The relevance of five elements in worship and pujas and other rituals is in their association with respective chakras. The chakras are subtle centers corresponding to spinal nerve centers in the body. The earth element is associated with muladhara chakra (in the lowest point of the spine at the end of the tailbone), of which Ganesha is the presiding deity. The water element is associated with the svadhisthana chakra (at the level of the sex organs), of which Brahma (the creator) is the presiding deity. The fire element is associated with manipura chakra (at the level of the navel), of which Vishnu (the preserver) is the presiding deity. The air element is associated with the anahata chakra (at the level of the heart) with presiding deity Shiva. The akasha (space element) is associated with Vishuddhi Chakra (at the throat level), with the jivashiva (Shiva in the individual) as the presiding deity. The sixth chakra, ajna (at the center of the brain, behind the eyebrow-center)...

Nuakhai is an important social event and festival mainly observed in Western Odisha in the Odiya month of Bhadra. In 2025, the date of Nuakhai is August 28. The festival is sort of thanks giving to Mother Earth for a good Kharif season harvest. Nuakhai means partaking of the first grains of paddy. Nuakhai is observed on the day after Sri Ganesh Chaturthi. It is the fifth day during the Shukla Paksha of the Bhadarva month (August – September). On the day before the festival, local families send new clothes, food grains, sweets and adornments for the local village goddess. In the Devi temples around western Odisha, this ritual is called ‘Pahur’. On Nuakhai day, Mother Nature is worshipped for providing food and all those elements essential for the survival of living beings. Goddess Shakti symbolizes Mother Earth and is worshipped in some regions and the new Kharif season crop is offered at a Shakti temple. The offering is made in leaf-cups made from Sal, Palasa, Tendu ...

Jatayu’s Sacrifice: A Lesson in Duty Without Fear or Attachment to Results Hindu dharma consistently emphasizes the importance of performing one’s duty (dharma) without attachment to outcomes. This principle, often referred to as nishkama karma (selfless action), is a cornerstone of the Bhagavad Gita and echoed throughout other scriptures. In the great epic Ramayana, the valiant bird Jatayu exemplifies this teaching by confronting Ravana to rescue Sita, fully accepting the possibility of death rather than allowing adharma to prevail. The Teaching of Nishkama Karma The Bhagavad Gita, composed by sage Vyasa and spoken by Lord Krishna to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, instructs that one should act according to dharma without concern for success or failure. Verse 2.47 states: “You have a right to action, but not to its fruits.” This teaching encourages courage and selflessness. Other texts—such as the Mahabharata, the Upanishads, and commentaries by scholars like Adi Shankara...

Journey Beyond the Sands: Arunagirinathar on Karma and Number of Births Saint Arunagirinathar, a revered Tamil devotee of Lord Murugan, offered profound insights into the cycle of birth and rebirth driven by karma. He famously remarked that one could count the particles of sand in the seven seas but not the countless lives one has lived through the workings of karma. This teaching underscores the depth of our soul’s journey and serves as a reminder to live with awareness, compassion, and devotion. Understanding the Teaching Arunagirinathar’s statement emphasizes two key ideas in Hindu philosophy: the infinitude of samsara (cycle of births and deaths) and the binding force of karma. Just as the sands in the oceans are innumerable, so too are the births we have experienced, each shaped by actions, thoughts, and intentions in past lives. This vivid metaphor invites seekers to reflect on the long arc of their spiritual evolution, urging a shift away from material attachments toward high...

How We Project Our Insecurities on Loved Ones – Insights from Hinduism Ever noticed how the boss who constantly accuses employees of being lazy is often the one scrolling social media during meetings? Or how the friend who always points out others' "attention-seeking behavior" somehow manages to make every conversation about themselves? Welcome to the fascinating world of psychological projection – a phenomenon that Hindu wisdom has been explaining for thousands of years, long before modern psychology gave it a fancy name. The Ancient Mirror Principle Hindu scriptures have always emphasized that the external world is a reflection of our internal state. The Upanishads beautifully capture this concept: "As you see yourself, so you see the world." It's like wearing tinted glasses – if your lenses are dirty, everything appears smudged, regardless of how clean the actual scenery might be. The Bhagavad Gita takes this further by explaining that when our consci...

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Thursday, September 4 2025 – It is Shukla Paksha Dwadashi tithi or the twelfth 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 1 :38 AM on September 4. Then onward it is Shukla Paksha Dwadashi tithi or the twelfth day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 1 :55 AM on September 5. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.)  Good – Auspicious time on September 4, 2025 as per Hindu Calendar – Good and auspicious time on the entire day.  Nakshatra  – Uttarashada or Uthradam nakshatra till 10:42 PM on September 4. Then onward it is Shravan or Sravana or Thiruvonam nakshatra till 11:12 PM on September 5. (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat...

Integrating Worship in Hinduism: Chariya, Kriya, Yoga, and Jnana Within Hinduism, the spiritual journey can be undertaken through various approaches to worship. Centuries of scriptural wisdom have identified four primary forms—Chariya, Kriya, Yoga, and Jnana—each offering a distinct pathway toward union with the Divine. Though unique in focus, these forms ultimately complement one another, providing a holistic framework for personal growth, societal harmony, and spiritual realization. Chariya: Virtue and Selfless Service Chariya, often referred to as the path of right conduct, emphasizes righteous living and selfless service. Rooted in the concept of dharma, Chariya teaches that everyday actions—whether caring for family, helping one’s community, or conducting business honestly—become acts of worship when performed without expectation of reward. Scriptures such as the Bhagavad Gita and the Manusmriti underscore that selfless service (seva) purifies the heart. Teachers like Swami Viv...

The Language Divide: Will AI Translation Kill Human Multilingualism? As artificial intelligence transforms our world at breakneck speed, one question looms large over educators, linguists, and cultural enthusiasts alike: will people stop learning additional languages now that AI can translate between any two languages in seconds? This technological revolution promises unprecedented global communication, yet it threatens to fundamentally alter how humans connect across cultural boundaries. The implications reach far beyond mere convenience, touching the very core of human cultural exchange, cognitive development, and interpersonal understanding. The AI Translation Revolution The current generation of AI translation tools represents a quantum leap from the clunky, error-prone systems of the past. Modern neural networks can process context, idioms, and even cultural nuances with remarkable accuracy. Real-time translation through earbuds, smartphone apps, and augmented reality glasses m...

Sharing Joy: A Hindu Perspective on Enhancing Life through Others’ Happiness Happiness is often pursued as a personal goal, yet the ancient wisdom of Hinduism invites us to broaden our vision. When we cultivate joy not only for ourselves but also for others, we not only enrich their lives but also deepen our own sense of purpose and appreciation for existence. This article explores how considering others’ happiness enhances our own life appreciation, drawing on key Hindu teachings, scriptural insights, and practical reflections. The Universal Vision: Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam One of the most powerful concepts in Hindu thought is Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam —“the world is one family.” This vision dissolves the boundaries that separate “self” from “other,” inviting us to recognize the shared essence in every being. When we see others as members of our own extended family, their joy becomes inseparable from ours. “He who sees Me in all, and all in Me, never turns away from Me, nor am I lost to...

 In Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras , the mind's modifications or fluctuations are a central theme, especially in the third chapter, known as Vibhuti Pada (Chapter on Powers). Verses III 9-13 describe three specific modifications that the mind undergoes in the process of achieving mastery over itself: Nirodha Parinama , Samadhi Parinama , and Ekagrata Parinama . These modifications are crucial stages in the practice of Yoga, where the mind is progressively refined and controlled, leading to higher states of consciousness. Let's expand on each of these modifications, their meanings, importance, and relevance in both traditional and modern contexts. 1. Nirodha Parinama Meaning: Nirodha means "restraint" or "cessation." Parinama means "transformation" or "modification." Nirodha Parinama refers to the transformation of the mind when it moves from a state of distraction or activity to a state of stillness and restraint. This is the process where th...