The Divine Art of Skillful Action: Understanding Krishna's Definition of Yoga In the sacred battlefield of Kurukshetra, when Arjuna stood paralyzed by moral confusion, Lord Krishna delivered one of the most profound teachings ever recorded in human spiritual literature. Among the many jewels of wisdom in the Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 2, Verse 50 stands out as a revolutionary redefinition of spiritual practice: "Yogah karmasu kaushalam" - Yoga is skill in action. The Revolutionary Teaching of Karma Yoga When Krishna declares "buddhi-yukto jahatiha ubhe sukrita-dushkrite / tasmat yogaya yujyasva yogah karmasu kaushalam" (Bhagavad Gita 2.50), He transforms the conventional understanding of yoga from mere physical postures or breathing exercises to the art of conscious, skillful living. This verse translates as: "One who is devoted to the path of selfless action abandons both good and bad reactions. Therefore, surrender unto yoga; yoga is the art of all work....

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Saturday, September 5 2026 – It is Krishna Paksha Navami tithi or the ninth day during the waning or dark phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Krishna Paksha Navami tithi or the ninth day during the waning or dark phase of moon till 8 :47 PM on September 5. Then onward it is Krishna Paksha Dashami tithi or the tenth day during the waning or dark phase of moon till 6 :19 PM on September 6. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.)  Good – Auspicious time on September 5, 2026 as per Hindu Calendar – Good and auspicious time on the entire day.  Nakshatra  – Mrigasira or Makayiram or Mrigasheersham nakshatra till 9:32 PM on September 5. Then onward it is Ardra or Arudhara or Thiruvathira nakshatra till 7:51 PM on September 6. (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gu...

In the Hindu system of the Navagraha, the nine celestial influencers of human life, Mars holds a position of fierce and unmistakable power. Known by many names — Mangal, Bhauma, Angaraka, Chowa, and Kujan — each name reveals a dimension of this planet's essential nature. Angaraka means "the one who is red like burning coal," Bhauma means "son of the Earth," and Kujan translates as "the one who causes pain." These are not accidental labels. They are precise, intentional descriptors rooted in deep observation of both cosmic and human behaviour. The Origin Story and Its Meaning According to Hindu sacred tradition, Mangal was born from the sweat and energy of Bhumi Devi, the Earth goddess, when Bhagavan Vishnu in His Varaha (boar) avatar lifted her from the primordial waters. This origin is deeply symbolic. Mars is the child of Earth — grounded, raw, elemental, and eruptive. Just as the earth itself holds tremendous heat beneath its surface and occasio...

The Guru-Shishya Story of Aruni and the Breached Dike in the Mahabharata The story of Aruni Uddalaka appears in the Poushya Parva, the third chapter of the Adi Parva, the first book of the Mahabharata. It is one of the earliest guru-shishya narratives in the epic and is often cited as an example of absolute obedience and devotion to one's teacher. The tale is set in the ashrama of the sage Ayoda-Dhoumya, who had three disciples: Upamanyu, Aruni, and Veda. Each of these disciples was given a distinct task by the guru to test and train them, and each responded in his own way. Aruni's story is the one connected to the dike and the fields. The Task Given by the Guru Ayoda-Dhoumya once instructed his disciple Aruni, who hailed from the region of Panchala, to go to the fields and close a breach that had opened in the embankment or dike, through which water was escaping and threatening the crops. Aruni went to the spot as ordered and made several attempts to block the breach using...

This article was written by Shivan P L. Some stories are not found in history books. They live in the memories of elders, in ancient rituals, in sacred places, and in the faith passed down from one generation to the next. The story of Perumana Valiyachan, also known as Thekkethadathil Valiyachan, is one such story. At Chathiyara Devi Temple in Shaktikulangara (Alappuzha, Kerala), Valiyachan is worshipped as an Upadevatha, a guardian deity believed to protect the people of the village. Every year, on the second Tuesday of the Malayalam month of Makaram, devotees gather to offer their prayers to him. The offerings are simple — tender coconut, bananas and Ila Ada. Yet behind these humble offerings lies a story of courage, betrayal, sacrifice and divine protection. The Man Remembered as Valiyachan Perumana Valiyachan lived around the period of 1720–1750 CE and served as a steward or chancellor of the Chathiyara royal household under King Kottakkattu Thaan. Valiyachan was respected not...

From Amrita to Illumination: Why the Devas Are Called Suras in Hindu Tradition Among the most celebrated narratives in Hindu tradition is the Samudra Manthan, the churning of the cosmic ocean. This was no ordinary event. It was a monumental collaboration and conflict between two powerful clans — the Devas and the Daityas — both seeking the most coveted prize in all creation: Amrita, the nectar of immortality. Mount Mandara served as the churning rod, the great serpent Vasuki as the rope, and the cosmic ocean itself became the vessel of divine transformation. From its depths arose fourteen great treasures, but none more precious than Amrita. The Deception of the Daityas and the Grace of Mohini When Amrita finally emerged, a fierce dispute broke out between the Devas and the Daityas over who would drink it. The Daityas, driven by ego and desire for power, seized the vessel. At this critical juncture, Bhagavan Vishnu intervened in one of his most enchanting and celebrated forms — Mohi...

Parashurama Kalpasutra Chapter 1: Ancient Wisdom for Divine Mother Worship in Modern Times The Parashurama Kalpasutra stands as one of the most significant treatises on Srividya, the profound system of Divine Mother worship that has guided spiritual seekers for millennia. Compiled by the revered sage Parashurama, this ancient text represents a comprehensive digest of divine wisdom, distilling knowledge from numerous sources available during his era. The complete work encompasses 328 sutras methodically organized across 10 distinct chapters, each addressing specific aspects of spiritual practice and realization. The Foundation of Tantric Wisdom The opening chapter, titled Deekshavidhih (The Method of Initiation), contains 43 essential sutras that establish the fundamental principles of tantric practice. This chapter serves as the gateway to understanding the deeper mysteries of Divine Mother worship, addressing crucial questions about spiritual authority, qualification, and proper in...

Goddess Manthai — The Sacred Form of Aippasi Month and the Philosophy of the Masa Devis In the Tamil Shaiva tradition, time itself is understood not merely as a cycle of seasons and celestial movements but as a living, sacred continuum presided over by divine feminine energy. Each of the twelve Tamil months, known as masams, is governed by a distinct goddess, and together these twelve forms constitute the Dvadasa Masa Devis — the twelve monthly goddesses. This rich tradition, rooted in Agamic and Shaiva philosophy, speaks to the deeply held understanding that Shakti, the primordial energy of the universe, manifests in varied forms across the wheel of the year, blessing each season with a specific grace, quality, and spiritual character. The goddess who presides over Aippasi, the seventh Tamil month corresponding roughly to mid-October to mid-November, is Devi Manthai. Her iconographic form, her posture, her attributes, and even her face carry layers of theological meaning that reward...

The Sacred Wisdom of Parasara Gita Chapter 9: Mastering Non-Attachment in Hindu Philosophy The rich tapestry of Hindu sacred literature contains numerous spiritual discourses that illuminate the path to divine realization. Among these treasured texts stands the Parasara Gita, a profound dialogue nestled within the great epic Mahabharata's Shanti Parva. While the Bhagavad Gita remains the most celebrated spiritual discourse, the Parasara Gita offers equally transformative wisdom, particularly in its concluding ninth chapter, which presents the sublime teaching of non-attachment as the cornerstone of spiritual liberation. The Divine Discourse: Structure and Context The Parasara Gita unfolds as a sacred conversation between the revered sage Parasara and the enlightened King Janaka of Videha. Spanning nine chapters with 288 verses in total, this spiritual dialogue forms chapters 290 to 298 of the Shanti Parva. The choice of these two extraordinary figures as teacher and student is d...

Adishesha in Hindu Sculpture: Form, Symbolism and Spiritual Significance Adishesha, also known as Sesha or Ananta, occupies an important place in Hindu religious thought, particularly in traditions associated with Bhagavan Vishnu. He is described as the great serpent who serves as the divine support of Bhagavan Vishnu and is closely connected with the ideas of cosmic order, preservation, strength and infinity. The name Ananta means endless or without limit, reflecting his association with the immeasurable nature of existence. In Hindu sacred teachings, Adi Shesha is not merely represented as a serpent. His form carries several layers of religious and philosophical meaning. His association with Bhagavan Vishnu expresses the relationship between divine preservation and the underlying cosmic principle that supports creation. Adishesha is frequently shown with multiple serpent heads forming a hood above Bhagavan Vishnu. Depending on the scriptural and artistic context, the number of he...