Applied Mythology

  • When Hanuman Took Initiative

    When Hanuman Took Initiative

    There are two forms of Hanuman. In one he sits at the feet of Ram, an obedient assistant. This is Ram-dasa Hanuman. In the other, he stands alone, displaying ten hands and four extra heads: that of a lion, an eagle, a wild boar and a horse. This is Maha-bali Hanuman. …

  • God As Generator, Organiser, Destroyer

    God As Generator, Organiser, Destroyer

    The rishi who told stories of the creator, organiser and destroyer, and designed characters like Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, was an ancient Indian ‘seer’ who could see what others could not…

  • Binding Bharat With a Vegetarian Canteen

    Binding Bharat With a Vegetarian Canteen

    Many pilgrim spots are being turned vegetarian. First Jain sites. Now Hindu sites. The assumption being vegetarian food is non-violent (it is not), eggs, fish, and meat are impure and polluting (they are not) and gods prefer vegetarian food (since when?)…

  • Mandala System of Governance

    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. …

  • Gluttony Of Glamour

    Gluttony Of Glamour

    If one sees television serials today, you see this desire and gluttony for glamour. It’s not enough to be rich. It is important to show that you are rich. …

  • Kingdom Is Responsibility, Not Property

    Kingdom Is Responsibility, Not Property

    Dharmic Leadership (is) different from Conventional Leadership. Dharmic Leadership is not prescriptive. It is introspective…

  • The Mysterious Temple Texts Called Agama

    The Mysterious Temple Texts Called Agama

    Agamas are essentially manuals that were produced to manage temples. It is mainly, though not exclusively, a South Indian phenomenon, where there were vast temple complexes controlled by the Brahmins…

  • Accounting Rivals and Saints

    Accounting Rivals and Saints

    Balancing the Ledgers of Karma, and the Economy: The history of record keeping and accounting in India is the story of Brahmins and Kayasthas, with their skills linked deeply to the cultural & spiritual beliefs, as well as their services to the governments of their times…

  • Seasonal March of Festivals

    Seasonal March of Festivals

    Festivals around the world have a number of intimate links to seasons, legend and history. From Indian celebrations linked to the sun’s path, weather and mythic legends, to Christian reflections of a spring rebirth, seasonal festivals worldwide are a manifestation of each unique culture…

  • Why is Holi celebrated more in north India than south India?

    Why is Holi celebrated more in north India than south India?

    Holi is indeed celebrated mostly in north India, not south India. No one knows the reason why…

  • Indian Knowledge Systems

    Indian Knowledge Systems

    The first list of an educational syllabus in India comes from the Chandogya Upanishad, when the Sanatakumar sages ask Narada what subjects he is proficient in. …

  • A Business Strategy Called Addiction

    A Business Strategy Called Addiction

    Rationally speaking, addiction is good for business, though bad for society…

  • Science Values Doubt Over Faith

    Science Values Doubt Over Faith

    Most people confuse science with logic. Anyone can be logical, even analytical, in establishing causality. But science is about stepping outside the human mind, relying on measurement, comparison and evidence. …

  • Iron of the Asura, Gold of the Rakshasa

    Iron of the Asura, Gold of the Rakshasa

    Where did Ravan get his gold from? Was Ramayana the story of Aryans in search of gold?…

  • Aging Parents as Cost Centre

    Aging Parents as Cost Centre

    In the old days, children were an investment centre, as their success ensure improvement in parents’ lifestyle. Poor parents rejoice in success of children, in whom they invested money and education. But now children have become a cost centre, you can send them to the best schools, best colleges, but you do not expect them…

  • Which Game Are You Playing Today?

    Which Game Are You Playing Today?

    Increasingly, modern society is trying to turn every game into a competitive game, where someone has to be defeated to win. The dopamine rush comes only when you triumph over others. This is the value that we are giving people. …