What is the meaning of Panchamukhi Ganapati? We have five senses in our body: the sense of sight, smell, touch, taste and hearing, and there are five elements in the creation: Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Ether. There are five senses and five elements, so in this way there are five facets to God. So […]
Dharma is the Code of Virtue in Hindus’ daily life. The most widely used word “Dharma” is not exactly definable. But broadly, it can be said to connote righteous duties, Divine ordinances, customary usage, certain ideals before mankind, justice, equity, good conduct or morality. It is commonly understood that those who follow it are bound to […]
Krishna can be in constant companionship with us because He is omnipotent. Therefore, He can be fully in touch with us by His words. His words and He are not different. That is omnipotence. Omnipotence means that everything relating to Him has the same potency. For example, here in this material world, if we are […]
What is the significance of Japa Mala (Prayer beads) in Hinduism? Let us read the explanation about Japa Mala in the words of Sri Sri Ravishankar. He explained it during a Satsang of Art of Living… You know when someone is in love with somebody; they go on taking their name so many times. They […]
As per Hindu religious history, Gods’ vehicles (vahanams) very small animals, like Ganesha and his mouse & Subramanya and peacock, what does this signify? What is the importance of Gods’ vehicles in Hinduism? This is a question raised by a disciple in the Satsang of Pujya Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of Art of Living. […]
Why are the rivers revered so much in India? Sri Sri Ravishankar answers this question in his satsang at Art of Living. Well, in all ancient cultures around the world rivers, mountains and trees were all revered. There were considered sacred. Not just rivers, even trees are very holy. Like Peepal tree (or banyan tree) […]
Why does Shanmukha (Karthikeya) have six heads? The story behind Kartikeya’s six heads… So that he can recite all the Shad Darshanas (six Hindu philosophies) at once. Six faces – this has a significance. We say, ‘The four directions’, North, South, East and West. Brahma has four faces, which means that, he gets knowledge from […]
If we are experiencing the fruits of our karma of previous lifetimes in this life, then when will we attain the fruits of karma of this lifetime? To this question by a disciple, Sri Sri Ravishankar (Founder of Art of Living) replied like…. That is not how it is! The outcome of some of our […]
There are 33 crores (330 Million) Gods in Hinduism, Why Hindus follow many Gods? People say that follow only one God. If we follow many Gods what happens? This is a question raised by a devotee in Art of Living’s Maha Satsang in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. Let’s read the reply from Sri Sri Ravishankar Guruji. […]
Why do we do Paad Pooja (an ancient Indian ritual of welcoming a guest by washing his feet with water and flowers)? What is the significance of Paad Pooja? This question asked by a devotee at a Satsang of Sri Sri Ravishankar Guruji of Art of Living.. Let’s hear/read what Sri Sri has said… In the olden days […]
What is the relevance of tapasya (penance or austerities) in Kali Yuga and how should we understand it? Tapa helps to purify all the organs of the body and rid them of impurities. The entire body gets cleansed and all the sense organs become stronger with tapa. Tapasya is not done to please God, or to attain self realization, but it […]
Alexander the Great arrested one thief, and was going to punish him. The thief pleaded, “Sir, you are punishing me, but what is the difference between you and me? I am a small thief, you are a great thief. You are occupying other’s kingdom by force; you have no right. Because you are strong, you […]
Did human life exist billions of years ago on this planet? To this question from a devotee in his Satsang of Art of Living, let us read the response from Sri Sri Ravishankar Guruji… Who knows? I don’t know! One thing I can tell you is, the Panchang (Hindu calendar and almanac, which follows traditional […]
“Om krato smara kritam smara” verse in Ishavasya Upanishad… In the Upanishads there is a verse, “Om krato smara kritam smara” (Vedic Prayer, Ishavasya Upanishad). What does this mean? What is it that we should remember? It means you must recollect whatever you have done till now. When you remember and bring it into your […]
What is the significance of Panchamrita Abhisheka: Why were only these materials chosen? To this doubt raised by a devotee in his Satsang, Sri Sri Ravishankar (Founder of Art of Living), explaining in his own words… These five are like nectar: Milk, Curd, Honey, Jaggery and Ghee. Though jaggery needs to be used, sugar is […]
Krishna—this sound is transcendental. Krishna means the highest pleasure. All of us, every living being, seeks pleasure. But we do not know how to seek pleasure perfectly. With a materialistic concept of life, we are frustrated at every step in satisfying our pleasure because we have no information regarding the real level on which to […]
Ananya Sharan Bhaava (single minded devotion)? How does one acquire that? Don’t get into the circle of acquiring this. Know that it is already inside you. Don’t do spiritual shopping. Sometimes people might tell you, ‘Come to this place and bring a black purse with you, and you will get all this luck or power’, […]
Good infrastructure is the basic necessity for any developing state. India also in its effort to progress is doing its best in this aspect. Indian roads and highways are seeing a change that is unparalleled in history. Realizing the crumbling state of the Roads in the national Capital due to increase in automobiles, the people […]
One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, “My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all.” “One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.” “The other is Good. […]
In today’s modern and fast changing life, many youngsters are getting addicted with love, and many of them wanted to select a proper match for them. For them, whether studying properly or not that doesn’t matter. Their main aim is to entertain the girls by exhibiting their talents. In city buses, we can see lot […]