In Hinduism, the word seva is derived from 'saha eva', to be one with another person, who is in need, and therefore, serve her/his needs. Such service is part of the values of most religions. In the Bhagavad Gita, probably the most well known Hindu text, the aspirant is advised to perform Karma Yoga, throughout life, as the path to Gyana Yoga, spiritual wisdom. As many readers would be aware, the central element of Karma Yoga is ni ṣ kāma karma, action without desire for its fruits. The action will benefit the needy. For the sevak, such helpful action is its own reward. Seva is a prominent core value in all Indic religions – Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism, in particular. Sometimes, the seva may benefit not just an individual, but a group; an organization; a community; nation; region; or even the world. The Gita advocates seva for loka sa ṇ graha, holding society together. Those people who have adequate income and wealth, can buy the goods and services they need i

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Monday, 11 July 2022 – It is Shukla Paksha Dwadashi and Trayodashi tithi or the twelfth and thirteenth day during the waxing or light phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Shukla Paksha Dwadashi tithi or the twelfth day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 7:22 AM on July 11. Then onward it is Shukla Paksha Trayodashi tithi or the thirteenth day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 5:02 AM on July 12. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.  Good – Auspicious time on July 11, 2022 as per Hindu Calendar – Good and auspicious time till 7:49 AM.  Nakshatra  – Anuradha or Anuzham or Anizham nakshatra till 3:53 AM on July 11. Then onward it is Jyeshta or Kettai or Triketta nakshatra till 3:21 AM on July 12 . (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, north Ka

Source - book titled – Gleaning From Nisargadatta You must come to understand the meaning of God or Atma. True spirituality is to understand the precise meaning of God. As you go deeper into the meaning, into the essence of Self, you will come to understand the meaning of the universe, which is not different from the Self. You are prior to every experience. Any pain or pleasure felt is nothing but the extension of your own self. A child is born; it is suckled by its mother. If the child bites the mother’s nipple and causes pain to the mother, where has the pain come from? The child was born of the mother, so the cause of the pain originated with the mother. Likewise your pain has grown out of yourself. But pain will not affect the Self in any way, as it is only an extension of the Self. You are all students and I reply to all your questions. To pass the test and win what I am giving you, you must be very alert and pay attention to what I say. You should pay the same attention to

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Sunday, 10 July 2022 – It is Shukla Paksha Ekadashi tithi or the eleventh day during the waxing or light phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Shukla Paksha Ekadashi tithi or the eleventh day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 9:31 AM on July 10. Then onward it is Shukla Paksha Dwadashi tithi or the twelfth day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 7:22 AM on July 11. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.  Good – Auspicious time on July 10, 2022 as per Hindu Calendar – Good and auspicious time after 2:14 PM.  Nakshatra  – Vishakha or Vishakam nakshatra till 6:12 AM on July 10. Then onward it is Anuradha or Anuzham or Anizham nakshatra till 3:53 AM on July 11 . (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, north Karnataka and south Rajasthan), Vishakha or

Hera Panchami is a unique ritual held during the  Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra . It is observed at the  Gundicha   Temple . Hera Panchami 2022 date is July 5. Hera or Hora means to ‘see or look at or behold’ and Panchami means the ‘fifth day’ – on Hera Panchami day  Goddess Lakshmi  travels to the  Gundicha   Temple  to see Lord Jagannath. The visit of Goddess Lakshmi takes place five days after the Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra. Hera Panchami is a domestic affair of the divine couple - Vishnu and Lakshmi. During the Puri Rath Yatra, the chariots (Ratha) carrying Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra are pulled from the  Puri   Jagannath   Temple  to the  Gundicha   Temple , here the deities visit their aunt. The popular belief is that Lord Jagannath had promised his wife Goddess Lakshmi that He will return the next day. But Lord Jagannath does not return the next day. Goddess Lakshmi waits and waits and finally on the fifth day she goes to  Gundicha   Temple  on a palanquin and

Devshayani Ekadasi, also known as Hari Shayani Ekadashi, occurs during the shukla paksha (waxing phase of moon) of Ashada month (June – July). In 2022, the date of Devshayani Ekadasi is July 10. Devshayani Ekadasi is also known as Vishnu Sayana Ekadasi as it is believed that Lord Vishnu goes to sleep after this Ekadasi as it is the night of devas with the beginning of Dakshinayana. Ekadasi Fasting is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and falls on the 11th day of a lunar fortnight in traditional Hindu Calendar. Devshayani Ekadashi is popularly known as Ashadi Ekadasi in Maharashtra and it marks the end of the Pandarpur Yatra. The Chaturmas (four Hindu holy months) and the Chaturmasya Vrata also begins in some regions on Sayana Ekadasi. This Ekadasi is observed as Toli Ekadasi in South India. Tapta Mudra Dharana – Wearing of Heated Seals on Body - observed by Vaishnava mutts takes place on the day. Thousands of devotees also take a holy dip in Godavari River on the day and pay

When you use the word 'I' what exact image do you have about yourself? When you were a child you considered yourself nothing other than a child and were happy enough to play with toys. Later, you were a young man, with strength enough in your arms to tackle a couple of elephants, and you thought you could face anything or anyone in this world. You are now in your middle age, a little mellower but nonetheless enjoying life and its pleasures, and you think you are a happy and successful man, blessed with a nice family. At present you have an image about yourself that is quite different from the images you had earlier. Imagine yourself ten years hence and further twenty years later. The image you will then have about yourself will be different from all the earlier ones. Which one of these images is the real 'you'? Have you ever thought about it? Is there any particular identity that you can call your very own and which has remained with you throughout, unchanged and unchan

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Saturday, 9 July 2022 – It is Shukla Paksha Dashami tithi or the tenth day during the waxing or light phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Shukla Paksha Dashami tithi or the tenth day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 11:23 AM on July 9. Then onward it is Shukla Paksha Ekadashi tithi or the eleventh day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 9:31 AM on July 10. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.  Good – Auspicious time on July 9, 2022 as per Hindu Calendar – Good and auspicious time till 11:24 AM.  Nakshatra  – Swati or Chothi nakshatra till 7:12 AM on July 9. Then onward it is Vishakha or Vishakam nakshatra till 6:12 AM on July 10 . (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, north Karnataka and south Rajasthan), Swathi or Chothi nakshatra till 11

Goddess Shyamala in Hinduism is the presiding deity of music, dance and drama. She is also known as Goddess Matangi and is of celestial origin. According to Brahmanda Purana, she is one of the two important helpmates of Mahatripurasundari Lalita. Goddess Shyamala bears the epithets of Sangita Yogini (a yogi adept in music), Shyama (the dark one, the ever young one), Shyamala (the sweet dark one), Mantra Nayika (the heroine of mantra), Mantrini (the confidant of Lalita), Sacivesi (the principal secretary), Sukapriya (the one having a pet parrot), Vinavati (the one holding a lyre), mudravati (the one who holds the seal also one who has mastered the different Agamic gestures), and Sadamada (ever intoxicated). Goddess Shyamala is also a chandali, a girl outcaste from a hypocritical urban society. She belongs to the outer realm of the so-called civilization. So she is pure in nature;she is the innate spirit of woman, free and cheerful. She becomes the source of harmonious music which is

Katha Upanishad is one of the principal Upanishads and the commentary (Madhva Bhashya) by Madhvacharya is an important text in Hinduism. Katha Upanishad is related to the Katha or Kathaka branch of Yajur Veda. According to Madhvacharya, Sri Hari is the sole regulator (niyamaka) of all life, both during the present life (samsara bandha) and even thereafter in the state of liberation (moksha). The subtle philosophy of Brahman and His greatness is explained through a dialogue between Yamaraja and Naciketa. Madhvacharya begins his bhashya with an invocation to Bhagavan Vamana avatar of Srihari Vishnu and the commentary starts from the twelfth mantra. This explains svargagni vidya, the knowledge of sacrifice leading to svarga (heaven). But Madhvacharya explains that svarga does not mean Indraloka as commonly understood, but it actually means the abode of Bhagavan Vishnu. Nachiketa, being cursed by his father, Vajasrava, arrives at Yamaloka and waits there fasting for three days until