Faith column from The Hindu, Religion, Hinduism, Sacred Texts - The Hindu

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Jnana, not a rule or law

The major section of the Vedas deals with karmas one performs with thought, word and deed. In them, many types of karmas for different goals that are

The fortunate prapanna

Import of sastras

Sastras are not easily understood by all and the Lord incarnates time and again to reinforce their importance and also to show by example how to lead life in accordance to dharma. In Rama avatar, Rama's entire life provides practical lessons on dharma for all to follow. In Krishna avatar, He teaches the essence of the entire Upanishads in the most comprehensive manner in the Bhagavad Gita. All this is done out of His compassion for the jivatmas who are caught in the deep ocean of samsara and are

Atma anatma bhava

Vedanta teaches how the rule of karma operates in the universe and is binding on individuals who are compelled to act. But it teaches them the way to transcend this natural trend of karma and be relieved of bondage by gaining ‘atma tatva jnana,’ pointed out Sri Mani Dravid Sastrigal in a discourse. In the Gita and texts such as Naishkarmya Siddhi, it is emphasised that karma yoga is not a direct path to liberation though it is recommended generally as a valid preparation for the aspirant to step

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Faith

Hurdles to salvation

Faith

Jnana, not a rule or law

Faith

The fortunate prapanna

Faith

Jnana alone liberates

Faith

Import of sastras

Faith

Atma anatma bhava

In praise of Lord Rama

One of the names in praise of the Rama avatara in the Vishnu Sahasranama is Tushtah — He who was pleased. What was it that pleased Him? He was happy

God’s plans

Sundaranatha, a devotee of Lord Siva, is well versed in the Vedas. He leaves Kailasa to meet his friend sage Agastya. But in life everything happens

Seek His feet

The Bhagavad Gita says samsara is not easily understood. While it is true that we understand it superficially, we do not understand all that it

Yogi Samasa’s answers

Samasa is one of the nine yogis who advise King Nimi, said P.T. Seshadri, in a discourse. King Nimi asks Samasa about what happens to those who are

Azhwar praises Nayanmar

Nayanmars, who were devotees of Siva, sang only in praise of Siva. Azhvars, who were devotees of Vishnu, sang only in praise of Vishnu. But there is

Rama made others happy

Rama is described as Subhekshanah in the Vishnu Sahasranama. It means that that Rama had beautiful eyes. This name signifies that if a person did not

Epitome of detachment

Except for a few realised souls who have attained Poorna Vairagya, it is not possible for the majority of the people living in this world to be

Maya, mother of ignorance

According to scriptures, ignorance is without a beginning. Then, is it to be presumed that ignorance is also endless? Is there no chance for the

Time is unyielding

Time, like Maya is the most subtle and powerful aspect of the Supreme Lord and though not perceivable, the effects of the passage of Time are felt and

Vignettes of behaviour

A synoptic overview of the Mahabharata story is narrated in the Devi Bhagavata by the Suta Pauranika. Though brief, it is told in such a way that much

Spiritual disciplines

Many caught in samsara are desirous of getting out of it. But the way out is not easy at all. It requires much determination along with tremendous and

Cosmic forms

The Lord’s cosmic manifestations are as ineffable as His Infinite nature and hence in the puranas and elsewhere, metaphorical descriptions are used in

Rama, the Supreme One

In the Vishnu Sahasranama, the name Parama Spashtah is in praise of Rama. It means He whose Supremacy is obvious. But how does it suit Rama, who never

Immeasurable kindness

Thirumoolar makes us see the impermanence of life, said R. Narayanan in a discourse. None of the relatives we hold dear will accompany us when we die.

Virtue of patience

Patience is a virtue few people have. Being hasty is second nature to most of us. But patience has its rewards, and haste its undesirable

Vishnu in four yugas

King Nimi asked Yogi Karabhajana about how Vishnu was worshipped and how He should be worshipped. Yogi Karabhajana told King Nimi that in each yuga,

The peepal tree

The 15th chapter of the Gita opens with a reference to samsara as a peepal tree. But this tree is different from other trees, for its roots are at the

An ideal incarnation

In the Ramayana, we get an introduction to Rama’s qualities, right at the beginning. Valmiki asks Narada who is the gunvaan who has 16 auspicious

Essence of prapatti

The Upanishads state in one voice that attainment of Brahma Jnana is the ultimate goal of all jivatmas. They also point out that one who fails to know

Way of the devout

Suka explains to Parikshit that Vidura proceeds to meet Sage Maitreya on the banks of the Ganga, to receive instruction on the highest knowledge.

Bhishma’s fierce vow

Bhishma stands out as an exceptional character for many reasons. His antecedents reveal that he is actually one of the eight ‘Vasus’ and this birth as

Insight of the Yogi

The entire teaching in the Gita clearly shows how the paths of karma, jnana and bhakti get subsumed in the act of surrender or prapatti. The Karma

The Lord’s incarnations

The Gita explains the purpose of the Lord’s incarnations as primarily to protect the good, destroy the evil and to establish dharma in the world. The

Means for salvation

Sastras explain that unless one is rid of all karma, there is no salvation. So, one desirous of salvation has no short cut except to strive to bring

This Pride Month Visakhapatnam’s only queer support group Nestam is putting mental health first

Discrimination, alienation, stigma, and the heteronormative nature of the society have taken a toll on the LGBTQIA+ community. We talk to a few of them to understand what it is like to be in a closet

The name that saves

In the Vishnu Sahasranama, there are 32 names that are in praise of Rama. The name Parardhih refers to Rama, the Supreme One with auspicious

Concepts of Vedanta

Thirumoolar’s Thirumantiram is full of the concepts of Vedanta. In the first forty verses, he gives us a summary of what he is going to talk about in

Attributes of Nathamuni

In his Stotra Ratnam, Alavandar begins by paying tribute to his grandfather Ranganatha muni, popularly known as Nathamuni. That a salutation should be

Mother of all mantras

The Kanchi Varadaraja temple has a vimana, which is called Punyakoti vimana. When you perform a good deed, you acquire some punya. If you do the same

Azhvars’ coming foretold

Karabhajana was one of the nava yogiswaras, who answered King Nimi’s questions. This conversation between Nimi and Karabhajana finds a place in Srimad

The mighty bird

In his Garuda Panchasath, Vedanta Desika recalls the story of Vibhaavasu and Suprateeka, said V.S. Karunakarachariar in a discourse. Garuda’s father,

Mahavakya explained

Proficiency in worldly knowledge is no doubt a great merit, but does not have any bearing when it comes to realising esoteric truths, is the basic

Jnana Shakti avatar

The Devi Bhagavata Purana describes Vyasa’s birth and antecedents in detail when he is born as the son of Sage Parasara and Satyavati under mystifying

Krishna and Uddhava

Devotees always long to listen to the glories of the Lord and especially His avatara leelas that are always a source of delight and can confer peace

Deepa Namboodiri’s poem depict the deity of the Sree Krishna Temple, Guruvayur, as a playful child romping around the temple during the lockdown

In Carnatic musician Deepa Namboodiri’s song, the deity is enjoying the solitude when the crowds were away

Experiential reality

Sastras put the onus on the jivatma to seek what is real and lasting and reject all that is ephemeral and passing. Going by the fact that whatever

Vidhura, the devotee

The third Skanda of the Bhagavata Purana features two lengthy dialogues, one between Uddhava and Vidhura, and the other between Vidhura and Maitreya.

The ideal guru

The Mundaka Upanishad describes the ideal guru as one who is a Brahma Jnani who is also well-versed in the scriptures and is by nature tranquil and

Wizard of words

There are four types of poets: Asu kavi — the spontaneous poet; madhura kavi — one whose verses are pleasing; vistaara kavi — one whose poetry is

Spiritual gurus

Thirumoolar, in his Thirumantiram, talks of sages who worshipped Lord Siva, said R. Narayanan in a discourse. He mentions four sages — Sanaka,

Follow and then preach

Among the characters in the Mahabharata, we find men like Duryodhana who are ambitious, envious and unjust in their thoughts, words and deeds. We find

Seven ways to train the mind

In his book, Swami Mukundananda elaborates on the importance of cultivating the right approach to life

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