Decolonizing Validation: Why Indian Art Needs No Oscar
Anjali KanojiaDecolonizing Validation: Why Indian Art Needs No Oscar Recently, social media in India has been buzzing with claims that Akshaye Khanna should win an Oscar. While the praise for his…
From the Vedas to Walden: The Hindu Roots of Transcendentalism
The Transcendentalists were a group of 19th-century American writers, thinkers, and philosophers who emphasized the importance of individual intuition, spirituality, and the connection between humanity and nature. Ralph Waldo Emerson…
Cultural Continuity: The Role of Caste, Gotras, and Kula Devas
Roles in Society and Caste The dharmasastras are fundamental to Indian culture and civilization. The Brahmanic social ideology, or caturvarnasramadharma ("dharma of four varṇas and four stages of life"), shapes…
Shiva, Snakes, & Yogis: Spirituality & Controversy at Gobekli Tepe & Karahan Tepe
Ancient pagan sites in modern-day Turkey, especially Gobekli Tepe and Karahan Tepe, are hailed as one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of recent times and have sparked controversy across…
Caste: Society’s First Classroom & its Contemporary Relevance
The caste system often gets a beating, mainly for not being understood or for purposefully misinterpreted. Based on cultural understanding, the caste system in its original form was a functional…
South Asia vs. Indian Subcontinent: The Misnomer in Cultural, Religious & Regional Identity
South Asia typically includes India, the Maldives, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Some international textbooks and definitions may include Afghanistan, Myanmar, and Iran. The irony is that this…
The Spinal Connection: Yogic Gateway to Spiritual Transcendence
According to Yoga Darshana, the human body is a profound and complex system. This physical system is interconnected with one's mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. The Yoga philosophy and practice…
Shri Krishna’s Wisdom: Yoga, War, and Righteous Action
There are three main lessons, broadly, from Shri Krishna's Life. The Bhagavad Gita outlines the different yogas or pathways to realizing the Divine. Additionally, we get a front-row seat on…
Mandalas & Kolams: Sacred Geometry of Dharmic Traditions
Mandalas, with their origins in dharmic traditions, transcend cultural boundaries. They serve as symbolic representations of the universe and the cyclical nature of existence. Used as aids for meditation and…
Rudraksha: Nature’s Gift for Spiritual Balance
This article was inspired by the discovery of Indonesian rudraksha malas sold in Kashi, a place steeped in Hindu spiritual history. Rudraksha is found in specific parts of the world. At…