Narayana Saras: The Sacred Lake Where Divine Waters Purify the Soul Narayana Saras, also known as Narayanasaras, holds a distinguished place among the sacred water bodies mentioned in Hindu scriptures. This holy lake is referenced in the Shiva Purana as a site of immense spiritual significance, where the celestial river Sindhu meets the ocean in a divine confluence. The very name "Narayana" connects this sacred water body to Lord Vishnu, the preserver and sustainer of the universe, suggesting its eternal sanctity and divine origin. The Story of the Haryashvas The Shiva Purana 2.2.13 narrates a profound episode involving the sons of Daksha Prajapati, known as the Haryashvas. As Brahma recounts to the sage Narada: "Advised by their father, O dear one, the sons of Daksha went in the western direction for penance in order to create subjects (progeny). There they came to the holy lake Narayana where the celestial Sindhu has its confluence with the ocean. On touching the ho...

Swords of the Spirit: The Forest of Asipatra Leaves in Hindu Thought Within the vast tapestry of Hindu religious literature, the image of a forest whose leaves are as sharp as swords—known as the Asipatra—serves as a powerful moral warning. This vivid landscape is reserved for those who abandon the sacred teachings of the Vedas, transgress moral duties, and harm living beings without cause. Far from being a mere tale, it embodies the profound ethical vision of Hinduism, in which every element of nature reflects the cosmic order and the necessity of righteous conduct. Symbolism of Asipatra Leaves The Asipatra leaf, curved and pointed like a gleaming weapon, symbolizes the cutting edge of divine justice. Each leaf becomes an instrument of karmic retribution, tearing apart the bodies of those who violate dharma—the moral law that upholds cosmic balance. A forest where every breeze brings the sound of swishing blades evokes the inescapable consequences of one’s actions. Just as a hunter...

The Divine Creation of Pitrs: Ancient Wisdom from Markandeya Purana The Primordial Creation In the grand cosmic design orchestrated by Brahma, the creator deity, the universe was populated with distinct classes of beings, each serving a unique purpose in the maintenance of cosmic order. Among these divine creations, the Pitrs hold a special and revered position as the ancestral spirits who bridge the mortal realm with the divine. The Markandeya Purana, one of the eighteen major Puranas of Hindu scripture, provides profound insights into the origin of these celestial ancestors. Brahma's Four-Fold Creation According to the Markandeya Purana (Chapter 45), Brahma created four primary categories of beings at the dawn of creation. These were the Devas (celestial gods), Rakshasas (demonic beings), Manavas (human beings), and Pitrs (ancestral spirits). Each group was endowed with specific responsibilities and characteristics that would maintain the balance of the universe. While the D...

The Sacred Art of Divine Detachment: Finding Freedom in Fleeting Connections Life brings certain souls into our orbit who leave us transformed. A teacher whose words awaken dormant wisdom, a stranger whose smile brightens our darkest hour, or a companion whose presence feels like coming home—these magical encounters illuminate our path. Yet the Bhagavad Gita wisely counsels us: "One who is not disturbed by happiness and distress and is steady in both is certainly eligible for liberation" (2.56). This ancient wisdom teaches us to honor these precious moments without clutching them desperately in our fists. The Paradox of Connection Without Possession Hindu scriptures reveal a profound truth: the most beautiful experiences in life are meant to be witnessed, not owned. Just as we cannot capture a sunset or imprison the wind, we cannot cage the magic that others bring into our lives. The Isha Upanishad declares, "Tena tyaktena bhunjitha" (Verse 1)—"Enjoy through...

Spiritual blindness, or ignorance (“avidyā”), is described in ancient Hindu teachings as the root cause of human suffering and delusion. This ignorance obscures the true nature of the self, which is inherently divine and eternal (“ātman”). Overcoming ignorance requires not only wisdom but also unwavering focus and one-pointed determination (“ekāgra chitta”). Hindu scriptures emphasize that without disciplined and concentrated effort, the mind remains scattered, leading to confusion and attachment to the unreal (“māyā”). This article explores the necessity of one-pointed determination in dispelling ignorance, weaving in wisdom from sacred texts like the Ramayana, Yoga Vasistha, Srimad Bhagavad Purana, and the Upanishads. The Nature of Ignorance and Its Effects In Hindu philosophy, ignorance is not merely the absence of knowledge but a fundamental misperception of reality. The Bhagavad Gita states: "Just as fire is covered by smoke and a mirror by dust, or an embryo is envelope...

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Wednesday, January 7 2026 – It is Krishna Paksha Chaturthi tithi or the fourth day during the waning or dark phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Krishna Paksha Chaturthi tithi or the fourth day during the waning or dark phase of moon till 10 :29 AM on January 7. Then onward it is Krishna Paksha Panchami tithi or the fifth day during the waning or dark phase of moon till 10 :09 AM on January 8. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.)  Good – Auspicious time on January 7, 2026 as per Hindu Calendar – Good and auspicious time on the entire day.  Nakshatra  – Magha or Makam nakshatra till 3:39 PM on January 7. Then onward it is Purva Phalguni or Pooram nakshatra till 4:01 PM on January 8. (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, north Karnataka and sou...

Narayana: The Divine Waters of Creation and the Origins of Life The Etymology and Primordial Significance The name Narayana, derived from the Sanskrit roots "nara" (water) and "ayana" (abode or resting place), literally translates to "one whose abode is water." This profound designation is not merely poetic but encapsulates a fundamental truth about existence itself. The Shiva Purana (2.1.6) provides a detailed account of this cosmic principle, describing how "from the body of Vishnu who thus exerted himself, water-currents of various sorts began to flow. O great sage, the Supreme Brahman in the form of divine waters pervaded the entire void." This primordial imagery establishes Narayana as the first manifestation of life, resting upon the cosmic waters that filled the void before creation. The scripture continues, "Vishnu, the weary person went to sleep amidst the waters. He was in that blissful state of delusion for a long time. His na...

Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi needs no introduction to a spiritual aspirant. The 146th Jayanti of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi is on January 4, 2026. Ramana Maharshi was on December 30, 2026. His Jayanti or birth anniversary is annually held on Punarvasu or Punarpoosam or Punartham Nakshatra in Margazhi Masam as per traditional Hindu tamil calendar. Various programs are held on the day at Sri Ramanasramam in Thiruvannamali and across various other ashrams in the world. All the programs from various ashrams will be streamed live online. You can view the birthday programs here online. One’s true birthday is when one enters That which transcend birth and death – the Eternal Being. - Ramana Maharshi Chronology of the Life of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi Birth and Family Background 1879 Birthplace: Thiruchuli, Tamil Nadu (15 km east of Aruppukkottai, 40 km east of Virudhunagar, 45 km south of Madurai) Birth: Past midnight on December 29, 1879 (therefore recorded as December 3...

When Hollywood Got Hinduism Wrong: The Lasting Damage of Temple of Doom A Blockbuster Built on Misrepresentation When Steven Spielberg's Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom hit theaters in 1984, audiences worldwide were introduced to a version of Hinduism that bore almost no resemblance to reality. The film depicted Hindu priests as members of a bloodthirsty cult worshipping the goddess Kali through human sacrifice, ripping still-beating hearts from victims' chests, and forcing captives to drink blood. For millions of Western viewers with limited knowledge of Eastern traditions, this became their first and often most memorable encounter with Hindu religious practices. The damage was immediate and long-lasting, cementing stereotypes that continue to shape perceptions decades later. The tragedy lies not merely in historical inaccuracy but in the fundamental misrepresentation of a profound spiritual tradition. Hinduism, the world's oldest continuously practiced religions ...

Here’s an expanded and enriched biography of Kurukesha , the esteemed disciple of Ramanujacharya , with additional details about his contributions, significance, and relevance today. Kurukesha: The Spiritual Son of Ramanujacharya Great spiritual teachers often leave behind a lineage of disciples to carry forward their teachings. Among the prominent disciples of Ramanujacharya , the illustrious philosopher and proponent of the Vishishtadvaita school of thought, Kurukesha , also known as Tirukkurugaippiran Pillan , holds a distinguished position. Revered as Ramanuja’s ‘jnanaputra’ (spiritual son), Kurukesha played a pivotal role in advancing the teachings of his guru and preserving the legacy of the Sri Vaishnava tradition. Early Life and Background Kurukesha was born in 1061 CE in the sacred town of Tirumalai (Tirupati) , into a spiritually enriched family. He was the son of Srishailapurna , Ramanuja’s maternal uncle, who was also a prominent spiritual figure of the time. From an ...