Once, Navratri Kanjak was more than a ritual—it was a living expression of trust, where every home in the neighborhood welcomed children like family. Today, rising walls and shrinking connections have turned a shared celebration into a hollow formality. This article reflects on how rituals once built community and belonging, and how their spirit fades when relationships disappear. It is both a memory of what was and a call to rebuild neighborhood bonds with intention.
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Category Errors in the Study of Bharatīya Jñāna Paramparā
Modern scholarship often misreads Bharatīya Jñāna Paramparā by forcing it into text-centric, innovation-driven frameworks that do not match its transmission-based nature. This article argues that the confusion arises from deep category errors about what knowledge is and where it resides. Rather than a collection of texts, the tradition functions as an integrated epistemic architecture sustained through guru–śiṣya paramparā. Recognising this distinction reframes continuity not as stagnation, but as disciplined preservation of valid knowing.

Accident : A Philosophical Essay
A reflective essay that begins with everyday “accidents” to probe a deeper philosophical question: what is an accident? Moving from legal definitions to Aristotle and Hume, it argues accidents arise from human ignorance of causes. Drawing on Hindu acharyas like Shankaracharya and Ramanujacharya and scriptures like the Isha Upanishad, Bhagavad Gita, and Srimad Bhagavatam, it advances a final insight: what appears accidental is ultimately governed by divine grace.

The Story of the Musunuri Nayakas – The Rise and Fall of a Telugu Resistance
After the fall of the Kakatiyas, Telugu land was plunged into devastation under the Delhi Sultanate, with temples desecrated and society disrupted. From this chaos emerged the Musunuri Nayakas, who united scattered warriors and waged a fierce resistance to reclaim their homeland. Led by Prolayanayaka and later Kapayanayaka, they drove out invaders and restored cultural life, inspiring wider southern revolts and the rise of Vijayanagara. Yet internal rivalries and betrayal weakened this hard-won unity, leading to a tragic fall. Their legacy endures as a powerful chapter of resilience, resistance, and civilizational revival.

The two streams of the Bengali language: Claims, Counterclaims and Facts
Published in the ISPAD Partition Center Journal (Oct 2025), this paper challenges claims that vernacular languages in India emerged only under Islamic rule due to a supposed Sanskritic monopoly. It shows that regional literary traditions flourished under Hindu patronage well before this period. The paper also disputes the idea that modern Bengali was artificially Sanskritized by colonial institutions, demonstrating that both Hindu and Muslim writers historically used a shared Sanskrit-based linguistic framework. It further highlights that later attempts to Islamize Bengali had limited success.
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Caste: Purusha and Varna
The dominant school of academic scholarship on the caste system makes very serious mistakes in understanding and conveying the meaning of the most fundamental Indic concepts of Purusha and Varna.
Hindu View of Christianity and Islam – Part 2
Image-breaking is a contribution of prophetic religions who have never reflected deeply on the difference between form and the formless, between what is material and what is spiritual.
Divine Nexus: Salience of Hindu Temples
"To fully understand the social significance of Mandirs, one must delve into their profound philosophical underpinnings, historical moorings and cultural importance. Our Mandirs are the veritable embodiments of our culture, philosophy, and spirituality. Rooted in ancient Hindu tradition, Mandirs play a vital role in shaping the social and cultural fabric of India."
Finding the Divine in Challenging Times – The Story of Devi Abhirami and Her Bhakta
This true story from Tamil Nadu's Tirukadaiyur temple recounts the the story of Shri Subramania Bhattar, a priest who, despite facing severe trials, remained steadfast in his devotion towards Devi Abhirami. His Bhakti was rewarded when the goddess herself transformed a new moon night into a full moon, silencing his doubters. This tale serves as a powerful reminder that, even in our darkest times, unwavering faith and surrender to the divine can help us find light.
Thoughts on 3067 BCE being the year of the Mahabharata War
Incorrect methodologies to determine the time period of the Mahabharata war has led to much confusion.
Modern myths around Ramayana
The trend of vilifying Lord Rama and glorifying Raavan comes from a total ignorance of what is actually written in the Ramayana.
The seventh worldwide Gathering of the Elders
The platform given by Hindus to pre-Christian and pre-Islamic traditions to rediscover their pagan roots is heartening to see.
Suryanar Kovil, Kumbakonam – Part 1
The attraction towards a so-called modern outlook is hard to resist as one struggles to retain the traditions of one's ancestors.
Hindu View of Christianity and Islam – Part 1
Abrahamic Gods cannot shed their jealousy and exclusive character as they continue to regard the Gods of other people as “abominations.”
The Vibrant Murals of Sittannavasal in Tamil Nadu
The Sittannavasal rock-cut Jain caves were excavated in the 7th century CE during the Pandya rule and have some of the most vibrant murals seen anywhere.
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Memoirs of a Kondh in Konark – Part 3
Surya Devta once again rises up in his abode at the Konark Sun Temple.
Morality in Language and Dharma
Notions of morality communicated through stories is a much more effective way of embedding values in a society as opposed to codifying them as commandments or laws.
I for Ishvara
To understand one’s relationship with God, one must first understand the meaning of God or Ishvara. In the vision of the Shruti,...
Amir Khusrau’s Contributions to Indian Music: A Preliminary Survey
Deemed as the originator of many facets of Indian music, Amir Khusrau's contribution needs a thorough investigation.
On Secularism And Its Adoption By The Indian State
Indian courts today are actively employing a method, created by the Christians and for the Christians, in matters related to Hinduism.
The Public Ignoramus
Decades of self-loathing has denied the younger generation access to its magnificent Indian heritage.
The Life and Teachings of Ramana Maharshi
Ramana Maharshi's influence is as strong today as it was during his lifetime.
Nationalism in Indian thought
It is a popular myth that Nationalism is a concept alien to India and that it was brought to her shores in the imperial age. A reading of traditional Indic literature (Śāstras and Kāvyas) tells a totally different story.
Down with Birthdays!
Birthdays may be celebrated but not necessarily at the expense of tradition. Now that the grand Bhumi-pujan at Ayodhya is behind us, perhaps it can be stated without dampening the spirit of celebration that the choice of the date was an avoidable controversy.
Why I'm learning Sanskrit?
Sanskrit with its abundant literature draws you continuously and ignites such passion in your heart that it is tough to let go.
Agrāharas – The Building Blocks of Dharmik Economy
Agrahāras have long been associated with the Hindu temple, popularly understood as residential housing schemes for brāhmaṇa families around the main temple. Popular narrative has sought to classify them as elitist brahminical dwellings designed to keep non-brāhmaṇas out. The notion, however, deviates from the reality - the primary right of the king over land is exercised by collecting a portion of produce as a ‘prime’ (agra) tax. When such tax revenue is gifted to a donee resulting in a ‘loss’ (hāra) to the state, it is called agrahāra. The lands gifted to brāhmaṇas are called brahmadéyas. These lands are typically agricultural lands that were already brought to revenue. Gifting of such lands has the effect of transferring the tax revenue therefrom to the donees. The brahmadéyas, are also not exclusively brahminical settlements.
Lakshmi Prasad J explores all this, and the importance and position of agrahāras in the ancient dharmik economy, in the first part of this series.
