Davender Ghai, a practicing Hindu, had asked for an open-air cremation when he dies but it was denied by Newcastle city council in Britain . Davender Ghai had argued then that denying him an open-air ritual ‘will enslave his soul in endless earthly entrapment.’ This debate had taken place in March 2009. It seems an appeal on the matter in the High Court will be taken up in this week. Jay Lakhani has started another debate by suggesting in his article in the Guardian UK that Hindus don't need open-air cremation. And there is no religious reason to demand open-air cremations. To pursue this 'right' in court goes against the spirit of Hinduism. To a Hindu like me, what was particularly worrying in the earlier hearing, at the high court, was the insistence that unless cremation takes place in the open air, the soul remains trapped in the body. Ghai complained that, without such a cremation, his soul would be enslaved in "in endless earthly entrapment". Such insi...

The Maheshwara Sutra is an ancient and esoteric Sanskrit text that delves into the profound means of attaining realization and enlightenment through four primary sciences: Yoga, Vedanta, Language, and Music. This text attributes these sciences to Lord Shiva, emphasizing their divine origin and significance in spiritual practice. The Four Sciences Yoga : Definition : Yoga is a comprehensive system for achieving physical, mental, and spiritual harmony. Role in Maheshwara Sutra : Within the Maheshwara Sutra, Yoga is presented as a disciplined practice that enables individuals to transcend the limitations of the body and mind, ultimately leading to a state of unity with the divine. Vedanta : Definition : Vedanta is a philosophical system derived from the end portion of the Vedic scriptures, focusing on the nature of reality and the self. Role in Maheshwara Sutra : Vedanta in the Maheshwara Sutra guides practitioners in understanding the ultimate truth of existence, encouraging a deep expl...

There is a temple on the banks of the Majha River at Banda in Uttar Pradesh which attracts lovers from region on Makar Sankranti day (January 14). The temple is dedicated to a Nat youth and a princess. During the fair, lovers in the region take bath in Majha River and pledge before the deity that they will never separate. Sanjay Pandey writes in Deccan Herald about this unique temple ‘The temple is the symbol of the tragic love story of a youth and a princess. The princess, while visiting the river once, had fallen in love with a Nath youth and wanted to marry him,’ temple priest Ghanshyam Pandit said. When the girl’s father came to know about the affair, he tried to dissuade his daughter from the love tangle. When she did not relent, he put a tough condition before the youth, asking him to walk on a rope tied from the nearby by hills to the fort. Nath community members are experts in walking on ropes tied to two ends of poles. The rope was too weak and gave in, just...

Mahadamba, a prominent woman poet, lived between 1228 and 1303 CE and was a devoted disciple of Chakradhara, the founder of the Mahanubhava sect. Born as Rupal, she was closely related to Nagadeva, the first acharya of the Mahanubhava sect, being his cousin. Her early life took a significant turn when she was widowed, prompting her to seek solace and purpose within the spiritual community of the Mahanubhavas. After joining the sect, she quickly became a favorite disciple of Chakradhara, who bestowed upon her the name Mahadaisa. This name, which means 'great mother,' was later Sanskritized to Mahadamba in subsequent literature. Following Chakradhara’s death, Mahadamba spent her remaining years at Riddhipur, residing in the ashram of Govinda Prabhu, another influential figure in the Mahanubhava sect. Literary Works Mahadamba was an accomplished poet whose works reflect her deep devotion and spiritual insights. Her literary contributions are multifaceted, encompassing various genr...

The Mahabharata, one of the greatest epic narratives of ancient India, is a complex tapestry of human emotions, ethical dilemmas, and philosophical discourses. At its core, it represents a profound struggle between good and evil, not merely in a simplistic moral dichotomy but through multifaceted characters and intricate plotlines that explore the depths of human nature and societal values. The Central Conflict The central conflict in the Mahabharata revolves around the Kauravas and the Pandavas, two branches of the Kuru dynasty. The Kauravas, led by the eldest, Duryodhana, represent the forces of greed, pride, and jealousy. They are driven by a relentless desire for power and control, often resorting to deceit and treachery. In contrast, the Pandavas, led by Yudhishthira, symbolize righteousness, duty, and justice. Their struggle is not just for a kingdom but for the preservation of dharma, the moral and ethical order of the universe. The Symbolism of Characters Each character in the ...

NGO Raunak Evam Jagruk Samaj Sanstha (REJSS) in Sonbhadra District conducts Ramayan reading and worship of Lord Ram and as Prasad they distribute tree saplings to devotees to protect the environment and fight against global warming and climate change. Prasad is received by Hindus after the prayers and rituals and is considered holy as it has been blessed by the God. The usual Prasad comprises of fruits, sweets, panchaamrit (made from curd, milk and dry fruits.) Times of India reports about this unique effort to protect environment by Hindus "You can say it's our religious formula to protect the environment and fight against global warming. Planting trees is something simple everyone can do to reduce carbon dioxide, a principal greenhouse gas that causes global warming," REJSS director Arvind Singh Chattan told IANS on phone from Sonbhadra. "You know the importance of prasad amongst Hindus, who traditionally accept it after prayers as they believe the prasa...

Bhagawan Nityananda of Ganeshpuri is revered as a profound spiritual master whose life is shrouded in mysticism and miracles. Although exact records of his birth are uncertain, he is believed to have been born sometime before 1900 in the Indian state of Kerala. Early Life and Adoption As an infant, Nityananda was abandoned in a forest, a fate that could have been dire. However, providence intervened when a compassionate local woman named Uniamma found and cared for him. After Uniamma's passing, her employer, Ishwar Iyer, assumed responsibility for the child. Ishwar Iyer named him Rama, and it became evident early on that the child was spiritually inclined, showing signs of deep contemplation and inner wisdom far beyond his years. Spiritual Journey Rama spent part of his early years in Udupi and Mangalore, towns in Karnataka that are known for their spiritual heritage. During this period, he was recognized as a realized soul, someone who had attained a high level of spiritual enligh...

Niti Shastras, derived from the Sanskrit words "Niti" (policy or ethics) and "Shastra" (scripture or treatise), are a class of Hindu texts that focus on moral conduct, governance, and practical wisdom. They comprise short maxims, verses, and proverbs, offering guidance on ethical and political matters. These texts form an essential part of Dharmashastra literature, which provides comprehensive guidelines on righteousness (dharma), law, and duty. Major Texts Chanakya Niti Authorship: Attributed to Chanakya (also known as Kautilya or Vishnugupta), an ancient Indian philosopher, economist, and statesman. Content: The text is a compilation of aphorisms and guidelines on statecraft, leadership, and personal conduct. It emphasizes pragmatic and sometimes ruthless strategies for political and personal success. Significance: Chanakya Niti is revered for its practical insights into human nature and governance, and it continues to be studied for its timeless wisdom on lead...

The Google search logo today sports the kite festival observed during Makar Sankranti and Uttarayan in Gujarat and western parts of India . You may also like read Kite Flying during Uttarayan

The importance of Kumbh Mela is that it offers the chance to attain Moksha (liberation) from the endless cycle of birth and suffering of existence and to merge with Brahman – the supreme soul. The legend of Kumbh Mela begins with the search of Amrut or elixir of life in Puranas. The Kumbh Mela bathing ritual is believed to help in redemption of sins of several births and the history of ritual is traced back to the Rg Veda. Liberation or merging with the Brahman is the main significance of Kumbh Mela. The two main elements worshipped during a Kumbh Mela are the Sun or Surya and the Holy River (water). Surya is worshipped in Hinduism as the Pratyaksha Brhaman or the visible God. The combined force of sun and river is essential for the existence of human life. Some scholars are of the view that this unique occasion used be a gathering of Holy men and Sadhus from around the world to discuss about Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism). Another popular belief is that during the K...