Bangalore Diaries

  Secularism is a powerful word used in common parlance, specifically in the political and administrative circles. When a word like Pseudo secularism is coined with a razor focus on one specific topic, it is bound to evoke interest of the readers. Couple this interest with the author of the calibre of Sita Ram Goel (SRG) and one would have a masterpiece in their hands. This book enables the reader to understand the historical, geo-political and local conditions around Christian missions and subsequent response of the society to the same. 83 pages of sheer genius !! Secularism is supported by various apparatus of the society including those intellectuals who are willing to offer their services for payments while totally ignoring the underlying foundations of the society. This shouldn’t surprise the modern readers with ample examples available in daily life. Is this only about a religion or is it much more deeper geo-political play by certain vested entities? SRG tries to address thi...

In our Puranas, there are many anecdotes and instances where Dharma is discussed, explained and elaborated a lot. In Vamana Purana, there is a very intriguing and informative section across a few chapters where Dharma, its meaning, its implications and ramifications on the creation are discussed in detail. This section will cover only the specific tenets to Dharma, but there will be more connected posts related to the same. Context: There was a Rakshasa king called Vidyutkṣēśin, who had a son called Sukēśi. The latter was a parama Bhakta of Maheshwara and been blessed with an invincible city that moves through the sky. Once while flying over the Magadha forest, Sukēśi observes the ashramas of Rsis. Sukēśi was a virtuous and dharmic ruler, immediately fell at their feet and starts a dialogue (samvada). This post and related posts are based on the explanation given by Rsis to Sukēśi’s queries. Dharma Sukēśi initially poses a query about what is good in this realm and other realms? By wha...

In Vamana Purana , when Narada enquires Rsi Pulastya to explain the features of Shiva who appeared in sky as time, the divine Rsi explains the various constellations & how they form various parts of Parameshwara.   House No Raashi Zodiac Name Nakshatras House Lord Body Feature 1 Mesha Aries Ashwini, Bharani, Kritikka 1 padas Mangala (Mars) Head 2 Vrushabha Taurus Kritikka 3 padas, Rohini, Mrgasirsa 2 padas Shukra (Venus) Face 3 Mithuna Gemini Mrgasirsa 2 padas, Ardra, Punarvasu 3 padas Budha (Mercury) Pair of Shoulders 4 Karkataka Cancer Punarvasu 1 pada, Pushya, Ashlesha   Chandra (Moon) Sides 5 Simha Leo Magha, Purvabhadrapada, Uttara 1 Pada Surya (Sun) Heart 6 Kanya Virgo Uttara 3 Padas, Hasta, Chitra 2 Padas Budha (Mercury) Abdomen 7 Tula Libra Chitra 2 Padas, Swati, Vishaka 3 padas Shukra (Venus) Navel ...

  Dr. Anand Ranganathan is a very well known personality donning various hats in multiple scenarios. When such an accomplished personality comes out with a book with a hard hitting title, it is not surprising that the same evokes a keen interest amongst the readers in the modern times. With a foreword from J. Sai Deepak and afterword from Dr. Vikram Sampath, this is one fiery masterpiece that would evoke strong emotions on both sides of the spectrum. Irrespective of the allegiances, one can’t fault the author for the extensive and meticulous research that has gone into making this small, yet effective shocking reminder of sorts to a generation. A self proclaimed Darwinian Atheist, Dr. Anand, a fact that the author reinforces multiple times throughout the book.  However, when one sits back and soaks in the turbulent read, one can’t thank Dr. Anand enough for fighting for a cause, a cause which many seem to have forgotten. In one of the sections, the author seeks to correct the ...

  What attracted me to the book was the wonderful golden Ganapati murti on the cover along with the vibrant sindhoori background. Though I had read Amish’s books in the past, this was an instinctive purchase. Idols or rather murtis have special significance in our daily lives from being the forms of god to whom we pray to the comforting symbols on our desks during our work routine. As someone who is interested in the Iconography, ritualistic aspects of the murtis, I had great expectations from the book when I saw the cover. The book is quite an interesting mixture of concepts. In my view, the authors had a very good premise, but perhaps the amount of information was overwhelming which ultimately lead the actual topic i.e. Idols being limited to a few pages at the end. That said, the book is actually a very interesting read for it addresses spirituality, worship, symbolism, iconography to some extent that is bound to hold the interest of the readers. The book is bound to evoke mixed...

 Ok.. I forgot about this blog, but Blogger was kind enough to inform me.. so why not revive and restart blogging on this platform again.. Will use this as my mind board henceforth..