We are never witnesses to the events of the past; it is therefore hard to write authentic history. Written history, regardless of its authenticity, is but a coarse inference based on the relics of yore. This problem is further aggravated in the case of Indian history, where tangible evidence that the modern mind expects is meagre, and the oral tradition, i.e., the unwritten history, rather reigns supreme. This is most evident in the historical documentation of art. Even here, sculpture, painting, and poetry enjoy greater benefits than music and dance.
Author:hari
Nature of the Self
Everyone, without exception, wants to be happy – at all times and at all places. Happiness is our highest goal. All our suffering, struggle, and effort invariably are exercises towards the attainment of happiness. Happiness is the one point where all our diverging natures converge.
Cultural Refinement
The expanse of a human life starts at conception—even before the child is actually born—and continues even after death, albeit in the minds and hearts of people who know the individual. Through the course of this journey, sixteen different points of time were earmarked by our seers—spanning from conception until death, all of which were to be recognized by means of special ceremonies. Apart from this, they envisaged a yearly ceremony (śrāddha) after the death of the individual that would honour their memory.
[It is a matter of immense joy and pride to us at Prekshaa Pratishtana that the prestigious Padma Bhushan Award has been conferred on our advisor and chief contributor, Shatavadhani Dr. R Ganesh. Prekshaa has been fortunate to receive his guidance right from its inception. He has been extremely generous with his knowledge and wisdom, time and resources, each of which is invaluable to us.
Freedom of Choice
There is a pre-existing universal order (ṛta), we are born into this world carrying the three great debts (ṛṇa), and we are expected to adhere to a path of sustainability (dharma). So, it is natural to ask: Where does individual freedom feature in the scheme of things?
