Bhakti is the only means of attaining the bliss of Bhagavan Sri Krishna, and varies in intensity from the joy of peace to divine ecstasy. Bhakti, as the logic of the heart, arises from and arouses the bliss potency of Bhagavan Sri Krishna, and it consists of love for love’s sake, and does not seek any boon. Priti or love gradually develops into a longing and has five stages. Krishna-prema is divinely rooted in sukha prema, bhakti melts the heart and makes it glow; in pranaya stage, it becomes invasive; it heightens in mana; bhakti then compels it to yield and at the raga stage, even pain is joyful. The philosophy of bhakti, according to Chaitanya, is explanation of the spiritual bhavas or moods (Krishna prema) in ascending order of intimacy culminating in madhurabhava. A bhakta does not reason the existence of God, but feels him to be the very essence of life. Bhakti pre-supposes the renunciation of ahamkara. Ascetic self-repression has no value for the bhakta as he treats the body a...

Paropakarapaddhati: The Art of Selfless Service in Bhartrhari’s Nitishatakam Bhartrhari’s Nitishatakam , a collection of one hundred concise verses on moral conduct and worldly wisdom, remains a timeless guide to ethical living. Divided into ten thematic chapters, each containing ten verses, it addresses the nature of fools, the wise, self-respect, wealth, the wicked, the good, generosity, courage, providence, and personal effort. The seventh chapter, Paropakarapaddhati , focuses on the noble virtue of helping others. Through vivid natural imagery and a clear moral compass, Bhartrhari elevates altruism from mere charity to a defining quality of greatness. The Essence of Paropakarapaddhati Paropakarapaddhati, literally “the method of aiding others,” spans verses 62 to 71. Bhartrhari opens with an assertion: true greatness lies in benefitting others. He draws parallels between altruistic souls and nature’s benevolent forces—fruit-laden trees bending low, clouds releasing life-giving r...

The practice of bhakti presupposes certain elaborate disciplines, namely the sublimation of feeling as well as the training of the intellect and the will. This is known as the seven-fold moral and spiritual discipline, contrasted with the four-fold discipline of Advaita. Advaita sadhana also consists if the triple discipline of thought, feeling and will defined as viveka, vairagya and the disciplines of sama, dama and the rest. Advaitic sadhana is self-discrepant, as its idea of mukti is the cessation of avidya. Jnana is the sublimation of ajnana. Adi Shankaracharya defines the aim of the Sariraka Mimamsa as the knowledge of the identity of Brahman arising from the super imposition of the nature of Brahman on non-Brahman. Brahmajnana is immediate as Brahman is even self-realized. Ramanuja’s Sri Bhashya reveals the contrast. ‘May my buddhi or jnana blossom into bhakti or devotion to Brahman or Srinivasa whose nature if revealed in Upanishad as the self, that, out of the lila or sp...

The Miracle of Nimbarkacharya and the Sudarshana Chakra The Divine Vision In an era steeped in devotion and spiritual pursuit, the sage Nimbarkacharya (121th century CE) stands as a luminous figure in the history of bhakti. Renowned for his unwavering love of Lord Krishna, he was blessed with a miraculous gift: the power to summon the radiance of the Sudarshana Chakra itself. This blazing discus, ordinarily the mighty weapon of Vishnu, shone like the sun at the western horizon, extending daylight beyond its usual bounds. It was this divine light that formed the heart of the tale by which Nimbarka earned his revered name. The Origin of the Name “Nimbarka” On one fateful evening, a wandering sannyasin—bound by strict rules against accepting alms after sunset—arrived at Nimbarka’s hermitage. Seeing the sky still bright, he gratefully partook of the evening offering. Only later did he realize the sun had already set, making any post-sunset meal a breach of his monastic vows. Curious an...

In recent years, a curious visual phenomenon has emerged on social media, posters, and even in some church halls: depictions of Jesus Christ garbed in saffron robes, seated in meditation like a Hindu sadhu, or standing alongside a sari-clad Mary, haloed like the goddess Lakshmi. On the surface, these images may appear as harmless attempts at interfaith dialogue or cultural sensitivity. In reality, many of them are strategically crafted propaganda pieces by Christian missionaries aiming to blur the lines between Hindu belief systems and Christianity, in hopes of winning over Hindu souls. The Strategy Behind the Imagery Christian missionaries have long recognized that India’s diverse spiritual landscape cannot be conquered through blunt force conversion tactics. Instead, they have adopted subtler methods that exploit Hinduism’s innate openness to multiple paths toward the divine. By presenting Christ as another yogi or rishi, the missionary message appears less like an alien creed and ...

The Ancient Art of Being Satisfied: How Contentment Can Save the World Picture this: It's 3000 BCE, and while the rest of the world is figuring out how to make wheels rounder and fire hotter, ancient Indian sages are sitting under banyan trees having profound realizations about human nature. "You know what?" one sage probably said to another, "I bet all this suffering comes from wanting more stuff." And thus, one of humanity's most revolutionary yet simple concepts was born: contentment as the ultimate life hack. The Yoga Vasishta Wisdom: When Ancient Sages Dropped Truth Bombs The Yoga Vasishta, one of Hinduism's most profound texts, delivers a statement that would make modern self-help gurus weep with envy: "Contentment destroys all sins." Now, before you start imagining contentment as some cosmic vacuum cleaner sucking up bad karma, let's understand what this really means. In Sanskrit, this concept is called "Santosha" – not...

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Tuesday, August 12 2025 – 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 :51 AM on August 12. Then onward it is Krishna Paksha Chaturthi tithi or the fourth day during the waning or dark phase of moon till 7 :55 AM on August 13. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.)  Good – Auspicious time on August 12, 2025 as per Hindu Calendar –Good and auspicious time after 8:41 AM.  Nakshatra  – Purva Bhadrapada or Pooruruttathi nakshatra till 1:58 PM on August 12. Then onward it is Uttara Bhadrapada or Uthrattathi nakshatra till 12:45 PM on August 13. (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, north Ka...

In the grand tapestry of the Ramayana, the story of Jatayu and Sampati shines as a testament to compassion, selflessness, and the deep bonds that unite brothers. More than a mere episode in an epic, their saga offers timeless lessons about understanding, sacrifice, and the intentions behind the actions of those who care for us. Often, we misinterpret discipline as harshness and guidance as interference, only realizing too late that our critics are acting out of love. The story of Jatayu and Sampati reminds us that genuine affection sometimes demands painful choices—and that recognizing those choices can transform our own lives. The Early Days: Brothers United by Wings Jatayu and Sampati were born to the divine eagle king Aruna, making them half–demigods and half–birds. From an early age, they were inseparable, soaring through the skies and mastering the art of flight. Their shared enthusiasm for testing their limits led to a friendly rivalry: who among them could fly the highest? ...

The Bhasmasura Paradox: Ancient Wisdom and the Future of Artificial Intelligence The Timeless Tale of Bhasmasura In the sacred narratives of Hindu tradition, the story of Bhasmasura stands as one of the most profound cautionary tales about unchecked power and its inevitable consequences. Bhasmasura, a devoted demon, performed severe penance to please Lord Shiva. Impressed by his unwavering dedication, Shiva granted him an extraordinary boon: the power to turn anyone into ashes merely by placing his hand upon their head. This divine gift, however, became the very instrument of his downfall. Intoxicated by his newfound abilities, Bhasmasura's first impulse was to test this power on the very deity who had blessed him. He chased Lord Shiva with the intent to reduce him to ashes, forcing the preserver of the universe to flee and seek refuge. The story reaches its climax when Lord Vishnu, in his enchanting form as Mohini, tricks Bhasmasura into placing his own hand upon his head, thus...

The Divine Mystery: Understanding Suffering Through Hindu Wisdom One of humanity's most perplexing questions echoes across cultures and centuries: Why do good people suffer while the wicked seem to prosper? This age-old dilemma has challenged philosophers, theologians, and seekers throughout history. Hinduism, with its profound spiritual insights and comprehensive worldview, offers a unique perspective that transcends simplistic explanations and delves into the very nature of existence itself. The Cosmic Law of Karma At the heart of Hindu understanding lies the immutable law of karma – a principle far more sophisticated than the popular notion of instant rewards and punishments. Karma operates on what can be called "cosmic time," functioning across vast temporal scales that dwarf human comprehension. While some actions yield immediate consequences, others may unfold their results across years, decades, or even multiple lifetimes. This temporal complexity explains why ...