The Billion-Dollar Temple

After our visit to Baha’i temple, our next stop was Swami Narayan Temple (BAPS). We came to know, (through Kurup uncle), that they have constructed a multi mi(bi)llion – dollar temple for Swami Narayan – Swami Narayan Sampraday of Gujarat. Kurup uncle and we thought we would go together to this temple. But we included [...]

My Strangest Dream

Well, I had this dream yesterday while I dozed off reading Harry Potter book. As many of us do, I like JK Rowling’s Harry Potter, but they are turning out to be more grim with each passing year. I was reading the sixth one, which I do not like much for its plot, and dreamt [...]

Our Trip to Baha’i Temple of Worship

Hari had visited the Lotus Temple of Bahai’ faith in Delhi, India, many years ago; but I did not get a chance (though I stayed near Delhi for a near 5 year period !) Suddenly one fine Sunday (Labor Day weekend), we were sitting at home and Hari was in a mood for traveling. When [...]

Sundarakanda of Sri MS Rama Rao

As some of you know, Sri MS Rama Rao has written Sundarakanda of Valmiki Ramayana in Telugu and has sung it with utmost devotion. I have an immense respect for Sri MS Rama Rao as he is an ardent devotee of Lord Rama and Hanuman. I have, by HIS grace, by-hearted the Sundarakanda and have written it [...]

Qualities of a Vaishnava – The Devotee of Lord

First, let us try to understand what the word “Vishnu” means. Knowing the meaning helps us understand its universal oneness irrespective of the differences in religion, race, belief, and cultures. “Vishnu” is not a monopoly of Hinduism, though it is mostly used in Hindu religion.
“Vishnu” is a sanskrit word, written as विष्णु. The root is [...]

The Prayer of St Francis

We have subscribed to a newsletter of “Blue Mountain Center of Meditation” which is established by Sri Eknath Easwaran. He was a professor of English Literature in India and came to University of California, Berkeley in 1968 on Fulbright Scholarship. Subsequently he established ”Nilgiri Meditation Center”, which then took its English translation, “Blue Mountain Center of Meditation”. His [...]

Saranaagathi – Surrender to the Divine

Welcome to …….
                            Saranaagathi – Surrender to the Divine
Saranaagathi is a “sanskrit” word which means “surrender to Lord”, the Omnipresent, Omnipotent and Omniscient. This is the mantra of all religions, philosophies – Advaita, Dvaita, Visishta Advaita, and many other branches in Spiritual Path. A Bhaka (devotee) as well as a Jnani should completely surrender [...]