Bhadra kaal during this Rakshabandhan

August 31, 2023

A lot is being shared regarding the time of tying Rakhi this Rakshabandhan and something called bhadrA, normally unheard of. So, what is this so-called inauspicious time for tying the sacred Resham Ki Dori, or for that matter doing any other good stuff? Is it something we need to give...

The true purpose of words is to reach silence

May 23, 2023

Watch your words. Do you raise the restlessness around you through your speech? Or, do your words create calmness, silence and peace? Words are powerful tools. We need to use them carefully. Often, our questions and conversations become heated. They are all about winning the argument and having the last...

Our frailties can become strengths

May 16, 2023

When we face adversity, we either break or bend. A wise person knows when to stand one’s ground and fight, and when to accept defeat and avoid confrontation. Chanakya says that the warrior enters battle to win. It is foolish to fight someone more powerful than you when you face...

The skin colour of Lord Rama

May 11, 2023

Arguments have been raging on social media regarding the skin tone of Lord Rama, since he has been depicted as fair-skinned in some recent viral AI images. Rama was not fair, nor completely black-skinned. He is said to have had the complexion of a blue-black lotus, similar to that of...

The six dimension of well-being

May 8, 2023

Happy people don’t go about looking for why they are happy. But unhappy people seek reasons for their unhappiness. We hear a lot about well-being. People tell us to take care of our well-being. What, then, is well-being? Usually, we know when we are not feeling well. But sometimes, what...

BUDDHA, DHAMMA and SANGHA

May 5, 2023

What is Dhamma? Dhamma is that which upholds. It is the law or the rule, which is applicable to us and to our life in general. When we meditate, our Dhamma is to reach some point, some goal. ‘I am meditating, not my mind, not my body.’ This awareness leads...

STRANGERS IN FAMILIAR LANDS

April 27, 2023

“Ekla cholo re,” declared Tagore. Often, individuals who pursue unconventional paths or make major life changes find that they are not easily accepted, understood, or supported by their loved ones. However, there’s a downside. Although they sincerely believe that their newfound practices are a sure way to their freedom, it...

DASHRATH AND RAM

April 6, 2023

Around the spring equinox every year, Hindus celebrate Chaitra Navratri for nine days and nights. Nav means new, and ratri means the night or, that which transcends darkness and ignorance. Navratri is that which makes us new again. It indicates an opportune time when our actions can cause us to...

WHEN TO SPEAK, AND WHEN NOT TO

April 6, 2023

The wise know when to speak and when to hold their peace. Do we know when we must remain silent and when we should use words? Too many times we speak out when keeping quiet would have kept the peace. And, too many times we keep quiet when we ought...

THE PURSUIT OF BUSYNESS

March 28, 2023

What keeps you busy? Often, people put up a status on WhatsApp or Social Media declaring that they are ‘busy’. Of course, they really are busy working and don’t have time for distractions. In effect, they are announcing that they don’t wish to be disturbed. But, what are we usually...