From Ancient Texts to Modern Comics: How Hanuman Pioneered the Superhero Archetype In the vast landscape of contemporary superhero fiction, from Marvel's mighty Thor to DC's Superman, audiences worldwide are captivated by beings who possess extraordinary powers, unwavering moral compass, and the ability to transcend human limitations. Yet, millennia before the first comic book was ever printed, Hindu scriptures introduced the world to what can arguably be called the original superhero: Hanuman, the devoted monkey deity whose legendary exploits continue to inspire both spiritual seekers and modern storytellers alike. The Divine Origin Story Every great superhero needs an origin story, and Hanuman's tale begins with cosmic significance. Born to Anjana and blessed by Vayu, the wind god, Hanuman's birth itself was extraordinary. The Valmiki Ramayana describes his miraculous conception and the divine blessings that shaped his destiny from the very beginning. As a child, ...

The Story of Kashyapa Who Could Have Saved King Parikshit from the Bite of the Serpent Takshaka This story is part of the Srimad Devi Bhagavata Purana The Curse That Sealed a King's Fate In the sacred pages of the Mahabharata, few stories illustrate the inexorable nature of divine destiny as powerfully as the tale of King Parikshit's encounter with death and the sage Kashyapa's fateful decision. This profound narrative, found in the Adi Parva of the Mahabharata, serves as a cornerstone teaching about dharma, destiny, and the limits of human power against cosmic will. King Parikshit, the noble descendant of the Pandavas and ruler of Hastinapura, found himself under a terrible curse. In a moment of spiritual transgression, he had insulted the sage Shamika by placing a dead snake around the hermit's neck during his meditation. The sage's young son, Shringi, in righteous anger, cursed the king to die within seven days from the bite of the serpent king Takshaka. This c...

In the Chandogya Upanishad (2.23.1), the term "Dharmaskandha" uniquely represents three divisions of a way of life within Vedic tradition. The word "Skandha" translates to a division or section, while "Dharma" refers to a righteous way of living. The three ways of life delineated are those of the householder, the forest-dweller, and the Vedic student, each with distinct roles and responsibilities. The Three Dharmaskandhas Householder (Grihastha) Vedic Fires and Sacrifices: The householder maintains and tends to the sacred fires (Agnihotra) and performs various Vedic sacrifices (Yajnas) as part of their religious duties. Study of the Vedas: They continue to study the Vedas to preserve and deepen the knowledge they have previously acquired. Charity: Providing gifts and aid to those in need is another significant duty. This generosity is seen as a way to accumulate religious merit and foster societal harmony. Designation: The householder is considered the...

The Sacred Balance: Understanding Religious Devotion Among Hindu Women and Men For generations, researchers studying religious behavior have consistently observed a striking pattern: across cultures, denominations, and continents, women demonstrate higher levels of religious engagement than men. This phenomenon extends into Hindu communities worldwide, where women tend to be more religiously active than men, particularly in daily practices like puja (prayer), and nationally, women are more inclined than men to pray daily (64% vs. 56%). The Foundation of Hindu Spiritual Practice Hinduism offers a unique perspective on gender and spirituality that differs markedly from other major world religions. One of the most profound attributes of Hinduism is the recognition and worship of God as feminine, making it distinctive among world faiths in consistently honoring the divine feminine principle. This theological foundation creates an environment where women's spiritual participation is...

Dharma: The Foundation of Life and Universal Harmony Dharma is a profound concept in Hindu philosophy, often described as the cosmic law and order that sustains life and fosters harmony among all beings. It derives from the Sanskrit root "dhri" , meaning "to uphold" or "to sustain." Dharma is not merely a set of rules or obligations but a dynamic principle that aligns individual actions with the universal good. Significance and Meaning In Hinduism, Dharma represents the moral and ethical duties that enable humans to coexist harmoniously with nature, society, and the cosmos. It varies according to one's stage of life ( ashrama ), role in society ( varna ), and personal circumstances. For instance: Sanatana Dharma : The eternal, universal principles of truth, nonviolence, and compassion that apply to all beings. Svadharma : One's individual duty, guided by personal nature and context. Symbolism Dharma symbolizes the intrinsic order of the u...

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Saturday, December 27 2025 – It is Shukla Paksha Saptami tithi or the seventh day during the waxing or light phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Shukla Paksha Saptami tithi or the seventh day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 8 :53 AM on December 27. Then onward 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. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.)  Good – Auspicious time on December 27, 2025 as per Hindu Calendar – There is no good and auspicious time on the entire day.  Nakshatra  – Purva Bhadrapada or Pooruruttathi nakshatra till 5:39 AM on December 27. Then onward it is Uttara Bhadrapada or Uthrattathi nakshatra till 4:52 AM on December 28. (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Mahar...

Nayakanahatti Thipperudra Swamy temple, at Nayakanahatti near Chitradurga in Karnataka, is dedicated to Shri Guru Thipperudra Swamy of the Virashaivism. The temple hosts the samadhi of the great Guru and also the Shivling installed by him.  A unique ritual in this temple is the burning of coconuts. Story Of Coconut Burning at Thipperudra Swamy Temple During Swamiji’s journey on foot from Rayadurg (Andhra Pradesh) to Nayakanahatti, it became dark. To light his path, he used dried coconut shells pierced and lit them one by one like torches. This journey has become symbolic, and to this day, devotees burn heaps of coconuts at the temple as a vow offering. The coconuts offered are then used to prepare ‘Dasoha’ (community meal), and the prasadam is distributed to devotees. Today Burnt coconut, known as copra, is consumed as a 'prasad' or holy offering at the Nayakanahatti temple, a practice said to be inspired by Guru Thipperudraswamy's fondness for the food. This custom i...

The Illusion of Need: Ancient Hindu Wisdom on Desire and Contentment in the Modern Marketplace The Modern Predicament of Endless Wanting In today's hyper-connected world, we find ourselves surrounded by an overwhelming barrage of products and services that promise happiness, beauty, success, and fulfillment. Corporations, armed with sophisticated marketing techniques and influencer networks, have mastered the art of creating desires we never knew we had. Specialized deodorants for every body part, exotic superfoods with questionable benefits, makeup products numbered in the thousands, and gadgets that become obsolete within months—the list grows exponentially each day. These manufactured needs drain our financial resources, clutter our lives, and often deliver chemical-laden products that harm more than help. Yet we continue to chase them, believing that the next purchase will finally bring satisfaction. This phenomenon is not merely an economic issue but a profound spiritual cr...

Makara and the Ancient Indian Memory of Gigantic Ocean Creatures Across ancient Indian literature, temple architecture, and sacred symbolism, there is a recurring fascination with colossal beings inhabiting the depths of oceans and rivers. These beings are not presented as imaginary fantasies but as part of a lived religious and historical worldview in which land, sky, and sea were all populated by powerful life forms. Among these, Makara occupies a central and enduring position. Makara is consistently portrayed as a formidable aquatic entity, associated with cosmic waters, fertility, protection, and transition between worlds. Its presence in sacred art and texts suggests that ancient Indians possessed a deep awareness of marine power and scale, possibly inspired by encounters with large ocean animals, fossil discoveries, or inherited memories of now-extinct creatures. The Composite Form of Makara Makara is not a single-animal representation. It is a deliberate composite, bringing ...

Bhadra: The Informer of Ayodhya In the vast canvas of the Ramayana, filled with towering figures of heroes and villains, there exist minor characters whose presence, though brief, adds depth to the narrative. One such figure is Bhadra, described in the Bala Kanda of Valmiki’s Ramayana (7.43.2). Often referred to simply as “the amuser,” Bhadra accompanied Lord Rama in Ayodhya, offering both entertainment and insight into the public mood. Though his name appears fleetingly, his role reveals important facets of governance, communication, and symbolism within the epic. Bhadra in the Ramayana Bhadra first emerges when Rama inquires about the state of Ayodhya after his return from exile. Valmiki records that Bhadra’s duty was to traverse the city, listen to conversations, and bring back news of the people’s sentiments. When asked by Rama about the predominant topic of discussion, Bhadra replied that everyone spoke eagerly of Ravana’s downfall and Rama’s imminent victory (7.43.7.8). This e...