in Samkhya Darshana? Imagine you have a big box of colorful building blocks. These blocks can be put together in countless ways to create houses, cars, animals, and anything you can imagine. In Hindu philosophy, especially in the Sankhya Darshana (one of the six classical schools of Hindu thought), Prakriti is like that magical box of building blocks for the entire universe! Prakriti means "the original principle" or "nature." It is the basic material from which everything in the world is made—the mountains, rivers, trees, animals, your body, and even your thoughts and feelings. Everything you see, touch, and experience comes from Prakriti. The Three Gunas: Prakriti's Three Special Ingredients Prakriti is made up of three special qualities called gunas. Think of them like three different colors of paint that mix together to create every color you can imag...

The Curse of Sanatkumara: Why Bhagavan Vishnu Took Birth as a Mortal In the Yoga Vasishta, Book I, Vairagya Kanda, Sage Valmiki tells a very important incident about Sanatkumara and Bhagavan Vishnu. Sanatkumara was a sage who had no desires at all. He was living in the abode of Brahma, called Brahmaloka. One day Bhagavan Vishnu, the master of the three worlds, came there from Vaikuntha as a visitor. All the residents of Brahmaloka welcomed Bhagavan Vishnu, and Brahma himself also gave him a warm welcome. But Sanatkumara did not greet him in the same manner. Seeing this, Bhagavan Vishnu spoke to him. He said that it was ignorance which made Sanatkumara give up all desires because of the fear of taking birth again on earth. Therefore, he must be born as Swarajamuni and suffer with desires. Sanatkumara did not keep silent. He replied that even though Vishnu is all knowing, he will have to leave his omniscience for some time and live on earth as an ignorant mortal. The Meaning Behind...

Iconography of Jaya Durga – Symbol of Triumph and Protection Jaya Durga is revered as the victorious aspect of Devi, the Divine Mother, whose form embodies the triumph of righteousness over adversity. Unlike many widely known forms of the Goddess, Jaya Durga does not occupy extensive space in mainstream iconographic compendiums. Her form is instead pieced together from scattered references across regional scriptures, tantric texts and living temple traditions, giving her a distinctive identity shaped as much by ritual practice as by textual description. The Iconographic Form Jaya Durga is depicted seated majestically upon her vahana, the lion, a symbol of power, courage and controlled strength. She is shown with four arms, each holding a sacred implement: the Shankha (conch), the Chakra (discus), the Khadga (sword) and the Trishula (trident). Her head is adorned with a kirita makuta, a tall crown, surmounted by a crescent moon, and she wears elaborate ornaments befitting her royal ...

The Mind That Cannot Be Tamed: Understanding Ramana Maharshi's Teaching on the Unreal Mind Ramana Maharshi, one of the most revered sages of modern India, made a statement that sounds simple but carries immense depth: those who believe the mind to be real will never be able to subdue it. At first glance this seems puzzling. We experience thoughts, ambitions, worries and desires every single day — how can something so persistent and powerful not be real? Yet this is precisely the trap Ramana pointed to. The mind feels real only because we have never questioned its nature. The moment one begins to inquire "who is thinking this thought," the mind's authority begins to weaken. Why the Mind Feels So Convincing The human mind is restless by nature. It wants recognition, status, control and comparison. One person's mind competes with another's — the business mind wants to outsmart a rival business mind, the sports mind wants to defeat another sports mind, the int...

  The Unshaken Mind: Freedom from External Influence in Hindu Thought In Hindu teachings, the mind is regarded as a powerful instrument, capable of leading one to liberation or bondage. It is subtle, restless, and easily shaped by what it encounters. When the mind becomes dependent on external forces such as societal norms, peer pressures, or fleeting trends, it loses its inner stability. This dependency makes it prone to confusion, fear, and dissatisfaction. Society, while offering structure and interaction, often imposes values rooted in competition, materialism, and constant comparison. These influences can contaminate the purity of the mind, clouding discernment and weakening the ability to choose the path of truth. Hindu scriptures warn that a mind dominated by such external forces becomes a prisoner of its environment rather than the master of its own destiny. Inner Freedom as the Highest Wealth Hindu philosophy teaches that true freedom lies not in changing the world aro...

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Wednesday, November 11 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 Dwitiya tithi or the second day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 2 :13 PM on November 11. Then onward it is Shukla Paksha Tritiya tithi or the third day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 4 :07 PM on November 12. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.)  Good – Auspicious time on November 11, 2026 as per Hindu Calendar – There is no good and auspicious time on the entire day.  Nakshatra  – Anuradha or Anusham or Anizham nakshatra till 11:07 AM on November 11. Then onward it is Jyeshta or Kettai or Triketta nakshatra till 1:29 PM on November 12. (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra...