Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Monday, December 29 2025 – It is Shukla Paksha Dashami tithi or the tenth day during the waxing or light phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Shukla Paksha Navami tithi or the ninth day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 5 :33 AM on December 29. Then onward it is Shukla Paksha Dashami tithi or the tenth day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 3 :27 AM on December 30. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.)  Good – Auspicious time on December 29, 2025 as per Hindu Calendar – Good and auspicious time on the entire day.  Nakshatra  – Revathi nakshatra till 3:44 AM on December 29. Then onward it is Ashwini or Aswathy nakshatra till 2:20 AM on December 30. (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, north Karnataka and south Rajasthan), ...

Patanjali: The Divine Sage Born of Adi Shesha A Celestial Birth: Gonika's Prayer to the Sun God In the ancient spiritual traditions of Sanatana Dharma, the story of Sage Patanjali is revered not merely as a tale of birth, but as a divine unfolding—an incarnation of cosmic significance. One of the widely accepted accounts of his origin begins with Gonika, a pious yogini and the daughter of a great sage. A master of yoga and devotion herself, Gonika had grown old and wished to transmit her spiritual wisdom to a worthy disciple. Finding no suitable candidate, she turned her heart and mind toward Surya, the Sun God, and offered a heartfelt arghya —a ritual offering of water held in cupped hands. Her prayer was simple but profound: she desired a son who would be virtuous, wise, and a torchbearer of divine knowledge. As she raised her hands to the heavens, a miraculous event occurred. A small serpent-like figure descended from the skies and landed in her palms, transforming into a rad...

The Path to True Joy: Defining Your Own Happiness Happiness is not a one‑size‑fits‑all garment handed down by society. Too often, we chase approval by mimicking definitions set by parents, peers, institutions, and traditions—only to find ourselves hollow and unfulfilled. True contentment arises when each of us claims the sovereign right to define our own joy. "One reason the world is an unhappy place for many is that we've been trying to fit ourselves into others' definitions of happiness – first our parents', then school's, then friends', then society's, then colleagues', then our spouse's, then our children's... but friend, where's your happiness?" The Perils of Borrowed Happiness From childhood onward, external voices tell us what should bring delight: top grades, prestigious careers, social status, material wealth, or even the approval of a spouse or children. But when we subordinate our inner longings to these borrowed ideals,...

Padmanabha: Symbolism and Significance of Vishnu’s Sacred Navel Among the countless divine names and manifestations of Lord Vishnu, the name Padmanabha holds a profound spiritual and cosmological significance. The name is a Sanskrit compound: Padma meaning "lotus" and Nabha meaning "navel." Thus, Padmanabha translates to "He whose navel is the source of the lotus." This name is not merely symbolic but is deeply rooted in the sacred narratives of Hindu dharma and cosmology. According to Hindu scriptures, the universe as we know it emerges from a divine act of creation through the navel of Lord Vishnu , from which springs a lotus . From this lotus, Lord Brahma , the Creator, is born—thus establishing Vishnu not only as the preserver of the universe but also as the cosmic source of creation itself. Scriptural Reference and Theological Foundation The Bhagavata Purana (Srimad Bhagavatam) describes this divine event in Canto 3, Chapter 8, Verse 10 : ...

The Human Body as Sri Chakra: Unity of Shakti and Shiva Five Elements and the Power of Shakti In Hindu thought, the entire manifested universe is woven from the pancha bhutas—the five basic elements of earth, water, fire, air and ether. These elements are none other than the dynamic form of the Divine Mother, or Shakti. From her subtle play emerge the physical constituents of our bodies: skin (earth), blood (water), body heat and metabolism (fire), breath and nervous impulses (air), and the space within cells and cavities (ether). Every cell in our being pulses with her creative energy, reminding us that life itself is an expression of the Mother’s infinite power. Shiva’s Inner Gifts: Essence and Consciousness Complementing Shakti’s material manifestations, Lord Shiva represents the unchanging consciousness and subtle essences that animate the body. Semen and reproductive energy flow from him as the seed of life. Bone marrow and the nourishing fluids arise from his stabilizing pres...

Ananta Shayana Kshetra Mahatmya: The Sacred Chronicle of Lord Padmanabhaswamy Temple The Ananta Shayana Kshetra Mahatmya stands as one of Hinduism's most revered temple chronicles, documenting the divine glory and spiritual significance of the world-famous Ananta Padmanabha Swamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. This sacred text, believed to have been composed before the fourteenth century, serves as both a spiritual guide and historical account of one of India's most ancient and magnificent temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Sacred Structure and Origin Comprising eleven chapters written in the classical anustubh metre, this mahatmya presents itself as an integral part of the Brahmanda Purana. The text follows the traditional format of sacred dialogues, featuring conversations between Suta and assembled sages. This format mirrors the structure found in many Puranic texts, where knowledge flows from the learned narrator to seeking disciples. The narrative framework begin...

Beyond the Brain: Hindu Wisdom on Mind as Universal Consciousness The Ancient Question of Mind's Location The question "Where is the mind?" has puzzled humanity for millennia. While modern medical science initially attempted to localize the mind within the brain, contemporary research increasingly acknowledges the limitations of this reductionist approach. The brain, despite its complexity, appears insufficient to contain the vast expanse of human consciousness, memory, creativity, and awareness that we collectively call "mind." This scientific humility echoes what Hindu sages have proclaimed for thousands of years: the mind transcends physical boundaries and represents something far more fundamental than neural activity. According to Hindu philosophy, the mind is not merely an emergent property of brain function but represents the very fabric of consciousness itself—universal, infinite, and eternal. Scriptural Foundations of Consciousness The Upanishads, ...

The Cycle of Life: A Core Teaching in Hinduism The statement, "There is no escape from the process of birth, growing, flowering, fruiting, decaying, and transforming," encapsulates the essence of Hindu philosophy. It highlights the natural cycle of existence, a universal truth recognized in Hinduism as Samsara , the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. This teaching carries profound meaning, symbolism, and relevance for individuals and society, both historically and in contemporary times. Symbolism and Meaning Universality of Change : This teaching reflects the universal law of impermanence, showing that all beings and things are subject to transformation. Every stage—birth, growth, maturity, decay, and death—is an essential part of the cosmic order, or Rta , which governs the universe. Spiritual Growth : Each phase of the cycle can symbolize stages in spiritual evolution. Birth represents awakening, growth signifies learning, flowering stands for maturity, fruiting ...

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Sunday, December 28 2025 – It is Shukla Paksha Ashtami and Navami tithi or the eighth and ninth day during the waxing or light phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Shukla Paksha Ashtami tithi or the eighth day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 7 :23 AM on December 28. Then onward it is Shukla Paksha Navami tithi or the ninth day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 5 :33 AM on December 29. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.)  Good – Auspicious time on December 28, 2025 as per Hindu Calendar – Good and auspicious time on the entire day.  Nakshatra  – Uttara Bhadrapada or Uthrattathi nakshatra till 4:52 AM on December 28. Then onward it is Revathi nakshatra till 3:44 AM on December 29. (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, n...

The Fierce Grace of Goddess Chinnamasta and Her Connection to Jackals Among the ten Mahavidyas in Tantric tradition, Goddess Chinnamasta occupies a unique and awe-inspiring place. She is one of the most mysterious forms of the Divine Mother, depicted as self-decapitated, holding her own severed head while three streams of blood flow from her neck—one feeding her head and the other two nourishing her attendants. This startling imagery represents profound spiritual truths about sacrifice, transformation, and the union of life and death. An often-overlooked aspect of Chinnamasta’s portrayal is her association with jackals, who appear in certain depictions around her feet. Just as in the imagery of Kali, the presence of jackals around Chinnamasta is deeply symbolic, carrying messages about impermanence, dissolution, and the stripping away of illusion. Far from being mere animals, they serve as sacred companions in her cosmic drama. The Iconography of Chinnamasta Chinnamasta is depicted...