Gita Jayanti is observed on the 11th day of the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon) of Margashirsha month as per traditional Hindu calendar. Gita Jayanti 2025 date is December 1 in North India. It is marked on December 1 in western parts of India. It is believed that the Bhagavad Gita was rendered by Lord Krishna to Arjuna on this day. Gita Jayanti falls on the Shukla Paksha Ekadashi day of the Margashirsha month (November – December). Importance of Bhagavad Gita Jayanti The greatest quality of Bhagavad Gita is that it prompts you to think, it prompts you to take decision, and it prompts you to look at life differently and refreshingly and all this without surrendering your individuality. Bhagavad Gita adapts to the present and discusses an issue by rooting itself in the present. Everyday somewhere in the world a confused Arjuna seeks the advice of  Krishna . Through the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna has been discussing and debating various problems with individuals a...

Goddess Chamunda: The Terrifying Mother of Cremation Grounds and Her Connection to Jackals Among the fierce manifestations of the Divine Mother in Hinduism, Goddess Chamunda stands as one of the most terrifying and awe-inspiring. She is often portrayed with a gaunt, emaciated body, sunken eyes, protruding teeth, and a necklace of skulls. Her abode is the cremation ground, and she is accompanied by jackals and owls, beings associated with night, decay, and death. Yet Chamunda is not a goddess of destruction alone—she is also a liberator. Her terrifying appearance conceals the truth of her boundless compassion: she frees beings from ignorance, ego, and attachment. The presence of jackals around her enhances this symbolism, reminding devotees of the inevitability of death and the deeper meaning of dissolution in the path to liberation. Origin and Iconography Chamunda is believed to have manifested during the great battle between the Goddess and the asuras. She emerged from the fierce ...

 B eyond the Body: Hinduism’s View on the Survival of Consciousness After Death Human consciousness, or atman , is a central focus in Hindu philosophical and spiritual teachings. Unlike materialist views that regard consciousness as a mere by-product of brain activity, Hinduism teaches that consciousness is eternal, distinct from the physical body, and survives bodily death. This belief is not merely a matter of faith but is rooted in the profound metaphysical insights of Hindu scriptures such as the Bhagavad Gita , the Upanishads , and the Brahma Sutras . Let us explore what Hinduism teaches about the survival of consciousness after death, its implications in our daily lives, and the lessons we can draw for modern living. The Eternal Atman: The Soul Is Never Destroyed At the heart of Hindu philosophy is the concept of the atman , often translated as the soul or self. According to the Bhagavad Gita , the atman is unborn, eternal, and imperishable: "For the soul there is nei...

The Divine Paradox: Murugan's Dual Identity in Sanskrit Puranas and Tamil Sacred Literature The figure of Murugan represents one of Hinduism's most fascinating examples of how divine consciousness manifests differently across cultural and linguistic boundaries while maintaining essential spiritual truths. The contrast between his portrayal in the Sanskrit Skanda Purana and Tamil Sangam literature reveals not contradictions, but complementary dimensions of the same cosmic principle—the eternal youth who embodies both transcendent wisdom and immanent divine grace. The Sanskrit Skanda: Cosmic Warrior and Spiritual Teacher In the Skanda Purana, Lord Skanda emerges as the divine general born from Shiva's cosmic fire to destroy the demon Tarakasura. The text declares: "From the fire of Shiva's third eye, the six-faced one was born, carrying the divine spear that pierces through all ignorance" (Skanda Purana, Kedara Khanda, Chapter 15, Verse 23). Here, Skanda repr...

Why Did Ramanuja Believe That God Can Change? A Simple Guide to Hindu Philosophy Have you ever wondered if the Supreme God can change or if everything around us is just like a dream? Two great Hindu teachers had very different answers to this question, and their ideas still help millions of people understand life today. Two Great Teachers, Two Different Views Long ago in India, there lived two brilliant spiritual teachers who tried to explain the nature of God and our world. Adi Shankaracharya (788-820 CE) taught that everything we see around us is like a magic show - it appears real but isn't truly real. On the other hand, Sri Ramanujacharya (1017-1137 CE) believed that God can actually change and transform, and that our world is a real part of God's divine nature. Think of it this way: Shankara said the world is like a movie projected on a screen - it looks real but is just light and shadow. Ramanuja said the world is more like God's own body - real, alive, and consta...

Panchmukhi Hanuman: The Divine Protector in Five Directions In the vast ocean of Hindu spiritual tradition, Lord Hanuman shines as the embodiment of devotion, courage, and divine strength. Among his many revered forms, the Panchmukhi Hanuman —the five-faced manifestation—stands out as a deeply symbolic and spiritually potent form. Each of the five faces represents a distinct divine energy and direction, signifying Lord Hanuman’s mastery over the elements, protection from all quarters, and his role as the guardian of truth and righteousness. This sacred form is mentioned in various Puranas and is especially venerated in the Ramayana and later scriptures. It is believed that Hanuman assumed the Panchmukhi form during the battle between Lord Rama and Ravana, to extinguish five lamps burning in five different directions that sustained the life of Ahiravana, the dark sorcerer of the netherworld. To destroy evil simultaneously in all directions, Hanuman manifested himself with five faces,...

T he Many Faces of God in Hinduism: A Journey Through Divine Diversity Hinduism, one of the world's oldest living religions, offers a profoundly inclusive and diverse understanding of God. In contrast to rigid definitions found in many traditions, Hinduism recognizes that the concept of God cannot be confined to a single form, name, or idea. The sacred texts, rituals, and teachings of Hinduism celebrate this multiplicity, enabling each individual to relate to the Divine in a deeply personal way. God Beyond Boundaries In Hindu thought, God is not limited by human characteristics or definitions. The Rig Veda , one of the oldest scriptures, proclaims this fluidity in its famous verse: “Ekam sat vipra bahudha vadanti” – Truth is one, the wise call it by many names (Rig Veda 1.164.46) This verse lays the foundation of Hinduism’s acceptance of different understandings of the Divine. Whether one envisions God as Vishnu, Shiva, Devi, or as a formless Absolute (Brahman), all are va...

Ethical Conduct Fosters Trust and Confidence – A Hinduism Perspective Hinduism, one of the oldest spiritual traditions, emphasizes that ethical conduct is foundational to trust, confidence, and the harmonious functioning of society. This principle, deeply embedded in the teachings of dharma (righteousness), is not just a moral ideal but a practical guide for living a fulfilled life. 1. Meaning and Symbolism Ethical conduct in Hinduism aligns with dharma , the cosmic law governing the universe and individual behavior. Adherence to dharma fosters satya (truthfulness), ahimsa (non-violence), asteya (non-stealing), and other virtues that create harmony in relationships and society. Trust and confidence arise naturally when individuals act in accordance with dharma, as ethical actions build credibility and mutual respect. In Hindu symbolism: The balance of dharma is represented by Lord Vishnu, the sustainer of the universe, symbolizing that ethical conduct is essential for maintai...

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Sunday, December 7 2025 – It is Krishna Paksha Tritiya tithi or the third day during the waning or dark phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Krishna Paksha Dwitiya tithi or the second day during the waning or dark phase of moon till 12 :51 AM on December 7. Then onward it is Krishna Paksha Tritiya tithi or the third day during the waning or dark phase of moon till 10 :55 PM on December 7. Then onward it is Krishna Paksha Chaturthi tithi or the fourth day during the waning or dark phase of moon till 9 :18 PM on December 8. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.)  Good – Auspicious time on December 7, 2025 as per Hindu Calendar – Good and auspicious time till 7:51 AM.  Nakshatra  – Ardra or Arudhara or Thiruvathira nakshatra till 10:22 AM on December 7. Then onward it is Punarvasu or Punartham or Punarpoosam nakshatra till 9:14 AM on...

S atyaloka: The Eternal Abode of Truth in Hindu Thought In the vast and intricate cosmology of Hinduism, the universe is described as consisting of multiple realms or "lokas," each representing different planes of existence and consciousness. Among these, Satyaloka – also known as Brahmaloka , the abode of Lord Brahma – stands as the highest of all the celestial worlds. But what makes Satyaloka so significant? Why is it called the "World of Truth"? And what can we learn from its symbolism today? This article explores the deeper meaning of Satyaloka, its symbolism in Hindu scriptures, its relevance in the modern world, and the life lessons it offers to spiritual aspirants. The Meaning of Satyaloka The word Satyaloka is derived from two Sanskrit terms: Satya meaning "truth," and Loka meaning "world" or "realm." Thus, Satyaloka literally translates to the World of Truth . It is considered the seventh and highest loka in the hierar...