Sons of Vishwakarma: The Sacred Story of Nala and Neela in the Ramayana The Divine Lineage of Vishwakarma's Sons In the great epic Ramayana, when Lord Rama needed to cross the vast ocean to reach Lanka and rescue Sita from the demon king Ravana, two extraordinary beings emerged to accomplish this seemingly impossible task. Nala and Neela, born in the form of vanaras (monkeys), were actually the divine sons of Vishwakarma, the celestial architect and craftsman of the gods. Vishwakarma, known as the divine engineer of the universe, possessed unparalleled skills in construction and creation. His lineage was blessed with extraordinary abilities, and his daughter Sanjana was married to Surya, the Sun God. Among his descendants, Nala and Neela inherited their father's exceptional architectural prowess, though they were born in vanara form as part of the divine plan to assist Lord Rama. The Divine Plan and Birth According to Hindu sacred texts, when Lord Vishnu incarnated as Rama...

The Divine Bow and Arrow of Goddess Durga: Cosmic Power and Focused Energy The Sacred Weapons in Durga's Arsenal Among the numerous weapons wielded by Goddess Durga, the bow (Dhanush) and arrow (Tir or Baan) hold profound symbolic significance in Hindu spiritual tradition. These divine instruments were bestowed upon the Goddess by Surya, the Sun God, and the forest deity before her legendary battle with the demon Mahishasura. While Durga carries ten weapons in her multiple hands, each representing different aspects of divine power, the bow and arrow specifically embody the principles of concentration, precision, and the focused manifestation of cosmic energy. Symbolism of the Bow and Arrow The act of archery itself becomes a powerful metaphor for spiritual discipline and divine will. When an archer draws the bowstring, they must pull it backward, gathering and concentrating energy at a single point. This backward motion represents the withdrawal of scattered energies, the gathe...

Truthfulness, or Satya , is one of the fundamental pillars of Hindu philosophy. It is enshrined as the second Yama (ethical restraint) in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras , emphasizing its role in personal and spiritual development. The profound wisdom in Hindu scriptures suggests that when one practices truthfulness, their inner self aligns with their outer self, leading to harmony, peace, and ultimate realization of the Atman (soul). This essay explores the significance of truthfulness in Hinduism, referencing scriptures, teachings of saints and gurus, its relevance in the Kali Yuga, scientific perspectives, and practical applications in modern life. Truthfulness in Hindu Scriptures Hinduism considers truthfulness as an essential virtue that leads to liberation ( Moksha ). Various scriptures emphasize the power and necessity of truth: Bhagavad Gita (17.15) – Lord Krishna states: "Speech that does not cause distress, that is truthful, pleasant, and beneficial, and the practice of reciti...

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Tuesday, February 10 2026 – It is Krishna Paksha Ashtami tithi or the eighth day of waning or dark phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Krishna Paksha Ashtami tithi or the eighth day of waning or dark phase of moon till 7 :15 AM on February 10. Then onward it is Krishna Paksha Navami tithi or the ninth day of waning or dark phase of moon till 9 :24 AM on February 11. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.)  Good – Auspicious time on February 10, 2026 as per Hindu Calendar – Good and auspicious time after 7:54 AM.  Nakshatra  – Vishaka or Vishakam Nakshatra till 7:55 AM on Feb 10. Then onward it is Anuradha or Anusham or Anizham Nakshatra till 10:32 AM on Feb 11. (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, north Karnataka and south Rajasthan), Vishaka o...

When Ravana Wore Rama's Form: The Demon King's Brief Encounter with Righteousness The Illusion and Its Unexpected Consequence In the great epic Ramayana, Ravana, the ten-headed demon king of Lanka, employed numerous strategies to win over Sita, whom he had abducted and held captive in his Ashoka grove. Among his various attempts, one particularly revealing episode demonstrates the profound spiritual truth that form and consciousness are intimately connected. Using his mastery of maya and occult powers, Ravana assumed the exact physical appearance of Sri Rama, hoping that this disguise would soften Sita's heart toward him. The transformation was complete in every external detail. Ravana's fearsome ten heads merged into one noble countenance, his demonic features softened into the gentle, righteous expression characteristic of Rama, and he adorned himself with the same royal garments and ornaments that the prince of Ayodhya wore. Yet as he approached Sita with this bor...

Vishwakarma, the celestial architect and divine craftsman of the universe, is venerated across India in various forms. While most devotees worship him in his single-faced form, certain regions of Bengal and South India preserve the ancient tradition of worshipping Panchamukhi Vishwakarma—the five-faced manifestation of the divine creator. This rare form represents the comprehensive powers of the deity who constructed the entire cosmos and continues to sustain it through his creative energy. The five Vishwakarmas — Virat Vishwakarma , Dharmavanshi Vishwakarma , Angiravanshi Vishwakarma , Sudhanva Vishwakarma , and Bhriguvanshi Vishwakarma — are believed to represent the five faces of the Panchamukhi Vishwakarma. Over time, these five have come to symbolize different artisan communities such as carpenters, goldsmiths, and blacksmiths . The Iconography of Panchamukha Vishwakarma In this magnificent form, Vishwakarma appears with five faces (Panchamukhi) and ten arms (Dashabhuja), eac...

Arthavada is eulogy – one of the four kinds of interpretive statements in Mimamsa. Arthavada is one of the four parts into which Vedic texts are divided by Mimamsa. The four major parts are – Injunctions (codana, vidhi, nishedha, pratisedha); explanatory proclamations of the object or purpose (Arthavada); Recitations during performance of a sacrificial act (mantra); and Names (namadheya). Arthaveda means a statement which either eulogizes or deprecates, intending to encourage or discourage a ritual – or some part mentioned in the ritual – from being performed. Arthavada is the ethical complement of vidhi or nishedha. For example, ‘let one who is desirous of prosperity, sacrifice a white animal to Vayu, because Vayu is the swiftest of the gods.’ Here the first sentence is a vidhi and the second, which praises Vayu, is Arthavada. Arthavada is of three kinds, viz., Gunavada, Anuvada, and Bhutarthavada. When a text makes a statement which is contradictory to the existing state of affai...

"Nadi Samudra Nyaya" is a profound analogy often used in Hinduism, particularly within the framework of Advaita Vedanta, to illustrate the concept of the individual soul merging with the ultimate reality, Brahman. The phrase translates to "Maxim of the River and the Ocean." In this analogy, a river represents the individual soul, or jiva, and the ocean represents Brahman, the ultimate reality or God. When a river flows into the ocean, it loses its separate identity; it merges completely with the vastness of the ocean. Similarly, when the individual soul realizes its true nature as Brahman, it transcends its individuality and merges with the infinite consciousness. This realization typically occurs after the death of the physical body, according to Advaita Vedanta. The analogy beautifully encapsulates the idea of unity and oneness in Hindu philosophy. It teaches that the ultimate goal of life is to realize the true nature of oneself, which is identical to the sup...

Madhurabhashini of Vilamal – The Moon-Eyed Goddess of Sweet Speech and Wisdom Sacred Abode of Patanjali Manoharar The Vilamal Temple, also known as the Thiruvarur Pathanjali Manoharar Temple, stands as a beacon of divine grace in Tamil Nadu’s sacred landscape. This ancient shrine is dedicated to Lord Shiva, known here as Pathanjali Manoharar, and to his consort Goddess Parvati, worshipped in her unique and rare manifestation as Madhurabhashini , the Goddess of Sweet Speech. It is believed that this is the very place where Lord Shiva revealed his left foot while performing the Ajapa Natanam , the silent, breath-linked cosmic dance witnessed by the great sages Patanjali and Vyaghrapada . The sanctum houses a sand-made Shivling , remarkable for its ability to reflect the light of the deepa aradhana (lamp worship), signifying Shiva’s eternal presence and subtle energy that pervades all elements. The Grace of Goddess Madhurabhashini The presiding Goddess, Madhura Bhashini, is revere...

The Sacred Lotus in the Hands of Goddess Durga: Symbol of Consciousness and Divine Awakening In the grand narrative of the Devi Mahatmya, Goddess Durga stands as the embodiment of divine strength, wisdom, and compassion. When she engaged in the fierce battle against the demon Mahishasura, she carried with her an array of divine weapons and sacred emblems gifted by various deities. Among these, the blooming lotus (Padma) occupies a special place, not as a weapon of war, but as a profound spiritual symbol — a reminder of the awakening of divine consciousness within every being. The Gift of the Lotus from Lord Brahma According to the scriptures, when the gods invoked the Supreme Mother to vanquish the asura who had thrown the world into chaos, each deity offered her their own power and symbols. Lord Brahma, the Creator, presented her with the Padma — the hundred-petaled lotus — representing purity, knowledge, and unfolding wisdom. The Devi Mahatmya (Chandi Path) describes her as: ...