Blog site of iVarta.com » Entries tagged with "Yoga"
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
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
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
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 »
Does “Instant Gratification” Qualify as a Virtue?
Patience used to be known as a virtue, but is virtually unheard of in the present-day culture of immediacy. Today’s children don’t even know the meaning of the word. People want everything, and they want it NOW! Investors expect instant wealth from their financial ventures. Customers expect that they’ll look skinny after spending a week at the health club. Students expect perfect scores on tests for which they study the night before. Short-term rewards, short-term gain, instant messaging, instant feedback, instant food, instant cures, even instant movie-watching—instant gratification has infected the world faster than AIDS. The Upside? The proliferation of technology and electronic devices—the epitome of instant gratification—revolutionized the transportation industry and transformed time management worldwide. Our ancestors walked, for the most part, rode domesticated animals, or rowed small boats. As civilizations evolved, … Read entire article »
The Dream of Vishnu (Part 2) – Nothingness?
The Dream of Vishnu (Part 2) Nothingness? The Buddhist conception of nothingness today is grossly misunderstood. Many people ask that if the ultimate reality consists of nothingness or emptiness, then why even do anything? People prescribing to such point of view also state that it is all maya, then why should we even do any dharmic actions? Such people see futility in doing their righteous duties for the welfare of the society or dharma. It is similar to the situation of a shattered Arjun who found it useless to fight his enemies on the battlefield consisting of relatives and friends. The war of mahabharat should not be judged as a good war or a bad war but a dharmic war. Is non-doing of one’s own duties really futile? Is inaction same as renunciation … Read entire article »
Filed under: Hinduism, India, Vedic Knowledge
Promotion of Indian culture and ‘minority appeasing’ Secularism
Every country’s primary education revolves around its history, languages, philosophies, art, culture and sciences. Ancient greece is characterised by greek philosophies and sciences, egypt with pyramids and the science behind it etc. It is only natural for any school of a country to be teaching the ancient language of that country along with the philosophies. Would it sound logical to a rational mind if, in his own family, someone else’s lineage and history is given more importance and taught to him than his own? Would it be hypocritical if his own history is given much more importance to him than someone else’s? Similar is the case with India. Today, if one vouches for the promotion of Indian culture, sciences or dharma (righteousness, ethics and duty) as expounded by Veda, Gita and … Read entire article »
Filed under: Christianity, Hinduism, India, Islam, Media, Politics, Vedic Knowledge
Is Your EQ Consistent with Your IQ?
EQ or Emotional Intelligence (popularly referred to as EQ) is a term that’s been around a while. Author Daniel Goleman brought it into prominence in the 1980s with his best-seller, you guessed it, “Emotional Intelligence.” What is EQ and how is it different from IQ? And, why does it matter, anyways? IQ, as we know, is an individual’s ability to learn, memorize, problem solve, reason, communicate, and process information. Scientists believe that both genetics and the environment can influence an individual’s IQ and that it cuts across gender and ethnicity. Myriad tests are available on the market that assess IQ and are used by educators as predictors of a student’s educational achievement or “giftedness.” The higher the score on these tests, the higher your IQ — it’s that simple. For example, the … Read entire article »
Filed under: Hinduism, India, Vedic Knowledge
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