Avatar Charita Gita – a rare book – details about the 10 Avatars or incarnations of Lord Vishnu. The book was written by Narhar Das, a contemporary of Tulsidas. Avtar Charita Gita is presently preserved at the Allahabad Museum and has 629 pages and 33 colored paintings in Mughal style. It is these illustrations in Mughal style that makes the book a rarity. The book narrates almost all the stories pertaining to the incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Apart from this, the book also explores several other myths related to Vishnu’s incarnations. Avatar Charita Gita uses the Devnagari script and the language used is Awadhi and Apbhransha. The book also makes use of Anushtup chhand and dohas. Narhar Das mentions at the end of Avatar Charita Gita that book is written to help the next generation to understand the values of their religion – Hinduism.

Ramprasad Sen, a mystic poet from Bengal, left behind a treasury of devotional songs, capturing the essence of divine love and spiritual longing. Here are a few quotes attributed to him: "O mind, with a pure heart chant the name of Hari. Only through this will you attain liberation." "O mind, do not wander outside; the Divine resides within you. Search within and realize the truth." "The world is a dream, a mere illusion. Only the Divine is real and eternal." "In every breath, remember the Divine. Surrender your ego and find peace." "In this transient world, the only constant is the love of the Divine. Hold on to it tightly." "The path of devotion is the easiest way to attain God-realization. Offer your heart at the feet of the Lord." "Like a bee searching for nectar, let your soul seek the Divine. Dive deep into meditation and experience the bliss." Ramprasad Sen's poetry often reflects his deep...

Second Life is the online game produced by San Francisco-based Linden Lab in which participants create a virtual world. It is attracting 4 million users and several religions are finding a presence in Second Life. Incidentally, the online 3-D persona which users create is known as an avatar – Sanskrit word for the incarnation of a Hindu deity. Hindu religion has only a small presence in Second Life. This will change soon, as more and more Hindus get to know about second life. Hare Krishna community has more than 75 members. How does religion exist in Second Life? For example, Jewish citizens of Second Life have created synagogues. Shona Crabtree writes in Washington Post Beth Brown, a 33-year-old Orthodox Jewish artist from Dallas , says she didn't intend to start a community when she built the first virtual synagogue, Second Life Synagogue-Temple Beit Israel , in September. "When it came to be, it shed a light on the lack of Jewish community," sh...

The Metaphysical Intuition: Seeing Brahman with Open Eyes is a series of Commentary on the Bhagavad Gita by Swami Siddheswarananda of the Ramakrishna Order. The book deals with some of the higher aspects of the Vedanta philosophy, and contains a biographical sketch of the swami. In the book, Swami Siddheswarananda sought to convey an experience of intuition beyond logic, outside the play of opposites, through which we will be better able to understand the nature of reality. To elucidate his meanings and make them accessible, he draws on the writings of others including Meister Eckhart, Ramana Mararshi, Shankara, Hubert Benoit, Ramakrishna and Vivekananda. Swami Siddheswarananda, born in 1897 in Kerala (Tripunithura), was the spiritual head of the Centre Vedantique Ramakrichna at Gretz , France . He passed away in 1957 in France . The articles in the book were originally written in French and a translation into English by André van den was published by Arunachala Press...

The story of Rishi Andhaka is found in the Krittibasi Ramayana, the Bengali adaptation of Valmiki Ramayana. Rishi Andhaka was a revered sage, living a life of simplicity and devotion along with his wife in the forest. They had a son named Sindhu, who was their pride and joy, their only child, and their sole support as both Rishi Andhaka and his wife were blind. Sindhu was dutiful and devoted, ensuring that his parents' needs were met despite their disability. One fateful day, King Dasharatha of Ayodhya, a renowned warrior and ruler, went on a hunting expedition. He was an excellent archer with unmatched skills, often relying on his ability to hit targets by sound alone. During his hunt, Dasharatha heard what he believed to be the sound of a deer drinking water. Without seeing the source, he shot his arrow in the direction of the sound. To his horror, he discovered that he had accidentally struck and killed Sindhu, who was collecting water for his parents. The Curse of the Gri...

King Dasharatha accidentally kills Sindhu, the son of Rishi Andhaka, thinking him to be an animal during a hunting expedition. As Sindhu lay dying, he implores Dasharatha to carry his body to his blind parents. With a heavy heart, Dasharatha complies. Back at the hut, Sindhu's mother suddenly feels a throbbing in her left eye, sensing something amiss. She voices her concern to her husband, Rishi Andhaka. "Something isn't right. Sindhu should have been home long ago," she says, her worry evident. The sage tries to reassure her, suggesting, "Perhaps Sindhu went deeper into the forest to find fruits and water." But his words do little to ease her anxiety. As Dasharatha approaches the hut with Sindhu's lifeless body, he steps on dry leaves, creating a rustling sound. Mistaking it for their son's return, the blind couple calls out joyfully, "Son, you are late today. Do give us some fruits and water to drink." Unsure of how to proceed, Da...

Hinduism has never believed in injecting spirituality into an individual or a crowd. Instead in Hinduism, spiritual realization is an evolution that takes place in an individual. This means that Hindu religion does not point towards a particular path for the individual to follow. The individual chooses the path to self realization. Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism) has always maintained that spiritual experience is personal. Even the desire of acquiring self realization cannot be created in everybody.  Similarly, we have several instances in Hindu Mythology where bookish knowledge and mere intellectual acceptance of the truth contained in scriptures have been scorned upon.  This is because Sanatana Dharma strongly believes that blind faith in the words of a realized man or writings of in a holy scripture can never be equal to self realization. Therefore instead of injecting spirituality, Hinduism believes in creating an atmosphere for self realization. This at...

Kaivalyadhama Yoga Institute , based in Lonavla, Maharashtra , has successfully completed the English Transliteration of the Sanskrit Yoga scriptures. The institute was chosen for the purpose by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Department of AYUSH, for its project titled Traditional Knowledge Digitalised Library (TDKL). The main intention of the transliteration is to combat commercial patent of Indian traditional knowledge. And to stop the blatant diluting of the ancient knowledge and creating Yogas like the wine tasting in yoga classes and yoga for dogs. Kaivalyadhama administrator Subodh Tiwari says “several attempts have been made by the West to stake claim to traditional Indian wisdom, with a couple of modifications — which at times, even negate and contradict the founding principles. “Take for instance, the patent granted to a sequence of yoga called hot yoga. The very act of having people perform asanas at 104 degree Fahrenheit goes against the basic premise o...

Born of the Earth: Understanding the Bhutas in Hindu Sacred Tradition The term "Bhuta" in Hindu scriptures has several interpretations, but it commonly refers to supernatural beings or spirits. When certain Hindu gods are referred to as "Bhutas," it signifies their connection to earthly elements or their association with spirits and supernatural powers. This designation reflects their roles in the natural and supernatural realms, highlighting their influence over both physical and metaphysical aspects of existence. In the context of gods being referred to as Bhutas because they were born on Earth, it is essential to understand that many Hindu deities manifest in various forms and incarnations (avatars) that interact directly with the earthly realm. This connection to the Earth underscores their involvement in human affairs and natural processes. Key points about "Bhuta" in Hindu scriptures include: Supernatural Beings: Bhutas are often seen as spirit...

Atmabodha Upanishad is one among the 108 Upanishads and is a lesser known Upanishad. As the name indicates, Atmabodha Upanishad gives us the realization of Brahman. It tries to find answer to who am I? A question, which is constantly inquired upon by ancient Hindu seekers. This question is also the cornerstone of Santana Dharma or Hinduism. This Upanishad is part of the Rig Veda. The entire theme of the Upanishad revolves around Brahman. Atmabodha Upanishad Text The Opening Prayer Om ! May my speech be based on (i.e. accord with) the mind; May my mind be based on speech. O Self-effulgent One, reveal Thyself to me. May you both (speech and mind) be the carriers of the Veda to me. May not all that I have heard depart from me. I shall join together (i.e. obliterate the difference of) day and night through this study. I shall utter what is verbally true; I shall utter what is mentally true. May that (Brahman) protect me; May That protect the speaker (i...