Chaturanga: The Lost Wisdom from a Lasting Game of Chess
Chaturanga or Chaduranga is the predecessor of Chess. As played on an 8X8 unchecked board, Chaturanga was also called Ashtapada. It is, probably, the first strategy board game ever invented. Although we cannot be sure if the rules of the Chess and Chaturnaga are the same, what we can be …
Read MoreThe Rishikas: Who were they? Why are they important?
The word Veda comes from the root word Vid, which implies Wisdom. Vedic texts, including the Vedas, Upanishads, Aranyakas, Shastras and Sutras are collection of greater knowledge and deeper wisdom on achieving sustainable peace and prosperity at an individual as well as collective level. The sages and seers who authored …
Read MoreYUGAS: Understanding their Origins & Prevailing Misconceptions
Fear is the worst enemy of humanity. It is a tool of the despots for restraining and subjugating their victims. It’s also the ultimate deception. Most of the time fear itself is worse than the object of fear. Ignorance is the root of fear. According to the rishis, it’s only through right knowledge, or Jnana, and wisdom, or Vijnana – that we can free ourselves from fear. Any texts which instill fear in us are verily manifestation of ignorance and are not Vedic. And it’s better to ignore or best to forget any books that harps on instilling fear in our minds. To revere them is to invite our peril.
Read More72 Pearls of Wisdom from Yoga Vashistha
After embarking on a long and tiresome pilgrimage, Prince Rama of Ayodhya found himself disillusioned with the world. He was overwhelmed by the pains of the people he met during his travel and saw the world around him to be gruesome. He was not sure why the world and life were …
Read MoreEssential leadership wisdom from Shukracharya
Niti Shastra, a collection of quotes from various rishis, is believed to have been compiled in an abridged form, originally, by Shukracharya - a great Rishi (sage). It is an ancient India classic on leadership, teaching primary ethics and principles of right behavior which remains relevant even today. It consists of important aphorisms that hold essential wisdom and guidance.
Read MoreSatyavati’s Paradox: The forgotten crucial lesson from Vyasa’s Mahabharata
We often think we know what we want. Yet we forget that we’ll have more respect for something only when it’s not there or when it is lost. We are all mortal with frailties – we don’t live long enough to see the consequences of our own actions. The Mahabharata is more about exposing human weaknesses than any hagiography or glorification of mere human personalities. It shows us what our deep-seated limitations are and how to correct them, should we be willing to make the great labor to do so. Nothing in life comes easy, without examination, or without determination. Wisdom and knowledge come to those who incessantly strive to exceed their personal limitations.
Read MoreThe Greatest Teachings of Vyasa’s Mahabharata
Translated by U. Mahesh Prabhu “Look how creatures of the highest, middle as well as the lowest degrees are everywhere here enmeshed in grief because of their Karma (actions). Even my body though it seems ,at first glance by the Atman, is not me it is also the Atman ; …
Read MoreBhartrihari’s Wisdom: Niti Shataka
By U. Mahesh Prabhu Legends have it that Bhartrihari once ruled the city of Ujjain. Although a loving ruler his mind was always engrossed about Love and Romance. He had over 100 beautiful women for his wives. No wonder he spent negligible time in the affairs of the state. His …
Read MoreChanakya’s Artha Sutras
Translated by U Mahesh Prabhu Kautilya, also known as Chanakaya and Vishnugupta, is probably the oldest known authority on economics. Arthashastra, the oldest surviving treatise on polity, strategy and statesmanship, has recorded sutras (read: formulae) which, according to its author, holds the key to finding quintessential success in one’s life and all aspects of it. The following is …
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