Hindu Saints, Sages and Gurus

A deep look into Backward Caste Hindu Saints

2008-05-10T03:25:00.003-07:00

Hinduism is believed to have around 5,000 years of known history and traditions dating back to much earlier. Over this time period, it has absorbed some superstitions such as the caste system. There have been employed the backward castes for many religious activities such as construction or temples. In many places, it is required that a .....

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A study of Hindu Philosophy and Hindu religion

2008-05-10T03:25:00.001-07:00

Hindu philosophy is one of the main divisions of Indian philosophy and constitutes an integral part of Indian culture. The great diversity in thought and practice of Hinduism is nurtured by its liberal universalism.Hindu philosophy is traditionally seen through the prism of six different systems (called darshanas in Sanskrit). The six major ...

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A study of Samkha, a branch of Hindu Philosophy

2008-05-10T03:24:00.003-07:00

Samkhya is the oldest of the orthodox philosophical systems in Hinduism. Samkhya postulates that the universe consists of two eternal realities: Purusha (souls) and Prakriti (matter or nature). The Purushas are many and conscious but are devoid of all qualities — they are the silent spectators of prakriti. Prakriti is composed of three gunas...

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A study of Yoga in Hindu Philosophy of Bhakti, Jnana, Karma.

2008-05-10T03:24:00.001-07:00

Yoga is considered by some to have arisen from the Samkhya philosophy. Its primary text is the Bhagavad Gita, which explores the four primary systems: Karma-Yoga; Buddhi-Yoga; Dhyana-Yoga; and Bhakti-Yoga.

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Nyaya school of Thought in Hinduism - Six systems of Hindu.

2008-05-10T03:23:00.003-07:00

The Nyaya school of philosophical speculation is based on texts called the Nyaya Sutras. They were written by Aksapada Gautama, probably in the second century BCE. The most important contribution made by this school is its methodology. This is based on a system of logic that, subsequently, has been adopted by the majority of the other Indian...

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Purva Mimamsa - A Hindu Philosophy of Vedic Ritualism

2008-05-10T03:23:00.001-07:00

The main objective of the Purva ("earlier") Mimamsa school was to establish the authority of the Vedas. Consequently this school's most valuable contribution to Hinduism was its formulation of the rules of Vedic interpretation. Its adherents (Mimamsakas) believe that one must have unquestionable faith in the Vedas and perform the fire-sacrifices...

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Vedanta - Hindu philosophical teachings of the Upanishads

2008-05-10T03:22:00.003-07:00

Also known as the Uttara ("later") Mimamsa school, Vedanta concentrates on the philosophical teachings of the Upanishads rather than on the ritualistic injunctions of the Brahmanas. The more abstruse Vedanta (meaning literally the end or the goal of the Vedas) is the essence of the Vedas, encapsulated in the Upanishads. Vedantic thought drew on ...

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Upanishads - ultimate scriptures of Hinduism

2008-05-10T03:22:00.001-07:00

Hindu Upanishads: Aitareya • Brihadaranyaka • Chandogya Taraka • Isa • Katha • Kena • Mandukya • Mundaka • Prasna • Shvetashvatara • Taittiriya - The Upanishads are mystic or spiritual contemplations of the Vedas, their putative end and essence, and thus known as Vedānta ("the end of the Vedas").

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The Essence of Hindu Upanishads and Vedas

2008-05-10T03:21:00.003-07:00

Upanishads are the primary scriptures of Hindu Vedanta Philosophy. Almost every hindu religious teacher has commented on most of these major Upanishads. They are all discourses and dialogues on spiritual experiences and pursuits. Long or short, in prose or poetry, they are expositions and theses on fundamental questions...

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Hindu Scriptures - Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita

2008-05-10T03:21:00.001-07:00

The post-Vedic Hindu scriptures form the latter category; the Mahabharata and the Ramayana are notable epics considered scripture by many sects. A sort of cross-over between the religious epics and Upanishads of the Vedas is the Bhagavad Gita, considered to be revered scripture by almost all Hindus today. Hindu texts are typically seen to revolve..

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You Are God - the Hindu Doctrine of Universal Oneness

2008-05-10T03:20:00.001-07:00

That Thou Art (tat tvam asi) is a grand pronouncement (mahavakya) that occurs in Chandogya Upanishad. Svetaketu was the grandson of Aruna, and the son of Uddalaka. His father sent him to Gurukul (forest ashrama of a guru in ancient India). His family had a long tradition of studying Vedic Lore and intricacies of the knowledge contained therein..

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The Advaita Vedanta Philosophy Of Sri Adi Shankaracharya

2008-05-01T04:47:00.001-07:00

The teachings of Adi Shankara can be summed up in half a verse: “Brahma Satyam Jagan Mithya Jivo Brahmaiva Na Aparah—Brahman (the Absolute) is alone real; this world is unreal; and the Jiva or the individual soul is non-different from Brahman.” This is the quintessence of his philosophy.

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Biography of Sri Adi Sankaracharya

2008-05-01T04:45:00.001-07:00

All are no doubt aware of the very important position assigned to Sankaracharya in the history of Indian philosophy. It can be affirmed, without any fear of contradiction, that Bharata Varsha would have ceased to be Bharata Varsha several centuries ago and would never have survived the murderous sword, the devastating fire and the religious ...

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Swami Akahandanandji Saraswati - Hindu Guru and Sage

2008-03-05T00:42:00.001-08:00

Anantshri Swami Akahandanandji Saraswati (known as "Maharajshri" to his followers) (1911-1987), was an exponent of Shrimad Bhagvata and a scholar of Vedanta and Bhakti Shastras.

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Hindu Sage 'Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada'

2008-03-05T00:39:00.001-08:00

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada became an influential communicator of Gaudiya Vaishnava theology to India and specifically to the West through his founding of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (popularly called "Hare Krishna") in 1966.

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Amrita Bindu Upanishad - Hindu Sacred Scriptures

2008-03-05T00:12:00.001-08:00

Amrita Bindu Upanishad is one of the 108 hindu upanishads, the Hindu Sacred Scriptures that occurs at the end of Vedas. Here is an exposition of one minor but very profound Upanishads.

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Introduction to Katha Upanishad

2008-03-05T00:10:00.003-08:00

As the story goes, Vajashrava, Nachiketa's father, decided to acquire fruits of sacrificial ritual -Viswajit Yajna in which the performer had to give away all his precious possessions. Cows were designated as valuable and special possessions in those very ancient days, and hence Vajashrava decided to donate all his cows to Brahmins.

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That Thou Art (Tat Tvam Asi) - Mahavakyas from Upanishads

2008-03-05T00:10:00.001-08:00

That Thou Art (tat tvam asi) is a grand pronouncement (mahavakya) that occurs in Chandogya Upanishad. This is great dictum on which Sankaracharya wrote an extensive commentary in the his 'Vakya Vritti'. This great dictum expounds the unity of individual and Universal and denies the existance of a separate individuality apart from Brahman.

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Shivanandalahari - Advaitic Hymn By Adi Shankaracharya

2008-03-05T00:09:00.003-08:00

Shivanandalahari (Sivanandalahari) is one of the greatest poetic prayer couched in an undercurrent of practical philosophy by Sri Adi Sankara Bhagawatpada. Unlike Soundrya Lahari, this stotra does not seem to have tantric implication. It is more simpler and enriched with several alankaras.

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Hindu Philosophy - Various systems of philosophy in Hinduism

2008-03-05T00:09:00.001-08:00

Hindu philosophy is one of the main divisions of Indian philosophy and constitutes an integral part of Indian culture. The great diversity in thought and practice of Hinduism is nurtured by its liberal universalism. Hindu philosophy is traditionally seen through the prism of six different systems (darshanas in Sanskrit) - Samkhya, Yoga, Vedanta ..

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Upanishads and Hindu Scriptures Wiki Portal

2008-03-05T00:08:00.001-08:00

A comprehensive Upanishads and Hindu Scriptures Portal has been started in HinduWiki to explore the esoteric wisdom of Upanishads, the mystic texts of Hindus containing the wisdom sections of Vedas. Translations for All 108 Upanishads have been collected along with various articles exploring the truth of Ultimate Reality.

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Hindu Gurus and Saints

2008-03-05T00:07:00.001-08:00

There are many noteworthy Gurus (Spiritual Teachers) and Saints of Hinduism. Here is a comprehensive list of hindu gurus (Spiritual Teachers), saints and sages.

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Gurumayi Chidvilasananda

2008-03-04T04:53:00.000-08:00

Swami Chidvilasananda (born Malti Shetty - June 24, 1955 in Mumbai, India) is the current guru of the Siddha Yoga lineage (parampara) established by Swami Muktananda.

Swami Chidvilasananda met her guru Swami Muktananda at a very early age and became one of his devotees. Muktananda soon made her his official English language translator and she accompanied him on his three world tours. Chidvilasananda, (literally, "bliss of the play of consciousness") is her formal name. She is also called Gurumayi by her devotees. Chidvilasananda acquired the title Swami in 1982 when she was initiated as a sannyasin into the Saraswati order and took the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. At this time Muktananda formally designated her as one of his successors, along with her brother Subhash Shetty, by this time known as Swami Nityanand. Nityanand stepped down as guru in 1985 and Swami Chidvilasananda continued as the sole guru of Siddha Yoga.

Full article: Hindu Saint Gurumayi Chidvilasananda