"In reality, what we call “life” happens between these two extremes! People often assume that birth and death are the two bookends of life, but when examined carefully, these are simply two events in time that we have no control over. The real bookends are ‘life itself’ and ‘the act of living’, because in “living” is the possibility of getting over the vicissitudes of birth and the act of living in a world with no guarantees at one end and the probability of transcending death in the material world, at the other end. The real challenge is to bridge these two bookends of life."
Latest Posts
Sri Aurobindo: A Broad Overview Of The Greatest Visionary
Dr. Pingali Gopal recaps Sri Aurobindo's life, views and works; and argues that his teachings be an integral part of Indian education.
Ājānubāhu (आजानुबाहु)
Ramesh Venkataraman explores Ājānubāhu, the concept, the synonymy of the word with Sri Rāma, and explores appearance of any other Ājānubāhu persons in history.
Sampāti and Jaṭāyu – many layers of a “side-story”
Sampāti and Jaṭāyu - brothers bound by blood and separated by fire. The literal fire of the sun that burns them, and the fire of penance that purifies them and provides deliverance - Jatāyu dies in the hands of Rāma and finds deliverance in death while Sampāti in his rebirth.
Excerpts From History Of The Freedom Movement In India By R. C. Mazumdar – Part 7 – The Enduring Myth Of 1942 Quit India Movement, And The Crucial Events Between 1942 To 1947
Dr Pingali Gopal uses R. C. Mazumdar's book "History of the Freedom Movement in India" as reference to evoke interest in the truth behind the popularised version of the history of India's independence.
The last part of the series deals with the Quit India Movement, Subhash Chandra Bose's contribution to the cause, the partition of India and final moments of dotting the i's and crossing the t's before the transfer of power.
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Guha's Golwalkar (Part 2)
Examining Ram Guha's perception of Guru Golwalkar reveals not only the studied superficiality of Nehruvian secularists but also serious flaws in the strategic thinking of 'Hindu Nationalists'.
The Story of Islamic Imperialism in India – Part 2
The ruthless campaign by Islamic tyrants was met with fierce Hindu resistance at every step.
On Fortresses In The Rigveda, Atharvaveda Śaunakiya And (Pre)Harappa And The Dating Of The Samhitas – A. A. Semenenko – Translation
This paper was originally written in Russian by Dr. Aleksandr A. Semenenko, a historian based in Voronezh, Russia.
Dr. Semenenko is one of the few Western scholars who have defended the Out-of-India theory which purports to explain the spread of the Indo-European languages. His work is ground-breaking, because he relies not only on textual or linguistic proof, but also on archaeological and material evidence. His researches have now provided a very solid archaeological underpinning for the OIT.
Dr. Semenenko has recently presented summaries of his findings at Sangam Talks:
Steppe Route of Indo European Dispersal:Preliminary Findings (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgRdwkZnGqA)
The Tarimian Trace of the Indo European Dispersal (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyY7EHotXto)
The Rigveda Chronology And The Indo European Homeland (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1Bsm79cVvk)
Dr. Semenenko's original and far-reaching work has been endorsed by such pioneers of the OIT such as Shrikant Talageri and Koenraad Elst: see for example, the Sangam Talk "Getting serious about the "Aryan" debate" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDSy9gPAB3s)
The bulk of Dr. Sememnenko's work is in Russian. However, he has also written extensively in English as well, and interested readers can find his path-breaking papers at:
https://independent.academia.edu/AlexandrSemenenko/Articles-in-English
or at:
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Aleksandr-Semenenko-2
In this monograph, which is the first of his papers to be published in India, Dr. Semenenko shows that Rigvedic hymns mentioning forts being besieged or stormed do not occur in the oldest layers of the Rigveda. The oldest mentions of forts occur in a peaceful context. Dr. Semenenko also decisively refutes the AIT, according to which the earliest hymns should have described the destruction of forts. The author demonstrates that the description of fortresses in the Rigveda and the Atharvaveda reflect a unique chain of archaeological events in the history of South Asia — wherein a period when fortified settlements were besieged and burned down was followed by a period when they existed peacefully. This sequence of events corresponds to a transition from the Early Harappan period to that of Mature Harappa, and was never repeated again. With this insight, Dr. Semenenko has succeeded in establishing an absolute chronology for the Rigveda (which was hitherto not possible).
The translator dedicates his translation to the memory of his late lamented Russian teacher, Dr. Ganesh.V. Marathe. This translation was rendered possible only owing to Dr. Marathe's charity towards a schoolboy who could not have afforded to pay for the Russian lessons.
Maryada Purushottam
Bhagwan Rama's stance of supposedly abandoning Sita is often questioned due to a perspective which is blinkered and one which does not understand the nature of upholding Dharma.
Democracy in Ancient India
Ancient India was the progenitor of democracy, as one can trace its evolution from the Vedas and subsequently hear of its presence through numerous accounts.
The genetics and history of the Indian Tulsi
Recent genetic haplogroup studies regarding the phylogeny of the Indian holy basil alongside traditional Hindu scriptural accounts on the most revered plant in Hinduism may shed light on the sophisticated nature of ancient Indic civilisation beyond merely a botanical or agricultural perspective.
American Progressives also typify others: Olmsted and Pollock
There are striking parallels between the seemingly progressive yet deeply prejudiced views of leftist American intellectuals of the 19th century and today.
The Ocean of Churn
India's turbulent past has been hidden while its prowess undermined by colonialists and neo-colonialists alike.
Tenacious Hindu Resistance
Despite repeated onslaughts, Hindus found innovative ways to protect their civilization.
Dharmic Knowledge: Essence and significance in the modern age
The lack of understanding of Dharmic knowledge and its gradual dilution has left a void in our society which has been filled by self-proclaimed experts who act as scholars.
The Magnificent Shore Temple and Rathas at Mahabalipuram – Part I
The 1400-year-old Shore temple and Panch Rathas showcase masterful stonework that leaves the visitor spellbound.
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Are we the last generation to correct the injustices against Our People?
The time might have finally come when historical wrongs against the Hindus will be recognised and steps will be taken to address them.
Thillai Nataraja – The Regenerative Force of Life
The boundless Shakti present in Chidambaram helps our consciousness to come out of its slumber and start the regeneration process.
Pre-Sultanate History Of The Qutub Complex
A sneak-peak into the pre-Sulatanate history of the Qutub Complex.
परब्रह्म श्रीकृष्णकी निजानंदात्मिका लीला एवं व्रजगोपांगनाओंका भक्तिरस
दिव्याङ्गनावृन्दनिषेविताय स्मितप्रभाचारुमुखाम्बुजाय।
त्रैलौक्यसम्मोहनसुन्दराय नमोऽस्तु गोपीजनवल्लभाय॥
Bhārata as Dharma rāṣṭra
We should all aspire for a Dharma rāṣṭra, a rāṣṭra that is in sync with Dharma.
Hayagriva – The Horse faced God who carries our Civilization
Lord Hayagriva represents the restorer archetype who restores wisdom from the clutches of ignorance.
Yoga and Meditation: Their Origins and Real Purpose
Looking back at how Yoga developed as the gateway to the spiritual realm and the gross techniques that helped its realization.
The Essentials of Indian culture
Indian culture has borne the brunt of stigma and repeated censure as successive creeds have tried to destroy it.
The Trap of Devotion to God and Guru
Understanding the difference between one's innate behaviour and the practice to conform to a particular culture is essential when following a guru.
Dharmic significance of Sabarimala
The modern interpretation of the brahmacharya practice at Sabarimala has obfuscated the truth and made it all about gender equality.
Gandhi: How history might remember him
Mahatma Gandhi's follies are often ignored as in the public imagination his saintly nature always shines through.
Paishacha Vivaha: Not just a Reparation Marriage
Although Dr. Elst's view of "Paishacha Vivaha" as reparation marriage is quite enlightened, it narrows it down to just one issue and assumes that the Hindu society, back in the day, had no mechanism to provide security to women who did not opt for the said reparation.