Religious Articles

Universe Series Significance of Swastika In Hinduism, Swastika is a very sacred symbol. It is revered by hindus and ranks second to “AUM” in its significance. The word Swastika in Sanskrit (an ancient language), is normally believed to be an amalgam of the words Su and Asati. Su means 'good' and Asati meant 'to exist'. more..

Universe Series Creation of the Univers (6 Parts) How did the universe originate? Why does it expand and contract? When will the end of the present universe occur? Why did God create the universe? What is the true cosmology? more.. about the author

The Origins of Humankind Where did we come from? When did we come? Why was this planet chosen? When did plants and animals arrive on earth? Is it true we evolved our species from the animal kingdom the scientific way described by the Theory of Evolution ? Where did the different races come from? What is our common ancestry? (Note: quoted text is bold-italic.) more.. about the author

Vasanas   The Working of Body, Mind and Intellect from The Holy Geeta by Sri Swami Chinmayananda “Abandoning all Dharmas, (of the body, mind and intellect), take refuge in Me alone; I will liberate thee from all sins; grieve not.” - B.G. XVIII/66. more.. about the author

Bhasya - Commentary There are many paths to God. Everyone in the mode of goodness seeks to unite with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Those who are in the highest mode of material nature (sattva) seek the Absolute Truth and strive for Self-realization (moksha-nirvikalpa samadhi). more.. about the author

The Crest-Jewel of Wisdom and other writings of Sankarâchârya " When the Self is veiled by unwisdom there arises a binding to the not-self, and from this comes the pain of world-life. The fire of wisdom lit by discernment between these two--Self and not-Self--will wither up the source of unwisdom, root and all." more..

The Hymn of Lord Shiva Upamanyu said:- "O Krishna, I shall tell you the hymn whereby this holy rite of Yogeshvara is concluded along the path of the Avaranas". more..

Aadi Krittigai Aadi Kirthigai is a day auspicious for Lord Muruga. This year it falls on August 9,2004 , Monday. Devotees carry kavadi walking up to the temple of Muruga . Karthikeya" or 'Muruga" is the second son of Lord Shiva and Mother Parvathi. Interesting and inspiring are His birth and feats, which are elaborately described in the 'Skanda Purana'. " more..

Arudra Darsanam Falling on the day of Thiruvadirai star in Marghazhi (November-December), is a festival of great importance. The sweet dish offering on this day, Thiruvadirai kali, is something with which everyone is familiar. more..

Karthigai Deepam Kaarthigai Deepam is a festival of lights, celebrated in the Tamil month of Kaarthigai. It is celebrated on the full moon day of the Kaarthigai month which coincides with Krithika star. It is also considered as the extension of the Deepavali festival. In some houses, they double the number of lamps every day from the day of Deepavali and this way, they end up with a number of lamps on the day of Kaarthigai Deepam. more..

Makara Sankranthi The festival called variously as Pongal, Makara Sankranthi and Utharayana Punya Kala occurs on January 14 or 15. From the sun's entering Makara rasi, it is called Makara Sankranthi; from the sun's moving northwards from the south it is named after Utharayana; and as the sun is worshipped with sweet rice pongal, it is called Pongal. This is a day for worship of Surya. more..

Thai Poosam A festival occurring in Thai (January-February), on the day of the star Poosam either on Pournami or around that time. One legend says that on a Thursday in Thai that also happened to be the day of Poosam star and pournami, Shiva and Parvati engaged in an ecstatic cosmic dance, as Brahma, Vishnu, Indra and the Devas watched. more..

Vaikunta Ekadasi Falling in moon's waxing phase sukla paksha in Marghazhi (December-January), this is an austerity everyone knows about. There are two ekadasis each month, but this one in Marghazhi is considered special. This is what Padma Puranam says about this austerity. more..