Sacred Circles: The Ancient Hindu Practice of Honoring All Life Before Every Meal In the rich tapestry of Hindu traditions, few practices embody the philosophy of universal compassion as beautifully as the ancient ritual of sprinkling water droplets around one's food. This seemingly simple act carries profound spiritual, philosophical, and ecological wisdom that continues to resonate in our modern world. The Sacred Ritual Unveiled Before partaking in their meals, devout Hindus create a protective circle of water droplets around their banana leaf plates while chanting sacred mantras. Beyond this circle, they place a few grains of cooked rice as an offering to the smallest creatures of creation. This practice, rooted in the principle of "Sarva Bhuta Hita" (welfare of all beings), reflects the Hindu understanding that every meal is a sacred communion with the divine. The Bhagavad Gita reminds us: "Annam Brahma, Raso Vishnuh, Bhokta Devo Maheshwarah" - food is B...

The Sacred Tongue: Rediscovering the Divine Art of Mindful Eating in Hindu Tradition In our modern world of constant connectivity and perpetual distraction, we have reduced one of life's most sacred acts—eating—to a mechanical process devoid of consciousness and reverence. We consume meals while scrolling through phones, watching screens, or engaging in countless other activities, treating food as mere fuel rather than recognizing it as a divine gift deserving our complete attention and gratitude. The Tongue as a Sacred Gateway Hindu scriptures recognize the tongue (jihva) as far more than a mere organ of taste. The Bhagavad Gita (15.9) states: "The living entity, thus taking another gross body, obtains a certain type of ear, eye, tongue, nose and sense of touch, which are grouped about the mind." This verse establishes that our senses, including taste, are divine instruments through which we experience the material world and can connect with the divine. The tongue ho...

Early Life and Background Jagannatha Dasa, originally named Srinivasacharya , was born in the small village of Byagavatte near Manavi in the Raichur district of Karnataka. Though little is known about his early years, his extraordinary talent for composing poems in Sanskrit was evident from a young age. His intellectual brilliance led him to an advanced understanding of the Dwaita philosophy of Madhvacharya , making him a respected scholar of his time. Transformation into a Haridasa Despite his intellectual accomplishments, Srinivasacharya became arrogant, leading to an incident that would forever change his life. He insulted the revered Haridasa saint Vijayadasa , which is said to have resulted in his suffering from a severe stomach ailment. Seeking relief, he approached Vijayadasa, who, in turn, directed him to his disciple Gopaladasa . Gopaladasa not only cured Srinivasacharya of his ailment but also initiated him into the Haridasa tradition, bestowing upon him the name Jagann...

Divine Dreams: Vishnu and Lakshmi in the Subconscious Mind - Decoding Sacred Messages Dreams have long been considered windows into the divine realm in Hindu tradition, serving as bridges between the conscious mind and the cosmic consciousness. When devotees experience visions of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi in their dreams, these encounters carry profound spiritual significance that transcends ordinary psychological interpretation. These divine visitations represent not mere figments of imagination, but sacred communications from the supreme consciousness that governs preservation, prosperity, and spiritual evolution. The Divine Couple: Cosmic Harmony in Dreams Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the universe, and Goddess Lakshmi, the embodiment of prosperity and abundance, together represent the perfect balance of divine masculine and feminine energies. In the Vishnu Purana, it is stated: "Lakshmi is inseparable from Vishnu as light from fire, as heat from the sun" (Vishnu ...

The Incompleteness of Aruna: Divine Lessons in Patience and Dharma The Birth of Two Brothers The ancient Hindu texts narrate a compelling account from the lineage of Daksha Prajapati, whose daughters Kadru and Vinata married the illustrious sage Kashyapa. When the sage granted them boons for their devoted service, Kadru requested a thousand powerful serpent sons, while Vinata sought only two offspring who would surpass Kadru's children in strength and virtue. The sage blessed both sisters, and in time, Kadru produced a thousand eggs while Vinata laid two. Both sets of eggs were carefully placed in heated vessels to incubate. The prescribed period for this gestation was five hundred years, a duration that reflects the cosmic patience required for divine manifestations. As the centuries passed, Kadru's thousand eggs hatched successfully, releasing the Nagas who would populate the serpent realms and serve crucial functions in the cosmic order. The Act of Impatience Vinata...

Annapurna Jayanti is a festival dedicated to Goddess Annapurna – Hindu goddess of food and cooking. It is observed on the full moon day in the month of Margashirsha. In some regions, an Annapurna Vrat is observed during the period. Goddess Annapurna is believed to be an incarnation of Goddess Parvati. In 2025, Annapurna Jayanti date is December 4. Annapurna Mantra ह्रीं अन्नपूर्णायै नम:॥ Chant the above mantra 108 times for prosperity and peace in life. It is believed that those who worship Annapurna Mata with this mantra and live as per Dharma without harming nature will always be blessed with good food and water. Story of Annapurna Jayanti Legend has it that once the food on earth was not replenished and soon the food started getting over. Living beings were in a danger of starving. Human beings prayed to Brahma and Vishnu and they together awoke Lord Shiva from his yoga nidra (sleep). He agreed to restore prosperity and food on earth. It is believed that Parvat...

Parvati's Amazing Journey: From Mountain Princess to Universal Mother A story of courage, devotion, and finding your inner strength The Beginning: A Simple Mountain Girl Long, long ago, in the beautiful Himalayan mountains, there lived a young girl named Parvati. She was the daughter of Himavan, the king of mountains, and Mena, a wise queen. Parvati wasn't born as a powerful goddess - she started as a simple, shy girl who loved nature and spent her days among flowers and mountain streams. Just like many young people today, Parvati was quiet and gentle. She would often sit alone, thinking deep thoughts and feeling a special connection to the world around her. Little did anyone know that this humble mountain princess would one day become Shakti - the most powerful force in the entire universe! The Challenge: Learning About Love and Patience Parvati's first big challenge came when she fell in love with Lord Shiva, the great yogi who lived on Mount Kailash. But Shiva was ...

Beyond Survival: Rediscovering Human Purpose Through Hindu Wisdom The Fundamental Question of Human Existence From nature's perspective, humans appear to be merely another species engaged in the basic functions of survival: eating, excreting, and procreating. Yet we have constructed elaborate civilizations, philosophies, and technologies that seem to elevate us above the animal kingdom. This apparent contradiction raises a profound question that Hindu scriptures have contemplated for millennia: Are we overestimating our significance, or are we failing to fulfill our true potential? The Bhagavad Gita addresses this very concern when Krishna declares: "Those who are ignorant of their real purpose think that eating, sleeping, defending, and mating are the goals of life" (Bhagavad Gita 7.15). This verse suggests that while these biological functions are necessary, they represent only the most basic level of human existence. The Hindu Understanding of Human Nature The Fo...

Indiscriminate Advice Often Backfires – A Deep Dive into Hindu Teachings Overview and Meaning The adage "Indiscriminate advice often backfires" resonates deeply with Hindu philosophy. The teachings of Hinduism emphasize discernment or viveka , the ability to distinguish between what is appropriate and beneficial and what is not. This principle underscores the importance of context, readiness, and receptivity before imparting knowledge or advice. Giving advice without understanding the recipient's circumstances, readiness, or nature can lead to misunderstandings, resistance, or even harm. Symbolism and Deeper Meaning In Hinduism, the symbolic essence of this teaching is reflected in the metaphor of planting seeds. Seeds (advice) must be sown in fertile, prepared soil (a receptive mind); otherwise, they will not grow. The Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 18, Verse 67) cautions against sharing spiritual wisdom with those who are not ready or are disinclined to understand it. This...

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Thursday, December 11 2025 – It is Krishna Paksha Saptami tithi or the seventh day during the waning or dark phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Krishna Paksha Saptami tithi or the seventh day during the waning or dark phase of moon till 6 :48 PM on December 11. Then onward it is Krishna Paksha Ashtami tithi or the eighth day during the waning or dark phase of moon till 6 :56 PM on December 12. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.)  Good – Auspicious time on December 11, 2025 as per Hindu Calendar – Good and auspicious time on the entire day.  Nakshatra  – Magha or Makam nakshatra till 7:58 AM on December 11. Then onward it is Purva Phalguni or Pooram nakshatra till 8:26 AM on December 12. (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, north Karnataka ...