Spirituality – Religion

This summer is a time of great excitement in Odisha. The rituals by which Jagannatha, the presiding deity of Puri, will die and be reborn along with his sister Subhadra and his elder brother Balabhadra and […]

In Roman times, Sunday was the first day of the week —an important day named after the Sun-God. Helios or Hyperion was the Greco-Roman Sun-God, who later merged with another Greek god, Apollo, the youthful, energetic, […]

The word Rudraksha has its etymological beginnings in the two Sanskrit words “Rudra” and “Aksha” meaning Lord Shiva and Teardrops respectively. According to “Shiva Purana”, Lord Shiva once went into deep meditation for the well being of all […]

Ananda Natam Aaduvar…’ the subject of this song heard often on stage is the presiding deity of the Chidambaram temple, which is now under renovation, after 28 years. ‘Temple,’ for a worshipper of Siva, is this […]

Human effort finds fruition when divine will prevails. Faith in this truth takes root in those who have achieved and attained success in their ventures, regardless of the field of their pursuit. Scriptures, the Puranas and […]

IT was the Baisakhi day, March 30,1699. A large gathering of peasants was waiting anxiously. A strange excitement permeated the air. Something was going to happen. Something that would have an everlasting impact on Indian […]

The tenth and the last Guru or Prophet-teacher of the Sikh faith, was born Gobind Rai Sodhi on Poh7, 1723 sk/22 December 1666 at Patna, in Bihar. His father, Guru Tegh Bahadur, the Ninth Guru, […]

Mahavir Jayanti is the most important Jain festival. It celebrates the birth of Saint Mahavir in a small town called Vaishali. The importance of the festival owes to the fact that Saint Mahavir was the founder […]

Ram Navami or the birthday of Lord Rama falls on the 9th day of the bright fortnight of the month of Chaitra (March-April). Ram Navami is one of the most important festivals of the Hindus, particularly […]

Chaitra Navratri or Vasant Navratri signifies the start of the Indian or the Hindu new year i.e. the 1st day or Prathama tithi of the Chitra Sudi, every year. Navratri, the festival of nine nights is […]

He does not say that his teachings are new. His Teachings are just one more manifestation, for the contemporary conditions on the Earth, of the Divine Teachings which have been many times imparted to people by […]

As per the Hindu Religion, Surya symbolizes the Sun God. Surya is considered as the only visible form of God that can be seen every day. God Surya is regarded as an aspect of Shiva […]

There are many stories of Lord Ganesha regarding his origin and various others which tell about the nature and traits of his character. Ganesha is known as the god of wisdom, literature and worldly success. He […]

Parvati is the daughter of the king of Parvatas, Himavan and the consort of Lord Shiva. She is also called Shakti, the mother of the universe, and variously known as Loka-Mata, Brahma-Vidya, Shivajnana-Pradayini, Shivaduti, Shivaradhya, Shivamurti, […]

In the Upanishads, we can study the graceful conflict of thought with thought, the emergence of more satisfactory thought and the rejection of inadequate ideas. Hypotheses were advanced and rejected on the touchstone of experience and […]

The literal meaning of the name Sarasvati is the one who gives the essential knowledge (Sara) of our own Self (Sva). The goddess Sarasvati is also considered the Goddess of Learning, or of education, intelligence, […]

Maha Shivratri, the night of the worship of Lord Shiva, occurs on the 14th night of the new moon during the dark half of the month of Phalguna. It falls on a moonless February night, when […]

Ganesha — the elephant-deity riding a mouse — has become one of the commonest mnemonics for anything associated with Hinduism. This not only suggests the importance of Ganesha, but also shows how popular and pervasive this deity […]

ONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS ISSUE || 15 || The Master Himself bestows honor. He creates and bestows body and soul. He Himself preserves the honor of His servants; He places both His Hands upon their foreheads. […]

CONTD FROM Vol 8 ISSUE 48 || 1 || THIRD MEHL: Whether he is young or old, the self-willed manmukh cannot escape hunger and thirst. The Gurmukhs are imbued with the Word of the Shabad; […]

contined from vol 8 issue 48 From his pierced and quivering bosom then the cruel dart I drew, And he sorrowed for his parents as his spirit heavenward flew, Thus unconscious, holy father, I have […]

Afestival is a collective celebration of an achievement in a given community. The Festival of Hanukkah is a Jewish celebration, and it is celebrating the recovery and re-dedication ofthe Jewish Temple in Jerusalem in 165 […]