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Maha Shivaratri ka Parv

When the Shiva (God) element leaves the body, the body is referred to as Shava (dead body). The Lord of the universe permeates it in its entirety. He is the life force in each living thing. Maha Shivaratri is a time to remind ourselves of the Shiva aspect latent in each of us.

Celebrating Love, spring and the lessons of Shiva and Parvati

Maha Shivaratri shall be celebrated on Feb 15th this year. That’s just a day after Valentine’s Day. Do celebrate Maha Shivaratri with the same fervour, if not more.

The Tri-colour Beckons

The freedom fighters are no more. Those witness to that era, are also almost gone now. What has been begotten by much struggle, needs to be cherished and protected. The shoulders of the youth are strong but they need to be channelled in the right direction. Patriotism has to be invoked!

Holy Makar Sankranti

The sun does not need water or anything for that matter. But when we pour water, positioning the pot high up, the Sun’s rays fall on us through the stream of falling water and that is very beneficial for our eyes, bones and chakras too.

Lohri: From bonfires to belief

On Lohri day my father would peel peanuts for us and feed us, as we sat around a bonfire ... My mother would make popcorn and Gaajar ka halwa! In the present day, youngsters have gotten used to snacks like pizza, fries, nachos, chips ‘n’ dips etc.

Upskilled for Life

... education today is just a process of filling the mind with the contents of books, emptying the contents in the examination hall and returning empty-headed. But true education consists in the cultivation of the heart.

Uniting India through Love

When people congregate with Prema-bhava or Bhakti-bhava, it is love that flows and overflows. And when human love overflows for divinity, divine love too flows. Just as the devotee is in search of God, God too is in search of a true devotee.

What’s inside?

If we’re full of ego, anger, etc. that’s what spills out. Character cannot be enacted. It is a part of our persona.

A Birthday Party with a Difference

Baba’s life is summed up in the crux of his teachings: Love all – Serve all; Help Ever, Hurt Never.  And His life has been a testament to this.

The Power of Silence

These learnings, I have gathered over the years. They are life lessons that perhaps no book can teach. Emotions run high in Indian homes. It is impossible to please everyone.

The Hundredth Year of Sai

This is truly the principle of Vedanta. Baba said that the essence of the Vedas, lies in understanding that you are not separate from others, so by loving and serving all, you are truly loving and serving God. This conscious practice leads to recognising the divine in everyone ...

The Legacy of a 100 Years of Love

Baba was love personified. When He looked at you, it was as if a 1000 mothers together, were showering their love, so it was like being bathed in a sea of divine love.  It inevitably brought tears to the eyes of those who loved him and were cognisant of his divinity.

Teaching by Example – A 100 Inspiring Years of Selfless Love

Baba also said that devotion is not a uniform to be worn on certain occasions, it is a way of life. He often said, “My life is my message.” And He walked the talk. In the later years of His earthly sojourn Baba said, “Your life is my message.” I strive to conduct myself as per the path shown by Him.

Beware of the Effect of Kali

The Bhagavata Puran tells of Parikshit, the grandson of Arjuna. He was a virtuous and illustrious king. He saw a lame ox being beaten mercilessly by a stranger. The ox which had only one leg, was crying piteously. The ox appealed to Parikshit to save him, saying that he didn’

Radiate Light this Deepawali

The life story of Bhagwan Rama is talked about and remembered even today. Like they say, “Kuch to baat hogi un mein, ki baat baat mein unki baat hoti hai!”

Romance in moonlight, the essence of Karwachauth

If the husband fasts too, who will pamper the wife? Women get to dress up and get that ‘bride-like’ feel on this day; do we want to share it with the men?

Where is Varanasi?

There is a place in Kashi called Mukti Bhawan, where people who feel their end is near, come to stay. This is because of the belief that if one dies in Varanasi, they would get Moksha.

Nav-Ratri ka Parv

This festival serves as a reminder that the girl child is as precious as the boy. It is also important to remember that while worshipping little girls as Goddess Durga we must also respect the other living goddesses around us.

Shraadh with Shraddha

If your parents are no more, do you miss them? Do you wish you had said, done …? After our parents and grandparents pass on to the higher realms, there may be feelings of gratitude for all that they did, or feelings of remorse for not having done enough for them

Pitron ke Paksh Mein

The best interpretation of the word ‘parent’ has been given by Shri Sathya Sai Baba. He said that ‘parent’ denotes pay-rent. Pay rent to your parents... We can pay the rent of Respect, Empathy, Niceness and Time. Let us remember that after our parents are gone … our siblings are still there.

Mallikarjuna Magic – The 2nd Jyotirlinga

This pilgrimage is unique in its own way, because this is the only place where the Shiva Jyotirlinga and the Devi Shaktipeeth are in the same compound. Every spec of this place exudes energy ... India has so many beautiful places to see and experience … I hope everyone gets to see some … if not all!

My Mother’s Picture

When I set eyes on your eyes, I feel the connect.   They talk to my heart, I bow with respect.   Your persona immaculate, Close to perfect.   Memories so sweet, A joy to reflect.   Goes beyond this life, The soul connect.   Staring I stay put, Shall never forget.   -              Priya S

Manmohana Krishna

Just as the chains of Vasudeva and Devki, fell apart when Krishna was born; when the Lord in any form, enters our hearts, all unwanted ties and barriers snap away. All chains of ego, attachment, greed, jealousy and vices too, break away.

Raksha Bandhan, a thread of love that grows stronger with time

They were times when girls were considered the weaker sex; or incapable of looking after themselves. Presently, boys and girls or considered equal. I prefer to believe that when a sister ties Rakhi on the wrist of her brother, she seeks God’s blessings and protection for him.

Baahar se Bheetar

A learned man said, “Main bheetar gaya; toe main bhee tar gaya!” Meaning: I looked within; and I found salvation! What a profound statement! The royal route to salvation is the inward path.

Sawan ka Mahina

I have childhood memories of listening to, “Woh Kagaz ki Kashti, Woh Barish ka Paani …”, “Sawan ka mahina, pawan kare sor …” and many more.

Divine Vibes at Anjanadri Parvat

Bharat is home to a rich cultural heritage, devotion, pulsating divinty and much more. My husband and I recently visited the UNESCO World Heritage Site, of the Hampi ruins in Karnataka. Hampi is  mentioned in the Ramayana, as Kishkindha, the kingdom of Bali and Sugreeva. In the 15th-16th century, this

Global Education Summit 2025 – Neurodiversity to Neuroplasticity

Each one of us is neurodiverse, in peculiar ways. We all have our idiocies; let’s have faith in the power of neuroplasticity, and change the shape of education in the country. Let’s do the good work, simply because it is good to do good work.

A Heart to Heart for the Divyang - Global Education Summit  2025

Are Education and Vidya, synonymous? Education or Shiksha, imparted in schools provides certification, but may or may not lead to learning. Vidya refers to knowledge and wisdom. It nurtures the intellect and the soul. Imparting and imbibing Vidya, ensures learning. A mother knows when her child is hungry, sleepy, tired

Jako Rakhe Saiyaan Maar Sake Na Koi

Often have we heard the proverb, ‘Jako Rakhe Saiyaan Maar Sake Na Koi’. The recent plane crash in Ahmedabad literally proved this and showed us the truth in it. As the bone chilling, horrific videos of the plane crash started coming in, there were prayers for the casualties to be

Fathers are no less than Mothers

I learnt that practical spirituality can be a part of our outlook, thoughts, words and deeds. It is not just about prayers and meditation in seclusion and reclusion. Practical spirituality can be a part of our day to day life.

Let's be Proud of our Country and Armed Forces

India has emerged on the world front as a quiet and confident nation who knows what it is doing. India shall make its own rules. It shall not bow down to the whims and fancies of others. There is a sense of calm and surety that has left the world astounded.

Every day is Mother’s Day

Bhartiyas are the only ones that revere their country as a mother. Did you ever hear of Mother America or Mother Canada? We adulate five mothers, because they nourish us selflessly.

Balla Ghumao, Nasha Bhagao – Season 3

Passionate and talented children are getting to play; their talent is being recognised. They are learning the value of team spirit and discipline.

Ugliness Amidst Beauty

Spending time in nature is a great stress buster. We in Chandigarh (North India) enjoy walking in parks that are a unique feature of the topography of our city. Passionate caregivers, painstakingly manicure the lawns, flower beds, bushes and shrubs to create visual magic. One such exceptionally beautiful park, had

Akshaya means eternal, Tritiya 3rd day

So, you must give something first, in order to receive. This is Divine Law. Even if it is tiny or insignificant, it must be offered to God.

Living With God

“Twamev Mata ch Pita twamev, Twamev Bandhush ch Sakha Twamev. Twamev Vidya ch dravinam twamev, Twamev sarvam mam devdeva.”  This oft repeated and heard prayer has been a part of our school prayers throughout our growing up years. Just like nursery rhymes are parroted by toddlers without knowing their meaning,

Hanuman Janmotsava

Due to this blow on the face by Indra, Anjaneya’s chin got twisted to one side and his face got disfigured. This is when he came to be known as Hanuman (one with a disfigured face).

Shubham Karoti Kalyanam

This year shall be the Sri Vishwavasu Nama Samvatsara. It is the 39th year in the 60 year cycle of Samvatsaras (years). ‘Viswavasu’ indicates that it shall be a year of beneficence, peace and good fortune.

100TH BIRTHDAY OF BHAGAWAN SRI SATHYA SAI BABA: ESSENCE AND SIGNIFICANCE

From, “My life is My message”… to “Your life is My message,” we have come a long, long way.

Bathing in Spirituality

A spiritual dip in the Sangam is a symbolic washing away of desires, ego and bad karma. The holy water becomes a conduit to receive divine grace and prepare for an elevated form of existence. Your spirit of surrender, piety and purity, makes the experience magical.

When Forever Fades Away

At the time of a Hindu marriage, the groom is worshipped by the bride’s parents as an embodiment of Lord Vishnu. They anoint his forehead with Kumkum and rice, wash his feet and offer him Panchamrit (mixture of milk, curd, honey, desi ghee and sugarcane juice). They give their

Learnings from the Shepherd

India has a rich cultural heritage, spiritual wisdom, strong family values; but in etiquettes, habits and discipline especially on the road, we do lag behind.

Saraswati Pooja – for Knowledge and Wisdom

Basant is about thanking God for the bounties of nature. This also means not wasting and ensuring that everything is preserved for the future generations.

Whatever You Have is Enough

My grandmother would often say, “Praapt hi paryaapt hai.” Meaning whatever you have; whatever God has given you, is enough for you. Be happy and peaceful with your lot and do not crave for too much.

Old habits that just don’t die

“Panchaan di gall sir matthe; par parnala othhe da othhe!” (The wisdom of the elders is appreciated; but the gutter shall stay its own course!)

Another Year Gone By

A child prays to God to fulfil his desires. An adult prays to God to help him overcome/kill his desires. Everyone wants to be happy. It is a myth that happiness comes from fulfilment of desires.

The Hungry Warriors

After sunset, both armies would drop their differences and eat together in the Udupi King’s kitchen... King of Udupi in feeding everyone such that, all got ample food, yet not a grain was wasted.

That time of the Month

Women were/are not impure during this period. Menstrual blood is a collection of a month's blood in the lining of the uterus of a fertile woman. It is made up of blood, uterine tissue and mucus and does have a peculiar smell, but it’s not impure.

The Journey to Beyond

The departed soul hovers above/around the gross body. The Jyoti is a form of Parmatmajyoti. The soul finds solace there.

The Last Mile

The last mile has been difficult for her, as well as for her progeny. We read the Bhagwad Gita to her, for deliverance from suffering.

Illuminate your soul this Deepawali

Diwali is a time to clean up your home, in the run up to the festival and also declutter, your home, mind and thoughts... While cleaning out your home, removing the cobwebs, the dust and mites, do give a thought to sweeping out unwanted desires, yearnings, animosities and thoughts too.

The Romance of Karwa Chauth

Is there an emotion more beautiful than love? The only person who loves you for being you, is your spouse. There is no blood relation. This heart-to-heart relationship is nourished by love alone. When a girl finds her life partner, she is starry-eyed and brimming with emotions. When the initial

Divine Navratri

When the Purusha aspect combines with Prakriti in any form, then creation happens! If we can understand this, we realise that the female aspect is as important as the male aspect. Women are as valuable and equal to men.

The Importance of ancestral blessings

Shraadh is what you do with shraddha (devotion). Why should devotion manifest only after parents die?

Creating a Better World - The Teacher’s Way

One often realizes the value of a ‘value’ while striving to teach it to one’s child. Parents aspire to impart values to their children, but they may not always know how to do so.

Everyone can Teach

A rapist or a criminal is a misguided, mentally sick person who was not reprimanded when he first erred. Let each well-meaning citizen do a bit of teaching. Let’s join the reform brigade.

Missing my Mother on her Birthday

Love untethered, can do much harm, Mixed with discipline, it works like a charm.

Raksha Ka Bandhan

I had once asked my father why siblings fight so much. He said that it’s because they have something to share and they don’t want to share it ... Countries sharing common borders fight over land, water and even the space above!

Looking for the Demon in Modern Times

The spirit of self-inquiry allows us to recognize our divine attributes and identify the demonic tendencies we embody... The influence of the Kaliyuga is evident in all of us. The pressing question is: what should we do, and what should we avoid?

Gully Gully mein Shor hai! Gully Cricket ka Zor hai!

When children from the gullys get to dress like India’s ‘men in blue’, they feel transformed into Tendulkar or Virat Kohli...

Happy Friendship Day 2024

When the physics class in school leads to chemistry between the opposite sexes and goes on the explore their biology, it is alarming.

Paying Rent

Are we as parents not giving the right values to our children? Is our education system and our home environment lacking somewhere? Let’s look into what we have done wrong.

Education should go beyond employability

... we have to teach students to value life and all things living, be they humans, trees, animals, vegetation, aquatic life etc. Because as Sathya Sai Baba said, “Education is for life, not merely for a living ... The end of knowledge is wisdom.”

Dal Chawal Above All

We should eat food to fill our stomach up to half. After about forty minutes we should drink water up to one quarter of our stomach’s capacity. The rest of the stomach should be left empty to aid easy digestion.

Reading Mindsets

The journey of the soul continues till it merges into divinity. Till the moment of mergence, let us be mindful of what we are doing.

What are you accumulating?

Yes! Our good karma. If we help others; if we do something to reduce the pain of another, wipe the tears from another’s eyes… that merit can go with us. It is said, ‘Samaan sau baras ka, pal bhar ki khabar nahin’.

The Right and Duty to Vote

Each voter is a king-maker. The Constitution of India says that it is your right to vote if you are an adult. We should realise that it is also our duty!

Akshaya Tritiya

Whatever we start on Akshaya Tritiya becomes endless and eternal ... Just do good to pay it forward in the circle of life … Just keep doing good, because it’s a good thing to do good!

KBC to KYC (Kaun Banega Candidate to Know Your Candidate)

Now that he is the candidate for the Lok Sabha election from Chandigarh, God willing he will emerge victorious and will be able to help more and more people. Do stand beside him to add to his strength. All of us together will surely be able to build a better city and a better nation.

The Science and Spirituality behind Navratri

God makes each mother capable of manifesting divine qualities in herself, as an embodiment of the Devi in a minuscule way. Rudyard Kipling said, “God could not be everywhere, and therefore He made mothers.”

Balancing the Big 5

Greed, lust etc. of humans cause disturbance in the human body as well as in nature. To keep nature’s elements in balance, we need to keep the senses in check.

Holi – The Holy way or the Highway?

Radha looked like Krishna and Krishna looked like Radha. Radha said to Krishna, “Mein to teri ho-lee!” (I belong to you now!)

The Magic of Command Z

I still use the pen to jot down my thoughts. Later I edit my writing on the laptop. Having worked for over an hour, I had just finished editing and polishing an article on my laptop. My granddaughter wanted me to play with her and was vying for my attention.

Don’t waste what you have, value it!

Too many desires lead to a restless life. One who has no desires is free. The richest man is not one who has loads of money. The richest man is one who has no desires.

Roses are passé, marigolds are divine

While we fly kites, there is automatic exposure to the sun. People sit in the Sun and do body massage with mustard oil. All these traditions point towards healthy living and community celebrations and are so very scientific!

Ram is in our Culture

Finally, we have a face to the name that has been a part of our culture since the Treta Yug... Ram certainly had some charisma that he is remembered with such fondness and devotion after thousands of years.

Ram Ayenge! Ram Aaagaye!

Before Ram was exiled he was, Dashrathnandan Ram. After so many trials and tribulations, He became Maryada Purushottam Ram! What a story the Ramayan is … the more you learn about it, the more you want to learn!

The Swans and Crows of the World

The ink in my pen has the strength to ruin his boy’s career. But my pen can be used for better things ... A drop of ink, can make a million think!

Experience is the Mother of all Teachers

We need to discriminate between the sweet and the sour. We need to know the Gur from the lemons!

Peace or just Pieces

War leaves behind death, destruction, misery … nothing good comes out of it. It tears up not just the country but its people also to pieces ... Peace is not just the absence of war. It is the presence of well-being, stability, a sense of security and faith.

Sacred Union and Joyous Reunion

Like Shiva and Shakti are conjoined as Ardhnarishwar, the couple are the inseparable half of each other. Together they constitute the whole!

What Bharat stands for

Interestingly, there are some ‘Bh’ words that bind us together. These are Bhaasha, Bhusha, Bhava, Bhaya, Bhojan, Bhraman, Bhaichara, Bhakti, Bhajan, etc.

Learning from Lord Rama, invoking one's inner light

The greeting means much more than enjoying sweets, holidays, card parties, shopping, gifting, new clothes etc. It is about celebrating and enunciating the fact that goodness is the greatest thing to emulate.

The Exhilaration of Karwa Chauth

Karwa Chauth is a reminder to rise above petty things and cherish and value marital bliss and this beautiful bond of love.

This Navratri, connect your body, mind, soul with Divinity

Convert your will power (ichchaa shakti) into a yearning for God. Convert purposeful action (kriya shakti) into a force for doing Divine actions. Convert your power of discernment (jnaana shakti) into the Divine Itself.

Divine bond between men and women

The best home, family, society, community … is one where men and women walk hand-in-hand; they match their steps with each other. They value each other. They may not look into each other’s eyes but they look together in the same direction.

Shraddha se Shraadh

It is perhaps only those who respect their parents while they are alive, that can perform this ritual in its solemn spirit. It is a time to pay obeisance to those departed, and also set an example for the next generation, so that they too appreciate the ideology behind these observances.

The Dharma that is Sanatana

God is Santhana and the Dharma/law/duty mandated by Him is Sanathana Dharama. It is the eternal law! And it belongs to everyone … just like the Sun, Moon, planets etc.

Joining the 60's Club

After slogging through life to learn and earn, next in turn is to yearn to prepare for one’s spiritual sojourn. I was reminded of what Sri Sathya Sai Baba said, ‘Life is a journey from I to We to He’ and suddenly, I realised how profound this was!

Understanding the Purushottam Maas

According to the lunar calendar, the Shraavan/Saawan Maas would last for two months in 2023. Let’s try to decode what this means. The lunar calendar that we follow for festival dates, auspicious days, horoscope making etc. has 354 days, 8 hours, 48 minutes and 34 seconds or (354.

Mum’s the Word

When we were hungry, we sought out Mum, She cooked and fed, was never glum. Whatever happened, we went to Mum, She was just there, for everyone. When in doubt, she said, be mum, She taught us not to jump the gun. Commitment and resilience to just be mum, Is

Be free as a Bird, Trust your own wings

A flying kite is dependent on the string and the keeper of the string. If the string snaps, the kite comes tumbling down! Stay connected to your keeper … your life depends on it!

Happy Friendship Day!

We can’t choose our relatives but we can choose our friends. Friends add value to our lives, if well chosen! Choose well and cherish the bonds. Happy Friendship Day!

Undercurrents and Undertones

"The intake by the senses are part of the food that builds the individual. The sounds heard, the sights seen, the tactile impressions sought or suffered, the air breathed, the environment that presses for attention, appreciation and adoption - all these are 'food'. " - Sathya Sai Baba

Rooted We Soar

Let’s nourish our roots … let us learn what we have missed out on and pass it on to our next generation too. Let not the Kerala story extend its tentacles beyond …

Life Comes Full Circle

Empower children with 21st century skills that include facing real life situations, critical thinking, collaboration, problem solving skills etc. Traversing changing eras, children still need to learn the same things as they always did!

Dohte'-Pote'

Sometimes we pamper the wrong people, but they only make trouble and party on the rubble! Some people are just there till we can ride them piggy-back.

Sweet Nothings

Parenting is serious business. Children should be fed sweet-nothings through the mouth, eyes, ears and the aura of the house ... If the parents don’t do it, who will?

Nirjala Ekadashi

It is one thing to go off cereals because a dietician advised so; doing it with the understanding of its multifarious subcutaneous benefits is another thing altogether!