Blog site of iVarta.com » Hinduism
Maya and Lila – Origin of Universe
One of the questions that seekers, philosophers, scientists and theologian’s world over have involved themselves from time immemorial is about the origin of the universe. The views vary from our Universe coming out of Big Bang to creationist views of world being created one fine day by God. It is only in Hindu religion that one finds a comprehensive analysis and explanation of various aspects and realms of Cosmos and its origin. To understanding about the Creation/Origin of the Universe, it is important to understand the relationship between World and God according to Hindu philosophy. God and World, the Creator and the Created are not two distinct entities but only they appear to be so. In the Vyavahrika plane(1) (the Mundane/Relative), the Man, World and the God appear and function as … Read entire article »
Filed under: Hinduism, India, Vedic Knowledge
Osho – The Exaggerated Soul
India is a country which is considered as the earliest of the civilizations, a country which not only gave different perspectives on science like Dwaita, Adwaita, Vaisheshka, Yoga etc but also music (raga), medicine (ayurveda), mathematics etc. In his commentary on India and women, Rajneesh Osho opines that Indian culture is insane and schizophrenic, that India thinks that the highest has already happened, that Manu and the scriptures condemns and condescend upon the women and sex has always been a taboo in India. O Arjuna, I am the strength of the strong devoid of attachment and passion and the energy of procreation in all beings which is not contrary to righteousness. (Gita 7.11) Bhagvad Gita clearly outlines the difference between needs and wants, duties and attachment, controlled and uncontrolled mind. A few verses from … Read entire article »
Filed under: Hinduism, India, Vedic Knowledge
The Two Stages of Devotion
Bhakti or devotion is a concept which is found throughout the world in one form or the other. From Christian prayers and Islamic namaz to Hindu puja and bhajans, elements of Bhakti are present in all the religions. Hindu scriptures define Bhakti as “Parama Prema-rupa Amruta Svarupa cha” (1). “Prema” means “Love”. Every person has loved someone or experienced love in one form or the other. Love between two people creates a bond, an attachment between them. It results in a person experiencing both happiness and sorrow. But, Bhakti is not just normal love but it is “Parama Prema rupa”-“Supreme form of love”. It is called “supreme” because it neither causes attachment to sensory world nor traps a person in a never ending cycle of happiness and sorrow. Instead it … Read entire article »
Filed under: Hinduism, India, Vedic Knowledge
The Two Ways of Performing Action
“Karma” or “Action” is the very foundation of our existence. A second does not go by without anybody performing any action. People are continuously involved in performing one or the other tasks- eating, drinking, talking, driving etc. But action does not refer to physical activity alone. Every word, every thought that arise in the mind represents an action being performed. The whole universe works on the principle action and reaction. The Hindu Shastras/Scriptures call this phenomenon which forms the very basic functioning principle of the cosmos as “Karma”. Every situation, good or bad a person faces in his life is the fruits of his past actions (Karma Phala). Every person or animal, a person encounters or comes in contact with, is result of some Karmic bond (called in scriptures as “Rina … Read entire article »
Filed under: Hinduism, India, Vedic Knowledge
Rape cannot happen in Bharat: Biased British media
Rape cannot happen in Bharat: British media’s Bias It is a case of ‘Shame for the British’ that even after exploiting India for 200 years, creating man made famines killing millions, ruthless killings and destructions during any uprising against its evil rule over India, British for the last 60 years are engaged in massive propaganda campaign against India. The coverage of the case of a rape and murder of a medical student in New Delhi demonstrates that the British media is trying to prove the culture and religion of India, coupled with complete indifference of the civil, law enforcement, judicial and other aspects of society have made rape and assult against women rampant and unchecked. It is trying to prove the superirity of the British culture and the ‘White Man’s Burden’ … Read entire article »
Indra and Soma, Shiva and Madira
The Indian texts are classified into two categories : Shrutis and Smritis. Shruti comes from the Sanskrit root “Shru” i.e to hear. Now the whole question is what is this hearing? Is it a physical hearing? Shruti is knowledge that is experienced and comes directly from the highest source of consciousness experienced in the highest state of meditation where the knowledge is pure and unpolluted by the imaginations, assumptions lower level analysis of a polluted and wavering mind. It is a vision that is experienced beyond the mind, beyond the working of the senses. This classification is done as follows: Veda Upanishad/Purana Contemporary usage Vasu Satyaloka Existence Urja Chit or Tapoloka Consciousness/Energy Priyam Janaloka Bliss Swar Maharloka Supermind Dyau (heaven) Manas Mind Bhuvar, Antariksha Prana Vital Bhu (earth) Anna Physical It is declared the sense are superior but more than the senses the mind is superior but more than the mind the intelligence is superior and … Read entire article »
Filed under: Hinduism, India, Vedic Knowledge
Thirteen Astonishing Fallacies of Meditation
The following is a compilation of the comments/questions that have come up during my talks and in general conversations. Notice how the human mind is conditioned to aimlessly question everything and resist new experiences. My responses are in Italics. 1. Meditation is for monks and holy people. …and for you and me! 2. Meditation is weird and wacky. Meditation is as weird and wacky as riding a bicycle. 3. Meditation is selfish. If that’s true, then any activity we engage in — eating, sleeping, exercising, driving, watching television, taking a vacation — has to fall in the same category. 4. Meditation is boring. Okay. You got me there! Boredom and restlessness can weigh you down during a meditation sitting. Continued meditation can help you understand the process better and help ward off extraneous distractions. 5. Can meditation cure diseases? Regular … Read entire article »
The Two Realities-Vyavaharika and Paramarthika
One of the most discussed and debated questions throughout known history have been related to the existence of man, world and God. Many theories have been put forward throughout the world ranging from denial of God to the denial of Man. The former accept only the Physical reality of the Universe and the latter condemn those who question the reality of God. It is only in the scriptures of Hindu religion, does one find not only an acceptance of existence of the God and Man but also an exposition equating the both. Hindu philosophies explain that to understand cosmos, it is very important to first understand the frame of reference from which the Cosmos is being perceived. The scriptures speak about two different frames of references to understand the relationship between … Read entire article »
Filed under: Hinduism, India, Vedic Knowledge
India, Don’t Let This Moment Pass!
We saw it happen. Tunisia overthrowing its incompetent government. The Egyptian revolution ousting its dictator. Ireland’s abortion laws coming around. The US considering congressional action on gun control. It’s your turn, India. You hold the power! People power! You can do it too. CHANGE! Here’s what I’m talking about: Brutal crimes against women are occurring in India, the land of goddesses, at an unprecedented rate. The reality of rape, acid throwing, forced prostitution, trafficking of girls, female infanticide, honor killing and caste related violence is fast becoming common place. The most recent atrocity took place in India’s capital city of New Delhi, where a young medical student was gang-raped and beaten on a public bus, and then dumped from the moving bus! The brave young woman clung on to precious life … Read entire article »
Filed under: Corruption, Hinduism, India
The Two Paths of Life – Pravritti Marga & Nivritti Marga
“Sukha or Happiness” is the one thing that every person in this world strives for. Every action of man is directly or indirectly aimed at achieving happiness. There are two ways a person can live his life. He can either spend his whole life pursuing desires, ambitions and happiness in the external sensory world or he can turn-away from the sensory world which is temporary in a search for the eternal ever-lasting bliss. In the former case, People work hard, pursue careers, earn money, earn fame, make family etc so that they can lead a happy life. But, in this approach one never finds contentment. Without contentment, one is always running behind one object after another which he perceives as a source of happiness. But the physical-sensory world being temporary and … Read entire article »
Filed under: Hinduism, India, Vedic Knowledge
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