Mythologist | Author | Speaker | Illustrator
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Articles
Vishnu’s Art of Attracting Fortune
In Indian mythology, Vishnu is described as the beloved of Lakshmi. His names are Sri-vallabha, beloved of fortune, and Sri-nivasa, abode of fortune. In art, the goddess is shown residing in his heart, or seated by his side. When he reclines, she is at his feet. This pairing is a metaphor. …
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Articles
Equality In Love
Every context is different. Standard rules do not apply. The point is that we witness each other and allow each other to grow…
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Articles
What Does Indian Mythology Have To Say About Marriage Dynamics?
In Shiva temples, the couple are always together, but in Vishnu temples, the goddess has her separate shrine, asserting her identity…
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Articles
The Sage Under the Berry Tree
The name Badrinath carries a quiet ecological memory. Badri means the berry (Ziziphus mauritiana), or jujube tree. Nath means lord. …
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Articles
Demon King of Brahmaputra
Once upon a time, the earth-goddess Bhumi was dragged under the sea by an asura called Hiranayaksha. Vishnu took the form of Varaha, killed Hiranayaksha, placed Bhumi on his snout, raised her up and thus rescued the earth-goddess. …
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Articles
How Vasudeva Became Vishnu
At Malhar, a small town near Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, we find an image of a soldier with four arms, holding a conch shell, a wheel and a mace. It has been identified as the earliest image of Vishnu. The inscription on the stone has been dated to 200 BC…
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Articles
The Cannibal’s Victim
Kaisika Dwadashi, the 12th day of the waxing moon after Diwali, is celebrated in many Vishnu temples of South India. During this time, people are encouraged to visit the temple and hear the story from Varaha Purana of Nampaduvan, a “low” caste singer who was caught by a cannibalistic demon known as Brahma-Rakshasa…
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Articles
Three Dharmic Archetypes
Hindu mythology expresses personal transformation of leaders through three archetypes: Indra, Shiva and Vishnu. The worlds they create are Swarga, Kailasa and Vaikuntha…
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Articles
The Buddha and His Impact On Brahminism
Vishnu takes the form of Buddha to save animals from being slaughtered in Vedic rituals. Today, many Hindus get upset when told that Vedic rituals involved animal sacrifice. Clearly, Buddhist influence on Vedic Brahmins has been profound, though always denied…
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Articles
From ‘makhan-chor’ to rebel icon, MP’s recasting of Krishna echoes Gujarat’s warrior tradition
Many Sanatani Hindus do not like the idea of Krishna, the beloved of women. They prefer Krishna, the warrior, admired by men. Krishna allows such interpretations because we are looking at a deity who has evolved over at least 2,000 years. …
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Articles
Feet Of Fortune
After the devotee pays obeisance to the deity (darshan), the priest places a crown on his head. But it is not quite a crown. On top are the footprints of the deity…
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Articles
From Ram to Jagannath
As the chariot rolls out of the Jagannath temple in Odisha this year, some may ask, is Jagannath now the favoured ‘national’ god, overshadowing Ram of Ayodhya?…
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Articles
Gita is all about Family, Property and Inheritance
How do we decide who is an insider in a family, and who is an outsider? Who is mine, and who is not mine?…
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Articles
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…
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Articles
Holi for Shiva, Holi for Vishnu
Why do we celebrate Holi? The standard answers we get in websites link Holi to Vishnu—he who preserves the world as per Hindu mythology…
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Articles
From Fortune’s Favourite to Mother’s Son
Indians have visualised India in many different ways. Often through the lens of outsiders. About …