Commentary / explanation of Hanuman Chalisa verses 41 & 42

Jo yah padhe Hanuman Chalisa Hoy siddhi saakhi Gaurisaa Whosoever reads these forty verses dedicated to Sri Hanuman, is sure to gain accomplishment (Siddhi). Lord Shiva stands witness to this utterance. Tulsidas sadaa hari cheraa Keeje naath Hriday Mahaa dera Tulsidas, the writer of these verses, is ever a devoted servant to Lord Hari. O […]

Why tradition ?

Religious tradition has often been a negative factor in the world. It sets up various authorities and conditioning patterns that stifle individual intelligence and creativity. It establishes vested interests who war with one other to control the minds of people. It appears that we would be better off without it. However, if we look deeply, […]

David Frawley (Vamadeva Shastri) message on NaMo victory

We hold Vamadeva in the very highest regards as a great thinker, writer and yogi. His books constitute the perhaps the finest literature on Hindu dharma in the English language. It was very heartening to read Vamadeva and Yogini Shambhavi’s message on Narendra Modi’s ascension to Prime Ministership of India, which is reproduced below from their […]

A Hindu view on the use of alcohol

The consumption of alcohol has existed in human society since time immemorial. Probably all societies, at least in historically-recorded times, have had members who have used alcohol, which has been a common source of relaxation, intoxication or inebriation. In the modern world, all types of alcoholic beverages are freely available in the world market. Most […]

Be wary of some English translations of Hindu sacred texts

Most Hindus living in a predominantly English speaking environment have an urge at one point in their lives to learn about Hinduism. Sometimes the curiosity arises from a genuine desire for guidance in life. In other cases the urge to look into Hinduism comes from a particular incident – for example being asked questions that […]

Eating of Meat and Beef in the Hindu Tradition

 By David Frawley (Pt. Vamadeva Shastri) India’s Traditions of Non-violence and Vegetarianism The Buddha states in the Dhammapada 26.409, “Him I call a Brahmana who lays aside the rod, who neither kills nor causes the death of creatures, moving or non-moving (animals or plants).” The same type of statements are very common in Hindu literature […]

Lord Rama: history and legend

Rama Navami is the Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Rama. While not as exuberantly celebrated as Diwali (which is centered on the return of Rama to his kingdom of Ayodhya after a period of exile), it is still a major festival, celebrated with great devotion by millions. This year, Rama Navami falls on Saturday 20th […]

Interview with David Frawley (Pandit Vamadeva Shastri)

Although not born a Hindu, David Frawley (Vamadeva Shastri) is one of the foremost Hindu scholars of our time. As well as being one of the foremost western teachers of several branches of Hindu wisdom, he is recognised by a number of Hindu spiritual lineages / groups in India as a “Vedacharya” and has authored […]