Dhritarashtra, the blind king of Hastinapura, is a complex figure in the Mahabharata. His actions often reveal a bias towards his own sons, the Kauravas, at the expense of the Pandavas. However, there are instances in the epic that indicate Dhritarashtra was not entirely one-sided and did show some measure of fairness or concern towards the Pandavas. Here are some key incidents that highlight this nuanced aspect of his character: 1. Initial Protection of the Pandavas: Incident : After the death of their father, Pandu, Dhritarashtra took the Pandavas under his care. Despite his own son's jealousy, Dhritarashtra ensured that the Pandavas were raised alongside the Kauravas and given their rightful share of education and training. Analysis : This initial act of guardianship indicates that Dhritarashtra was not wholly neglectful or unfair towards the Pandavas. He recognized their rightful place in the royal household and ensured they were treated with a level of equality during their ea...

Swami Prabhupada and Sri Ramakrishna are two towering figures in modern Hinduism, each with distinct teachings, approaches to spirituality, and contributions to the global understanding of Hindu philosophy. While both emphasized devotion and the practice of bhakti, their paths diverged significantly in focus, methodology, and interpretation of religious principles. Here’s an in-depth comparison: 1. Foundational Philosophies: Swami Prabhupada : Focus on Gaudiya Vaishnavism : Swami Prabhupada (1896-1977) founded the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) and his teachings are deeply rooted in the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition, which emphasizes devotion (bhakti) to Lord Krishna. Bhagavad-gita and Bhagavata Purana : Prabhupada’s teachings primarily draw from these texts, advocating for complete surrender to Krishna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Krishna as the Supreme Deity : In Prabhupada’s view, Krishna is the highest form of God, and all devotional practices shou...

Rastriya Sanskrit Vidya Peeth (RSVP) has released a self learning Sanskrit CD in interactive mode named Samskrtasiksika. This interactive CD is a unique approach to help aspirants to learn Sanskrit Language quickly and thoroughly. It is designed by Sanskrit language experts from leading universities. Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha is a Deemed University established under Section 3 of UGC Act, 1956 and is located at Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh. The Self Learning Sanskrit CD concentrates on perfect pronunciation, different styles of conversation, excellent styles of speech, several styles of reading prose and poetry, writing styles of Devanagari, script, grammar in simple way, sanskrit literature and science in Sanskrit words for daily use. Animated Stories in Sanskrit, Sanskrit songs and shlokas, antyaksari, fun with words, fun with numbers, quiz and exercises are also part of the CD. The cost of the Samskrtasiksika CD is Rupees.200/-. Outside India it is US ...

Mata Anandamayi Ma and Swami Vivekananda are revered figures in Indian spirituality, each contributing profoundly to spiritual thought and practice. While both are rooted in Hindu philosophy, their teachings, methods, and focuses reflect distinct approaches shaped by their unique experiences and historical contexts. 1. Historical Context and Influence Mata Anandamayi Ma Era: Born in 1896, her teachings and influence spanned primarily the first half of the 20th century. Influence: Her life and teachings resonated with a diverse range of followers across India, regardless of caste, religion, or social status. She did not actively engage in social or political reforms but focused more on personal spiritual growth and the experience of the divine. Approach: Emphasized personal experience and devotion, encouraging her followers to see the divine in everything. Her approach was deeply personal, mystical, and centered on the realization of the self’s unity with the divine. Swami Vivekanand...

Dhanu Sankranti is an important day in traditional Hindu calendar and on the day sun enters the Dhanu Rashi (Sagitarius). In 2026, the date of Dhanu Sankranti is December 17. Time is at 8:06 PM on December 16. The day also marks the beginning of Dhanur Mas. Dhanu Sankranti is of great significance in Orissa and special prayers and pujas are offered to Lord Jagannath on the day. The famous Dhanu Yatra – street play based on Krishna visiting Mathura – is held during the period at Bargarh. In many regions in India , on Dhanu Sankranti day Surya (Sun God) is worshipped. Prayers are offered to Surya and people also take dip in holy rivers. Dhanu Sankranti marks the beginning of the transition through the Dhanu Rashi (Sagitarius) and this particular period ends on the Makar Sankranti day. In Odisha, a special sweet made of rice known as Dhanumuan is prepared on the day.

The book, Invading the Sacred – An Analysis of Hinduism Studies in America published in 2007 attempted to uncover the invisible networks behind a Hindu phobia especially in the American Academy that is systematically undermining core icons and ideals of Hindu culture and thought. A Review of Invading the Sacred: Understanding and Misunderstanding Hindu Tradition explains why the book ‘Invading the Sacred’ signals a new intellectual movement within Hinduism and some of the challenges this new movement will likely face. The review is available in English and Hindi online and is free of charge. A Review of Invading the Sacred: Understanding and Misunderstanding Hindu Tradition is published by The Samprajna Institute – a charitable organization that represents the diverse talents and perspectives of people with extensive experience studying and working with the people of South Asia . The review is by By Krishna Kirti Das and Gaura Keshava Das. The review highlights key sec...

The phrase "Before Worshipping God You Should Become God – Wisdom of Hindu Sages" encapsulates a profound spiritual teaching that invites deeper contemplation. This teaching is rooted in the rich philosophical and spiritual traditions of Hinduism. Here's an expansion on its meaning and significance: Understanding the Concept 1. Inner Divinity and Self-Realization Hindu sages often emphasize the idea that divinity resides within each individual. The phrase suggests that before one can truly worship God in the external sense, one must first recognize and realize the divine essence within oneself. This is aligned with the Advaita Vedanta philosophy, which teaches that the individual soul (Atman) is identical to the universal soul (Brahman). 2. Path to Enlightenment Becoming God, in this context, means attaining a state of self-realization or enlightenment (moksha). This involves a journey of inner transformation, self-purification, and spiritual growth. The sages advocate fo...

The Bhagavad Gita and the Guru Granth Sahib are two of the most revered texts in Hinduism and Sikhism, respectively. Each provides profound spiritual teachings and ethical guidance, but they differ significantly in their context, focus, and theological underpinnings. Bhagavad Gita Context and Background: Part of the Mahabharata, a major Hindu epic. A dialogue between Prince Arjuna and the god Krishna, set on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Composed around 5th to 2nd century BCE. Key Teachings: Dharma (Duty): Emphasis on performing one's duty (svadharma) according to one's role in society. Encourages action without attachment to results (karma yoga). Paths to Liberation: Explores various paths to spiritual liberation (moksha) including the paths of knowledge (jnana yoga), devotion (bhakti yoga), and disciplined action (karma yoga). Nature of the Self: Discusses the eternal nature of the soul (atman) and its unity with the ultimate reality (Brahman). Detachment and Renunciation...

Dr S. Kannan in his book titled, Vedic Management – The Holistic Approach to Managerial Excellence tries to find effective solutions to management problems with the help of the Vedas. He presents the subject on a four dimensional perspective incorporating self management, relationship management, cosmic management and spiritual management. Now he has put a slide show to explain some of the basic concepts dealt in the book: VEDIC MANAGEMENT

The book titled ‘ The Epistemology of Visistadvaita: A Study Based on the Nyayaparisuddhi of Vedanta Desika ’ explores the philosophy presented in Visista Advaita and gives a detail account of the chief concepts of the tradition. It attempts at presenting the epistemology of the Visistadvaita Vedanta based on the thirteenth century classical text, Nyayaparisuddhi composed by the eminent poet-philosopher Vedanta Desika. The book is authored by Vedavalli Narayanan. Visistadvaita tradition, or Visita Advaita, loosely means 'non-duality of the qualified' and is one of the principal schools of Vedanta and is based on the worship of Vishnu. The soundness of any system of philosophy depends on the Pramanas – the means of knowledge. The book extensively deals with the logical foundations accepted by Visistadvaita. The book begins with a brief introduction of Visistadvaita and gives a summary of earlier works based on the tradition. The second chapter deals with the conce...