Pathway to the Victory Day
The new moon of 19th/20th Sept. is a special day for ascension rites to honour the departed souls of familial lineages, as per the Vedic soli-lunar calendar. This particular new moon (Mahālayā) is immediately followed by the auspicious nine-night period (Navarātri) leading up to the Victory Day. Thereafter, the auspicious Śaradiyā-navarātri or a nine-night period dedicated to the worship of the Divine Mother will...
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Solace for Hurricane Harvey Victims
A message of solace from HH Swami Vidyadhishananda for the courageous residents of Texas who experienced the devastation of Hurricane Harvey.
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Once in a Lifetime Total Solar Eclipse
Eclipses and their effects have been feared by some traditions and cultures, but meditators patiently wait for such moments to come forth. This is because the depth and power of meditation increases manifold during an eclipse.
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Mountain Path of the Himalayan Abode
Himalaya literally translates as the abode of the snow, but has also been called the heart and soul of the gods (devatātma) by the famous Sanskrit poet Kālidāsa.
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The Healing Art of Ayurvedic Cooking
Ayurvedic cooking is the art of combining ingredients while inducing prāna. Most importantly, all six tastes are balanced during the cooking.
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Cooking with Legumes
As a vegetarian, one of the prime sources of proteins and other nutrients is legumes. The heart of an Ayurvedic diet is legume soup cooked for sumptuous flavor and digestibility.
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Wholesome Use of Grains
The risk of gluten sensitivity and other complications from engineered grains pose a serious modern health issue. Learn an Ayurvedic approach to the use of grains in a balanced diet.
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Vedic Roots of String Music
The rich and resonant sounds of the Vīņā enthrall every music lover. Often simply referred to as a lute, this magical instrument carries a hallowed tradition.
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Rekindling the Lamp of Knowing
The new moon that marks Dipāvali is a festive observance celebrated by the lighting of lamps. This festival of lights is a time-honoured tradition dating back to antiquity. The epic events of the Rāmāyana narrate how Lord Rāma – the refulgent being epitomizing the most exalted values – returns to the abode of Ayodhyā, the name indicating a place where all inner and outer...
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Kindness in the Light of Compassion
Dharma is said to be complete when kindness and charity are practised as its integral components in addition to other basic principles of right conduct. Kindness and charity (dāna) are hailed as exemplary virtues, both of which are actually rooted in compassion. There is often the tendency to mix up kindness (dayā) with compassion (karunā) from a practical perspective. Sanskrit philosophical usage, however, clearly...
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