Category: shlokas

  • The Nature of Birth and Death

    The Atman cannot be cut, burnt, suffer any decay or be dried out. The five forces of nature which are capable of destroying physical elements by their combined actions have no influence on the Atman. That is why it is referred to as nitya or permanent or unchangeable.

  • The Nature of the Soul (Atman)

    The soul or Atman casts off its worn out physical body and takes residence in a newer physical body at regular intervals in time. Just like the clothes that we wear do not represent the real state of our physical body, the state of our physical body (which deteriorates over time and is hence impermanent)…

  • Saraswati Gayatri Mantra Meaning and Relevance

    Saraswati Gayatri Mantra The Saraswati Gayatri is a mantra written specifically to invoke Goddess Saraswati, in the 24-metre tradition of the original Gayatri Mantra. The transliterated version, along with the sanskrit version is given below: AUM vaakdevayyI ch: viddhmahe virinji patniyyI ch: dhImahi tanno.n vaaNi prachodayaat.h. ॐ वाकदेव्य्यी च: विद्धमहे, विरिन्जी पत्निय्यी च: धीमहि, तन्नो…

  • Significance and Observance of Guru Purnima

    The full moon day in the Hindu month of Ashaad (July-August) is considered extremely auspicious and is observed as a day to pay homage to, and celebrate the presence of the divine Gurus or teachers in our lives. It is an occasion to meditate on the Guru and also provides a unique opportunity for new…

  • The Attitude of Joy in Life

    The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali describe four bhavanas or human traits that are essential for our spiritual growth. Two of these traits – compassion and friendship – were discussed in previous articles. This article focuses on the third trait – Joy. The particular sutra that encourages us to acquire and remain in a state of…

  • Suktam for Glory from Samaveda

    This series of articles on the Vedas has discussed Agni mantras from the vedas and the highly venerated Gayatri Mantra. This article builds on the theme of Agni from the sAmaveda. The verse or suktam presented below is considered a ‘great sequence’ or ‘maka-panktii’ (महापंक्ति) in the vedas – one that carries great significance and…