July 2016
1
We commonly say, "This is my nature," "This is his mould," or "This is my mould." What do we mean by 'mould' or 'nature'? By birth, a human being acquires certain instincts, strengths, and nature. How do these come to him? It may have come as a gift, a fruit of previous doings, or as a residue from a previous birth. The reason could be any but it will be with him from his birth. That is his nature or mould. Physical attributes such as hands,...
We will never tire of repeating that quote of Vidyaranya from his Panchadashi that amply illustrates how he managed affairs of state as well as those of the Spirit:
ज्ञानिना चरितुं शक्यं सम्यग्राज्यादिलौकिकम्
It is indeed possible for the enlightened one to navigate politics and worldly affairs well
All of the following must be seen in this light. As a sanyasi is forbidden (at least according to dharmashastras) from engaging in acts that...
A common and genuine fear among conservative Indians (specially the elders) is that the rampant westernization amongst Indians is leading to the gradual decline and eventual ruins of Indian culture and tradition. They suspect that Western goods, clothes, foods, festivals, style, language, and moreover Western thought is spreading across the populace. The purpose of this article is to look at the many reasons that cause such fears and analyze...
Happiness
All of us, without any exception, at all times and at all places want to be happy. Happiness is our highest goal. All the sufferings, struggling and pursuits of us are invariably pointing towards the attainment of happiness. Thus, happiness is the one point where all our diverging natures converge. But one may object that the nature of happiness and ways of attaining it may essentially vary from person to person and hence happiness...
The Sanskrit Podcast hosted by Shoba Narayan and featuring Suhas Mahesh
The Age of the Vedas: Origin of the word ‘kshatriya’
It is said that the word ‘kshatriya’ comes from the root word ‘kshi.’ Even here, opinions differ. In Yaska’s Nirukta and in Panini’s Dhatupatha, the words ‘kshaatra’ and ‘kshatriya’ are shown to have been derived from the root 'क्षि' – 'क्षयैश्वर्ययोः.' From the semantic etymology of Nirukta, we have ‘क्षतात् त्रायते इति क्षत्रियः’ and when we consider the Dhatupatha, we learn that the origin...
श्वशुरगृहनिवासः स्वर्गतुल्यो नराणां
यदि वसति दिनानि त्रीणि वा पञ्च सप्त ।
मधुदधिघृतधाराक्षीरसारप्रवाह-
स्तदुपरि दिनमेकं पादरक्षाप्रहारः ॥
shvashuragrhanivasah svargatulyo naranam
yadi vasati dinani trini va pancha sapta |
madhudadhighrtadharakshirasarapravahah
tadupari dinamekam padarakshapraharah ||
True to his name, the poet Bharavi is the shining sun in the splendid sky of Sanskrit literature. There are poets in Sanskrit who have...
Yajna, Dana, and Tapas
It is known that dharma is the only way to live. But how to practice it? The action plan of dharma is given in the pedagogy of yajna, dana, and tapas.
The word 'yajna' is translated as ritual or sacrifice. In a very limited sense, ritual is only a symbol. It is a pointer of course, towards a meaningful practice in reality. However, the real meaning of yajna lies in the Vedic Sanskrit tradition that finds its basis in the...
Dhar
After Ujjain, the next day’s plan was Dhar, Bagh caves, and Maheshwar. We started early the next morning, had powa and jalebi and headed first to Dhar – dhara nagara. Raja Bhoja, the legendary Paramara king of the 11th century had made Dhara the capital of Malwa. Bhoja was an extraordinary genius – a great scholar, a poet, a philosopher, and a warrior all rolled in one. His extensive writings, 83 in number, cover the branches of philosophy...
In the Hindu way of life we are guided by four purusharthas (पुरुषार्थ) –
dharma (धर्म) - righteousness, global ethic, moral principle
artha (अर्थ) - wealth, resources, means
kama (काम) - desire, love, attachment
moksha (मोक्ष) - liberation, release, bliss
All of them are important for humans to conduct their lives and carry on their work. The fascinating part is the order of their importance. It can be understood as follows. Think of the...