-Deva Narayan One of the holiest books in Hinduism, The Bhagavad Gita, gives a detailed explanation of how to live a life of loyalty, spirituality, and devotion. Within the many ways of spiritual enlightenment, Bhakti Yoga, ‘the path of devotion’, is very prominent. This route puts love and devotion above all else as the means […]
-Surya J The story of Noah and the Ark he built upon the instructions of God is widely known in the Christian context. But did you know that a similar narrative exists in Hinduism? Vivaswata Manu, guided by Lord Vishnu in the Matsya form, also constructed an Ark to escape a great deluge. Just as […]
Knowing About Soul/Divine Essence is a Matter of Great Fortune & Only Few Can Realize it आश्चर्यवत्पश्यति कश्चिदेन माश्चर्यवद्वदति तथैव चान्य: | आश्चर्यवच्चैनमन्य: शृ्णोति श्रुत्वाप्येनं वेद न चैव कश्चित् || 2.29|| āśhcharya-vat paśhyati kaśhchid enan āśhcharya-vad vadati tathaiva chānyaḥ āśhcharya-vach chainam anyaḥ śhṛiṇoti śhrutvāpyenaṁ veda na chaiva kaśhchit|| 2.29|| Shloka Translation BG – Ch. 2- […]
(Image Courtesy Mahanidhiswami) The Nature of the Body is “Temporary” So One Should Not Grieve About it अव्यक्तादीनि भूतानि व्यक्तमध्यानि भारत | अव्यक्तनिधनान्येव तत्र का परिदेवना || 2.28|| avyaktādīni bhūtāni vyakta-madhyāni bhārata avyakta-nidhanānyeva tatra kā paridevanā|| 2.28|| Shloka Translation BG – Ch. 2- Ver. 28: O Bharata, all bodies are hidden in the beginning and […]
Explanation The nature of the human body is that it is born, and then grows, then reproduces and then starts to deteriorate and then when one day turns to ashes. It is the same for all life, because the Self (Atma) is neither a body nor a collection of material elements; it has neither birth […]
Explanation Our intellect will find it hard to understand the everlasting essence (soul) since it is abstract. This is totally natural, because the intellect cannot fully grasp the everlasting essence. However, negation can help us get near to it. Similarly, the eternal essence is expressed here by negation, implying that it cannot be cut, wetted, […]
Explanation Another aspect of the eternal essence is introduced in this Shloka. It’s inexplicable and incomprehensible. In other words, our intellect is incapable of comprehending it. It’s also worth noting that the everlasting essence is referred to as a single entity, whereas the bodies are numerous. That is, all material objects, including human bodies, are […]
Explanation Understanding the nature of the timeless essence has been the focus of the ongoing shlokas. The eternal essence has two properties, according to this passage. To begin with, the eternal essence is indestructible. It can’t be destroyed, yet it can’t be made either. The immortal essence mentioned in these passages is indestructible. Second, the […]
Explanation Life is a succession of events that occur, exist for a short time, and then vanish. The individual who understands the “secret” of remaining balanced during these experiences will eventually reach a condition where they will be able to transcend the push and pull of these sensations and contact that changeless, everlasting essence mentioned […]
Explanation The five senses—sight, smell, taste, touch, and hearing—are housed in the human body, and when they come into contact with their objects of experience, they produce feelings of happiness and pain. None of these feelings are long-lasting. They come and go, just like the seasons. In the summer, chilly water is refreshing, but in […]