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...

The Crownless Mahadeva: Why Shiva Rejects the Symbol of Kingship Among the many deities worshipped across Hinduism, the crown is a familiar symbol of divinity, sovereignty and grace. Vishnu is shown wearing a resplendent crown, as are many forms of Devi and other celestial beings. Yet Shiva, revered as Mahadeva, the greatest among gods, is depicted without one. Instead, he wears his own matted locks, the jata, piled upon his head. This absence is not an oversight but a deep philosophical statement about who Shiva is and what he represents. The Crown as a Symbol of Society and Order A crown is fundamentally tied to settlement, kingship and civilisation. It represents the ruler who governs a bound territory, upholds laws and answers to the expectations of a structured society. Shiva, by contrast, is the ascetic of the mountains and cremation grounds, the yogi who exists outside the framework of settled life. He is not a king of a kingdom but the consciousness that pervades all existe...

Janamejaya, the Slayer of Enemies, and His Queen Vapushtama After the death of King Parikshit, his young son Janamejaya was placed on the throne of the Kuru kingdom. He was only a child at that time, but the people said he was wise and brave. They called him Janamejaya, the slayer of enemies, and a hero of the Kuru lineage. He was the eldest among the Kurus of his time, and everyone respected him. This part of the Mahabharata is important because it shows how a kingdom continues after a great loss. Parikshit was the grandson of Arjuna and the one who protected the Kuru line after the great war of Kurukshetra. When he died, the responsibility came on a small child. Still, the kingdom did not fall, because the ministers and elders stood with the young king and guided him. The Marriage with Vapushtama When the ministers saw that the king was now capable of defeating his enemies, they thought about his marriage. They went to Suvarnavarman, the king of Kashi, and asked for his daughte...

Intoxication and Restraint: The Hidden Teachings Behind Liquor Bowl Held By Goddess Within the vast tradition of Tantric worship, the sixteen Nitya Devis occupy a special place as forms of the Divine Mother connected to the sixteen tithis, or lunar days. Among them, Nitya Klinna is the Devi associated with Tritiya tithi, the third day of the lunar fortnight. Her name itself, drawn from the Sanskrit root that suggests moistness, softness and melting, points directly to her erotic and deeply sensuous character. She is described in texts such as the Nityasadasikarnava, a scripture central to the Srividya tradition, as a goddess who embodies the union of pleasure and discipline. The Iconographic Form Nitya Klinna is visualized seated gracefully in lalitasana, the posture of royal ease, upon a fully bloomed lotus. Her complexion is red, the color of passion, energy and creative force in Hindu symbolism. She possesses three eyes, signifying her command over the past, present and future, ...

The Great Change: How the Universe Began According to Ancient Hindu Wisdom The Birth of Everything Imagine you have a box of perfectly mixed paint - all the colors blended together so well that you can't tell one from another. Now imagine someone starts stirring it, and slowly the colors begin to separate and create beautiful patterns. This is similar to how ancient Hindu sages explained the beginning of our universe through something called "Virupa Parinama." In the profound wisdom of Samkhya philosophy, one of the six classical schools of Hindu thought, the creation of the universe is explained through the concept of Virupa Parinama, which means "transformation into different forms" or "heterogeneous change." This ancient teaching helps us understand how everything we see around us - from the tiniest grain of sand to the mightiest mountain - came into existence. What is Pradhana: The Cosmic Source Before anything existed as we know it today, the...

The Victory of Light: Narakasura's Final Wish and the Southern Diwali Tradition The Tale of Narakasura's Defeat In the rich tapestry of Hindu traditions, the celebration of Diwali varies beautifully across different regions of India. While North India primarily commemorates Lord Rama's return to Ayodhya, South India observes this festival with equal fervor, marking the defeat of the demon king Narakasura at the hands of Lord Krishna and his consort Satyabhama. Narakasura, the son of Bhudevi (Mother Earth), had become a tyrannical ruler who terrorized the three worlds. He had abducted sixteen thousand princesses, stolen the earrings of Aditi (mother of the gods), and usurped the celestial umbrella of Varuna. His reign of terror compelled the gods to seek Lord Krishna's intervention. The Battle and the Unusual Boon The battle between Krishna and Narakasura was fierce. However, it was destined that only a woman could slay the demon. Satyabhama, Krishna's wife and ...

Abhasurah: The Radiant Beings of Illusion In the rich tapestry of Hindu tradition, Abhasurah occupy a unique place as luminous entities associated with the subtle play of light and shadow. Named in the Mahabharata’s Anushasana Parva (13, 18), they are often described as a class of gods or semi-divine beings whose very nature embodies illusion (maya) and the transient aspect of reality. Origins and Etymology The term Abhasurah derives from Sanskrit roots meaning “that which appears” (abhasa) and “divine being” (sura). This etymology points to their defining quality: an ephemeral radiance that dazzles the senses yet vanishes upon close scrutiny. In Vedic thought, such beings underscore the distinction between the manifest world and the ultimate, formless Truth. Symbolism Abhasurah symbolize the illusory power that veils true knowledge. Their shimmering form represents worldly attractions—sensual pleasures, fleeting fame, and material abundance—that captivate the mind. Just as their...