Buddhi Yoga: The Path to Mastery Over Inner and Outer Worlds In the vast ocean of Hindu spiritual teachings, Buddhi Yoga stands as a profound pathway that leads practitioners toward complete mastery over both their internal consciousness and external circumstances. This ancient practice, rooted in the discriminative power of the intellect, offers a systematic approach to achieving equilibrium between the mind's fluctuations and the soul's inherent wisdom. Understanding Buddhi Yoga: The Foundation of Discriminative Intelligence Buddhi Yoga, literally meaning the "yoga of intelligence," represents the disciplined cultivation of discriminative wisdom that enables an individual to distinguish between the eternal and the temporary, the real and the illusory. The Bhagavad Gita eloquently describes this concept when Lord Krishna instructs Arjuna: "Set thy heart upon thy work, but never on its reward. Work not for a reward, but never cease to do thy work" (Bhagav...

Kshemaraja stands as one of the seminal figures in the tradition of Kashmir Shaivism—a school of thought renowned for its sophisticated metaphysical insights and its emphasis on the experiential realization of one’s divine nature. Flourishing around the 10th century CE, Kshemaraja was a direct disciple of the illustrious Abhinavagupta, whose own legacy as a philosopher, aesthetician, and mystic helped shape the contours of Indian thought. Although many details of his life remain veiled in the mists of time, the surviving corpus of his writings provides an enduring window into his profound spiritual insight and his contributions to the non-dualistic philosophy of Kashmir Shaivism. Historical Context and Biography The intellectual milieu of Kashmir during the early medieval period was one of vibrant cultural and spiritual ferment. It was in this dynamic environment that Kashmir Shaivism emerged as a distinctive philosophical system, offering a synthesis of ritual practice, meditation, an...

The Transcendental Form of Sammohana Shasta Within the expansive traditions of the Ashta Sastha—the eight primary manifestations of Lord Shasta— Sammohana Shasta stands as a unique and captivating form. He represents the pinnacle of divine attraction, not in a mundane or worldly sense, but as the spiritual force that draws all souls toward the ultimate truth. The name "Sammohana" translates to "one who completely enchants" or "the supreme attractor," signifying that the entire universe is naturally pulled toward his benevolent grace. In this specific manifestation, Sammohana Shasta is depicted with his two consorts, Purna and Pushkala . This triad represents the perfect equilibrium of energies: Purna symbolizes fulfillment and completeness, while Pushkala signifies prosperity and abundance. Together, they illustrate the Householder (Grihastha) aspect of the deity, showing that spiritual liberation and worldly well-being can coexist in harmony. Scriptural...

Biography and Background Jayadeva, a celebrated Sanskrit scholar and poet of the 12th century CE, hailed from Vidarbha, a region in modern-day Maharashtra. A Brahmana by birth, he is renowned for his profound contributions to classical Sanskrit literature and poetics. Jayadeva’s era was marked by a flourishing of Indian intellectual and artistic pursuits, and his works reflect the cultural richness of this time. Literary Works Two significant works are attributed to Jayadeva: Prasannaraghava : This is a drama in seven acts that retells the story of the Ramayana with a focus on dramatic narrative and poetic elegance. Though not as widely known as his treatise on poetics, it showcases his versatility in combining storytelling with literary artistry. Candraloka ( The Moon of Poetics ): A magnum opus on alankara shastra (the science of poetic embellishment), this work is structured in ten chapters comprising 350 meticulously crafted stanzas. It delves into various aspect...

The Third Eye of Shiva and Durga: Destruction and Creation in Divine Balance The Burning of Kamadeva: Shiva's Path of Renunciation In the sacred narratives of Hinduism, the third eye represents divine consciousness and supreme spiritual power. When Shiva, absorbed in deep meditation after the loss of Sati, was disturbed by Kamadeva, the god of desire, he opened his third eye in righteous fury. The resulting blaze reduced Kamadeva to ash instantly. This dramatic event, detailed in various Puranas including the Shiva Purana, symbolizes the transcendence of worldly desires and the victory of consciousness over sensory temptations. The third eye of Shiva is called the Jnana Chaksu, the eye of wisdom. It represents the awakened state of pure awareness that burns away illusion, attachment, and desire. For Shiva, who embodies the ascetic ideal and represents the ultimate reality beyond form, the destruction of Kamadeva was necessary. It demonstrated that true liberation comes only whe...

The Fire of Awakening: Understanding Shiva's Destruction of Kamadeva The Sacred Narrative In Hindu sacred texts, one of the most profound episodes involves Lord Shiva incinerating Kamadeva, the god of desire and love, to ashes with his third eye. This event occurred when Kamadeva, at the behest of the gods, attempted to disturb Shiva's deep meditation by shooting his flower arrows at him. The intention was to awaken romantic feelings in Shiva toward Parvati, but the disturbance provoked a different response altogether. The moment Shiva opened his third eye, Kamadeva was reduced to ashes, earning him the name Ananga, meaning "one without body." The Third Eye: Gateway to Higher Consciousness The third eye, positioned at the center of the forehead, represents far more than a physical attribute in Shaiva philosophy. It symbolizes jnana-chaksu, the eye of wisdom and spiritual insight. While our two physical eyes perceive the material world of duality and separation, th...

In the vast panorama of spiritual wisdom, Hindu philosophy stands out for its profound insights into the nature of truth and the human condition. A recurring observation among sages and spiritual teachers is that “Most people know the truth but fail in its practical application to one’s life.” This idea, deeply embedded in Hindu thought, speaks to the perennial gap between intellectual understanding and lived experience. While many may have an intuitive or even scholarly grasp of what is ultimately real—what Hinduism terms as Satya (truth)—transforming this knowledge into daily living is a challenge that has intrigued and troubled spiritual aspirants across the ages. In this article, we will delve into the meaning and symbolism of this idea, examine teachings from ancient scriptures and modern gurus, and explore practical methods to bridge the gap between knowing and doing. Through this exploration, we aim to offer insights into how one can move from mere theoretical knowledge to a li...

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Thursday, February 19 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 4 :18 PM on February 19. Then onward it is Shukla Paksha Tritiya tithi or the third day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 3 :05 PM on February 20. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.)  Good – Auspicious time on February 19, 2026 as per Hindu Calendar – Good and auspicious time on the entire day.  Nakshatra  – Purva Bhadrapada or Pooruruttathi Nakshatra till 9:18 PM on February 19. Then onward it is Uttara Bhadrapada or Uthrattathi Nakshatra till 8:39 PM on February 20. (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujara...

Avani Moolam: When Lord Shiva Carried Sand for His Devotee at Madurai Meenakshi Temple The Madurai Meenakshi Temple, one of the most magnificent shrines in South India, celebrates numerous festivals throughout the year that showcase the divine play of Lord Sundareswarar (Shiva) and Goddess Meenakshi. Among these celebrations, the Avani Moolam festival (Puttu festival) stands out as a unique testament to Lord Shiva's boundless compassion for his devotees, demonstrating that the Supreme Lord himself descends to serve those who worship him with pure devotion. The Historical Account The origins of Avani Moolam Puttu festival date back to the era of the Pandya kings who ruled Madurai with righteousness and prosperity. During one particular reign, the sacred River Vaigai, which has nourished Madurai since ancient times, began flooding its banks, threatening the entire city and its inhabitants. Understanding the gravity of the situation, the Pandya king issued a royal decree that ever...

The Slaying of Chanda and Munda: When Divine Wrath Manifests to Destroy Evil The seventh chapter of the Devi Mahatmya, also known as Shri Shri Chandi or Durga Saptashati, recounts one of the most powerful episodes in Hindu sacred literature. When the demon king Shumbha commanded his two mighty generals, Chanda and Munda, to capture Goddess Durga, they marched forth with overwhelming confidence. Leading vast armies of cavalry and elephants, these demon commanders approached the Goddess who sat alone upon her lion mount. Their arrogance knew no bounds, and seeing her solitary figure, they burst into mocking laughter, convinced that victory would be theirs without effort. The Transformation of Divine Energy What the demons failed to comprehend was that they were not facing an ordinary adversary. The Divine Mother, witnessing their hubris and disrespect, underwent a spectacular transformation. Her fury intensified to such a degree that her fair complexion turned red with rage, and then ...