Tantra, Mantra, Rajaneeti & Kootaneeti: The Unmistakable Connection
Mantra and Tantra were regarded by Kautilya as two crucial elements in the art and science of Vedic approach to politics – Rajaneeti. Without a plan and a strategy to execute it Shakti (read Power) is of no use. In Arthashastra, he declares “Power by itself is useless” and that “Person who seeks power without sound Mantra (objective) and Tantra (strategy) is verily consumed by it.”
Read MoreThe True Nature of Vedic Knowledge & Wisdom
The Vedic texts are neither theist nor atheist in nature. They are beyond the petty ideas that are born of hating, fearing, or confused human mind. Everything the Vedic texts professes is for bettering our lives. You do not have to leave your existing faith to accept or understand Vedic precepts. There is no need for you to convert to Vedic faith – as there is nothing as such. Therefore, be that Yoga, Ayurveda, Dhyana, Pranayama, Rajaneeti, or any other knowledge which stem from Vedic text is a universal knowledge that is also a world heritage.
Read MoreMantra: The Idea that Creates, Sustains or Destroys
Mantra is by far the most misused as well as abused word of Vedic Sanskrit. The mantra was never some “spell” reciting which you could recite to “magically” summon “divine powers” or “superhuman intervention.” Mantra is also considered by many to be synonymous with yet another Vedic Sanskrit word Shloka.
Read MoreAhimsa: A Vedic Perspective
Dharma is not doing to others what you don't like being done by someone else to you. Dharma is that which sustains the order in self (mind), family, society, nation and the world at large. Dharma is sustained by doing things where the strong don’t thrive by suppressing the weak and the weak are not subjugated by the strong. Dharma provides a way for people to live and let live. When there’s an imposition of someone else’s will on you or your own excesses on others, that’s Himsa, causing Adharma.
Read More10 Qualities and Characteristics of The Wise
So, how do we know if someone is wise or otherwise? It’s a simple question with a complex answer. Wisdom is not ingrained – people are seldom born wise. For wisdom to dwell in an individual, (s)he must nurture specific qualities besides accumulating knowledge and insights over the years. There are a few characteristics which could help us in determining if a person is truly wise:
Read MoreThe Qualities of an Undeserving Leader according to Chanakya a.k.a. Kautilya
राज्य (Rajya) in Vedic Sanskrit means Administration. A great many translators of Kautilya’s Arthashastra have translated it as Nation-State, State, Country, etc. Kautilya a.k.a. Chanakya also uses a word called राज्यनर्ह: Rajyanarha. And because Rajya is misunderstood as Nation-State and Anarha mean Unworthy, Rajyanarha is often misunderstood as an individual unworthy of the state or citizenship. The correct translation of Rajyanarha, therefore, is a person unworthy of administration, power or Leadership. And according to Kautilya the following ten are unmistakable qualities of an individual unworthy of power:
Read MoreMahantam: The Vedic Interpretation of Greatness
Mahantam is Vedic Sanskrit word meaning Greatness. It consists of two words, namely: Maam or Self and Hantam or End. Therefore, Mahantam is also an absence of selfish desires and ego. Not surprisingly, according to Vedic knowledge and wisdom, a selfish person can seldom qualify as Great.
Read MoreThe Vedic Wisdom on Relationships
Relationships are bondage, indeed. But not all bondages are bad. Relationships that can give us peace, help us pursue our paths with limited distractions are always welcome.
Read MoreVedic Approach to Resolving Emotional Crisis
The mind consists of ideas and thoughts. If you choose ideas and thoughts of helplessness, chance, and luck – your mind will function in ways supporting those ideas undermining your potential. But if you choose thoughts of perseverance, persistence, and forethought - the mind will utilize every faculty of your body to work to its fullest potential. So, you must be very cautious with what thoughts or ideas you feed into the mind of yours, consciously as well as unconsciously.
Read MoreVedic Wisdom on Desires
Living without desire doesn’t mean living in a despicable condition. It doesn’t even imply relinquishing everything you have and becoming hermits or mendicants; quite the contrary. Living without desire is to live in the moment. Knowing that you are neither the body nor the mind and therefore every desire, which stem from these two, too, aren’t yours. It is about relinquishing the root of desires, namely: lust, anger, greed, infatuation ego, and envy. Also known as Arishadvargas – Six Detrimental Qualities. Living detached comes with a confirmed promise of Ananda - bliss.
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