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 ...

Story Of Surpanakha Killing Her Husband In Kerala Folktale The Rakshasa Princess and Her Divine Family Surpanakha, whose name literally translates to "having nails like winnowing fans," was a powerful rakshasa princess born into the illustrious lineage of Pulastya, one of the seven great sages. As the daughter of Sage Vishrava and sister to the mighty Ravana, the ten-headed king of Lanka, she possessed formidable supernatural abilities and fierce loyalty to her family. Her other brothers included Kumbhakarna, the giant warrior known for his extraordinary strength and prolonged sleep, and Vibhishana, who would later become known for his righteousness and devotion to dharma. The rakshasa clan, though often portrayed as demonic beings, were actually a sophisticated race with their own code of conduct and spiritual practices. They possessed the ability to shape-shift, commanded various supernatural powers, and were known for their fierce protection of family honor. Surpanakha ...

The Silent Revolution: How Ancient Wisdom Conquers Modern Mental Chaos - Ashtavakra's Teachings The Crisis of the Modern Mind In an age where information floods our consciousness every waking moment, where social media notifications create constant mental chatter, and where anxiety disorders have reached epidemic proportions, humanity faces an unprecedented challenge: the tyranny of the overthinking mind. Our generation, more than any before, suffers from what ancient sages would recognize as complete identification with mental processes—mistaking the endless stream of thoughts, worries, and analyses for our true Self. Enter Ashtavakra, the enlightened sage whose profound teachings offer a radical cure for this modern malaise. Through the timeless wisdom preserved in the Ashtavakra Gita, we discover a revolutionary approach that doesn't seek to fix the mind but to recognize our fundamental separation from it entirely. The Sage Who Transcended Form Ashtavakra, whose very na...

Ishvara Krishna is considered the key figure in the development and formalization of the Sankhya school of philosophy. His work, the Sankhya Karika , is one of the earliest and most influential texts in the history of Indian philosophy, providing a systematic exposition of the Sāṅkhya system . Though not much is known about his life, the text itself serves as a major cornerstone in understanding both ancient Indian thought and the evolution of philosophical discourse in the subcontinent. 1. Early Life and Context: Ishvara Krishna's life is not well documented, and there is limited biographical information available. It is believed that he lived sometime between the 4th and 5th centuries CE, during the classical period of Indian philosophy, around 350-450 CE . He is often described as a Brahmana from the Kaushika Gotra, which refers to his lineage descending from the sage Kaushika (a name commonly associated with the sage Vishwamitra ). He is also likely to have been a monk (s...

The secular politicians in India has the license (not used against other religions in this great nation) to belittle and insult the beliefs of Hindus. Sometimes, it is necessary, though not useful, to give this so called liberal secular politicians a lesson on the greatness of Hinduism. So a great secular politician wanted to know - "How many gods do Hindus believe in? Are there three crore? Why do so many exist? There is one god for those who are unmarried — Hanuman. There is another god for those who marry twice. And there is yet another god for those who drink alcohol. For hen sacrifice, there is one; for dal and rice, there is one. Each group has its own god,"  Beyond the Numbers: Understanding the Unity in Hindu Divine Diversity The question "How many gods do Hindus believe in?" often arises from a fundamental misunderstanding of Hindu philosophical and theological foundations. The casual dismissal of Hindu divine forms as a fragmented pantheon of deities ...

Divine Economics: Understanding the Eternal Bond Between Wealth and Preservation in Hindu Philosophy In the grand tapestry of Hindu philosophy, few relationships are as profound and instructive as the eternal union between Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, and Vishnu, the preserver of the universe. This divine partnership transcends mere romantic symbolism, representing fundamental principles of cosmic order, sustainable abundance, and the delicate balance between material and spiritual wealth that governs both the universe and human existence. The Scriptural Foundation of Divine Union The sacred texts of Hinduism extensively document this celestial relationship. In the Vishnu Purana (1.9.144), it is stated: "Lakshmi is the constant companion of Vishnu, never separated from him, as fragrance cannot be separated from a flower." This verse establishes not merely a relationship but an inseparable cosmic principle where prosperity and preservation are eternally in...

In Advaita Vedanta , a school of non-dualistic philosophy, the term Ishvara holds profound significance. Ishvara represents Brahman (the Absolute Reality) in association with Maya , the cosmic power of illusion and creation. Brahman, which is beyond attributes ( Nirguna ), becomes perceived as Saguna Brahman (with attributes) when seen through the lens of Maya, and this personalized aspect is Ishvara. Below, we delve deeper into its aspects, symbolism, modern relevance, and comparisons: 1. Philosophical Context Brahman and Maya : In Advaita, Brahman is the ultimate, changeless reality. Maya, as an illusory power, veils Brahman's true nature and projects the manifold universe. Ishvara, as the cosmic lord, is Brahman functioning within the bounds of Maya. Three Levels of Reality : Ishvara exists in the level of Vyavaharika (empirical reality). At the Paramarthika (absolute reality), there is no distinction; only Brahman exists. Relation to the World : Ishvara is often descr...