Tattva

Vijay Dashami, also known as Dussehra, falls on September 28th this year. In Sanskrit, “Vijay” means “victory” and “Dashami” refers to the tenth day of the bright half of the lunar month of Aashwayuja. Thus, Vijay Dashami is a festival of victory, the triumph of Dharma over Adharma. This day is marked by many inspiring episodes from history that reflect the victorious tradition of our ancestors. It was on Vijay Dashami that Shri Ram defeated Ravan after ten days of battle, thus liberating the city of Lanka from its adharmic ruler. Vijay Dashami is also the finale of the nine-day festival of Navaratri. During the days of Navratri, we worship Saraswati, the goddess of learning; Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth; and Durga, the goddess of strength. There are countless names of the goddess of strength—Durga, Maha Kaali, Mahishasura Mardini. Time and time again, she has defeated the demonic forces and established the supremacy of the righteous. Read the rest of this entry »

Though Rakshabandhan has already passed us in 2008 and is yet to come upon us in 2009, I feel that the sentiment it embodies should be appreciated eternally, and that the value it instills should be practiced every day. For that purpose, I will convey my relationship with this festival. So what does Rakshabandhan mean? It means funny-colored bracelets for us guys and smiles, pictures, hugs for the girls; a couple of moments of perhaps awkward ritual, bearing feelings uniquely and almost exclusively shared by our youth generation. Apart from all of that, though, there’s a palpable ambience that spreads within the family and between the siblings that we also share. Those who have participated in this festival understand the very unique relationship it celebrates. Read the rest of this entry »

This past week, most of us celebrated Diwali, either on the 28th or the 29th, in one fashion or another, from poojas to parties and everything else in between. However, in America, there are many people around us who are unaware of this important festival. This ignorance is nowhere more apparent than at schools. Read the rest of this entry »

Raksha Bandhan is one of the most important festivals that Hindus celebrate. Every year, this festival comes on the full moon day of the month of Shravana. Raksha Bandhan spreads bonds of love, protection and friendship among all people.

In ancient times, when a guru initiated his disciple, he tied a sacred thread around the right wrist of the disciple. The thread was either red or orange in color. This multicolored thread tied around the wrist started the tradition of Raksha Bandhan or the Rakhi, which means, “promise to protect”.  Likewise today, a brahmana may tie thread around the wrist of a householder when renewing the sacred thread. This tradition signified the bond of mutual love and trust between the teacher and pupil. Read the rest of this entry »

Introduction:
Having a teacher to guide us in any field is invaluable. This is true in Spirituality as well. As Spirituality is subtle or intangible in nature, it is difficult to identify with certainty, who a spiritually evolved guide or Guru is. A Guru is very different to a teacher or a preacher. He is a beacon of spiritual light in our world and teaches us, the universal spiritual principles that underlie all religions and cultures. The article expands on what one should do gain Guru’s grace. This year Gurupournima is on 18th July and on this day Guru principle (Guiding principle of God) is 1000 times active. Read the rest of this entry »

Yugadi, also known as Varsha Prati Pada and Gudi Padwa, is celebrated by Hindus all over as the first day of the new year. This year, Yugadi falls on April 6. Read the rest of this entry »

As we are preparing for celebrations of Sri Ram Janma, which falls on April 14 this year, it befits the occasion to explain the significance of the event. Every Hindu holds Bhagwan Sri Ramchandra, as an ideal king. Everyone in our culture, right from Mahatma Gandhi to the youngest tot, craves for Ram Rajya, the kingdom of Ram which is the ideal society. Read the rest of this entry »

Bharat is a country known for its numerous cultural and religious festivals. One of these is Maha Shivratri also known as the night of Lord Shiva. This year it falls on March 12th, 2008. Read the rest of this entry »

A few months back I introduced Shri Ganesh ji to you, on the eve of Sri Ganesh Utsav. It’s time I introduce his father, Maha Dev- Shiv Shankar, now, on the eve of coming Maha Shiv-Ratri. The following news item of few years back, in the Times of India has prompted me to do so:

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Deepavali, also known as Diwali, falls on November 9^th this year. The word Deepavali literally means “row of lighted lamps.” During this festival, lamps are lit as a symbol of hope and celebration for mankind. Popularly known as the “Festival of Lights,” Deepavali signifies the victory of light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance. Read the rest of this entry »