By Shivanand Kanavi A prolific efflorescence of Bhakti literature emerged in the form of vachana – short poetic prose or free verse poetry – in simple Kannada in the 12th century, in North Karnataka. To this day about 12,000 vachanas of this period authored by over a hundred spiritual seekers and saints, including over 30 women have been discovered. These poet…
Category: Articles on Hinduism
NEOLOGISM: THE WORLD NEEDS SOME REPAIRS AND CHANGES IN ALL ITS SYSTEMS AND ORDERS:
Neologism means to introduce a new word or new senses of existing words. In its expanded definition, neologism also involves “a new doctrine, especially a new interpretation of sacred writings,” according to Dictionary.com. Many rituals, customs, and traditions related to our religions need a review for their practicality in our ever-changing world culture. Moreover, in…
HUMANS AND ANIMALS:
We all have feelings, love, emotions, tears, and smiles. We all have neurons creating intellect. We all have memories. We all eat, sleep, walk, talk, connect, interact, and relate. But mankind distinguishes that “human beings are the most beautiful, intelligent and favourite creation of God.” Maybe, cats, dogs, donkeys, etc., and birds think the same. With…
Why the love story of Radha and Krishna has been told in Hinduism for centuries
Jeffery D. Long, Elizabethtown College Although it originated as a Christian holiday in honor of St. Valentine, Valentine’s Day has become a global celebration of romantic love, observed by people of many religions and of no religion. Other religions have long had their own myths centered on love. I have observed, in my work as…
MY VISION OF A HAPPY NEW YEAR
The moment clock’s second hits midnight and the year 2022 departs, we step into welcoming 2023. Two images flash; one switches off, and the other switches on. That reflects two storylines: an imprint of the old one, while the history begins with the new one. Do we spot any change around our lives between circa…
DALIT IS NOT A DEROGATORY WORD BUT OFFERS IDENTITY
DALIT IS NOT A DEROGATORY WORD BUT OFFERS IDENTITY Is Dalit a derogatory word to describe a class of people who do not belong to the four Brahminic castes? Officially, these people belong to the term Scheduled Castes. But at its roots is a distinct identity of the millions of lower-caste Indians oppressed through the…
SWAMI AGNIVESH: A PROGRESSIVE HINDU CRUSADER
By Promod Puri Not all Hindus belong to the BJP, nor does BJP represent Hinduism in its spiritual sense. It is with these thoughts I remember saffron-clad Swami Agnivesh, who fought for social justice on his Hindu turf instead under the Hindutva ideology of the BJP. Swami Agnivesh, 81, who died September 11, 2020, in…
SHRI GANESH:
As there are no matter-of-fact inspired utterances attributed to the Hindu pantheon of gods and goddesses, except Lord Krishan thru his Gita sermons, the symbolic representation of each of them thru their statued or graphic images convey a lot of interpretations covering their collective or individual roles which appeal to varied and reverent prayers and…
Progressive Hindu Dialogue 