As wise Rishis have justly declared, ‘To die is a passing pain but to be poor is an eternal anguish.’ Besides, I am also in agreement with the Rishis’ declaration, ‘It is better to die loved in youth and not hated in old age.’ If you would be generous to offer me a sizeable material reward for my family to live comfortably – that would be more desirous to me than the youth and romantic escapades the fruit can offer.”

Vedic Sanskrit word Aatmana or Atman is often translated as Spirit by a great many people. And hence the science, or knowledge, of Atman – Adhyatma - is translated as Spirituality. But is that an accurate translation?

    Dharma is a Vedic Sanskrit word that comes from the root word ‘Dhri’ or ‘Dhriti’ which means “to sustain.” In an era where we are severely affected as a result of our “unsustainable actions” and are trying to find ways to find “sustainable living” understanding Dharma as a way of sustainable, happy and […]

We are all born into this body without possessing anything. All that we gain is after the birth of this body. We are also sure to die, after which all that we have accumulated and achieved must be left behind. So, we are neither born nor do we die possessing anything. More like a computer game. Given this why should we fear anything? Why not accept everything as a game and appreciate everything life delivers unto us? Neither pleasure nor pain is lasting. They all have an expiry date. Only those with wisdom live beyond pain and pleasure, happiness and unhappiness into a state of perpetual bliss.

There are times to fight, there are also times for retreat. We need not win all the battles in life. Some battles make us strong some teach us valuable lessons. To try and win all battles is vain; but to try and win losing battles is stupidity. Long before we can win, we must gracefully learn from our defeats. To make it worse, we neither considers patience nor perseverance a virtue; most see them as “vice.” The modern definition of success, the ones that are propagated by our business schools, the media organizations, and societies is clearly flawed. Success is not when we receive some award or when some magazine puts us on its cover, or a filmmaker decides to make a biopic. The Vedic idea of success is best explained by Krishna:

Mahantam is Vedic Sanskrit word meaning Greatness. It consists of two words, namely: Maam or Self and Hantam or End. Therefore, Mahantam is also an absence of selfish desires and ego. Not surprisingly, according to Vedic knowledge and wisdom, a selfish person can seldom qualify as Great.

Shakti or Power is the essence of Rajyam or Leadership. There are those who consider themselves to be either “unlucky” or “undeserving” of power as they cannot comprehend the dynamics of attaining or retaining it. Those who consider themselves to be “deserving” of power are often the same who are unable to handle it. As […]

When Vedic kings faced an emotional dilemma or a moral crisis, they sought the wise counsel of Vedic sages called Rishis. These Rishis also called Rajagurus or Royal Mentors had a unique approach to counselling, which often empowered these kings to resolve their adverse situations, simply by de-cluttering and calming their minds.   Rishis often […]

Bhakti seeks unconditional acceptance of everyone, without any conditions. Bhranti seeks conditional submission. Bhakti gives love; Bhranti often confuses one’s lust for love. Bhakti helps in sustenance – within and without; Bhranti destroys within. Bhakti stems from within in the absence of fear; Bhranti arises and harps on suspicion of the self as well as others. Bhakti seeks solitude; Bhranti yearns for adoration.

Fear is natural. But just because it is natural does not mean it is essential for living. We fear things we do not understand. What we cannot understand we must try to understand. We can never fear the known – fear is always about the unknown.