Day 3 – Diwali – The Day of Light
12th Nov, 2023 ॥तमसो मा ज्योतिर् गमय॥ “हे ईश , हमें अज्ञान के अंधकार से ज्ञान के प्रकाश की ओर ले चलिए |” On this auspicious Festival of Lights, May Lord Ram showers his blessings on us with energy, to move away from the darkness of ignorance, towards the light of knowledge, intellect & wisdom. […]
Diwali Festival – Day 2 – Naraka – Chaturdasi – (Day of Knowledge)
11th Nov, 2023 ‘The importance of knowing that you don’t know’ यदा किञ्चिज्ञोहं द्विप इव मदान्धः समभवम्। तदा सर्वज्ञोस्मित्यभवदवलिप्तं मम मनः।। यदा किञ्चित् किञ्चित् बुधजनशकाशादवगतम्। तदा मूर्खोस्मीति ज्वर इव मदो मे व्यपगतः।। “When I had limited knowledge, I used to think of myself like a frantic elephant and I used to think that I knew […]
‘Dhanteras -The start of the 5-day Festival of Diwali’
10th Nov, 2023 Diwali is a five-day festival & starts with Dhanteras. The five days of Diwali are Day One -Dhanteras (Day of fortune) Day Two -Naraka Chaturdasi (Day of knowledge) Day Three -Diwali (Day of light) Day Four -Annakut (The New Year) Day Five -Bhai Duj (Day of love between siblings) The word Dhanteras […]
‘Stories & Legends of Deepavali’
09th Nov, 2023 India, the land of rich cultural heritage, has one or the other festival for every month. It is the spiritual and religious richness in India that each festival is related to some or other deity. One of such festival is the ‘festival of lights’ – Deepawali. Like every other Hindu festival, stories […]
‘Gambling during Diwali!’
8th Nov, 2023 Have you ever wondered why a vice, like card playing, is a part of Diwali celebrations? Does the idea of people going crazy over gambling their wealth on an auspicious occasion like Diwali night make you cringe? From Pujas to house cleaning to dressing up in finery, we walk that extra mile […]
‘Light the Lamp’
7th Nov, 2023 I read a beautiful couplet from Sant Kabir this morning, which reads – जब मैं था तब हरी नहीं, अब हरी है मैं नाही, सब अँधियारा मिट गया, दीपक देखा माही | Translated, it means that when I was immersed in my ego and arrogance, I could not see God (the supreme […]
‘Pura Vida’
4th Nov, 2023 In Costa Rica, ¡Pura Vida! is a phrase used by Ticos (Costa Ricans) on a daily basis. It means “pure life,” or “simple life,” and not only is it a slogan, it’s a lifestyle. “Pura Vida” (pronounced poo-rah vee-duh) represents Costa Ricans’ relaxed attitude towards life, no matter the circumstance. Most accounts […]
’Make a Difference’
3rd Nov, 2023 We often wonder, in a world full of unkindness, in a world full of poverty, in a world full of all kinds of problems, will my little act of kindness or generosity make a difference and use that as an excuse to carry on with our life & do or contribute nothing. […]
‘The Karwa Chauth Festival’
1st Nov, 2023 Karva is another word for a small earthen pot of water and chauth means ‘fourth’ in a reference to the fact that the festival falls on the fourth day of the dark-fortnight, or Krishna paksh, of the month of Kartik. Karwa Chauth is mostly celebrated in Northern India. One hypothesis is that […]
Happy Vijaydashmi!
24th Oct, 2023 Dussehra is a Sanskrit word which means removal of ten bad qualities within you. Kama vasana (Lust) Krodha (Anger) Moha (Attachment) Lobha (Greed) Mada (Pride) Matsara (Jealousy) Swartha (Selfishness) Anyaaya (Injustice) Amanavta (Cruelty) Ahankara (Ego) It’s also known as ‘Vijaydashami’ which means Vijaya over these ten bad qualities. Symbolising the Victory of […]