Category: What is Spirituality

“That Brahman is in front and in back, in the north, south, east, and west, and also overhead and below. In other words, that supreme Brahman (Parabrahman) effulgence spreads throughout both the material and spiritual skies.”
(Mundaka Upanishad 2.1.1)

God, who embodies eternity, knowledge, and bliss, is realized in three distinct forms – Brahman, Antaryami (Paramatma), and Bhagavan. Brahman refers to the omnipresent aspect of God, Antaryami signifies the inner voice of conscience, while Bhagavan represents the Supreme Person who resides beyond the material universe and possesses six types of opulence in their entirety, including strength, fame, wealth, knowledge, beauty, and renunciation. It is akin to how sunlight is inseparable from the sun; the effulgence of the Supreme Lord pervades everything and is identical to Him. The first aphorism of the Vedanta-sutra, ‘Athato brahma jijnasa,’ calls for an inquiry into Brahman, the ultimate truth that transcends the material realm and is of a spiritual nature. Therefore, we must acknowledge and extol the unparalleled virtues of the all-pervading Brahman (also referred to as ‘Parabrahman’), who radiates as an eternal, all-knowing, and all-blissful infinite being. The focus of this article is to shed light on the six essential aspects that one should be aware of regarding Brahman.

The primary objective of a Vedic temple is not simply to serve as a venue for prayers and pujas, but rather to inspire individuals to delve deeper into the Vedic spiritual path and tradition, and participate in it. This crucial aspect of a temple’s purpose is often overlooked. Without invoking inspiration, temples run the risk of becoming stagnant and losing their relevance in contemporary times. If this happens, in a few generations, they may become nothing more than relics, or even worse, warehouse-like structures.

To ensure the continuity of the Vedic community and culture, temples must create an environment that fosters inspiration. This can be achieved by motivating people to recognize the benefits of the Vedic traditions, understand the tradition’s purpose more profoundly, and comprehend why they should participate in the culture and its spiritual practice. Through service or seva, people can experience deeper spiritual happiness and a sense of fulfillment from the Dharmic path that is unattainable through material pursuits or sensual desires. In addition, the temple can provide access to secret knowledge about life and its purpose that is not readily available elsewhere.

Furthermore, individuals can deepen their understanding of their eternal spiritual identity and connection with the Divine through participation in temple activities. By helping in the operation of the temple, they can also gain a greater appreciation for the temple’s role as a launching pad to the higher purpose of life, spiritual dimensions of existence, and refined states of consciousness and fulfillment that everyone seeks. To secure a bright future for the Vedic community, Dharmic tradition, and humanity as a whole, the temple must transform individuals from mere observers to appreciators and eventually participants. This can be achieved by motivating them to take on responsibilities to help the temple in service to the deities and other temple members or the general community. If the temple can successfully inspire people to become active participants, it will help ensure a bright future for the entire Vedic community and humanity. The main focus of this article is to explore the essential purposes and objectives of a Vedic temple.

Lord Vishnu is one of the three divine beings in the Trimurti and is known for his role as the sustainer of the universe. In this article, we are going to discuss the ten avatars of Vishnu, commonly referred to as the Dashavatar or Dashavataram. Lord Vishnu resides in Vaikuntha loka, also known as the spiritual realm, where he is referred to as Narayana. Krishnaloka, on the other hand, is considered the supreme planet of the spiritual world and is believed to be the transcendental abode of Krishna. This abode is divided into three sections, namely Dwarka, Mathura, and Goloka. In Krishnaloka, Krishna manifests himself into four plenary expansions, namely Krishna, Balarama, Pradyumna, and Aniruddha.

Balarama, who resides in Krishnaloka, is considered the original Sankarshana and is the source of Maha-Sankarshana, who resides in the Vaikuntha planets. It is Maha-Sankarshana’s responsibility to maintain the planets in the spiritual sky. Maha-Vishnu, who lies on the causal ocean and is the source of all universes, is an expansion of the Sankarshana.

This article aims to explore the multifaceted concept of ‘Dharma’. We will provide a comprehensive understanding of Dharma, its significance in individual and societal growth, and the interrelationship between the various categories of Dharma, namely ‘Sanatan Dharma‘, ‘Varnashrama Dharma‘, and ‘Sadharana Dharma’. Additionally, we will delve into the four primary objectives of human life and the pivotal role that Dharma plays in achieving them. Through this discussion, we hope to offer a deeper understanding of this essential concept of ‘Dharma’ and its relevance in contemporary society.

Lakshmi, the eternal companion of Lord Vishnu, is frequently worshiped with him as Lakshmi-Narayana, but also venerated separately, particularly during Diwali. Often depicted seated or standing on a lotus, she carries a lotus and water pot in two hands, while showering coins and offering benedictions with the others. She is clothed in a pink sari, surrounded by auspicious symbols, including elephants spraying water from their trunks. Lakshmi is also known as “Shri,” meaning beautiful, and “Chanchala,” meaning fickle, symbolizing the unpredictable nature of worldly fortune. Nevertheless, she never forsakes her consort, Lord Vishnu. Although she is considered Vishnu’s eternal consort, she appeared from the ocean of milk during the churning of the gods and demons, helping the gods regain their fortune in their battle against the demons. In each of Vishnu’s appearances, such as Vamana, Parashurama, Rama, or Krishna, Lakshmi appeared as Padma or Kamala, Dharani, Sita, and Rukmini, respectively. She is thought to reside on Vishnu’s chest, earning him the name Shrinivas. In South India, particularly at Tirupati, she is known as Padmavati, the consort of Vishnu in the form of Venkateshwara. In this article, you will find a few important facts about the goddess Lakshmi that are worth knowing.

Hanuman, a Hindu deity widely venerated in India, is often portrayed as a monkey-like figure who kneels before Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana, and tears open his chest to reveal an image of Rama in his heart. As the son of Vayu, the wind god, Hanuman possesses superhuman abilities that he employs for good and in the service of Lord Rama and Sita. In addition to his strength and courage, Hanuman is renowned for his wisdom and devotion. Although he is worshiped by Vaishnava groups who venerate Krishna and his avatars, Hanuman is also revered by wrestlers and adherents of other faiths. While some regard Hanuman as an autonomous deity, it is established in the scriptures that he is a devotee of Rama. Valmiki’s Ramayana chronicles Hanuman’s birth, upbringing, and the extraordinary gifts he receives. While Hanuman exhibits simian traits, they are considered divine arrangements for his devotion to Rama. Throughout the Ramayana, Hanuman displays unwavering devotion to Rama, which is regarded as his greatest attribute. He is also known as Maruti and Anjaneya, named after his mother, Anjana. Devotees seek Hanuman’s blessings for enhanced devotion to Lord Rama. In this article, you will discover five essential facts about Hanuman that you should be aware of.

Lord Ganesh, also spelled as Ganesha, is an important Hindu deity who is revered as the Lord of thresholds and entrances, and is often placed above them or at temple gates to remove obstacles and grant blessings. He is the son of Shiva and Parvati and is recognized as the Lord of astrology and author of scriptures. Ganesh is commonly depicted with a red hue, a protruding belly, a broken tusk, and four arms carrying items such as a noose, an elephant goad, or a container of rice or his beloved sweet treats known as laddus. His love for laddus is renowned, and individuals often leave offerings of these sweets at his temple. Ganesh is known by various names, including Ganesh, Vinayaka, Vighneshvara, Gajanana, Gajadhipa, and Jyeshtha-raja. The primary texts dedicated to Ganesh include the Ganesh Purana, the Mudgala Purana, and the Ganapati Atharvashirsa, as well as the Brahma Purana and Brahmanda Purana. This article will cover six essential facts that one should know about Lord Ganesh.