Dr Venganoor Balakrishnan
Karma & its fruits
The Hindu belief system attaches great significance to karma and the fruit of karma or karmaphal. It is said that whatever one achieves in life is the reward of the person’s deeds. One’s gain and loss, success and failure, joys and sorrows are decided by one’s deeds.
Yogavasishtam says good deeds of previous births definitely bear fruit in the present birth. No exertion goes without result.
Power in the sacred thread
A yagyopavit is a sacred-thread traditionally worn by Hindus, especially by the Brahmins, and certain other castes.
The power of rituals
What we refer to as “Hindu tradition” is nothing but a set of rites and rituals, customary observance of certain practices. Rites are ceremonial acts prescribed by religion. A ritual may be a religious or solemn ceremony involving a series of actions performed in a prescribed order.
“Hindu tradition” aims at developing individuals who follow good habits and practise rites and rituals, thereby promoting happiness and wellness.
The path of sanyasa
Human life on earth has to pass through four stages, namely brahmacharya, grihastha, vanaprastha and sanyasa. The most striking of all the four is sanyasa, the last stage of life.
God of good beginnings
Lord Ganesh is one of the most revered Hindu god whose blessings we seek before commencing any task. Special prayers are first offered to Him to remove all obstacles confronting devotees. A prayer before Him, or penance made for Him, are believed to fetch success in all our endeavours.
A cat across your path...
Indian tradition is built around myriad beliefs and practices. Our day-to-day life is influenced by these seemingly superstitious and trifling yet deep-rooted beliefs and socio-religious practices.
Why it’s 108 on the rosary
A rosary or japa mala is a string of beads put together to keep count of the chanting of mantras. It is an important prayer accessory for genuine devotees.
Our sacred travels
Taarayitum samartha ithi teertha (A pilgrim centre is a place where one can learn cross the ocean of life)
Since ancient times, Indians have gone on pilgrimages seeking the meaning of life and to know more about the Supreme Power. The journey may be difficult but it offers unique chances of interacting with people with varied experiences.
Fast way to de-tox
Fasting has always been an essential part of Indian tradition. It implies self-sacrifice and self-control. Food being one of the common weaknesses of man, abstaining from it at least for a short time is appreciable. In ancient India, saints and sages knew how to control their physical and mental self through fasting. This helped them attain purity of the mind, by which they developed divine powers.
