Global Guru Amma

The Hindu spiritual leader Mata Amritanandamayi, lovingly called 'Amma', and known globally as India's "hugging saint mother ", Ms “Amritanandamayi”, which literally means "Mother of Absolute Bliss", was born to a low caste Hindu family in a poor fishing village in Parayakadavu, Kollam, in the southern Indian coastal state of Kerala. Amma began hugging devotees at an early age, and is said to have hugged at least 21 million people over the past three decades. In the 1980s, Amma founded her ashram to receive followers and offer them her healing hugs. There have been times when she has hugged over 20,000 devotees in a row over 20 hours at a stretch. Devotees find it blissful and soul-soothing, and Amma says her hug is her character and “karma to console those who are sad.”

Amma served as president of the Centenary Parliament of World Religions in Chicago in 1993 and also spoke at the United Nations. She was awarded the Gandhi-King Award for Non-Violence in 2002. Today she heads a global spiritual empire, is known as the messiah of the poor and downtrodden, and has followers ranging from Hotmail founder Sabeer Bhatia, US senator Larry Pressler, and Jr. Martin Luther King’s daughter Yolanda King.

“In these times strength is found in unified action and the unifying force is love. If we can open our hearts and minds to these voices—in whatever form they appear—there is no limit to what we can achieve,” says Amma.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, spiritual guru and founder of the Art of Living movement, believes in spreading the knowledge of living a healthier life through his message of compassion, commitment to society, and a cosmic understanding of life.

Birth & Childhood:

Born on May 13, 1956 in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, Ravi developed an inclination and an amazing acumen for the study of the ancient Vedic scriptures.

Education:

By the age of 17, he obtained an advanced degree in Modern Physics, and later received an Honorary Doctorate from Kuvempu University, Karnataka, India.

Training Under Guru Mahesh Yogi:

At an early age his father, R S V Ratnam delegated him to the care of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, a renowned spiritual master. After attaining his degree in science, Ravi joined Maharishi's entourage, taught the Vedic pundits at Maharishi's charities, and soon became the Maharishi’s favourite disciple.

Enlightenment & Vision:

In 1982, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar went into ten days of silence and emerged as an enlightened master. It is believed that during this time he cognized the famous Sudarshan Kriya breathing technique. In order to spread the kriya and other related knowledge, Sri Sri subsequently set up the Art of Living (AOL) Organization in 1982.

The Art of Living:

Today the Art of Living Foundation is the world’s largest volunteer based Non-Governmental Organization, active in over 140 countries. Its service projects, programs on yoga, meditation and stress elimination have benefited over 20 million people representing all walks of life, religions, cultures and traditions with its 5Hs program in the areas of Health, Homes, Hygiene, Human Values and Harmony in Diversity.

International Association for Human Values:

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar founded the International Association for Human Values (IAHV) in 1997, which undertakes development projects in thousands of villages, bringing self-reliance to millions of people from Afghanistan to Bosnia, Iraq to New York.

Distinctions:

Sri Sri is the recipient of numerous honors including the “2005 Global Humanitarian Award” by the state of Illinois, “Guru Mahatmya” award by Government of Maharashtra, India, the title of “Yoga Shiromani” by President of India, the Phoenix Award from the Mayor of Atlanta, Georgia, only to name a few… He was a guest speaker at the Millennium World Peace Summit during the 50th anniversary of the United Nations. Sri Sri is also a member of the Council of the Divinity School at Yale University.

His Message:

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar travels extensively across the globe to inspire youth to work together for a better society. As he says, “Religion is the banana skin and spirituality is the banana. The misery in the world is because we throw away the banana and are holding on to the skin.” Sri Sri believes that all religions and traditions have a common value system, and these shared values have to reach every corner of the world in order to make it a better place for all.

The Gurus of Sergeant Pepper

In June of 1967, the Beatles released what many claim to have been the greatest rock/pop album of all time. "Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" took the world by storm with its creative imagery and innovative orchestration. And though the Fab Four later denied the claim, numerous rock historians dubbed Sgt. Pepper as the first in a long line of "concept albums."

On the front cover, scattered among the matinee idols, writers, comedians, and the Beatles themselves, were four faces that had music fans scratching their heads. Who were these exotic individuals and what were they doing on a Beatles album?

Those who searched the album casing discovered the word "guru" applied to the four men. Nine months later, when the Liverpool lads began to arrive at the Maharishi ashram in Rishikesh, India, the words "Beatles" and "guru" would be closely joined, but at this time the appearance of four "mahatmas" came as a surprise.

In time, diehard fans would hear the whole story. How George Harrison came to India in September 1966 to take sitar lessons from master musician Ravi Shankar. How Shankar gave Harrison a copy of Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramhansa Yogananda. And how that book impressed George so much that he borrowed the images of its four principal gurus, including Yogananda himself, for the Sgt. Pepper cover.

The Gurus Revealed
The stories of these great masters of yoga are told in Yogananda's autobiography in poetic detail. Their lives were intertwined with one another, and together they comprised some of the brightest stars in the celestial firmament of Indian saints - recharging the sacred soil of Mother India with their teachings, their presence, and their uplifting influence.

Paramhansa Yogananda
Situated on the Sgt. Pepper cover in the upper right corner below Bob Dylan is the author of Autobiography of a Yogi. This great saint was given the title of "Paramhansa" (highest swan) by his guru, and called "premavatar" (incarnation of divine love) by his most advanced disciple… (Read Full Bio)

Swami Sri Yukteswar
In the upper left corner of the Sgt. Pepper group photo we see the serene face of Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri. This great sage was the guru of Yogananda, and the disciple of Lahiri Mahasaya. His penetrating mind and the depths of his spiritual perceptions earned him the title of "gyanavatar" (incarnation of wisdom). … (Read Full Bio)

Lahiri Mahasaya
If we look closely we can spot this advanced yogi on the Beatles album cover, his half-closed eyes peeking out at us to the left of Lewis Carroll, in the third row from the top … (Read Full Bio)

Babaji
The guru of Lahiri Mahasaya can be found in the second row to the right of writer William S. Burroughs. Like Lahiri, Babaji's image is partly hidden on the cover. This is perhaps appropriate, for Babaji's powerful, sublime influence wafts over an unknowing world without fanfare - secret and sacred, like the reclusive master himself … (Read Full Bio)

Top 5 Books on India’s Saint Mothers

Among the most respected Holy Mothers of India are Sri Sarada Devi, Anandamayi Ma, the Mother of Auroville, and Mata Amritanandamayi, popularly know as Amma. Here’s a selection of books that bring out the greatness of character and spiritual wisdom of these woman gurus revered the world over.

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Passes Away

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi,

the illustrious sage of the Vedic Tradition of India, and guru to the Beatles, who over 50 years ago introduced the West to transcendental meditation to spiritually regenerate mankind and create world peace, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 5, 2008 at his international headquarters in Vlodrop, The Netherlands.

Read a short biography of Maharishi

Three weeks ago, on January 11, 2008, Maharishi publicly announced that he would be "retiring into silence," and said he was "closing his designed duty" to his spiritual master, Guru Dev. "I can only say, 'Live long the world in peace, happiness, prosperity, and freedom from suffering.'"

He then placed the administration of his global movement under the "capable leadership" of Maharaja Adhiraj Rajaraam, world-renowned neuroscientist, and his 48 international Ministers and Rajas (administrators)-along with thousands of teachers of Maharishi's Transcendental Meditation and directors of his movement throughout the world.

Maharishi's decision to retire was inspired by news that more than enough experts have now been trained in his peace-creating technologies of consciousness to raise any nation to invincibility and secure peace and prosperity for the world-and that his global organization is now in place to maintain this peace permanently.

"Maharishi's work is complete. He has done what he set out to do in 1957-to lay the foundation for a peaceful world. Now, Maharishi is being welcomed with open arms into Heaven," said Maharaja Adhiraj Rajaraam, first ruler of the Global Country of World Peace, Maharishi's global educational organization.

In his farewell message on January 11, Maharishi announced the establishment of the Brahmananda Saraswati Trust, named in honor of his teacher, Guru Dev, to support large groups totaling more than 30,000 peace-creating Vedic Pandits in perpetuity across India.

"The Brahmananda Saraswati Trust will ensure the glorification of life on earth on a permanent basis, for the individual and the nation. For all millennia to come, the world is going to be a peaceful, happy world. The future is bright-and that is my delight," Maharishi said.

Satsanga or Holy Company

The word ‘Satsanga’ is the combination of the two words ‘Sat’ and ‘Sanga.’ ‘Sat’ means existence absolute, which is Brahman. ‘Sanga’ literally means company or union. To be always in the company of the Lord, or to be established in Brahman, is the literal meaning of the word ‘Satsanga.’

Satsanga is association with the wise. Live in the company of sages, saints, Sadhus, Yogis and Sannyasins; hear their valuable Upadesa or instructions and follow them implicitly. This is Satsanga.

God and Saint

• God is the great purifier. A saint also is a great purifier.
• God incarnates as saints and sages when their need is felt most.
• God works through sages and saints.
• God reveals Himself in a saint in His full glory, infinite power, wisdom and bliss.
• The saints are the heart of the Lord and the Lord is the heart of the saint.
• It is extremely difficult to come in contact with a saint and to be benefited by his company. It is through divine grace only one will get his Darshan and Satsanga.
• Divine grace works through saints.
• Saints are the living symbols of religion and are the true benefactors of humanity.
• The sage or saint or Yogi is a magnet. He is a centre of power and wisdom.
• A sage is a sustainer of the world. He is a source of perpetual inspiration. He is an instrument through which divine grace is transmitted to the unregenerated men.
• A sage is the salt which preserves the society from decay and degeneration.
• A saint is a beacon-light in the stormy sea of this Samsara. He prevents many ship-wrecks in the lives of many human beings.
• A realised sage or saint is a fountain of delight, joy and illumination. Seek his company and evolve. Serve him with faith and devotion.
• A sage is a fountain of spiritual wisdom. Approach him with all humility and reverence. He will impart to you divine wisdom.
• Learn wisdom from saints. They are your saviours. Know them to be saints who possess godly qualities.

The Benefits of Satsanga

• Satsanga with Mahatmas, Sadhus and the Guru plays a tremendous part in the attainment of quick spiritual progress.
• Satsanga is the easiest and quickest means to change the minds of worldly persons towards the spiritual path and to thoroughly overhaul the vicious, wrong Samskaras.
• Satsanga elevates the mind and fills it with Sattva or purity. It eradicates the vicious thoughts in the mind and leads to the attainment of wisdom or Brahma-jnana.
• Without Satsanga, this mind which is filled with worldly impurities cannot be turned towards God.
• Satsanga with sages is the surest Viveka-inspiring agent. Vairagya or dispassion cannot be attained without Satsanga.
• Satsanga removes the darkness of ignorance and fills your mind with Vairagya or non-attachment or dispassion for worldly enjoyments. Satsanga is the sun that dispels the cloud of ignorance. It forces you to lead the life divine and have strong conviction in the existence of God.
• The company of a saint remarkably hastens the growth of Sattvic virtues in the aspirant, and gives him strength to awaken the dormant powers, and to eradicate undesirable negative qualities and various defects.
• Satsanga helps a great deal in the attainment of Moksha. There is no other way. It removes and destroys the threefold afflictions. It is an unfailing means to conquer Maya and this dire mind.
• Satsanga is a formidable and impregnable fortress to protect the young aspirants from the temptations and the attacks of Maya.
• Just as a boat is the greatest shelter to a drowning man, so also, a saint or a sage is the only shelter to the persons who are being drowned in the ocean of worldliness.
• Satsanga is a sentinel at the door of Moksha. If you make friendship with him, he will introduce you to his other friends, viz., Vichara (enquiry), Santi (peace) and Santosha (contentment) and you will attain Self-realisation quickly and easily.
• Satsanga is unfailing in its results.
• Satsanga or association with the wise is the one panacea for all the ills of life.
• There is nothing so inspiring, elevating, solacing and delightful as Satsanga.
• Satsanga is the greatest of all purifiers and illuminators of man.
• Satsanga with a sage even for a minute is much better than rulership of a kingdom.
• Have the company of saints who will heal your sores, infuse new life into you, rejuvenate you, and show you the way to peace and happiness.
• Follow the teachings of saints and sages, the perfected beings, the seers of Truth. Attune yourself with their Spirit.
• Life, fame, happiness, power and knowledge will increase in that man who respects elders and saints, and with faith and devotion prostrates before them.

Next Page: How Holy Company Transforms & How to Benefit from the Company of Saints

Who's A Guru?

"Guru is Shiva sans his three eyes,
Vishnu sans his four arms
Brahma sans his four heads.
He is parama Shiva himself in human form"
~ Brahmanda Puran

Guru is the God, say the scriptures. Indeed, the 'guru' in Vedic tradition is looked upon as one no less than a God. 'Guru' is a honorific designation of a preceptor as defined and explained variously in the scriptures and ancient literary works including epics. The English word 'guru' has its etymological origin in the Sanskrit term. The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Current English defines it as "Hindu spiritual teacher or head of religious sect; influential teacher; revered mentor".

More Real Than Gods

Aren't gurus more real than the gods? Basically the guru is a spiritual teacher leading the disciple on the path of "god-realization". In essence, the guru is considered a respected person with saintly qualities who enlightens the mind of his disciple, an educator from whom one receives the initiatory mantra, and one who instructs in rituals and religious ceremonies. The Vishnu Smriti and Manu Smriti regards the Acharya (teacher), along with the mother and the father as the most venerable gurus of an individual. According to Deval Smriti there can be eleven kinds of gurus and according to Nama Chintamani ten. According to his functions he is categorized as rishi, acharyam, upadhya, kulapati or mantravetta.

The Guru's Role

The Upanishads have profoundly underlined the role of the guru. Mundak Upanishad says to realize the supreme godhead holding samidha grass in his hands one should surrender himself before the guru who knows the secrets of Vedas. Kathopanishad too speaks of the guru as the preceptor who alone can guide the disciple on the spiritual path. Over time the guru's syllabus gradually enlarged incorporating more secular and temporal subjects related to human endeavor and intellect. Apart from usual spiritual works his sphere of instruction now included subjects like Dhanurvidya (archery), Arthashastra (economics) and even Natyashastra (dramatics) and Kamashastra (sexology). Such was the ingenuity of the all pervading intellect of the ancient Acharyas that they perpetuated even shastra like thievery. Shudraka's celebrated play Mricchakatikam tells the story of Acharya Kanakashakti who formulated the Chaurya Shastra, or the science of thievery, which was further developed by the gurus like Brahmanyadeva, Devavrata and Bhaskarnandin.

From Hermitages to Universities

Gradually the institution of Gurukula or in-forest-hermitage, where disciples learnt at the feet of guru for long years was evolved. The great urban universities at Takshashila, Vikramashila and Nalanda essentially evolved from these tiny gurukulas tucked away in deep woods. If we have to believe the records of Chinese travellers who visited Nalanda at that time, there were more than 1,500 teachers teaching various subjects to more than 10,000 students and monks.

Legends of Gurus & Desciples

There were gurus as well as disciples of different hues to whom references were made in scriptures and literary works. The most popular legend is that of the amazing young tribal boy Ekalavya on being rejected by the ace trainer Dronacharya, raised his statue and with great dedication practised the art of archery and left behind Arjuna, the master archer, who actually learnt the art under the living guru. And the heartless guru asked for his thumb as gurudakshina or fees, and made him inferior before his royal disciple. In the Chandogya Upanishad, we meet an aspiring disciple Satyakama, who refuses to tell lies about his caste in order to get an admission in the gurukula of Acharya Haridrumat Gautam. And in the Mahabharata we come across Karna who did not bat an eyelid while telling Parashurama that he belonged to the Bhrigu Brahmin caste just to obtain the Brahmastra, the supreme weapon.

Lasting Contribution

From generation to generation the institution of the guru has evolved various basic tenets of Indian culture and transmitted spiritual and fundamental knowledge. Gurus formed the axis of ancient educational system and ancient society, and enriched various fields of learning and culture by their creative thinking. Herein lies the lasting significance of gurus and their contribution to the upliftment of mankind.

The Mysticism of Rabindranath Tagore

Rabindranath Tagore (May 7, 1861 - August 7, 1941) the bard of Bengal immaculately brought out the essence of Eastern spirituality in his poetry like no other poet. His spiritual vision, as he himself said, is imbued "with the ancient spirit of India as revealed in our sacred texts and manifested in the life of today."

Tagore's Mystical Quest

Swami Adiswarananda of the Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Center of New York, in his preface to 'Tagore: The Mystic Poets' writes, "The inner-seeking spirituality of India infused all of Tagore's writing. He wrote in many genres of the deep religious milieu of Hinduism. The values and core beliefs of the Hindu scriptures permeated his work." Says the Swami: "Rabindranath Tagore's philosophical and spiritual thoughts transcend all limits of language, culture, and nationality. In his writings, the poet and mystic takes us on a spiritual quest and gives us a glimpse of the infinite in the midst of the finite, unity at the heart of all diversity, and the Divine in all beings and things of the universe."

Tagore's Spiritual Beliefs

Tagore believed that "True knowledge is that which perceives the unity of all things in God." Tagore through his vast body of immortal literary works taught us that the universe is a manifestation of God, and that there is no unbridgeable gulf between our world and God's, and that God is the one who can provide the greatest love and joy.

Tagore's Poetry Teaches Us How to Love God

Tagore's 'Gitanjali' or 'Song Offerings' that contains his own English prose translations of Bengali poetry was published in 1913 with an introduction by the Irish poet W. B. Yeats. This book won Tagore the Nobel Prize for Literature that year. Here's an excerpt from his introduction that helps us realize that "We had not known that we loved God, hardly it may be that we believed in Him…"

The Ubiquity of God in Tagore's Works

Yeats writes: "These verses … as the generations pass, travellers will hum them on the highway and men rowing upon the rivers. Lovers, while they await one another, shall find, in murmuring them, this love of God a magic gulf wherein their own more bitter passion may bathe and renew its youth… The traveller in the read-brown clothes that he wears that dust may not show upon him, the girl searching in her bed for the petals fallen from the wreath of her royal lover, the servant or the bride awaiting the master's home-coming in the empty house, are images of the heart turning to God. Flowers and rivers, the blowing of conch shells, the heavy rain of the Indian July, or the moods of that heart in union or in separation; and a man sitting in a boat upon a river playing lute, like one of those figures full of mysterious meaning in a Chinese picture, is God Himself…"

Select Poems from Tagore's Song Offerings

The following pages contain a selection of his best poems that are steeped in Indian mysticism and the omnipresence of the Almighty as someone so close to our heart.

Swami Vivekananda

Select Netlinks on one of the greatest modern Hindu spiritual leaders - his life, works, teachings, speeches and more...

Swami Vivekananda's Speeches
Read the text of the famous welcome address by Swami Vivekananda at the World Parliament of Religions, Chicago, September 11, 1893

The Spiritual Genius of Swami Vivekananda
Swami Vivekananda is one of most admired spiritual leaders of India. An inspiring spiritual and social leader, Vivekananda left an indelible mark in history with his teachings, which are studied around the world.

Speeches of Vivekananda
Swami Vivekanda's Chicago Speeches in the World Parliament of Religions, 1893.

15 Laws of Life - By Swami Vivekananda
15 chosen gems from Swami Vivekananda’s writings: “Love for love's sake, because it is law of life.” Find out the other laws of life...

"Quest For God" - A Poem by Swami Vivekananda
In this poem, Swami Vivekananda, sings about the harmony of all religions, an issue so relevant in today's world. Excerpted from his letter written in 1893 to Prof. J.H. Wright of Boston who introduced the Swami at the Parliament of Religions.

Vivekananda & Marx
Vivekananda and Marx viewed socialism and religion through two different prisms with the ultimate goal of uplifting the downtrodden and the exploited class.

Book Catalog
Books by and about Swami Vivekananda, includes prefaces, price tags and online order form.

Lectures
Lectures delivered by the Swami - from the book Complete works of Swami Vivekananda

Poetry
A collection of poems by Swami Vivekananda, including 'To the Fourth of July' and 'Quest for God'

Quotes
Swami Vivekananda said it. Real words of wisdom!

Vivekananda on Immortality
Vivekananda answers one of the big questions: are we mortal or immortal? Read his logical arguments for immortality from the nondual (Advaitic) viewpoint.

Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Center of New York
Official website of a New York-based organization dedicated to the ideals of the Swami and his Guru.

Vivekananda Centre, London
Website of a Vivekananda-centric organization in London

Vivekananda Foundation
A nonprofit organization incorporated in 1985 in the State of California, USA.

Thoughts
Read the social thought of Swami Vivekananda by Swami Atmajanand

Tributes
Great Thinkers of the East and West on Swami Vivekananda

Vivekananda in America
Swami Vivekananda touched the very soul of American people. Interesting and insightful.

Gurus & Saints of the Past

Biographies of Hindu Gurus and Saints of the past who have made their name and work immortal and left behind a multitude of followers.

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (1896-1977)
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (1896-1977), the founder of the Hare Krishna Movement (ISKCON) was one of Hinduism's most successful exponents, who traveled extensively across the world in order to spread Krishna's message of love and peace.

Sant Surdas (c. 1479 - c. 1586)
Life of Sant Surdas - the Hindu saint & sightless poet, who wrote and composed thousands songs in his 'Sur Sagar' dedicated to Lord Krishna.

Valmiki
Valmiki, the ancient Hindu Saints is the original creator of the Hindu ‘sloka’ – a verse form in which the great Indian epics are composed. The only work available of the great sage-poet, The Ramayana, has established the poet’s timeless fame.

Buddha: The Refiner of Hinduism
Buddha founded a noble religion by distilling Hinduism, and offering a commonsense approach to self-betterment to which the people can relate easily. Exploring Hinduism's close connections with Buddhism

Sri Aurobindo (1872 - 1950)
Sri Aurobindo, the great Hindu scholar and visionary showed us how to attain an inner self-development and an elevated consciousness through his life and works.

Swami Yukteswar (1855 - 1936)
Swami Yukteswar, the great sage was the guru of Yogananda. His penetrating mind and the depths of his spiritual perceptions earned him the title of “gyanavatar” (incarnation of wisdom).

Lahiri Mahasaya (1828 – 1895)
Shyamacharan Lahiri, known as Lahiri Mahasaya (1828-1895), was an extraordinary guru who exemplified how one can lead an ordinary worldly life and simultaneously achieve the highest spiritual states known to mankind.

Babaji
Babaji was the guru of Lahiri Mahasaya. It is believed that he still maintains a physical presence in a remote area of the high Himalayas near Badrinath, and travels with his disciples from peak to peak.

Adi Shankaracharya
Shri Adi Shankaracharya or the first Shankara with his remarkable reinterpretations of Hindu scriptures, especially on Upanishads or Vedanta, had a profound influence on the growth of Hinduism. He is the most famous Advaita philosopher who restored the Vedic Dharma to its pristine purity and glory.

Mira Bai - Krishna Devotee, Minstrel & Saint
Mira Bai is widely known as an incarnation of Radha, the consort of Lord Krishna. She taught the world how to love God and will always be remembered for her soulful songs - the beautiful Mira Bhajans.

Goswami Tulsidas (1532 – 1623)
Believed to be an incarnation of Sage Valmiki, Tulsidas wrote “The Ramcharitmanasa – a Hindi translation of the Sanskrit Ramayana, one of the two original epics of the Hindus. He was an ascetic and known for his many miracles.

Baba Lokenath (1730-1890)
Here is one sage who predicted that a century after his death, he would be greatly revered by one and all. Read about the extraordinary life of Lokenath Brahmachari.

Sri Ramakrishna (1836-1886)
Sri Ramakrishna represents the very core of the spiritual realizations of the seers and sages of India. Here's a brief profile of this renowned Hindu mystic.

Sarada Devi - Holy Saint Mother
Sarada Devi, the wife of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa of Dakshineshwar, Calcutta, is equally revered by the Hindus as her mystic husband, and is considered one of the most important saint mothers of all times.

The Sai Baba of Shirdi (c 1838 - 1918)
Sai Baba of Shirdi holds a unique place in the rich tradition of saints in India. Baba, an embodiment of self-realization and perfection, did not come solely to preach but to awaken mankind through his messages of love and righteousness.

Ramana Maharishi (1879 – 1950)
Sri Ramana Maharishi (1879 – 1950) expounded the Vedanta philosophy not through bookish knowledge but through practical experience. His teachings imparted through all-absorbing ‘Silence’ embodied the highest ideals and the ultimate reaches in divine realization.

Rishi Aurobindo (1872-1950)
Sri Aurobindo, the great Hindu scholar, litterateur, philosopher, patriot, social reformer and visionary showed us how to attain an inner self-development and an elevated consciousness through his life and works.

Paramahansa Yogananda (1893-1952)
Paramahansa Yogananda is recognized as one of the greatest emissaries to the West of India's ancient wisdom. His life and teachings continue to be a source of light and inspiration to people of all races, cultures and creeds.

Surdas
The story of legendary blind Krishna devotee, in pictures.

Swami Dayanand
Tankara: teachings of Swami Dayanand; biography of the great reformer, his philosophy and work.

A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
A short biography of the founder of the Hare Krishna Movement, with audio of the Prabhupada's Hare Krishna chants.

Osho
A contemporary enlightened guru, formerly known as Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh. Website contains a lot of resources for the spiritual.

Yoga & Meditation

Yoga and meditation are Hinduism's unique gift to the world. They strengthen your body and mind providing mental peace and physical power, help you fight disease and live longer and healthier. The following articles and resources will increase your awareness about these powerful mental and physical disciplines that are intrinsic to Hinduism.

Shiva Aarti - The Hymn of Lord Shiva

Om Jai Shiv Onkara, Hari Shiv Onkara,
Brahma Vishnu Sadashiv Ardhangi Dhara.
Ekanan Chaturanan Panchanan Raje,
Hansanan Garudaasan Vrashivahan Saje.
Do Bhuj Char Chaturbhuj Dus Bhuj Te Sohe,
Teenon Roop Nirakhata Tribhuvan Jan Mohe.
Akshmala Banmala Mundmala Dhari,
Chandan Mragmad Sohe Bhale Shashi Dhari.
Shvetambar Pitambar Baghambar Ange,
Sankadik Brahmadik Bhootadik Sange.
Kar Main Shreshth Kamandalu Chakra Trishul Dharta,
Jagkarta Jagharta Jag Palan Karta.
Brahma Vishnu Sadashiv Janat Aviveka,
Pranvakshar Ke Madhye Yeh Teenon Eka.
Trigun Shiv Ki Aarti Jo Koi Nar Gave,
Kahat Shivanand Swami Man Vanchhit Phal Pave.

Vishnu Aarti - Om Jay Jagadish HareLyrics and streaming audio or MP3 downloads of top 10 Hindu hymns or 'aartis' - musical prayers dedicated to variou

Vishnu Aarti - Om Jay Jagadish Hare

Lyrics and streaming audio or MP3 downloads of top 10 Hindu hymns or 'aartis' - musical prayers dedicated to various gods and goddesses.

Vaastu for a Happy & Healthy Home

This science is complete in itself.
Happiness to the whole world it can bring
All the four benefits it bestows on you
Rightful living, money, fulfillment of desires and bliss
Are all available in this world itself
~ Viswakarma in Vaastushastra

Vaastu Shastra is the ancient Indian science of architecture, which governs town planning and designing of man-made structures. A part of the Vedas, the word 'Vaastu' in Sanskrit means 'dwelling', and in the modern context it covers all buildings. Vaastu pertains to the physical, psychological and spiritual order of the built environment, in consonance with the cosmic energies. It is a study of planetary influences on buildings and the people who live in them, and aims at providing guidelines for proper construction.

Hindus believe that for peace, happiness, health and wealth one should abide by the guidelines of Vaastu while building a dwelling. It tells us how to avoid diseases, depression and disasters by living in structures, which allow the presence of a positive cosmic field.

Since Vedic wisdom is considered to be synonymous with divine knowledge of the cosmic mind obtained by sages in deep states of meditation, Vaastu Shastra or the science of Vaastu is thought to contain the guidelines given by the Supreme Being. Delving into history, we find that Vaastu developed during the period of 6000 BC and 3000 BC (Ferguson, Havell and Cunningham) and was handed over by ancient architects through word of mouth or hand-written monographs.

The principles of Vaastu had been explained in ancient Hindu scriptures like Skanda Purana, Agni Purana, Garuda Purana, Vishnu Purana, Bruhatsamhita, Kasyapa Shilpa, Agama Sastra and Viswakarma Vaastushastra.

The fundamental premise of Vaastu rests on the assumption that the earth is a living organism, out of which other living creatures and organic forms emerge, and so every particle on earth and space possesses 'live energy'. According to Vaastushastra five elements - Earth, Fire, Water, Air or atmosphere and Sky or space - govern the principles of creation. These forces act for or against each other to create harmony and disharmony. It also says that everything on earth - in some form or other - is influenced by the nine planets, and each of these planets guards a direction. So our dwellings are under the influence of the five elements and the nine planets.

View Vaastu Chart

Vaastushastra says that if the structure of your house is so designed that the positive forces override the negative forces then there is a beneficial release of bio-energy, which helps you and your family members to live a happy and healthy life. A positive cosmic field prevails in a Vaastulogically constructed house, where the atmosphere is congenial for a smooth and happy life. Contrary to this, if the same structure is built in a manner that the negative forces override the positive, the overbearing negative field makes your actions, efforts and thoughts negative. Herein comes the benefits of Vaastu, which guides you to have a positive atmosphere at home.

Evidently, Vaastu is akin to the science of geopathy, the study of the diseases of the earth. In both these two disciplines, for instance, the presence of dampness, dressed stones, beehives and anthills are considered harmful for human habitation. Geopathy recognizes that electromagnetic radiations that are cosmic in origin surrounds the globe, and that radiation distortions can make a site unsafe for construction. In some parts of Austria, children are moved in school, to a different desk, at least once each week, so that learning difficulties are not increased because they may be sitting in a stressed area. Geopathic stress may also attack the immune system and cause conditions like asthma, eczema, migraine, irritable bowel syndrome.

There are also a lot of similarities between Vaastu and its Chinese counterpart Feng Shui, in that they recognize the existence of positive and negative forces (Yin and Yang) except for the fact that the latter attaches too much importance to gadgets, like fish tanks, flutes, mirrors and lanterns. This is one reason why Fend Shui is gaining rapid popularity in India. Did you know that for the hit Hindi film Pardes, Indian movie moghul Subhash Ghai directed that each position of the shoot had to be compatible with rules Feng Shui? In yet another Bollywood blockbuster Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, the colors used were in tune with the perceptions of Feng Shui.

So, does Vaastu make any sense? While many people still strongly believe in Vaastu, the common consensus is that it's an ancient science, which was useful in conditions prevailing in ancient times, but makes little sense today. While some swear by it, many think that Vaastu has become obsolete with the rise of modern cities with sewage systems, multi-storied buildings with air-conditioners, exhaust fans in kitchens, advanced water systems and so on.

Finally, it may be worth noting the words of Indologist and Vedacharya David Frawley: "India is a greatly favored land in terms of cosmic beneficence according to the Vaastu aspect of its geographical location. The Himalayas, or Meru Parvat, oversee the whole of India in the likeness of the prime sahasrara chakra in the human body".

Brahma: Lord of Creation Subhamoy's Hinduism

n Hinduism, the whole creation is seen as the dynamic game of the Trinity of Gods: Brahma - the creator, Vishnu - the sustainer, and Shiva - the destroyer. Brahma is the creator of the universe and of all beings, as depicted in the Hindu cosmology. The Vedas, the oldest and the holiest of Hindu scriptures, are attributed to Brahma, and thus Brahma is regarded as the father of dharma. He is not to be confused with Brahman which is a general term for the Supreme Being or Almighty God.