Vedanta Sangamam

Many a times, we get hit by friends from other faiths with the question ''Is Hinduism a religion? if yes, then why don't you have one prophet, one God and one holy book?" If we draw comparison between Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, etc, then this question is valid. However, one has well read will reckon that, in Sanskrit, religion is called as मत ( mata ) which is defined as Thoughts. Thoughts as in the noun form. What I think differs from what you think. Our think process, actions and belief system varies based on what we think. Hence, the various school of thoughts, various scholars, various scriptures, and various Bhasyas (explanations) to one scripture.So, before we ask which is right and which is wrong, we should first appreciate the fact that we don't belong to a religion which has 1 name, 1 God, 1 scripture sort of a system. This fact makes us unique, gives us the flexibility to adapt and acclimatize based on our ability to comprehend, interest and li

Thirumurai and Hinduism Classes Sanathana Dharma is an ancient philosophy yet as new as current. It embeds in our way of life and guides throughout. The essence of teachings through the various Vedantas (philosophies) enriches the Indian culture and nourishes one’s mind. All great saints and Gurus who have transcended through the various Vedantas within Sanathana Dharma have enabled mankind to prosper worldly at the same time, spiritually. The Nayanmar’s Thirumurai, Manikavasagar’s Thiruvasagam and Arunagirinathar’s Thirupugazh nourishes one’s soul in the present and after world. The one who recites these hymns truly understanding the meanings attains the feet of God (as quoted in Sivapuranam) To learn and cherish together, please join our classes.   Every Wednesday 7:30pm at Dakshra Fine Arts Classes would cover: • Rites and Rituals (Samskaras) • Thirumurai (Thevaram, Thiruvasagam etc) along with introduction to Nayanmars • Essence of the various Vedantas, comparis

Samskara ,   is defined as  personal  sacraments  traditionally observed at every stage of a  Hindu ’s life (those following Sanatana Dharma), from the moment of conception  to the final scattering of  funeral  ashes. Broadly, Samskara comprise of 16 rituals which take place at different stages of a Human life. These rituals are   obligatory sacred rite or a religious ceremony or a rite of passage. The closest English equivalent perhaps is sacrament. But it does not convey its full purport. Samskaras are the rites of passage a person is expected to perform during the various stages   of his life, starting from his birth till his death. The 4 stages here are called Chaturashrama, namely,  Brahmacharya (student life),  Grahastha (household life), Vanaprastha (retired life), and finally, Sannyasa (renounced life) In Sanatana Dharma, it is recognizes that every human goes through these 4 stages and it clearly stipulates the Dharma for each of the 4 stages. Example

One asks if Hindu's should be vegetarians. Instead, one should ask ''him/herself if  'I' should be vegetarian". S ince such a question has already arisen in your mind, perhaps you have developed a degree of sensitivity about harming other living forms to satisfy your physical hunger. If that is true, you may be better off not eating meat. That way you will be at peace with yourself. Since you are sensitive to this issue, your intellect may be directing you towards being a vegetarian. It is a possibility. However, your mind wants the pleasure of eating meat and your body may crave it due to past habits. So you have to reflect on this. Why has this question come up for you? What is the right thing for you to do? In my last post I spoke about Sattvik lifestyle and what makes us a Brahmin. In the same context, I am going to touch on Advaita Vedanta and the definition of it. Advaita means non dual, Vedanta means Philosophy. So when we say non dual, it mean

What Will Happen if a Brahmin Eats Non-Vegetarian Food? "What do you expect to happen? Your stomach has the power to digest both. And it is your false belief that Brahmin as a caste don't eat non-vegetarian. "Brahmanism" has nothing to do with today's Brahmin caste. If you follow Brahmanism -that is Sattvik way of life-you have to be pure vegetarian. Today's Brahmin caste was popularized by the British as part of their 'divide and rule'agenda. A Brahmana, meaning the one who realizes the Supreme Spirit (Brahmanjanam). A Brahmana simply means the enlightened one. Buddha referred in Buddhism  holds the same definition- the enlightened one. The definition of Brahmin in Wikipedia defines them as a caste (Varna), a group of people who perform certain occupation (Vedic teachers, Priests,etc). It is silly that we Hindus have bought in to this definition and classify Brahminism as an occupation and only achieved through birth to a Brahmin couple. A

Shraddam, is it a meaningless ritual? Today out of ignorance, many people consider Shradham as an unscientific and baseless ritual. Some even feel that instead of doing shradha rituals for ancestors, it is better to use that money for providing food to poor people or giving donations to schools. This is similar to saying that it is good to offer food to the needy or giving donation to a school, instead of conducting surgery on the needy patient. Performing shradham is a part of dharmacharanam, ie., following Dharma. When Lord Ram heard the news of His father's (King Dasarathan) death, He performed shradham for him, although He was in jungle at the time. In the mantras that are chanted during shradha rituals, there is a subtle energy which is capable of providing momentum to the ancestors, so that they move ahead. Hence performing charity or giving donations to the needy is only a supplement to Shradham and does not substitute the ritual. This article is published so as to re

"Aakashath Pathitham Thoyam Yatha Gachathi Sagaram Sarvadeva Namaskaram Keshavam Prathi Gachathi" "As the water that falls down in rain from anywhere in the sky finally reaches the Ocean, the worship of any divine aspect ultimately reaches the Supreme Being."  What is the true meaning of this great verse that was said by Shankara? If the above is true, then  why the confusion and conflict? A rguments and debates?Q uarrels and fights? We see arguments within Sanatana Dharma followers, we see conflicts between people from different religions, we experience chaos in our own mind, which is the right teaching. We end up switching from one belief system to the other, from one Guru to another, from one religion to another. This goes on and on. The cause of this, is mainly because we only see the differences between us, we fail to appreciate the similarities. We think superior of ourselves and our belief system and not realizing the essence of our very own teachings wh