Meditation during the Lunar Eclipse
The upcoming total lunar eclipse on the 20th/21st January is the second eclipse of 2019, following the partial solar eclipse that took place on 5th/6th January.
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Holiday Blessings 2018
It has been another year and the holiday season is again upon us. Many of us reflect upon these times as a closure, while others consider the oncoming calendar year as an avenue for new affirmations. Some of us are simply content, while some of us feel happy because we made so many others happier. Fortunate are those who are able to smile at...
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Reviving the Indigenous Curriculum of India
His Holiness Swami Vidyadhishananda was graciously hosted by the Hon. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 2nd March 2017 in Delhi regarding the fading institutional support for the infrastructure of Sanskrit studies in India. Following an account of that meeting are two proposals aimed at reviving the indigenous curriculum of India.
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Super Blue Blood Moon Eclipse
The upcoming total lunar eclipse of Wednesday, 31st January 2018 is on a blue moon. A total lunar eclipse is often called a blood moon because of the reddish orange glow the moon exhibits during the eclipse, moreover this full moon also happens to be a super moon. Thus this eclipse is being called the Super Blue Blood Moon Eclipse.
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Holiday Blessings 2017
Living a mindful life brings a meaningful end to a year. As we approach the closure of a calendar year, we tend to evaluate our achievements and ponder upon the not so great moments. We ruminate on the meaning of it all, especially endearing those who have lost their lives or have had great challenge surviving the unexpected surprises of the year.
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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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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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