Showing titles in Hinduism

The Lakshmi Chalisa is a beautiful hymn dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, composed by Ramdas. It praises Lakshmi Mata, who dispels the sorrows (dukh) of people. Lakshmi Mata is revered as the goddess of wealth, fortune, and prosperity. It is believed that she resolves all kinds of wealth-related problems for her devotees, nourishes the Earth, and fills our homes with prosperity.

When European missionaries first arrived in India in the sixteenth century, they entered a world both fascinating and bewildering. Hinduism, as they saw it, was a pagan mess: the worship of devils and monsters by a people who burned women alive, performed outlandish rites and fed children to...

This simple introduction to both the Bhagavad Gita and Patanjali's Yoga Sutras is a gentle way to ease into these ancient texts. Crafted for use in Hatha Yoga studios, teacher training programs and experiential classroom venues, students will find the language of the book friendly and engaging while teachers will find a rich offering of dialogue-encouraging questions and activities to enrich the learning experience.

The Kama Sutra, written by the sage Vatsyayana nearly two thousand years ago, is far more than the modern world imagines. It is a complete guide to the art of living, a thoughtful exploration of love, harmony, personal conduct, and the refined culture of ancient India. At its heart, it teaches balance, emotional intelligence, and the pursuit of a meaningful, respectful connection between human beings. In this new presentation, Sripad Jagannatha Das, Emmy-nominated actor and leading voice of The Rebellion, brings Vatsyayana’s timeless work into clear, dignified focus.

Why do Hindus feed their dead ancestors? And why do they prefer burning the dead to building tombs? Does Hinduism have no concept of Judgement Day? What is the impact of death on its notions of womanhood and caste? Is the Vedic approach to death different from the Tantric one? The idea of death and rebirth is embedded in the Hindu mind through ritual and story. Death is not just tragic, but ambiguous too. For instance, it is the end of one journey, but it is also the beginning of another.

An enchanting journey through the divine life of Krishna, exploring ancient wisdom and timeless devotion. In this mesmerizing exploration of India's most beloved deity, acclaimed mythologist Anand Neelakantan invites listeners on a profound journey through the mystical life of Lord Krishna.

The Hanuman Chalisa is a hymn in praise of Hanuman authored by Tulsi Das. The qualities of Hanuman - his strength, courage, wisdom, celibacy, devotion to Ram, and the many names by which he is known - are all in the Hanuman Chalisa. Hanuman is the epitome of ultimate devotion manifested with its full glory unchallenged. By the power of his devotion to Sita Ram, he easily achieved supreme status as the perfect devotee and servitor. Reciting the Hanuman Chalisa infuses one with unlimited energy and prana.

Bhaarteey jeevan-dhaara mein jin granthon ka mahattvapoorn sthaan hai unmein puraan bhakti granthon ke roop mein bahut mahattvapoorn maane jaate hain. Puraan-saahitya bhaarateey jeevan aur saahitya kee akshunn nidhi hain. Inmein maanav jeevan ke utkarsh aur apkarsh kee anek gaathayen miltee hain. Karmkaand se gyaan kee or aate hue bhaarateey maanas chintan ke baad bhakti kee aviral dhaara pravaahit huee.

Hanuman is an outstanding scholar, a fearless warrior, and the ideal lieutenant: intelligent, totally committed to his master, selfless and humble. Born into the Vanar tribe, a clan of the upa-devatas (demi-deities), he represents the four best-known divine attributes akhand brahmacharya...

Millennia have passed since the dharma yudhha of the cousins shook the land of Bharata. But this history of our ancestors continues to fascinate us. Even today, we have passionate discussions about the people and their actions in the epic, fervidly defending our favourites and denouncing others. The number of works on the Mahabharata—adaptations, retellings and fiction—that still get written is a testimony to its enduring relevance. While the general storyline is largely known, a lot of questions and myths prevail, such as—What was the geographical extent of the war?

The series Brilliant as the Sun aims to make this sublime work accessible to any listener by presenting it in the style of a modern novel. Adhering closely to the original text, it brings out the deep meaning of Srimad Bhagavatam and helps the listener easily follow its flow. In this fourth volume, we hear about the appearance of Vishnu’s stupendous boar incarnation, Lord Varaha, who rescues the earth from the demon Hiranyaksha. We also meet the great sage Kardama, who marries Devahuti, daughter of the earth’s emperor Manu.

In this insightful rendition of the Bhagavad Gita, Swami Nikhilananda provides a profound interpretation of the sacred text. Exploring the timeless wisdom and teachings of Lord Krishna, he illuminates the path to self-realization and offers practical guidance for navigating life's challenges.

Bhakti yoga is a real, genuine search after the Lord, a search beginning, continuing, and ending in love. One single moment of the madness of extreme love to God brings us eternal freedom. “Bhakti is greater than karma, greater than yoga, because these are intended for an object in view, while Bhakti is its own fruition, its own means, and its own end.”

How long will it take to attain knowledge? The time the horse takes to race. King Janak prayed to Ashtavakra, a great sage of his time, to impart knowledge to him. The prayer was answered. All that King Janak asked, all the questions plaguing his mind, were given simple, clear, and compendious answers. This meaningful dialogue between sage and pupil is called the Ashtavakra Mahagita, a sacred text cherished by many, filled with boundless wisdom.

Although theologians are apt to explain away these teachings in various ways, the Vedantists believe Christ meant what he said. Listen to this remarkable recording and discover how Vedanta goes to the very heart of Christ's teaching.Vedanta came to the West in the late 19th century, not to supplant any religion, but to bring a more tangible spirituality to those who seek it. Its goal has never been to proselytize, but to help man realize the divinity within him.

Each of these prayer-poems has been spiritualized by this great man of God. Open this book, pick a poem at random and read it. Mentally repeat whatever phrase appeals to you. Within a short time, you will see your consciousness transformed. This book has the power to rapidly accelerate your spiritual growth, and provides hundreds of delightful ways for you to begin your own conversation with God.

This book is a thoroughly researched primer on the 108 Upanishads, philosophical treatises that form a part of the Vedas, the revered Hindu texts. These Upanishads contain the most crystallized bits of wisdom gleaned from Hinduism. Roshen Dalal explains the concepts at the core of each Upanishad...

The Aṣṭāvakra Gītā|also known as the Aṣṭāvakra Saṃhitā|is a short treatise on Advaita Vedānta|ascribed to the great sage Aṣṭāvakra. Sage Aṣṭāvakra demonstrates a profound knowledge of Brahman that Swami Nityaswarupanand of Ramakrishna Mission has placed before the readers in this book in simple|easy-to-understand English. The subtle philosophical truths are expounded in the form of a lucid dialogue between the teenage sage Aṣṭāvakra and his royal disciple|King Janaka.

In the stillness of the cosmos exists a force both boundless and paradoxical – Shiva. More than a god, he is the formless essence that both creates and consumes the universe. His realms transcend time, his actions defy logic, yet within them lies a cosmic rhythm governing all beings. Shiva...

Podcast series on Mandukya Upanishad Gaudapada Karika by Swami Tadatmananda resident teacher of Arsha Bodha Center