Essence of Saivism

Saiva Siddhanta texts are known as Tirumurais, and Tirumoolar’s Tirumandiram that is placed as the tenth Tirumurai is accepted as the first authentic

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Dharma, the valid currency

Mano bhava of a jnani

In the course of normal life, it is only natural that misunderstandings crop up among couples, relatives, friends, family members, etc. If this is the case with whom one is supposed to move closely, one can imagine how much more difficult it would be to understand the state of mind of a jnani whose perception of life is itself in a totally different wavelength. Though it is rare to come across a jnani, the truth is that it is still rarer to be able to recognise a jnani who is worthy of reverence

Abiding by God’s will

Siddhars are realised souls with intuitive knowledge and jnana as well with the powers of yoga siddhi that is attained through tremendous effort. They are one with Siva and His experience at all times, though living on this earth. Such an extraordinarily endowed yogi is Tirumoolar, who has bequeathed the valuable Tirumadiram. Leaving aside the many views about his life and times, there is an important and practical lesson for all in his attitude and approach to the unexpected turn of events that

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The grandeur of Durga puja

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Faith

Essence of Saivism

The long march to the Mahamastakabhishekha

Faith

Dharma, the valid currency

Faith

Mano bhava of a jnani

Faith

Abiding by God’s will

Faith

Bhakta, greatest yogi

Safeguarding dharma

In the Udyoga Parva of the Mahabharata, Sanjaya, as the envoy of Dhritarashtra, returns sad and listless after completing his diplomatic mission with

Punishments for sins

In Srimad Bhagavatam, Suka tells Pareekshit about different kinds of sins, said P.T. Seshadri in a discourse. Suka talks about different kinds of

Meaningful conversations

There is a lot to be said for samvada — conversation. When a conversation is meaningful, then the results are beneficial. Lectures, not being

Slumber and meditation

A day is said to be divided into five parts for worship — abhigamana, upaadaana, ijya, svaadhyaya and yoga. One has to get up early and prepare for

Saint who revealed Sri Ramana

Sri Seshadri Swamigal’s Jayanti falls on February 5

In defence of tradition

T.N. Ramesh is a relentless crusader against violations and irregular practices in temple administration

Providing sustenance

Whether it is Lord Siva or Lord Vishnu, They are seen as providers of food. When the ocean was churned, a deadly poison called Halahala came out of

Tirumala temple closed for ten hours on account of lunar eclipse

The golden doors of the famous hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara were ceremoniously closed at 11.00 am on Wednesday in connection with the lunar

The Lotus and the Lily

There is a verse by Tirumangai Azhvar on the pilgrim town Tirunaraiyur, which is also called Nachiar Kovil. Tirumangai Azhvar talks in the verse about

Darshan for a devotee

Nammazhvar in the first verse Tiruvaimozhi talks of the Lord who is head of all the celestials. Lord Varadaraja of Kanchipuram is also called Devaraja

An invaluable asset

Human birth is a rare gift for here is a chance for the jivatma to know its true nature and its relationship with the Supreme Brahman. But the extent

Bhakti takes root

Devotion does not depend on one’s wealth, status in life or accomplishments. It is a matter of the heart and an inner experience which also envelops

Every effort counts

It is common that attempts in the paths of karma, jnana and bhakti do not find immediate fulfilment. Success and fulfilment evade even sincere and

The perfect yogi

In the Gita, the term ‘yoga’ is broadly shown to be the attainment of the intuitive grasp of the essence and quality of what constitutes the

Hallmark of a devotee

In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna explains in detail the hallmark of a bhakta and of the exclusive relationship that exists between Him and His bhaktas.

Bhakti is realisation

Sage Suka’s narrative on Ambarisha’s faithful observance of Ekadasi Vrata and Puja throws light on many subtle aspects of bhakti bhava, pointed out

Always in charge

We assume we are in charge of everything in our lives, and keep patting ourselves on the back for everything that goes right. But we are not the

His Cosmic form

Arjuna is afraid to behold Lord Krishna’s Viswarupa and prays that Krishna should manifest Himself as He always does. Paying heed to Arjuna’s request,

Being kind to enemies

Meipporul Nayanar ruled over the kingdom of Chethi, the capital of which was Thirukkoyilur. Meipporul Nayanar was a great devotee of Lord Siva, and

His name saves us

Yudhishthira wants to know who is the refuge of everyone, and Bhishma tells him that it is none other than Lord Krishna. Bhishma tells Yudhishthira

Powerful Garuda

Garuda’s greatness is described by Vedanta Desika in Garuda Panchasat and Garuda Dandakam. In Garuda Panchasat, Desika says that the Gayatri mantra

Moksha is here!

Thirumangai Azhvar’s idea of moksha is worshipping in temples, where the Lord has taken residence in archa (idol) form. Has anyone who has attained

Unchanging Brahman

When one does vichara about the jagat in which we live and the many wonders in it one cannot but speculate about how such a manifestation has come

Knowledge of self

Scriptures not only speak of rites and rituals but also show the way to self realisation, which is after all the ultimate aim of human existence. They

Divine mother’s role

In the Vaishnava tradition, it is believed that prapatti becomes efficacious when the jivatma propitiates the divine couple together. The goal of the

Her grace is unique

It is held that when the Lord incarnated as Krishna, Neela Devi took birth as the daughter of Yasodha’s brother Kumban and was known as Nappinnai. The

Bhava of humility

In the Tiruppavai, when Andal empathises with the exceptional bhakti bhava of the Gopis for Krishna, she highlights the salient features of Bhagavata

The highest dharma

The Kurukshetra war is over and Bhishma is lying on his bed of arrows, waiting for Uttarayana to give up his life. Lord Krishna tells Yudhishthira to

He is auspicious

After showing His Viswarupa to Arjuna, Lord Krishna says that none can see what Arjuna has seen. Doing penance, or performing yagas, or studying the

Shepherd boy’s verse

In five verses in his Kandar Alankaram and in twenty-two verses in his Tiruppugazh, Arunagirinatha praises Lord Shanmukha of Tiruchengode. In his

Lord turns Acharya

An Acharya imparts jnana to a person, and the Sastras lay down that ideally one must take samit (sacrificial stick) when one visits him. We should

Opportunity to save

Both Siva and Vishnu look for opportunities to save us. Ajamila, a wicked man, had named his son Narayana and calling out his son’s name ensured that

Garuda’s grace

Lord Narayana in archa form is seen in many temples, where the processional deity is taken around the streets of the town in different vahanas. While

All pervading is His Grace

Bhishma, who is most fortunate to spend his last moments in the presence of the very Supreme Lord, breaks forth into a soulful hymn in which he

Surrender and grace

The search for security, peace and happiness is inherent in all beings, but sadly it remains a futile one for many. Ignorance is the main cause for

Renunciation liberates

Sastras advise that only through renouncing worldly comforts, enjoyments and attractions can one tread the path to salvation. An austere way of life

‘Spiritual evolution is individual’

Spiritual guide and educationist Sri M insists mysticism cannot be a mass phenomenon with meditation franchises

Prayers for His sake

Selflessness is the essence of virtuous living and the lives of the Nayanmars prove without doubt that absolute devotion to Siva is the sure way to

Virtue and vice

The wise accept that sorrow and joy are part of life of all beings, irrespective of whether one is virtuous and truthful or given to evil ways. They

Gopis yearn for Krishna

It is held that once, the Gopas do not approve of the Gopis’ constant yearning for Krishna and keep them in isolation under their stern custody. The

The gift of Christmas

On Christmas day, god the father gave his only son, Jesus Christ, to be the greatest gift to the world. As St. Paul said with admiration and

Glory of Garuda

Vedanta Desika, in his Garuda Dandakam, speaks of the glories of Garuda, the mount of Lord Mahavishnu, said Akkarakkani Srinidhi in a discourse.

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