What does Dharma truly mean beyond morality, religion, or social duty? This thought-provoking essay by Astha Mishra explores the classical understanding of Dharma as "that which sustains" - a principle that extends from ethical human conduct to the laws of nature and the cosmos itself. Drawing on Vedic thought, the author argues that dharma is the sustaining force that aligns with Rta, the cosmic order, offering a profound framework that bridges philosophy, science, and civilizational wisdom.
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Beyond the Shivling: Rediscovering Prithvinath’s Buried Past
A visit to Uttar Pradesh’s Prithvinath Temple uncovers a neglected chapter of India’s civilizational heritage hidden in plain sight. Beyond its famed giant Shivling lie ancient and medieval idols - possibly linked to Shaiva, Vaishnava, and Buddhist traditions - slowly deteriorating from exposure and devotional practices. Combining historical observation, art analysis, and local memory, the article argues that these overlooked remnants may hold important clues to the region’s cultural and trade-route history. It is also a passionate call for preservation before an invaluable part of India’s past is lost forever.
From Silence to Rain-Washed Grace: A Sacred Pilgrimage
This travelogue by Pradeep Krishnan traces a deeply spiritual pilgrimage through the sacred landscapes of northern Karnataka and Maharashtra, where temples, ashrams, and saintly traditions transform travel into an inward journey. From the serene ashrams of Vijayapura and the powerful presence of Akkalkot Maharaj to the rain-soaked grace of Siddharoodha Swami Math, the author reflects on moments of devotion, silence, and unexpected blessings. Rich with encounters that reveal Bharat’s living spiritual heritage, the journey becomes a meditation on faith, continuity, and the enduring power of dharma.
Dhurandhar IS Propaganda: Counterpropaganda
Is Dhurandhar propaganda - or a challenge to Bollywood's dominant ideological narrative? Sriram Chellapilla argues that the film breaks from decades of cinematic conventions that framed Pakistan, nationalism, and secularism through a particular political lens. In doing so, it exposes Bollywood's own embedded propaganda structures and gives expression to viewpoints long excluded from mainstream storytelling. The essay presents Dhurandhar not as propaganda, but as powerful counterpropaganda against an entrenched ideological and political narrative.
Secularism Was Never Ours: The Wrong Word for the Wrong Country
What does “secularism” really mean, and does the concept fit India’s civilizational experience? In this essay, Kshiteesh Sharma traces the origins of secularism to specific Christian conflicts in Europe and argues that the term was later transplanted into India without regard for its distinct dharmic traditions. Examining the history of the 42nd Amendment, temple administration, and differing state approaches to religious communities, the article questions whether India’s current model is truly neutral or a legacy of colonial categories. Ultimately, it calls for a re-examination of governance through indigenous concepts such as Dharma and Rajadharma rather than imported frameworks.