Tattva

Pt. Upadhyaya (September 25, 1916 - February 11, 1968) is well known for his idea of INTEGRAL HUMANISM - the concept which is deeply embedded in Indian Psyche. While he was a student at Sanatan Dharma College, Kanpur, he joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in 1937. He dedicated himself to full-time work in the RSS from 1942. Deendayal Upadhyaya was a man of soaring idealism and had a tremendous capacity for organisation. He started a monthly Rashtra Dharma, a weekly Panchajanya and a daily Swadesh. In the field of politics and economics, he was pragmatic and down to earth. He visualized for India a decentralized polity and self-reliant economy with the village as the base. Read the rest of this entry »

To remind the reader, Yoga Charcha is an informal discussion of Yoga literature. In this article we try to explore the overview of Yoga and Yama as described by Patanjali. We refer to Swami Ramdeo’s ‘Yoga Sadhana via Yoga Chikitsa Rahasya’ and B.K.S. Iyengar’s ‘Light on Yoga’. Most people with even a passing interest in yoga would surely have come across the words ‘Ashtanga Yoga’. They refer to the eight limbs of yoga or the eight stages in the path of a yogi’s quest as written in Patanjali’s ‘Yoga Sutra’. Importance of Ashtanga Yoga: Swami Ramdeo explains the importance of Ashtanga Yoga by stating that it is the only way to attain world peace. He mentions the inability of religions like Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Jainism etc. to spread world peace. Ashtanga Yoga on the other hand is universal, free of any sect or religion. It is a complete way of life as opposed to a set of beliefs. It has the unique ability to lead one to personal and social well-being, physical fitness, mental peace and spiritual joy. It addresses all issues related to human behavior in daily life to the highest spiritual states attainable. Ashtanga Yoga has proved its truthfulness on the metrics of dharma, spirituality, humanity and science. Anybody in search of moksha, or longing for world peace must definitely follow Ashtanga Yoga. The eight parts of Ashtanga Yoga are Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayam, Pratyahaar, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi. Read the rest of this entry »

Mind is very restless, forceful and strong, O Krishna, it is more difficult to control the mind than to control the wind.

~ Arjuna to Sri Krishna

Introduction to the Gita:

One of the greatest contributions of India to the world is Holy Gita which is considered to be one of the first revelations from God. The management lessons in this holy book were brought in to light of the world by divine Maharshi Mahesh Yogi , Sri Sri RaviShankar and Swami Bodhanandji, and the spiritual philosophy by the great Adi Sankaracharya, the greatest philosopher of India and proud son of Kerala, and Sri. Srila Prabhupada Swami and humanism by Mata Amritanandamayi Devi and Satya Sai Baba. Maharishi calls the Bhagavad-Gita the essence of Vedic Literature and a complete guide to practical life. It provides “all that is needed to raise the consciousness of man to the highest possible level.” Maharishi reveals the deep, universal truths of life that speak to the needs and aspirations of everyone. Swami Chinmayanandaji preached and educated the people and Swami Sandeep Chaitanyaji continued the mission by keeping this lantern burning always knowing the wishes of the modern generations. Arjuna got mentally depressed when he saw his relatives with whom he had to fight.( Mental health has now become a major international public health concern). To motivate him, the Bhagavad Gita is preached in the battle field of Kurukshetra by Lord Krishna to Arjuna as a counseling to do his duty while multitudes of men stood by waiting. It has got all the management tactics to achieve the mental equilibrium and to overcome any crisis situation. Read the rest of this entry »

मनोजवं मारुततुल्यवेगम् जितेन्द्रियं बुद्धिमताम् वरिष्ठम्।

वातात्मजं वानरयूथमुख्यं श्रीरामदूतं शरणं प्रपद्ये॥
manojavaṁ mārutatulyavegam jitendriyaṁ buddhimatām variṣṭham |vātātmajaṁ vānarayūthamukhyaṁ śrīrāmadūtaṁ śaraṇaṁ prapadye ||

Meaning: I surrender to Hanuman, the messenger of Lord Rama, whose speed is as swift as the mind and as swift as the wind. Who has controlled his sense organs and is the most intelligent among the intelligent ones; who is the son of vayu and the chief of the monkey tribe. Read the rest of this entry »

Global reach of Hinduism:

One of the common misconceptions about Hinduism is that it is an India-specific religion. Indeed it is true that Hinduism and the Vedanta philosophy originated in India and even today a vast majority of the followers of the religion are Indians; emigration and migration in the last couple of centuries and the universal appeal of Vedanta have made people recognize the fact that it is a global religion with a worldwide following. Even historically, Hinduism was never an India-specific religion. Ancient Hindu idols have been discovered in places as far as central Asia. However, for a variety of reasons, Hinduism got erased from most of the places which lay to the west of India. But in Indonesia, where Hinduism flourished in style and in substance, it continues to maintain its presence even today – reminding us of its past glory and global appeal.

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Materialistic pleasures were never the goals of Hindus. People used to be satisfied with what they had and within what they had, used to help others. Their hearts were filled with pure love, friendship and bhakti. The story of Sudaama, the best friend of Lord Krishna, stands as an outstanding example for this.

Sudaama and Krishna Bhagavan were good friends. The friendship started at their gurukulam with Shri Saandeepa. As always duty takes more priority than everything. Hence, after completing their studies they had to part. However, neither Krishna nor Sudaama could forget each other. Sudaama, knowing who Krishna really was, also had true devotion for him. Sudaama never was interested in earning lot of money or other such aihikechchas. Once after many years, not able to bear the separation from Krishna anymore, sets off to meet Krishna.

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