A seemingly local controversy in Udupi sparked a nationwide digital outrage, revealing a far deeper civilisational crisis: the growing tendency to sanitize India's philosophical traditions to fit modern sensibilities. Examining the history of rigorous debate across Indian schools of thought, this essay argues that intellectual sharpness - not polite uniformity -was the hallmark of India's knowledge systems. It makes the case that reclaiming India's authentic civilisational confidence requires preserving the raw, uncompromising vocabulary and traditions that once made its philosophical culture so vibrant.
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Ikigai: A Modern Simplification That Sacrificed Ancient Depth
Has the world mistaken a simplified self-help framework for the ultimate philosophy of purpose? This essay argues that while Ikigai offers valuable insights into meaningful living, it pales beside the Vedic framework of the Purusharthas -Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha. By comparing the two, it reveals why the Purusharthas remain one of humanity's most comprehensive and enduring blueprints for a meaningful life.

Dharma Beyond Religion: From Human Ethics to Cosmic Order
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.

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.
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Role of women in conserving social and cultural heritage
India's cultural heritage has repeatably discussed the significance of women in protecting its society, a fact lost to most.
Ekachakrapura – The Secular Liberal Society
The Mahabharata, as well as the Hitopadesha, both depict how secular liberal societies fail to address the challenge of intransigent and invasive dogmas.
Crisis in American higher education: Pitfalls and Opportunities for India
With the growing presence of the online teaching medium, India can reclaim its stature of being a knowledge producing hub, disrupting the hold of Western institutions and helping subject matter experts outside the walls of academic fortresses, have their voices heard.
The Gita and Integral Yoga
The timeless philosophy of the Gita and the oneness with the divine through Yoga, will lead us into the next phase of human evolution.
Nachiketa and the Secret of Death
The young Nachiketa approaches Yama as directed by his father and is granted three wishes for his bravery.
The Fate Of Muslims Under Soviet Rule : A Review
"Communism, as the logical outcome of materialism, cannot but be hostile to religion in all its aspects. Thus from the very beginning, the Communists aimed at the destruction of religious belief and worship in Soviet Russia."
Halley Kalyan pens a review of “The Fate Of Muslims Under Soviet Rule” - a booklet about Soviet government rule in regions that had a significant population of practicing Muslims, by Erich W Bethman (1958); and highlights the shared antagonism towards religion (Hinduism in particular in the Indian context) between the Communist dogma and the Indian version of Secularism.
Why didn’t Hindus give up in their fight for Ram Mandir?
The scars from centuries of violence refused to heal which is why the fight for Ram Janmabhoomi never died down.
Minority-Progressive Celebrities: Part 1 ‘The Reform Agenda’
Once hailed as voices of modern, inclusive thought, minority-progressive celebrities like Naseeruddin Shah and Javed Akhtar now face growing skepticism. Their politics, once seen as secular and reformist, appear increasingly selective, critiquing Hinduism while sparing other faiths. The essay traces how celebrity activism and the so-called ‘reform agenda,’ rooted in colonial biases,evolved into a quiet but persistent Hinduphobia shaping India’s cultural and political discourse.
Classic Distortion – The darker side of Alain Danielou’s work
Alain Danielou's Inherent biases due to his western upbringing made him misrepresent Swami Karpatri Ji's works.
The Majestic Vaikunth Perumal temple: Kanchipuram (Part 3)
The magnificent ancient Vishnu temple from the rich Pallava heritage is a sight to behold.
The real Uttarayana
The Hindu calendar is in need of a major rectification to ensure that Makara Sankranti is celebrated on the appropriate day.
Arasavalli Suryanarayana Temple – Part 2
Surya Devta requires us to not shirk our responsibility but fight against those who try to dismantle this great civilization at every step.
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Splendours of Hampi – Virupaksha Temple
A look at the magnificent architecture and cultural relevance of the famed Virupaksha temple.
Śaṅkara Charitam – a re-telling – Chapter-12 – Śivaḥ kevalo’ham
Chapter 12 of Śaṅkara Charitam takes us through Śaṅkara’s meeting with his Guru, and the Guru's acceptance of Śaṅkara as his disciple.
Govinda Bhagavatpāda asks the boy standing at the foot of the cave, inside which he meditated for centuries, to introduce himself and Śaṅkara calls himself - "Śivaḥ kevalo’ham".
The life of Gauḍapāda as a Brahmarākṣasa and his meeting with Govinda Bhagavatpāda is also mentioned in this chapter.
Parabrahaman Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s Innate Blissful Līlā, And Bhakti Rasa Of Vraja’s Gopijans
दिव्याङ्गनावृन्दनिषेविताय स्मितप्रभाचारुमुखाम्बुजाय।
त्रैलोक्यसम्मोहनसुन्दराय नमोऽस्तु गोपीजनवल्लभाय।।
Somnath Temple – Rising Phoenix
Somnath is a veritable treasure trove of pilgrimage locations, all clustered around the famous Jyotirlinga temple.
Karma in Advaita Vedanta
In the vedantic view, karma must be shunned to make way for knowledge. However, what constitutes karma is not outward action but the feeling of 'doership'.
What does it mean to be ‘Indian’?
Indians have always had the capacity to create knowledge by reflecting on their own experiences without any foreign influences.
Glory and gluttony: Conscious Presentism
The distortion of Hinduism at the altar of European historians for their own benefit has greatly dented the understanding of Indians themselves.
Śaṅkara Charitam – A Re-telling – Chapter 03
Skanda comes as Kumārila Bhaṭṭa, Sivaguru and Āryambha are given a vision of the divine descent and are asked to make a choice.
Ramappa – A unique Shiva temple
Built by the Kakatiya rulers around the 13th century CE, this temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, has a marked influence of Hoysala architecture and yet has been given a unique personality by its chief architect cum sculptor, after whom the temple is named.
Are you serious, Dr. Ambedkar?
Reading Ambedkar's works in conjunction with the historical realities of his times provides interesting insights into the mind of the most revered historical figure of contemporary India.
Land, Culture and Humanity
Hindus have faced various inimical forces in Bharatvarsha's long history, much like the Jews who were driven out of their own land.
