Sanatana Dharma and Indic Knowledge

 श्रीः Gist of the Ramayana is explained in the verse below-         यान्ति न्यायप्रवृत्तस्य तिर्यञ्चोऽपि सहायताम् l         अपन्थानं तु गच्छन्तं सोदरोऽपि विमुञ्चति ll Meaning- If one follows the path of Dharma and lives righteously, even animals will come to his help. But if he goes down the wrong path of Adharma & becomes the cause of trouble for others, then even his own brother(s) will forsake him.  Sri Rama is the best example for the first part and Raavan, for the second. Even the monkeys,bears and squirrels helped Rama who followed the path of Dharma(righteousness). Vibhishana left his own brother Ravana who took the wrong path.

 श्रीः         मातृपञ्चकम् written by Adi Shankaracharya,  describes the glory of the mother. This stotra was composed by him while his mother, Aryamba was on her deathbed.The shlokas and explanation of each,in which Adi Shankaracharya glorifies the greatness of the mother and her unmatched love and affection is given below- 1- आस्तां तावदियं प्रसूतिसमये दुर्वारशूलव्यथा     नैरुच्यं तनुशोषणं मलमयी शय्या च सांवत्सरी।     एकस्यापि न गर्भभारभरणक्लेशस्य यस्य क्षमः      दातुं निष्कृतिमुन्नतोSपि तनयः तस्यै जनन्यै नमः।। Oh mother of mine , you bore the extreme pain caused by me while I was born. After being born , you shared the bed which was dirtied by me for an year. Your body became thin and painful. During the nine months that you bore me , and for all these in return , Oh dearest mother , I can never give back or compensate even after becoming great. 2-  गुरुकुलमुपसृत्य स्वप्नकाले तु दृष्ट्वा      यत...

 श्रीः सुभाषितरत्नभाण्डागार,सुभाषितावलि, सुभाषितसुधानिधि,सुभाषितरत्नाकर,समयोचितपद्यमालिका  and सुभाषितरत्नसमुच्चय are some books that contain a huge collection of subhashitas (good sayings,proverbs, aphorisms and thoughts that usually depict a moral) from Sanskrit Literature. Some subhashitas from these books are as below       पठतो नास्ति मूर्खत्वं जपतो नास्ति पातकम्।       मौनिनः कलहो नास्ति न भयं चास्ति जाग्रतः।। Meaning- One who keeps studying shreds stupidity . One who keeps reciting (Scriptures) abhores sins . One who observes silence does not quarrel . One who keeps awake has no reason to fear.       परोपदेशे पाण्डित्यं सर्वेषां सुकरं नृणाम्।       धर्मे स्वीयमनुष्ठानं कस्यचित्तु महात्मनः।। Meaning- It is easy for people to ( show off) wisdom by instructing others. But there is hardly any great man whose own conduct is in accordance with righteousness.      गुरवो बहव: सन्ति शिष्य वित्तापहारका: | ...

 श्रीः सुभाषितरत्नभाण्डागार,सुभाषितावलि, सुभाषितसुधानिधि,सुभाषितरत्नाकर,समयोचितपद्यमालिका  and सुभाषितरत्नसमुच्चय are some books that contain a huge collection of subhashitas (good sayings,proverbs, aphorisms and thoughts that usually depict a moral) from Sanskrit Literature. Some subhashitas from these books are as below-        अप्रार्थितानि दुःखानि यथैवायान्ति देहिनां।        सुखान्यपि तथायान्ति दैन्यमत्रातिरिच्यते॥ Meaning - Just as miseries come in the lives of people  uninvited, So too good times also come of their own. And the times of misery are overcome. In other words, nothing is permanent. Good & bad times keep interchanging. Day is followed by night & night, by day.       सम्पूर्णकुम्भो न करोति शब्दम्       अर्धो घटो घोषमुपैति नूनम्।       विद्वान् कुलीनो न करोति गर्वं       जल्पन्ति मूढास्तु गुणैर्विहीनाः।। Meaning- A pitcher full of water does not make...

 श्रीः सुभाषितरत्नभाण्डागार,सुभाषितावलि, सुभाषितसुधानिधि,समयोचितपद्यमालिका and सुभाषितरत्नसमुच्चय are some books that contain a huge collection of subhashitas (good sayings, proverbs, aphorisms and thoughts that usually depict a moral) from Sanskrit Literature. Some subhashitas from these books are as below-      पिण्डे पिण्डे मतिर्भिन्ना कुण्डे कुण्डे नवं पयः।      जातौ जातौ नवाचाराः नवा वाणी मुखे मुखे ।। Meaning- Thinking differs from person to person. Water in each tank tastes different. Customs differ from caste to caste. Speech differs from mouth to mouth.     भाषासु मुख्या मधुरा दिव्या गीर्वाणभारती ।      तस्यां हि काव्यं मधुरं तस्मादपि सुभाषितम् ।। Meaning- Amongst all languages , Sanskrit is the foremost and most sweet. In her ( Sanskrit) काव्य is sweeter and सुभाषित is even sweeter than काव्य।        सौवर्णानि सरोजानि निर्मातुं सन्ति शिल्पिनः।        तत्र सौरभनिर्माणे चतुरश्चतुरा...

 श्रीः Hitopadesh is a text that propounds good teachings and values through fables of animals and contains simple stories depicting a moral. Hitopadesh somewhat resembles the famous 'Panchatantra' stories written by Vishnu Sharma. It is said to have been written by an author named Narayana. It is one of the most famous books of sanskrit literature. Some thoughts from this text are as below-        अयं निजः परो वेति  गणना लघुचेतसाम्।        उदारचरितानां तु वसुधैव कुटुम्बकम्।। Meaning- The mean- minded people distinguish between their own people and the other. However , for noble hearted people , the whole earth is like their own family .       यथा ह्येकेन चक्रेण न रथस्य गतिर्भवेत्।       एवं पुरुषकारेण विना दैवं न सिध्यति ।। Meaning- Just as a chariot cannot move with one wheel , the luck (of a person) cannot shine forth (yield fruit) without human striving (efforts).        आपत्सु मित्रं...

 श्रीः Chanakya Neeti is a collection of thoughts written by the great philosopher and economist, Chanakya. Some thoughts from this text are as below-       शैले शैले न माणिक्यं मौक्तिकं न गजे गजे।       साधवो न हि सर्वत्र चन्दनं न वने वने।। Meaning- A ruby is not available on every mountain. A pearl is not found in the temple of every elephant. Good people are not found everywhere ( just as) the sandalwood tree does not exist in every forest.        अलसस्य कुतो विद्या अविद्यस्य कुतो धनम्।        अधनस्य कुतो मित्रम् अमित्रस्य कुतः सुखम्।। Meaning- How can a lazy (person) get knowledge? How can a person without knowledge get wealth? How can a person without wealth get a friend ? How can a person without a friend get happiness?       कामधेनुगुणा विद्या ह्यकाले फलदायिनी ।       प्रवासे मातृसदृशी विद्या गुप्तं धनं स्मृतम्।। Meaning- Learning (Knowledge) has qualities like a divine cow th...

श्रीः 3- हे शब्दब्रह्म अशेष । तेचि मूर्ति सुवेष ।     तेथ वर्णवपु निर्दोष । मिरवित असे ।। Meaning- All the syllables from A to Z , vowels , etc. are like शब्दब्रह्म. We must be introvert , but not stay mum all the time. By staying mum , we show our negative self to the world. The descriptions of ज्ञानदेव are like priceless gems and jewels. These important principles must be practised by us in our daily lives. ज्ञानदेव describes Lord Ganesha decorated with jewels and studded with gems as the image of knowledge , filled with letters. It is a divine image which must be developed in a proper form. 4- स्मृति तेचि अवयव । देखा आंगीक भाव ।      तेथ लावण्याची ठेव । अर्थशोभा ।। Meaning- Smritis and scriptures are written in order to enhance our knowledge. They contain the jewels of our philosophy. We need to see the bodily and the feelings of the intellect. There , we get pleased by seeing the image of the knowledge personified Lord Ganesha. We become more particular abou...

 श्रीः The ज्ञानेश्वरी is a commentary on the Bhagavad Gita written by Sant ज्ञानेश्वर in Marathi. It comprises a total of 9000 verses known as 'Ovi'. Bhavartha Deepika is another name for ज्ञानेश्वरी. Sant ज्ञानेश्वर was born in the 13 century and lived for only 21 years of age.During his short lifetime, he has composed such a great treatise that has been a gift for the entire mankind. The first two verses are described below- 1- ओं नमो जी आद्या । वेद प्रतिपाद्या ।     जय जय स्वसंवेद्या । आत्मरूपा ।। Meaning- The syllable Om  has a great significance.Om , self and Guru are the same.It is very important to have a spiritual guru in order to attain the परब्रह्म. The Vedas and Upanishads have all developed from this Om.Shri ज्ञानदेव salutes the syllable Om and later Lord Ganesha who is to be worshipped first. Lord Ganesha is knowledge personified and divine. 2-देवा तूचि गणेशु । सकलार्थमतिप्रकाशु ।    म्हणे निवृत्तिदासु । अवधारिजो जी ।। Meaning- ज्ञानदेव rightl...

The Puranas are said to be ancient texts that depict stories of legends.Puranas are a vast array of literature on wide ranging topics. The word 'Purana' literally means 'ancient'.Geneologies of kings,sages and deities along with their history is described in the Puranas. They mostly consist of traditional lore.  There are said to be eighteen main Puranas, along with many more Upapuranas.  There is a verse that shall help in remembering the names of the 18 Puranas.The verse is- म-द्वयं भ- द्वयं चैव ब्र-त्रयं व-चतुष्टयम्। अ-ना-प-लिं-ग-कू-स्कानि  पुराणानि प्रचक्षते।। 1- मत्स्यपुराणम्    2-मार्कण्डेयपुराणम्।  3-भागवतपुराणम् 4-भविष्यत्पुराणम्   5-ब्रह्माण्डपुराणम्। 6-ब्रह्मवैवर्तपुराणम् 7-ब्रह्मपुराणम्      8-वामनपुराणम्     9-वराहपुराणम् 10-विष्णुपुराणम्    11-वायुपुराणम्    12-अग्निपुराणम् 13-नारदपुराणम्     14-पद्मपुराणम्    15-लिङ्गपुराणम् 16-गरुडपुराणम्     1...

 Upanishads are said to be a part of Vedanta, that is at the end of the Vedas. The word 'Upanishads' has been derived from the sanskrit root उप्+नि+सद्  which means to be seated near (literally means a disciple attaining knowledge, sitting near a guru). The Upanishads reveal intricate philosophical knowledge in the form of dialogues between two people, for example- dialogues between Yajnvalkya and Maitreyi, Uddaalaka and Svetaketu.Upanishads are a part of Sanatana Dharma.The study of the Upanishads helps in knowing about the Brahman (Ultimate Supreme) There are said to be 200 Upanishads, out of which 108 are known traditionally. But in all, there are 10 main Upanishads.There is a verse that shall help in remembering the names of the 10 Upanishads.The verse is- ईश-केन-कठ-प्रश्न-मुण्ड-माण्डूक्य-तित्तिरि। ऐतरेयं च छान्दोग्यं बृहदारण्यकं तथा।। (The initial names of the ten Upanishads as given below is mentioned in the verse) 1-ईशावास्योपनिषत् 2-केनोपनिषत् 3-कठोपनिषत् 4-प्रश्नोपनिष...

 The Bhagavad Gita has acclaimed to be a gospel of life. It is one of the प्रस्थानत्रयी (phases of Indian philosophy and culture), the other two being the Upanishads and the Brahmasutras. The Gita is found to be a part of the Bhishmaparva of the great epic Mahabharata. It comprises of 700 verses spread over 18 chapters. While fighting for the kingdom of Hastinapura, the Kauravas and Pandavas were helped by Lord Krishna. The Narayani Sena of Krishna was chosen by the Kauravas, while the Pandavas chose Lord Krishna Himself, who became the charioteer of Arjuna. While Arjuna was in a dilemma in the middle of the battlefield, the Gita was narrated by the Lord. Arjuna was just a means, however the Gita has been propounded to the entire mankind. Many ways of attaining the Supreme, such as have been described in the Bhagavad Gita. All these ways ultimately reach the same abode of the Lord. The fundamentals of the Hindu religion and Hindu Dharma are lucidly explained in the Gita. It is the ...

 The 14 verse of Bhagavad Gita chapter 15 stresses on the four types of food that we consume- अहं वैश्वानरो भूत्वा प्राणिनां देहमाश्रितः। प्राणापानसमायुक्तः पचाम्यन्नं चतुर्विधम्।। Meaning- Abiding as the fire of life in the bodies of all beings and mingling with the upward and downward breathes, I (Lord Krishna) digest the four kinds of food. -Vaisvanara is the gastric fire abiding in the stomach - Food that is masticated,sucked, licked and swallowed is the fourfold food.

 Raghuvamsham is a Mahakavya written by a the great sanskrit poet Kalidasa. In this work, he describes the Raghu dynasty and its glorious kings. Mahaakavi Kaalidaasa expounds on the various noble qualities of the kings of the Raghuvamsa. Here he lists out 16 of such very special qualities. What is to be remembered here is that, its not just one or two, but every single king in the dynasty had each one of these qualities, which is what makes the Raghuvamsa so divine that Bhagwaan Sri Raam himself chose to be born in that royal lineage. Kalidasa says with all humility that, 'I'm not greatly talented but after knowing about the greatness of the Raghuvamsa I feel tempted & inspired to sing their praise & announce their glory to the world."  In four verses, he describes these 16 qualities of the kings of Raghu dynasty.They are as follows- सोऽहमाजन्मशुद्धानामाफलोदयकर्मणाम् आसमुद्रक्षितीशानामानाकरथवर्त्मनाम् ॥ 1. They lived a blemishless life right from  conception to de...

Have you ever wondered about 'Food' been given importance apart from just mere eating? But yes, to our wonder, food has been an integral part as described in our scriptures. Please read ahead to know more:- - Eating is considered as a sacrifice. -Vaisvanara Agni is the fire that digests food. -Uttarayana,Dakshinayana,Shuklapaksha, Krishnapaksha,day and night, all have an impact on food -Food is experienced by consciousness and is identified as matter ( prakriti) Points that some Upanishads cover regarding food are as below- 1- Maitrayani Upanishad -Meditate on the Atman before and after having food. This helps in not taking birth again in the material world. -Adore food as Atman. 2- Taittriya Upanishad -Dont insult and despise food. -In bhriguvalli.( a part of Taittriya Upanishad),it is said that food is brahman, don't despise food. -Provide food for travellers. - Without food, meditation is not possible. 3- Prashna Upanishad - Food and life are known as Rayi and Prana resp...