Katha-Sagaram---Stories From Our Scriptures

  NAIMISHARANYA Naimisaranyam, also known as Neemsar, or Nimkhar, located in the state of Uttar Pradesh is one of the Divya Desams, the 108 temples of Vishnu. Naimishnath Devaraja temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu. Naimisharanya is old as time, according to a legend that prevails in the town. This place was offered to the sages and is the first and most sacred place of all who follow Sanathana Dharma. There are lot of stories that talk about the Mahatmyam/importance of this place. It’s said that Lord Vishnu killed Durjaya and his gang of demons here He killed Gayasura and cut his body into three parts with each part falling in Gaya, in Naimisharanya, and in Badrinath. Naimishe-Animisha-kshetra or the abode of Lord Vishnu, who is also known as Animisha. Satrupa and Swayambhuva Manu performed penance here Lord Rama performed Ashwamedha yagna here Ved Vyasa composed many of his works ...

  THE LOGIC OF BHAGAVATHAM We know that the Prakrithi (Nature) is based on a discipline, a cooperation, it’s about coexisting. It does not quit; it flows in its own cyclic nature. The fact is that coexisting is our only choice; nothing is a standalone in this world. Karma is continuously happening. The changes that happen around us and in us, including our own physical changes, eludes us. The good-evil and all such duality what we find in nature works to keep the balance, thus compensating for each other. But when there is a disturbance in the calm water, ripples are created that upset the applecart and that’s when the problems arise. If the society is messed, we are solely responsible for it, if Adharma (injustice, terrorism etc) is high in our society, we have only ourselves to blame. If everyone took an oath on being true to oneself and decide not to step into a path of adharma, won’t this world be a utopia. The world today is much in need of Dharmic people. Everything is to...

Ekam Eva Adwitheeyam Brahma How is  this 5000-year-old Book useful to us in anyway one could ask? Bhagavatham is not just some story, it explores the human mind as much as the Bhagawath Geeta does. We must keep an open mind to understand the deeper essence, it is hard to accept anything if we approach it with pre-existing ideas we developed over the years. Our tradition is one of the oldest and has stood the test of time. So, lets just walk the path of the experienced Rishis and create our own truth with what we have brought in through our karmas and Vasanas (repercussions of our actions of previous births). “WHAT REALLY COOKED UP IN THE MINDS OF EARLY MAN?” They would have gotten curious about 2 things: Nature/Prakriti and Death and its impact on their lives. The fear that this instilled in them could have resulted in the community living. In time the curiosity and inquisitive nature developed, and in search of answers the concept of God could have e...

  ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय   सत्यम परम धीमहि Stories and folk tales have always been deep-rooted in many of the cultures worldwide. India is no exception. The essences of the scriptures were retold through stories that captivated the imagination of the people especially the young ones. This was one way we could impart the knowledge to the younger generation. My memories of stories come from my grandmother, parents, and Amar Chitra Katha like many of the children growing up in India. I cannot thank PAI uncle enough (as he was fondly called) who brought out these amazing pictorial comic books. Personally, for me, when I hear philosophical thoughts, lectures, or even read something deep, I immediately associate or resonate it with some story I heard or an incident I happened to hear of or something I read, and so on. When Geeta Bhagini (Geetanjali Tiwari my teacher) asked me to tell the story of Jada Bharatha, I was super excited. Slowly I realised that it was not that ...