Blog site of iVarta.com » Entries tagged with "Vedic Knowledge"
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
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
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
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
Religion, Arts and Understanding Life
The following topics are considered: Introduction Religion and Politics Political Ideologues Numerous Dichotomies God and Justice The Force, Energy and God Scriptures and Psychology Arts References and notes: Star (*) followed by a bracketed number (#1, etc) identifies applicable specific reference and notes. Introduction Comparative religion, arts and science are tools for understanding life. Terrorism was examined from social and cultural angles in previous article. Second article on introduction to Understanding Life series of four articles discusses how religious dogma is exploited by political establishments. Life is dynamic and ever changing or evolving. Known is history, unknown is future and present is what counts. Understanding life challenges mind. Life revolves around belief systems, arts and material world. Tools for understanding life include comparative studies of religions, art and science. The tools define the various people groups – cultures and societies – across the world. Religions and Politics We have … Read entire article »
Filed under: Hinduism, India, Islam, Pakistan, Politics, Vedic Knowledge
Modern Science and Understanding Life
The following topics are discussed in the last of four articles. Introduction God Particle and South Asian Scientists Science and theologians Science and Quality of Life Outlook for Future Modern Science References and notes: Star (*) followed by a bracketed number (#1, etc) identifies applicable specific reference and notes. Introduction First article – “Terrorism and Cultural Wars”* (#1) - of this four parts serie discussed how social and cultural upbringings can explain terrorism. The second article – “Religion, Politics and Arts”* – presented aspects of religion used for political exploitation and comments on arts to history. For understanding life scientific knowledge of the universe is essential. The third article presented Pre-17th Century Sciences* For improvements in quality of life, the third article described reliance of modern men on expanding use of energy or power. The another article titled, “Tides of Ideas”* … Read entire article »
Filed under: India, Islam, NRI, Vedic Knowledge
Pre-17th Century Sciences and Understanding Life
First article – “Terrorism and Cultural Wars”* – of this four parts series discussed how social and cultural upbringings can explain terrorism. The second article – and “Religion, Politics and Arts”* – presented aspects of religion used for political exploitation and arts. For understanding life scientific knowledge of the universe is essential. The following topics are discussed in this third article. Introduction Energy Ancient Vedic Science Pre-17th century Science Science References and notes: Star (*) followed by a bracketed number (#1, etc) identifies applicable specific reference and notes. Introduction Comparative religion, arts and science are tools for understanding life. An objective of four part series is to illustrate the central place of science in life. The relevance of science is to improve knowledge of material world for humanity. Another two part series – Tides of Ideas* (#3) and the Golden … Read entire article »
Filed under: Christianity, India, Islam, Politics, Vedic Knowledge
Golden age of Muslims by Saeed Mirza
I appreciated an introduction to the life of three young Pakistani women in theUS by a US based Pakistani free lance journalist (#1) (#1, etc means see references and notes). The brief stories the journalist narrated invoked many thoughts. I started with my belief that if we take away the bondage placed on women and the Miskeen (#2) by nations there is hope not only for women every where but also for humanity. In this two parts researched series first I will review Saeed Mirza’s book (#3) and then present in next part additional research that offers clues to Tides of Ideas that have benefited humanity as scholars from all across globe for 3,500+ years have continued to make progress in scientific knowledge. The second part will present my observations to explain factors that were necessary for the … Read entire article »
Filed under: Hinduism, India, Islam, Vedic Knowledge
Zakir Naik and Idol worship
The field of consciousness as we know has originated from the Indian sciences, expounded further by Sri Aurobindo and further propagated by westerners like Ken Wilber. It is a science which revolves around the art of detachment to free the mind from attachment to name, fame, power, lust, greed, anger etc which blinds the person from perceiving the truth and obstructs the psychological evolution. “tvamev matach pitach tvamev, tvamev bandhuch sakhasch tvamev, tvamev vidya dravidam tvamev, tvamev sarvam mam devdev” 1: You Truly are my Mother And You Truly are my Father . 2: You Truly are my Relative And You Truly are my Friend. 3: You Truly are my Knowledge and You Truly are my Wealth. 4: You Truly are my All, My God of Gods. The Indian thought perceives mother as divine (matri devo … Read entire article »
Filed under: Christianity, Featured, Hinduism, India, Islam
Does Social Acceptance Equal Self-acceptance?
Social acceptance—the need to fit in with those around—has always been central to human existence. It affects both genders and people of all ages, races, and faiths, regardless of rank or class. Self-acceptance is the concept of loving and being happy with who you are now, in spite of deficiencies. The Upside? Validation is vital to an individual’s existence as an independent entity. Most humans have three acquired needs based on sensory contact (through the six portals of sight, smell, hearing, taste, touch, and thought) with the external world: Identification with a group Language, culture, rites, rituals, communities, religions, political parties—all exist to nurture people’s sense of belonging, to create a forum for expressing shared views and experiences. Social integration is great in that it provides opportunities to learn about other races and cultures, promoting harmony … Read entire article »
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