User contributions for Akshayjha
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8 October 2024
- 02:0502:05, 8 October 2024 diff hist +79 Aesthetics Vs. Meaning Part V: The Architect in Architecture No edit summary current Tag: Visual edit
- 02:0402:04, 8 October 2024 diff hist +96 Aesthetics Vs. Meaning Part V: The Architect in Architecture No edit summary Tag: Visual edit
- 01:5701:57, 8 October 2024 diff hist +15 Aesthetics Vs. Meaning Part II: The Importance of Hindu Architecture No edit summary current Tag: Visual edit
- 00:3800:38, 8 October 2024 diff hist +54 Implications of the Pandemic, Part 2 No edit summary current Tag: Visual edit
20 July 2024
- 02:2302:23, 20 July 2024 diff hist +28 Vivaha-Samskaara - A Traditional Hindu Marriage, A Deep Dive into Rituals No edit summary current
- 02:2302:23, 20 July 2024 diff hist +11,105 N Vivaha-Samskaara - A Traditional Hindu Marriage, A Deep Dive into Rituals Created page with " The Hindu marriage is also known as the vivaha-samskaara. As a samskaara, it is conceptualized at multiple levels - the individual, societal and cosmic. It is a union of all these forces and also secures the well-being of them all. It achieves this vision through an array of mantras, vidhis and ahutis. In this piece, we explore three of the most common and deeply significant rituals of the Hindu vivaham. ==== Kanyadaanam - An Offering unto Dharma ==== The idea of Daa..." Tag: Visual edit
- 02:2102:21, 20 July 2024 diff hist +28 Mahashivaratri - Significance of the Great Night of Lord Shiva No edit summary current
- 02:2102:21, 20 July 2024 diff hist +4,641 N Mahashivaratri - Significance of the Great Night of Lord Shiva Created page with " Mahashivaratri, known as the great night of Shiva, holds profound spiritual significance for devotees around the world. Lord Shiva, the epitome of auspiciousness and the life source of all existence, is revered in various forms, each resonating uniquely with the spiritual growth of the Upasaka, or devotee. From the benevolent Shri Dakshinamurthy, the fountainhead of all knowledge, to the fierce Bhairava, and the all-encompassing Jagadeeshwara, Shiva manifests in myriad..." Tag: Visual edit
- 02:2002:20, 20 July 2024 diff hist +28 Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Bihu - A Celebration of Interconnectedness & Well-Being No edit summary current
- 02:2002:20, 20 July 2024 diff hist +5,134 N Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Bihu - A Celebration of Interconnectedness & Well-Being Created page with " Often, owing to a loss of cultural meaning-making mechanisms, we are unable to understand the deeper significance of our festivals. We celebrate them superficially and fail to understand the traditions in their entirety. What makes most of the utsavas of Bharat beautiful is that they have different manifestations in various parts of the country. These festivals, which vary beautifully across different regions of Bharat and even beyond, carry profound meanings that have..." Tag: Visual edit
- 02:1902:19, 20 July 2024 diff hist +28 The Saptamatrkas, An Exploration of Narratives Part 3 No edit summary current
- 02:1902:19, 20 July 2024 diff hist +6,293 N The Saptamatrkas, An Exploration of Narratives Part 3 Created page with "==== Who is Indrani? ==== Matrka Indrani who is also known as Aindri and Vajri is the Shakti of Indra Deva, the king of the Devas. We know the opulence, power and resplendence that Indra stands for. One can only imagine the majesty and glory of Aindri then! Dark-red in complexion, she is the one with a thousand eyes like Indra. In two of her arms she holds the Vajra or the fearsome thunderbolt and the Shakthi while the other two rest in Abhaya and Varada Mudra. Adorned..." Tag: Visual edit
- 02:1802:18, 20 July 2024 diff hist +28 The Saptamatrkas, An Exploration of Narratives Part 2 No edit summary current
- 02:1802:18, 20 July 2024 diff hist +7,232 N The Saptamatrkas, An Exploration of Narratives Part 2 Created page with "==== Who is Maheshwari? ==== When we speak about Matrka Maheshwari, we can imagine the attributes of Bhagavan Shiva. As the Shakti of Shiva, she is also known as Raudri and Rudrani. White in complexion, she is depicted with three eyes, two hands in abhaya and varada mudra each and the other two holding the trishula and akshamala or sometimes even the kapala. Like Shiva, her emblem is Nandi and her head is adorned by the jata-mukuta while her hands sport snake bracelets...." Tag: Visual edit
- 02:1702:17, 20 July 2024 diff hist +28 The Saptamatrkas, An Exploration of Narratives Part 1 No edit summary current
- 02:1702:17, 20 July 2024 diff hist +8,445 N The Saptamatrkas, An Exploration of Narratives Part 1 Created page with " This article is an exploration into the tradition of the Saptamatrkas - the mother-like goddesses who hold symbolic relevance in both worship and Indian sculptural art. From the narratives across the Puranas, Tantra-shastras, Yoga and folk cultures, one derives a multifaceted understanding of the nature and functions of the Saptamatrkas. At the center lies the narrative of evolving consciousness. The 7 mother-like goddesses trace their origins to the Puranas and th..." Tag: Visual edit
- 02:1202:12, 20 July 2024 diff hist +28 Why The Indian Knowledge Systems for Global Futures Part 2 No edit summary current
- 02:1202:12, 20 July 2024 diff hist +9,210 N Why The Indian Knowledge Systems for Global Futures Part 2 Created page with "==== IKS in Action ==== Apart from the classical arts with their dance, music, martial arts etc IKS constitutes many other areas of knowledge too that we see all around us. From the grand temples of Modhera, Martand, Khajuraho, Chidambaram and Thiruvananthapuram to the Root Bridges of Meghalaya, the Siddha medicine of Tamil Nadu, anything that is replicable, scalable and is universally applicable is IKS in action. We practice this in our daily lives too when we learn an..." Tag: Visual edit
- 02:1002:10, 20 July 2024 diff hist +28 Why Indian Knowledge Systems for Global Futures Part 1 No edit summary current
- 02:1002:10, 20 July 2024 diff hist +7,613 N Why Indian Knowledge Systems for Global Futures Part 1 Created page with "<blockquote>भद्रायां सुमतौ यतेम | ऋग्वेद (६।१।१०) [Let us strive for the wisdom that leads to the welfare of all]</blockquote>There is a global meta crisis and the world is looking at healthier alternatives to loneliness, depression, violence, Big Tech, Big Pharma, and how not to be made redundant by AI. But, we in India are proud parents to something called the Indian Knowledge Systems or IKS, which does exactl..." Tag: Visual edit
- 02:0702:07, 20 July 2024 diff hist +28 World Civilizations: Mesopotamia, Part 14 - Covenant and Lessons No edit summary current
- 02:0702:07, 20 July 2024 diff hist +10,789 N World Civilizations: Mesopotamia, Part 14 - Covenant and Lessons Created page with "==== The Notion of a “Covenant” ==== Now, we will study a very important aspect of life in the Ancient Near East that has huge implications for the biblical tradition (6). It is the notion of the covenant. A covenant is basically a legally binding agreement signed between two parties who are unequal - an overlord and a vassal. It is to be understood in a feudal context - the overlord agrees to grant protection to the vassal if he submits to him and to punish the vass..." Tag: Visual edit
- 02:0402:04, 20 July 2024 diff hist +28 World Civilizations: Mesopotamia, Part 13 - Written Law Code No edit summary current
- 02:0402:04, 20 July 2024 diff hist +6,467 N World Civilizations: Mesopotamia, Part 13 - Written Law Code Created page with "==== Written Law Codes ==== Today most countries have written legal codes and they have become the norm. But this was not the case in a larger civilisational context. Egypt did not have a written law code as we shall see in the next article. Mesopotamia was the first civilization to come up with an explicitly written code of law. There are so many famous law codes instituted by various rulers - for example: Ur-Namma [2100 BCE] and Lipit Eshtar [1870 BCE] (in Sumerian lan..." Tag: Visual edit
- 02:0202:02, 20 July 2024 diff hist +28 Vanshavalis: Genealogies in the Hindu Puranas No edit summary current
- 02:0202:02, 20 July 2024 diff hist +6,233 N Vanshavalis: Genealogies in the Hindu Puranas Created page with " Vanshavalis, or genealogies, form a crucial component of the Hindu Puranas, providing detailed lineages of ancient dynasties, sages, and divine beings. These genealogies are not just historical records but are imbued with religious, cultural, and moral significance. They serve to connect the present with the mythic past, establishing the continuity of tradition and dharma (righteousness) across ages. This article details the concept of vanshavalis in the Hindu Puranas,..." Tag: Visual edit
- 01:5901:59, 20 July 2024 diff hist +28 The Seventh Manvantara No edit summary current
- 01:5901:59, 20 July 2024 diff hist +23 The Seventh Manvantara No edit summary
- 01:5901:59, 20 July 2024 diff hist +7,857 N The Seventh Manvantara Created page with " In Hindu cosmology, a manvantara is an immense cycle of time presided over by a Manu, the progenitor and lawgiver of humanity. Each kalpa (day of Brahma) consists of 14 manvantaras. The seventh manvantara, also known as the Vaivasvata Manvantara, is of particular significance as it is the current cosmic age in which we live. This article explores the events, key figures, and cosmic significance of the seventh manvantara as described in various Puranic texts. The Vaivasv..." Tag: Visual edit
- 01:5601:56, 20 July 2024 diff hist +28 The Middle Manvantaras No edit summary current
- 01:5601:56, 20 July 2024 diff hist +7,771 N The Middle Manvantaras Created page with " In Hindu cosmology, a manvantara is a vast cycle of time presided over by a Manu, the progenitor and lawgiver of humanity. Each kalpa (day of Brahma) consists of 14 manvantaras. This article explores the events and key figures of the 2nd through 6th manvantaras as described in the Puranas, ancient Hindu texts rich in mythological and cosmological narratives. Each manvantara follows a similar pattern, featuring: - A presiding Manu - Seven sages (Saptarishi) - Various..." Tag: Visual edit
- 01:5401:54, 20 July 2024 diff hist +23 The Indian Divisions of Time No edit summary current
- 01:5301:53, 20 July 2024 diff hist +7,581 N The Indian Divisions of Time Created page with " The Indian concept of time is vast, cyclical, and intricate, rooted deeply in the Puranas. These texts, particularly the Bhagavata Mahapurana, delineate a comprehensive framework for understanding cosmic time cycles, known as Yugas, Kalpas, Manvantaras, and other significant divisions. ==== The Concept of Yugas ==== The Indian division of time is primarily structured around four Yugas or epochs: Satya Yuga (Krita Yuga): 1,728,000 years. The Satya Yuga is the age of..." Tag: Visual edit
- 01:5101:51, 20 July 2024 diff hist +28 The First Manvantara No edit summary current
- 01:5101:51, 20 July 2024 diff hist +7,891 N The First Manvantara Created page with " In Hindu cosmology, a manvantara is an immense cycle of time marking the reign of a Manu, the progenitor of mankind. Each kalpa (day of Brahma) consists of 14 manvantaras. The Puranas, ancient Hindu texts, provide detailed accounts of these cosmic cycles and the events that unfold within them. This article examines the first manvantara, also known as the Svayambhuva Manvantara, named after its presiding Manu. The first manvantara is of particular significance in Hindu..." Tag: Visual edit
- 01:4801:48, 20 July 2024 diff hist +28 Geography of the Puranas No edit summary current
- 01:4701:47, 20 July 2024 diff hist +6,635 N Geography of the Puranas Created page with " The Puranas provide a wealth of information not only on mythology, cosmology, and history but also on geography. These texts paint a vivid picture of the world as understood by ancient Indian scholars, blending empirical observations with mythological and religious elements. The geographical descriptions in the Puranas encompass the physical world, sacred landscapes, cosmological realms, and legendary places. ==== Structure of Puranic Geography ==== Puranic geography..." Tag: Visual edit
- 01:4301:43, 20 July 2024 diff hist +28 Ancient Chakravartins No edit summary current
- 01:4301:43, 20 July 2024 diff hist +6,699 N Ancient Chakravartins Created page with " In the Puranas and the Mahabharata, there are sixteen legendary emperors known as Chakravartins or Shodasha Chakravartins. A Chakravartin is an ideal universal ruler who wields the Chakra (disc) of Lord Vishnu, symbolizing absolute power and dharma. These rulers are said to have governed vast territories with justice and righteousness. This article explores each of the sixteen Chakravartins and their lives as depicted in various Hindu texts. ==== Bharata ==== Bharata,..." Tag: Visual edit
- 01:4101:41, 20 July 2024 diff hist +23 A Primer to the Vedic Corpus No edit summary current
- 01:4001:40, 20 July 2024 diff hist +6,120 N A Primer to the Vedic Corpus Created page with " The Vedic corpus is the foundation of ancient Indian spiritual, philosophical, and cultural traditions. These texts, written in Sanskrit, form the oldest layer of Sanskrit literature and are considered sacred by Hindus. Vedic literature is traditionally divided into four main categories: Samhitas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas, and Upanishads. Each category serves a specific purpose and together they encapsulate the spiritual and intellectual ethos of Vedic civilization. ====..." Tag: Visual edit
- 01:3601:36, 20 July 2024 diff hist +28 The Ātman in Hinduism: Part 4 No edit summary current
- 01:3601:36, 20 July 2024 diff hist +7,106 N The Ātman in Hinduism: Part 4 Created page with "==== Religion & Philosophy: The Hindu Trinity ==== We have derived the following three underlying unities: * Ātman <= the underlying impersonal persisting self in the microcosm * Brahman <= the underlying impersonal persisting divine in the theocosm * Sat <= the underlying uncategorical persisting being in the macrocosm But if at the deepest level, we cannot distinguish between categories of various individuals, gods and materials, what makes us think that we can dist..." Tag: Visual edit
- 01:3501:35, 20 July 2024 diff hist +28 The Ātman in Hinduism: Part 3 No edit summary current
- 01:3501:35, 20 July 2024 diff hist +8,643 N The Ātman in Hinduism: Part 3 Created page with "==== Brahman and Divine-Identity: The Theocosm ==== Like most other ancient civilizations of the world (Greece, Rome, Egypt etc..), ancient Indian civilization too was a polytheistic religion where prayers and sacrificial rituals to many divine gods and goddesses formed an integral part of ritual and cultural life. Different cultures of the world did eventually make a transition from polytheism to monotheism eventually. But they did it differently. One simple way to ma..." Tag: Visual edit
- 01:3301:33, 20 July 2024 diff hist +28 The Atman in Hinduism - Part 2 No edit summary current
- 01:3301:33, 20 July 2024 diff hist +7,576 N The Atman in Hinduism - Part 2 Created page with "==== Ātman and Self-Identity: The Microcosm ==== But instead of that, let us take your identity as a person. If your name is X, then you believe that you are the same person X now as you were, when you were a child right? Imagine the staggering amount of changes that have taken place from your childhood. None of the cells in your body are the same as the cells that were there in your childhood (like the parts of the ship hundred years later were completely different). A..." Tag: Visual edit
- 01:3101:31, 20 July 2024 diff hist +28 The Atman in Hinduism - Part 1 No edit summary current
- 01:3101:31, 20 July 2024 diff hist +8,135 N The Atman in Hinduism - Part 1 Created page with "==== Identities: Conventional vs Actual ==== The famous ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus said “You do not step into the same river twice”. What he meant of course is that since the water is at constant flux in the river, the set of water that is in the river at some time is not the same as the set of water that is in the river after that time. Why then would we call such different waters at different times by the same river - what makes the river Ganga at one mom..." Tag: Visual edit
- 01:3001:30, 20 July 2024 diff hist +28 Makar Sankranti - The Worship of Bhagavan Surya No edit summary current