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.
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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.
Why Are We This Way? A Guide to Rediscovering Hindu Shastras
Why do Hindus think differently about knowledge, duty, worship, time and existence? Why Are We This Way: A Guide to Hindu Shastras approaches these questions through the vast knowledge traditions of Sanatana Dharma. Rather than treating Hinduism as a collection of rituals or beliefs, the book introduces readers to the interconnected Shastric ecosystem underlying them. Its accessible treatment of complex traditions makes it particularly relevant to a generation increasingly disconnected from its scriptural inheritance. This review examines the book as a roadmap towards recovering that intellectual and civilizational memory.