The most precious object

November 5, 2024

Just as he entered the first Indian kingdom, Alexander had a strange encounter. He met a ragged sage and noticed something round and shiny in the latter’s hand. Alexander asked what it was. The sage replied that it's a secret that can’t be revealed but has to be lived. Alexander...

The other Gita

October 14, 2024

The Pandavs requested Krishna postpone his return to Dwarka. They asked for his assistance in reestablishing their kingdom after the massive destruction caused by the Mahabharat War. After a few months, when the kingdom came close to restoring its old glory, Krishna announced that it was time for him to...

Wash the bowl

October 7, 2024

The young monk had recently joined the monastery. He was curious and extremely restless. Within a few days of being in the monastery, he came across Master Joshu. Though the new monks had to follow strict regimens and step-by-step procedures before they could debate with senior masters, finding no one...

The magnificent flying goose

October 1, 2024

The enchanting meadows were a sight to behold, and as the two monks walked through them on their way to their monastery, the elder among them walked slowly, soaking in the mesmerising beauty. The younger monk was frustrated as he had to slow down to keep pace with his fellow...

Daanveer—More than a mere donor

September 23, 2024

Arjun would often wonder why Krishna addressed Karna as ‘daanveer’ (great donor) and not Yudhishthir, even though the latter too was known for his philanthropy. One day, Krishna decided to demonstrate the reason. On Krishna’s advice, both he and Arjun took the disguise of Brahmins and visited the Pandav royal...

Why are we playing Russian Roulette?

September 17, 2024

The maverick guru—Paglot Baba—heard the visitor brag and rant at the same time. It was apparent that the visitor was an achiever in corporate life, though extremely restless and paranoid, as a split personality. Despite his achievements, he had a string of complaints about life. ‘Let’s play a game,’ Baba...

The Divine Writer

September 9, 2024

The endeavour was gargantuan, to put it mildly. Ved Vyas was aware of what lies ahead as he proposed to undertake the task. However, Brahma had provided him a solution: invoking Ganesh to assist him. Even as Vyas started meditating, Ganesh appeared before him. ‘O Ganapati,’ Vyas addressed Ganesh with...

The empty boat

September 2, 2024

The elderly monk found it difficult to meditate in the ashram. He was short-tempered and would invariably snap at everyone. Added to it was the fact that the once-tranquil ashram had now started teeming with newer spiritual aspirants. Apart from the din, the elderly monk was overwhelmed with never-ending questions...

The quintessential eco warrior

August 26, 2024

The clouds rumbled with menacing intent, and they soon burst into a downpour that refused to subside. First, the river overflowed, which was followed by fields getting inundated, and eventually the villages that floated in the water. The villagers cried, howled and begged for mercy from Indra, to whom they...

‘It’s not me’

August 20, 2024

The night was enchanting. However, the only thing on the minds of Mullah Nasruddin and his two friends—the barber and the village bumpkin—was sleep. They were worn to the bone after an exhaustive journey. But since they were passing through a secluded place, Nasruddin suggested that they take turns to...