Brahma Sutras are aphorisms or sayings which systematize the teaching of the Upanishads. Badrayana is believed to be the author of the Brahma Sutras and it is also known as Shariraka Sutra and Vedanta Sutras. Brahma Sutras 544 (according to Sri Ramanuja) in number occupies the foremost position of authority in the system of Vedanta. Badarayana - Veda Vyasa Author of Brahma Sutras Brahma Sutras attempt to formulate, elaborate and defend the philosophy of the Upanishads. There is also a widespread belief that the author of Brahma Sutras Badarayana is but Veda Vyasa. Numerous Commentaries on Brahma Sutras It is believed that there were several commentaries on the Brahma Sutras even before Adi Shankaracharya. The earliest commentary available now is that of Adi Shankara but Shankaracharya himself mentions about several other ancient sages and learned men talking about the Brahma Sutras. Some of the ancient commentaries of Brahma Sutras include that of Adi Shankaracharya...

Balaki, also known as Gargya Balaki, is a name occurring in the Vedas. He was the son of Balaka of the Gargya family of rishis. Famous incident in Hindu scriptures narrate how Gargya Balaki was humbled by King Ajatashatru in debate. This debate is found in the chapter II of Brihadaranyaka Upanishad. Name of Balaki occurs in Brihadaranyaka Upanishad Chapter II, Jaiminiya Brahmana (I.337), Sankhayana Aranyaka (VI.1, 3-10, 18, 19) and Kausitaki Upanishad (II.1). Balaki Gargya traveled through many places like Usinara, Matsya, Kurupanchala, Kashi and Videha. He conducted debates in all these places. He considered himself to be knower of Supreme Truth. During his travel Balaki reached the palace of Ajatashatru, the king of Kashi. The Great Dialogue on Brahman Between Gargya Balaki and Ajatashatru One day Balaki approached Ajatashatru and said, “I shall teach you all about Brahman.” The king was highly pleased and happy that he got an opportunity to know more about Brah...

This is a collection of quotes and teachings on the Hindu concept of Maya or illusion. All visible things are ‘maya.’ Maya will vanish through the effect of knowledge (jnana). One must strive to get rid of maya, which devastates the mind; the destruction of the mind (manas) means the annihilation of maya. Meditation is the only way in which to dominate maya. Maya is tempting you in a variety of ways. The fisherman puts a little bait on the hook. It is not out of love for the fish that he does so. It is not out of compassion. It is not to appease the hunger of the fish. His motive is to catch the fish. The fishes on account of their desire to eat jump towards the hook. They are killed. A hunter spreads a net and throws a few grains. It is not to feed the birds, but in order to catch them and to kill them. Even so, Maya wants to catch the poor Jiva. Therefore, She has put a little bit of polish, a little pleasure-coating in the objects. The objects are pleasure cen...

Bapudeva Shastri (1821 – 1890) is a celebrated Indian astronomer and mathematician in the 19th century AD. His parents were Pandit Sitarama and Shrimati Satyabhama. He belonged to a Rig Vedic Brahmin family, which originally lived in Toke, a town on the bank of the Godavari River in Ahmednagar District, Maharashtra, India. Education He first studied in a Marathi school in Nagpur, where he learnt Bhaskara’s Lilavati and Bijaganita from Kanyakubja scholar named Dhundhiraja, who was also an expert on European Algebra. Looking at his capability, L .Wilkinson, an agent of the British Government, took him to the Sanskrit school at Sihora for higher studies in 1838 AD. Here he studied Geometry (Rekha Ganita) and other subjects from Sevarama, a well known astronomer. Around this period, European Science was finding its way into India, Bapudeva Shastri had an opportunity to learn European Astronomy and Mathematics. Career In 1841 AD, Wilkinson appointed him as a teacher of Geo...

The twenty eight incarnations of Shiva are mentioned in the Linga Purana. It is believed that Shiva appear on earth in a form in each yuga and as there have been 28 yugas in the present manvantara, there are 28 incarnations of Shiva. It must be noted here that Shiva can appear in any form in the universe. Hindus should not worry much about names and forms. The list of names that we find in Puranas are just a miniscule. Instead of concentrating on name and form we should have unwavering devotion to the Supreme Truth. Shiva is formless and this is best explained through the Shivling - the formless. Learning and knowing the names are good for academic interest but getting engrossed in name and form and straying from the path of truth will push a person back into cycle of birth and death. Twenty Eight Incarnations of Shiva in the Linga Purana Shveta Sutara Madana Suhotra Kanchana Lokakshi Jagishavya Dadhivahana Rishabha Muni Ugra Atri Vali Gautama Vedashir...

Vali in Ramayana was a mighty monkey king who played a crucial role. King Bali was killed by Bhagavan Sri Ram. He was the king of Kishkindha, brother of Sugriva and father of Angada. Story of Birth Of Vali Once, Lord Brahma was lost in Yoga in the Brahma Sabha on the peak of Mount Meru. A tear happened to fall from his eyes on to the ground. A monkey was born out of it and was named Riksharaja. Brahma advised it to enjoy the roots and fruits of the area and remain near him. Once Riksharaja felt very thirsty and went towards the north of Mount Meru. Here he saw a pool of water. While drinking water from the pool, he saw his reflection in the water. He thought the reflection was an intruder and enemy. He jumped into the water to kill it. When Riksharaja came out of the pool of water he was transformed into a beautiful damsel. Indra, the king of Devas, and Surya, the sun god, happened to come there and they were enamored by the beauty of the damsel. Vali was born t...

The Thursday evening puja at Tirupati Balaji Temple in Tirumala is of great importance and it is known as poolangi or nethra darshanam. Lord Venkateshwara is adorned with 23 different flowers for this evening seva every week on Thursday. On Thursday evening, Lord Venkateswara will not be adorned with jewels. His Naamam will be reduced to small size so that His beautiful eyes are seen to its full form. The darshan the devotees get on this day is also called 'Netra Darshan'. It is a belief that, the eyes of Lord will open on the evening on Thursday and He will see all the devotees on this day. Every Thursday evening for Poolangi seva, five big baskets filled with flowers are taken from the store room containing flowers by Jeers and Ekangis followed by Tolappacharyas or their followers with Tulasi. They go round the Dwajasthambam and enter into the Sanctum Sanctorum. Then a variety of flowers will be adorned on the main murti of Venkateswara in the sanctum ...

I am silence among all secrets. – Bhagavad Gita He cannot be seen by the eye, and words cannot reveal Him. He cannot be reached by the senses, or by austerity or sacred actions. By the grace of wisdom and purity of mind, He can be seen, indivisible, in the silence of contemplation. This invisible Atman can be seen by the mind wherein the five senses are resting. – Atharva Veda There is something beyond our mind which abides in silence within our mind. It is the Supreme Mystery beyond thought. Let one's mind and one's subtle body rest upon that and not rest on anything else. – Maitri Upanishad Silence is the highest eloquence. – Sri Ramana Maharshi Silence is the first door to spiritual eminence. – Adi Shankaracharya The highest form of grace is silence.  – Swami Chinmayananda Those who give themselves up to the Lord do more for the world than all the so-called workers. One man who has purified himself thoroughly accomplishes more than a...

Srinivasa Mangapuram is one such sacred temple in Tirupati having both Puranic and historical accounts into its credit. This temple dedicated Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swami is rich in architectural elegance, ancient in its existence and sacred next to Tirupati Balaji Temple in Tirumala. Location of Srinivasa Mangapuram Temple Srinivasa Mangapuram is a small village 12 km to the west of Tirupati. A short drive from Tirupati on the road leading to Madanapalli will take us to the temple of Kalyana Venkateswara Swami at Srinivasa Mangapuram. The majestic Rajagopuram and graceful Vimanam can be seen even before reaching the main temple. Importance and Story of Srinivasa Mangapuram Legends say that Lord Venkateswara Swami after His marriage with Padmavathi Devi stayed here for sometime before proceeding to Tirumala. The shrine was renovated by Tallapaka Chinna Tiruvengatanatha in the 16th century. Bhavishyottara Purana narrates that after their celestial Kalyanam (marri...

Banke Bihari Temple Festival Dates in 2026 as per official temple calendar. Vrindavan Banke Bihari Temple is an immensely popular temple dedicated to Hindu God Bhagvan Sri Krishna. The temple attracts thousands of devotees from India and Abroad. Bhagvan Sri Krishna is worshipped here in the form of Banke Bihari. Banke Bihari Temple Festivals in 2026 Aanola Ekadasi (Holi) – February 27 Holika Darshan – March 2 Dhulandi – March 3 Banke Bihari Charan Darshan - April 20 (Akshaya Tritiya). Guru Poornima – July 29, 2026 - Phool Bangla for Swami Haridas in Nidhivan will be performed on the day. Hariyali Amavasya – August 12 Hariyali Teej – August 15 Raksha Bandhan – August 28 Krishna Janmashtami –  September 4 – Birth anniversary Sri Lord Krishna (only on this day Mangla Aarti is performed) Nandotsav – September 5 Radha Ashtami – September 19 Sharad Purnima – October 25 (Maha Raas Lila day) Roop Chaturdashi – November 7...