Journeying through Kudli, Sakthapuram, Hariharapura and Sringeri, this pilgrimage explores Karnataka’s sacred geography as a living continuum of worship, knowledge and Guru Parampara. From river confluences and ancient temples to Vedic learning and the grace of Sharadamba, the journey reveals how Sanatana Dharma is preserved not merely in monuments but through living practices, institutions and traditions. It becomes an encounter with Bharat’s enduring civilisational memory, where nature, devotion and knowledge converge.
Latest Posts

Shastriya Position on Adhikara in Karmakanda
What do the Shastras say about who is qualified to perform Karmakanda? This article examines the principles of karma, adhikara, vidhi and nishedha, drawing extensively on Shruti, Smriti, Itihasa and Agama sources. It particularly examines the Shastriya position on women serving as Purohita, Acharya or Archaka, distinguishing prescribed svadharma from modern notions of unrestricted eligibility. The article argues that Dharma is to be understood and practised through the framework of Shastra-ordained adhikara and svadharma.

Elements of Indian Knowledge Systems and Heritage – A Review
Exploring the book ‘Elements of Indian Knowledge Systems and Heritage’, this review highlights the book’s distinctive presentation of Indic thought through the idea of cycles and the preservation of ṛtam-satyam. From dharma and the four states of consciousness to yoga, vidyā, kalā, puruṣārthas and aesthetics, the review traces how the book connects seemingly diverse aspects of Indian civilisation. Its use of analogies and practical activities makes complex concepts accessible while presenting IKS as an interconnected way of life.

The Gaze and the Garment: A Dharmic Reflection
This essay examines the Dharmic dimensions of gaze, self-presentation, and sensory restraint through the concepts of indriya-nigraha and viveka. Drawing upon the Bhagavad Gītā and the principles of deśa, kāla, and pātra, it distinguishes involuntary perception from deliberate conduct and moral agency. The discussion moves beyond simplistic notions of blame to consider the reciprocal responsibilities of individuals sharing a social space. It argues that Dharma neither denies human impulses nor permits them to govern conduct, but calls for conscious regulation, contextual discernment, and responsibility. Ultimately, the essay proposes that both seeing and being seen carry ethical dimensions within a Dharmic framework.

The Enigma of Bhakti
This poem by Pornima Rajkarne traces the relationship shared by the author with Bhakti, one of the important paths of Adhyatma. She weaves together her personal experiences, fieldwork insights, and the academic discourse of Bhakti in this piece.
Daily Feed
Is Indian Culture Obsolete?
Can Indian culture still feed its country's malnourished soul which has been decaying amidst the onslaught of western society's social norms and ethical values?
Excerpts From History Of The Freedom Movement in India By R.C. Mazumdar – The Politics Of The Book – Part 2
Dr Pingali Gopal explores the goings on that led to the birth of R.C. Mazumdar's book "History of the Freedom Movement in India" as the author tries to bring to light the truth behind India's independence and tries to redefine what "foreign occupation" means.
The rest of this series is a summary and paraphrasing of the works of RC Mazumdar. The essays are directly from the book, without indication as such in all cases. The first-person component of the essays also belongs to Mazumdar. There are no extra elements or comments added to the text of Mazumdar except for some editing and slight additions to give clarity to the background context and to give a smoother flow to the topic under discussion. The aim is to give an overview of the freedom struggle from a different perspective.p
Ayutthaya – The Thai Capital of Rama Kings
Ayutthaya was the seat of power in Thailand for centuries and the ruins of its temples are a reminder of the Indic influence in this region.
Understanding Political Systems Of India – Part 4 – Chaos In The Narratives And The Resistance To Correct Them
"Post-independent academia propagated a linear version of history: past equals primitive equals India; future equals advanced equals West. Indian civilization, at least five thousand years old, apart from a high quotient of personal happiness, had a thriving economy with highly evolved arts, literature, education, sciences, spirituality, architecture, and so on. And then came the Western political philosophies, which persistently ill-fit our experiences.
Modern social sciences, with a great colonial hangover, have a strong antipathy for the traditional systems of India. This antipathy and the failure to look at Indian traditions have been dominant narratives in academia, the media, and politics.
We can always look at the past to handle the future better, and there is no better place than India to begin this, as Sri Aurobindo always insisted."
In the final installment of the series titled "Understanding Political Systems Of India" Dr. Pingali Gopal wraps up the discussion about force-fitting Western thought and political frameworks to Indian social systems, at the cost of Indian traditional systems tailor-made for our diverse society.
Dharma, Defense, and the Forgotten Art of Shatrubodh
A cobra once promised a Sadhu never to bite, only to be beaten by villagers who mistook its restraint for weakness. The Sadhu reminded it: “I asked you not to bite, but did I ask you not to hiss?” The parable mirrors Hindu society’s larger civilizational problem of mistaking non-violence for inaction in the face of aggression. True Ahimsa was never about surrender — it was resistance rooted in Dharma, with Shatrubodh (enemy-awareness) as its guiding strength.
Yoga Vasishtha
The sublime Vedantic text showcases how a young Rama was nurtured by his guru, Brahmarshi Vasishtha, to fulfill his future role.
A Contentious Law: Places of Worship Act, 1991
An analytical dive into the Places of Worship Act, 1991, its applicability and exemptions, from the point of view of its constitutionality.
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.
Śaṅkara Charitam – a retelling – Chapter 15 – Guru Parampara
Chapter 15 of Śaṅkara Charitam, titled Guru Parampara, takes us through the experience of Śaṅkara taking his leave from his Guru Govinda Bhagavatpāda and embarking on his journey to Kasi. The Guru Parampara, the lineage of the Gurus who preceeded Śaṅkara, is explored.
Footsteps of Ram at Rameshwaram
The Ramanathaswamy Temple will transport you back in time to live through the dramatic events that occurred in the lives of Ram, Sita, and Lakshman.
Symbolic Interpretation of Kartikeya and Skandamata
Through Skandamata, we can tap into the adaptable nature of our expansive awareness to drive our life into the path of well-being.
Citta-Vṛtti-Nirodhaḥ: The Discipline of Stillness in Pātañjala Yoga
The author explains that Yoga is not a technique of suppression but a disciplined process of stilling the mind’s fluctuations - Citta-Vṛtti-Nirodhaḥ. Drawing on Vyāsa’s Bhāṣya, nirodhaḥ is presented as a progressive settling of mental modifications back into their unmanifest source. As the vṛttis dissolve, puruṣa is no longer obscured by reflection in citta and abides in its own svarūpa. Yoga thus culminates not in transformation, but in the revelation of the seer’s ever-present clarity.
Daily Feed
Mahabharata War Date: Rebuttal to claim of 3067 BCE
A rejoinder to falsify the claim of 3067 BCE as the year of the Mahabharata war.
The prism of class
Class is a useful lens for understanding caste but it could lead to misleading conclusions that do not account for a plethora of contradictory evidence.
The Concept of No-Mind
Mushin No Shin is a Zen expression meaning the mind without mind and is also referred to as the state of "no-mindness".
Women in Vedic Culture
The respect and honour that vedic traditions had for women needs to be preserved, in order to address the turbulence which exists in modern society.
Śaṅkara Charitam – a re-telling – Chapter 07
In the 7th Chapter of Śaṅkara Charitam, Shri Ramesh Venkatraman brings to us the next stage of Śaṅkara's life - the commencement of his education at Gurukula, his feats at his Gurukula and the conclusion of his education. During his stay at his Gurukula, and while learning and living the Āśrama Dharma of the Brahmacāri; Śaṅkara performs an unimaginable feat which leaves bystanders, and even his guru, in no doubt about his divinity.
The Sword of Kali by Chittaranjan Naik: Part 2
Dr Pingali Gopal encapsulates an old debate about the nature of Hinduism.
The Beautiful Tree and Putana’s milk
A brief view of the history of education in India, the impact of Christian education and the attitudes that it inculcates.
Story-Telling Traditions: Āyurveda
Various stories within Āyurveda help outline the inherent reasons for a person's ailment.
On Moksha – The ultimate freedom
The desire for absolute freedom lies at the bottom of all worldly ambition. Moksha is that freedom.
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.
The Constituent Assembly And Its Approach To Religion
The makers of the Indian constitution were focused more on controlling Hinduism than allowing it the freedom given to other religions.
