The Ramayan is an ancient Sanskrit epic written between the fifth and fourth century (BC). It is ascribed to the Hindu sage, Valmiki, and is one of the more well-known smritis. It is considered to be an itihaasa in genre, being a narrative. The Ramayana is one of the two ...
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Pitri Paksh is perhaps the most important period whereby Hindus remember their ancestors in a spirit of love, prayer, fasting and admiration for sacrifices made by their forefathers. Why would such emphasis be placed on ancestral reflections? The Hindu scriptures mention that sons that willingly and dutifully perform the rights ...
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The Upanishads are the concluding portions of the Vedas, or Vedanta (the end of the Vedas). They represent both the concluding texts of the four principal Vedas and also the culmination of its teachings. The word “Upanishad” consists of three parts: Upa which mean “near”, Ni which means “down” and ...
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Sanatan Dharma offers many different pathways which steer individuals towards the attainment of their final goal of moksha, of true enlightenment, of liberation. One of these ways is the sincere worship of the Lord in whichever form one perceives Him to be. Various modes of worship are prescribed, all of ...
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Shumbh and Nishumbh were two demons who did severe penance with the intent to conquer the three worlds. Both of them practised intense sacrifice for ten thousand years to please Brahma. The Lord was satisfied with their tapasya (sacrifice) and appeared before them. He bestowed upon them the power they ...
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The colourful almanac of Sanatan Dharma offers a multitude of occasions which juxtaposes absolute gaiety and celebration with opportunities for unison with the divine. One can sit at the juncture of the summer or July/August holidays in peaceful retrospect of preceding months; and smile at the refreshing prospect of the ...
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The Smriti scriptures of Sanatan Dharma are of human origin, i.e. they could be attributed to particular authors. The word Smriti means “that which is remembered.” This category of Hindu scriptures encompasses everything except the Vedas. Smriti scriptures expand upon Vedic principles in more accessible ways for the general population. ...
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