We have all been there isn’t it? The big resolve to do something, to start anew. An exercise regime, a diet, a new productivity mantra, a new way of working… This usually follows a bell-shaped curve. Start from zero, an accelerated approach towards a peak, when you are exactly where you want to be…and then …
आदि शङ्कराचार्यः (Ādi Śaṅkarācāryaḥ) is arguably the most important and revered guru in Sanātana Dharma. Today is observed as Adi Shankaracharya Jayanti, or the birth anniversary of Ādi Śaṅkara. Ādi Śaṅkara was born in Kalady which is situated in Kerala during 788 C.E. and he attained mahāsamādhi at young age of 32 in year 820 …
Read the previous part here… “So tell me, o King, why was the power of that illusion lost to both the sanyasi and Candrasvāmin, even though Candrasvāmin did exactly everything that he was told to do?“ “Remember, if you know the answer, and don’t tell me the truth, your head will burst into a hundred …
Read the previous part here… “My son, when, while repeating this mantra, you see the illusion, I will recall you to consciousness by the power of my mind. You must enter the sacred fire that you see in your illusion. I will wait here for you, until you return.” Candrasvāmin prostrated before the sanyasi, and …
Read the previous part here… And so, prodded on by his fate, he went to the sanyasi, fell at his feet, and pleaded with him… “Oh revered one, if you are really pleased with me, the poor soul who has sought refuge with you, then please teach me the mantras by which this magic happens …
Read the previous part here… There, he saw a maiden who seemed to be their mistress. She was exceedingly beautiful, and it was as if she had been made by the Devas out of the curiosity of finding out what best they could make of a human being. She rose up, eager to welcome him, …
Read the previous part here… “Now where can I go in this pitiable condition, all beaten up, naked and covered in dust and grime? What would my father and my relatives and friends say of me, if they saw me this way?” “So it is better that I stay here awhile, and wait for the …
Read the previous part here… One day, this son of Devasvāmin entered a gambling den, to fulfill his desire to gamble. The tumbling dice of the hall seemed to be continuously scouting the scene with their rolling black eyes, and saying to themselves… “Who shall we catch today?” And the loud noises of the fights …
Read the previous part here… आरब्धे हि सुदुःकरे ऽपि महतां मध्ये विरामः कुतः? How can great men leave in the middle of a task that they have begun, even though it be very difficult? अष्टादशो वतेालः The Eighteenth Story The woes of Candrasvāmin ततः पितृवने तस्मिन् क्रव्यभक्षिभिर् आवृते ।ज्वालाविलोलरसनैर् भूतैर् इव चिताग्निभिः ॥ १२,२५.१ ॥ …
पृथिव्यां पुत्रास्ते जननि बहवः सन्ति सरलाःपरं तेषां मध्ये विरलतरलोऽहं तव सुतः। pṛthivyāṃ putrāste janani bahavaḥ santi saralāḥparaṃ teṣāṃ madhye viralataralo’haṃ tava sutaḥ। मदीयोऽयं त्यागः समुचितमिदं नो तव शिवेकुपुत्रो जायेत क्वचिदपि कुमाता न भवति ॥३॥ madīyo’yaṃ tyāgaḥ samucitamidaṃ no tava śivekuputro jāyeta kvacidapi kumātā na bhavati ॥3॥ Oh Mother, there are many sons of yours in …
