Reaching There

Mind alone is the cause of both bondage and liberation. - Amritabindu Upanishad, Verse 2 Hiuen Tsang (Xuanzang) in his "journey to the west" between 629 CE and 645 CE referred to India as ' Yin-tu ' which  means moon (in Sanskrit). Dharampal in his book 'A Beautiful Tree' describes various British territories like Bengal, Bihar, Madras, Punjab, and others that "there is hardly a village, great or small, throughout our territories, in which there is not at least one school, and in larger villages more." And the 1830s, the British began the survey of India to implement policies that "established some affinity of outlook and belief between the rules and the rule" whether it was introducing a new "Christian" education policy or opening up India to evangelical missionaries for extending Christian 'light' and 'knowledge' (Page 16, The Beautiful Tree, Dharampal)   Since ancient times travelers, monks, seers, and seekers ...

All of us desire to be remembered after our time is done in this lifetime. It is a foremost desire to pass on a legacy to the next generation. Whether it's a family heirloom, knowledge, letters or for a selected few an institution or a trust. We've a desire to be remembered, whether through our photographs or through our deeds. At a civilizational level the traditions pass on the legacy of previous generation to the generations to come. Traditions live among us in form of books of knowledge, prayers, general wisdom, and everything we do in our day to day live. At times new traditions are added which may or may not survive the test of time.  David Frawley states in his foreword to Sandeep Balakrishna's book '70 Years of Secularism' that "Indian intellectual today dislikes his own country, does not study or honor its cultural traditions". But, what should I be proud of?  It's a question we need to think sincerely and with utmost dignity. A question that...

Ancient India is a vast topic, it has an almost miscible concoction of mysticism, spiritualism, and antiquity. One of the facets of ancient India which to this day remains shrouded in an utmost mystery and yet has a profound impact on our country's identity is Indus Valley Civilization. With thousands of sites spread across India and Pakistan, its historicity is exemplified by discoveries of first planned cities, long distance trades (as far as ancient Sumeria), hous es with wells & bathrooms, weights & seals for trading, water reservoirs, toys, jewelry and much more. As Archaeological Survey of India uncovers the glory of past (motto of ASI states 'प्रत्नकीर्तिमपावृणु') we will perhaps understand more about this ancient civilization. On a side note, the script found at archaeological sites still remains undeciphered. You can read more about it from books of Indian archaeologists like B.B. Lal, R.S. Bisht and other books by scholars. Here is a link about o...