Teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi That which has a beginning must also end. Only when the ever-present consciousness is realized will it be permanent. Consciousness is indeed always with us. Everyone knows ‘I am!’ No one can deny his own being. The man in deep slumber is not aware; while awake he seems to be aware. But it is the same person. There is no change in the one who slept and the one who is now awake. In deep sleep he was not aware of his body; there was no body-consciousness. In the wakeful state he is aware of his body; there is body-consciousness. Therefore the difference lies in the emergence of body-consciousness and not in any change in the Real Consciousness. The body and body-consciousness arise together and sink together. All this amounts to saying that there are no limitations in deep sleep, whereas there are limitations in the waking state. These limitations are the bondage; the feeling ‘The body is I’ is the error. This false sense of ‘I’ must go. The real ‘I’

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Sunday, 9 April 2023 – It is Krishna Paksha Tritiya tithi or the third day during the waning or dark phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Krishna Paksha Tritiya tithi or the third day during the waning or dark phase of moon till 9:01 AM on April 9. Then onward it is Krishna Paksha Chaturthi tithi or the fourth day during the waning or dark phase of moon till 7:50 AM on April 10. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.)  Good – Auspicious time on April 9, 2023 as per Hindu Calendar – Good and auspicious time from 1:59 PM to 10:13 PM.  Nakshatra  – Vishakha or Vishakam nakshatra till 1:35 PM on April 9. Then onward it is Anuradha or Anusham or Anizham nakshatra till 1:00 PM on April 10. (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, north Karnataka and south Rajasthan), Vish

An examination of the ephemeral nature of external phenomena leads to vairagya (dispassion). Hence enquiry (vichara) is the first and foremost step to be taken. When vichara continues automatically, it results in contempt for wealth, fame, ease, pleasure, etc. The ‘I’ thought becomes clearer for inspection. The source of ‘I’ is the Heart – the final goal. If, however, the aspirant is not temperamentally suited to Vichara Marga (to the introspective analytical method), he must develop bhakti (devotion) to an ideal – may be God, Guru, humanity in general, ethical laws, or even the idea of beauty. When one of these takes possession of the individual, other attachments grows weaker, i.e., dispassion (vairagya) develops. Attachment for the ideal simultaneously grows and finally holds the field. Thus ekagrata (concentration) grows simultaneously and imperceptibly – with or without visions and direct aids. In the absence of enquiry and devotion, the natural sedative pranayama (breath regula

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Saturday, 8 April 2023 – It is Krishna Paksha Dwitiya tithi or the second day during the waning or dark phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Krishna Paksha Dwitiya tithi or the second day during the waning or dark phase of moon till 9:45 AM on April 8. Then onward it is Krishna Paksha Tritiya tithi or the third day during the waning or dark phase of moon till 9:01 AM on April 9. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.)  Good – Auspicious time on April 8, 2023 as per Hindu Calendar – Good and auspicious time till 1:58 PM.  Nakshatra  – Swathi or Chothi nakshatra till 1:43 PM on April 8. Then onward it is Vishakha or Vishakam nakshatra till 1:35 PM on April 9. (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

The huge Mukkuruni Vinayagar murti, in an imposing black stone, is worshipped on the pathway between Sundareswar and Meenakshi amman shrines in the Madurai Meenakshi Temple. There is an interesting story about how Mukkuruni Vinayagar murti was found and is worshipped in the famous Madurai temple. Mukkuruni Vinayagar Story The other gods used to make fun of the large belly of Ganapathi. To get rid of the large belly, Ganesha decided to do some physical work. He took the form of a young boy and appeared on earth. He approached an ardent devotee of his for some work. The devotee asked Ganesha to carry some goods to another place. He carried the goods to a cart and took it to the address and unloaded the cart. The devotee asked Ganesha what remuneration he wanted. Ganesha in the form of naive young boy did not know what to ask. So he asked for three kurunis of rice. Kuruni was a measurement used in ancient Tamil region of India. It is equivalent to today’s 10 kg. Three in tamil means

Swearing or oath is known as sapatha or shapath in Hinduism. It is also a vow to complete an action or achieve an undertaking. It is done by taking an oath or swearing on the name of someone or something. It is required to be taken in the name of truth by a Brahmin, in the name of vehicles and weapons by a kshatriya, and in the name of cows, seeds and gold by a vaishya. Others swear by the name of ill fate they may bring upon themselves in case of false declarations. Some others may be asked to hold a stick of fire placed on a leaf of the fig tree or enter water or touch the head of his son or daughter, while making an oath. Swearing can be done by holding the beads of holy basil (tulsi) or the water of Ganga in the hand, or in front of an idol of God, or by touching a Brahmin, a cow or fire. Instances of kings swearing in the name of their dear ones or ideals to complete a venture (like vanquishing a foe) or to offer their heads to the ishta devatas (favorite deities) in case of fai

In this (path of yoga), O scion of the Kurus, there is but one-pointed determination. The thoughts of the irresolute, however, are diverse and unending. (Bhagavad Gita, 2.41) To them, ever steadfast and serving Me with affection, I grant the yoga of understanding (buddhi yoga), by which they come to Me. (Bhagavad Gita, 10.10) The man of steady intellect (dhira) should not swerve from his path even when oppressed by other creatures, knowing them to be under the sway of destiny; this is the lesson I have learnt from the earth. (Uddhava Gita, 2.37) There are two signs of knowledge. First, an unshakable buddhi. No matter how many sorrows, afflictions, dangers, and obstacles one may be faced with, one’s mind does not undergo any change. It is like the blacksmith’s anvil, which receives constant blows from the hammer and still remains unshaken. And second, manliness – very strong grit. (The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, 410) Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life – Think of it,

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Friday, 7 April 2023 – It is Krishna Paksha Pratipada tithi or the first day during the waning or dark phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Krishna Paksha Pratipada tithi or the first day during the waning or dark phase of moon till 10:01 AM on April 7. Then onward it is Krishna Paksha Dwitiya tithi or the second day during the waning or dark phase of moon till 9:45 AM on April 8. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.)  Good – Auspicious time on April 7, 2023 as per Hindu Calendar – Good and auspicious time on the entire day.  Nakshatra  – Chitra or Chithirai or Chithira nakshatra till 1:23 PM on April 7. Then onward it is Swathi or Chothi nakshatra till 1:43 PM on April 8. (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, north Karnataka and south Rajasthan), Chitra or Chi

Sapta Bhumika is the seven stages in the process of liberation in the Yoga system. Bhumika means ‘a stage in a process’. The first stage is shubhechha (auspicious desire). The second is vicharana (discussion with learned and the adept). The third is tanumanasi (suppression of physical sensual passions). The next stage is sattva patti (attainment of sattva quality). The fifth stage is named asamsakti (non attachment of the mind to sensuous objects). The sixth is padartha bhavini (introspection of the truth). The final stage is turiya (fourth stage of Absolute or negation of diversity and experience of unity). These seven stages are inter-related and form a chain. First, there is a desire to know something nobler than the ordinary life. Naturally, one seeks the guidance of learned and experienced seniors. Their guidance leads to the weakening of passions. As a result, the sattva quality (purity as against passion and passivity) becomes strong. The natural consequence is non

Hatkeshwar Jayanti is an auspicious day observed by the Nagar Community residing mainly in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh in  India . Hatkeshwar is Lord Shiva. Nagars observe the day Lord Shiva appeared on earth in the form of Hatkeshwar Shivling as Hatkeshwar Jayanti Day. In 2023, Hatkeshwar Jayanti is on April 5. The festival is also known as Hatkeshwar Patotsav and it is celebrated on Chaitra Shukla Chaudas, the fourteenth day during the waxing phase of moon in Chaitra month. It is the date of incarnation of Lord Hatkeshwar. The highlight of the festival includes Satsangs, procession and Mahaprasad. Once creation came to a stand still, everyone went to Shiva to find a solution. Shiva asked them to worship him in the form of a Shivling. Brahma created a Shivling made up of gold, i.e Hatak. This shivling was called Hatkeshwar. The glory and greatness of this manifestation of Shiva is found in the Nagar Chapter of Skanda Purana. You can read the story of Hatkeshwar