2025
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Mythology of the Fish
Across India, the fish is a sacred symbol–all kinds of fish…Fish is linked with autonomy as it cannot be tamed, and with fertility and prosperity.
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Mandala System of Governance
Have you dropped a pebble in a pond? Have you seen the ripples, appearing in concentric circles, one after another? This is how the ancient Indians imagined the mind responding to every new piece of information, or sensation.
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Did Buddha Inspire Jesus?
Many believe that Jesus spent several years of his life travelling east, engaging with Buddhist monks and monasteries, and possibly even travelling as far as Kashmir.
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Double-edged Sword of Sikhism
The focus of the poetry is on equality and love for the divine. But this does not stop many Sikh leaders from aligning with the homophobic policies seen amongst conservative Abrahamic faiths.
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Buddhism As a Prosperity Gospel
In Buddhist lore, Buddha was described as the great caravan leader and guardian. So it is as much an economic reason that brought Ashoka close to Buddhism as it was spiritual reasons.
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How South Does the Kumbh Mela Go?
The Kumbha Mela is primarily a North Indian observance. Though, the south does have a similar gathering at Kumbakonam at the Mahamaham tank, every 12 years, in the month of Magha, shortly after the sun enters the zodiac of Capricorn…
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Kartikeya of Punjab, and the Southern Kartikeya
Kartikeya is no longer a widely worshipped deity in North India, but he remains extremely popular in Tamil Nadu, where he is venerated as Murugan, Subramanyam, or the bright jewel.
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Five Ways Islam Entered India
Islam originated in Arabia in the 7th century and spread westwards towards the Mediterranean and eastwards into Persia. By the 8th century, it had expanded its reach from Spain to Sindh. But how did it reach India?
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Now an Angry Parashuram?
A film poster on Parashuram appeared on social media. And he looked terribly angry. Why? The answer in all probability will be revenge.
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The Stench Of Flesh
By eating vegetarian food, one supposedly becomes a kinder person or gains positive karma, which leads to moksha. And yet, in the Mahabharata, there is the Vyadha Gita, or the Butcher’s Gita, where a butcher teaches dharma to a mendicant…
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Tales of Marriage and Murder
Stories of the folk goddesses of India are often lost in myriad oral versions. Which ones do we consider authentic? A common thread is some form of sexual violation followed by brute violence. We can say these are tales of…
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A Tale of Two Weddings
In India, we find two types of weddings: the lavish and the simple. Lavish weddings are typically seen in those who follow the Shaiva or Vaishnava path of householders. Simple weddings are typically seen in those who follow the Buddhist…
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Brahmin Scripts, Bania Scripts
Right now the Harappan script decipherment is divided into two groups: those seeking consonants, alphabets and syllables (the Brahmin school) and those seeking trade symbols, codes and stamps (the Bania school).
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Shiva for parents , for children , for couples and for the yogi
7 Secrets of ShivaSmeared with ash, draped in animal hide, he sits atop the snow-capped mountain, skull in hand, withdrawn, with dogs for company, destroying the world with his indifference. He is God who the Goddess shall awaken. His name…
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Are the People of Punjab and Haryana the Original Aryans?
It is only in the Sindh, Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana region that the ancient Aryan tradition of pastoral communities thrived, giving rise to communities like Rajputs, Jaats (or Jutt) and Gujars.
