Hinduism

Love songs in Hindu devotion – the Tamil poets who took on the female voice to express their intense longing for the divine

Retrieved on: 
Friday, February 9, 2024

One literary tradition rarely highlighted is that of Hindu “bhakti” or ecstatic devotion, which birthed some of the most stirring mystical poetry composed in the world.

Key Points: 
  • One literary tradition rarely highlighted is that of Hindu “bhakti” or ecstatic devotion, which birthed some of the most stirring mystical poetry composed in the world.
  • This is especially true in the poems to Vishnu, which I study, where many male poets assume the female voice to express their longing for union with the divine beloved, conceived as male.

Poetics of longing

  • Much of the alvars’ poetry reveals an intense longing for a silent and absent god, so much so that it has been called “viraha bhakti,” or devotion in separation.
  • The love appears, at least as presented by the poet, as completely one-sided – sparked by a chance encounter with a mysterious and inscrutable deity.
  • The use of a female voice by a male poet is not unusual in the Tamil or Sanskrit literature.
  • To this cast of characters, the poets also occasionally use, as Kodhai herself does, mythological female figures.
  • The cowherd women of the wondrous town of Vrindavan, where the youthful divine Krishna is eternally at play, is a particular favorite for the alvar poets.

Male poets and female voice of longing

  • Two ninth century alvar poets, Nammalvar and Tirumankai, are particularly deft in their use of these female voices of longing.
  • Their heroine dominates their poems; her tone in turns demanding, insistent and despairing as she seeks through language to call the absent divine beloved back to her.

Love in many shades

  • Not all the male alvar poets use one of these archetypal female voices, and a female voice does not always have to speak about romantic love.
  • These poems are not composed from the vantage of separation; rather, they are poems of intimacy and joy, celebrating maternal love.
  • In the poems of the alvar, love, directed toward Vishnu, takes many forms: humble service; unconditional, protective maternal adoration; and the intense intimacy of lovers.


Archana Venkatesan receives funding from the American Institute of Indian Studies in the form of a four-month short-term Senior Fellowship (June-Sept 30, 2024) to conduct field research in Tamil Nadu, India.

Griffyn Series lights up Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 31, 2023

MATHURA, India, Oct. 31, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Christie® is pleased to announce that its Griffyn Series RGB pure laser projectors are illuminating the façade of the Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple for a spectacular son et lumière that pays homage to the timeless legends of Lord Krishna.

Key Points: 
  • MATHURA, India, Oct. 31, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Christie® is pleased to announce that its Griffyn Series RGB pure laser projectors are illuminating the façade of the Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple for a spectacular son et lumière that pays homage to the timeless legends of Lord Krishna.
  • Situated in Mathura, a sacred city in India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh, the Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple is traditionally regarded as the birthplace of Lord Krishna, one of the most widely revered divinities in Hinduism.
  • "We are delighted to partner with Christie to strategically deploy the Griffyn Series projectors in weatherproof enclosures at the Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple for this highly anticipated son et lumière, which reaffirms our commitment to delivering awe-inspiring visual experiences at one of India's most cherished landmarks."
  • With lumen options ranging from 36,500 to 50,000, the all-in-one Griffyn Series is among the smallest, lightest, and brightest RGB pure laser projectors available.

Why some Indians want to change the country's name to 'Bharat'

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 27, 2023

The word “India” is, after all, an exonym – a placename given by outsiders.

Key Points: 
  • The word “India” is, after all, an exonym – a placename given by outsiders.
  • Alongside English, Hindi is one of two languages used in the Indian Constitution, with versions written in each language.
  • But the use of “Bharat” has elicited outcry from the political opposition, some Muslims, and Hindu conservatives in the south, reflecting ongoing tensions in India between language, religion and politics.

Two different language families

    • My book with fellow linguist Julie Tetel Andresen, “Languages in the World: How History, Culture, and Politics Shape Language,” covers the language history and politics of India.
    • Hindi is the most-spoken language in India, but its use is largely relegated to a part of the country that linguists refer to as “the Hindi belt,” a massive region in northern, central and eastern India where Hindi is the official or primary language.
    • Around 1500 B.C.E., a group of outsiders from Central Asia – known now as the Indo-Aryans – began migrating and settling in what is now northern India.
    • They spoke a language that would eventually become Sanskrit.

Dravidians spurn Hindi

    • But after independence, opposition to Hindi grew in the Dravidian-speaking south, where English was the favored lingua franca.
    • For Tamils and other Dravidian groups, Hindi was associated with the Brahmin caste, whom many felt marginalized Dravidian languages and culture.
    • For many people in the south, Hindi came to be seen as a language as foreign as English.

Nationalists push for one official language

    • In India, Hindus make up about 80% of the population, while Muslims make up about 14% – more than 200 million people.
    • One such policy is the promotion of Hindi as the sole official language of India.
    • Speaking in 2022 at a Parliamentary Official Language Committee meeting, BJP Home Minister Amit Shah said, “When citizens of states speak other languages, communicate with each other, it should be in the language of India.” To Shah, the “language of India” and Hindi were one and the same.

Suppressing Urdu

    • Although Urdu and Hindi are remarkably similar, their differences take on outsized religious and national significance.
    • Whereas Hindi draws on Sanskrit for new words, Urdu draws on Persian and Arabic, again emphasizing associations to Islam.
    • And whereas Hindi predominates in India, Urdu is the official language of Pakistan, along with English.

Navigating the complexities of caregiving for dementia in South Asian communities

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, September 16, 2023

By 2030, that number is expected to increase to almost one million, and by 2050, almost 1.7 million.

Key Points: 
  • By 2030, that number is expected to increase to almost one million, and by 2050, almost 1.7 million.
  • In South Asian communities, an intricate tapestry of cultures, languages and traditions engenders a caregiving dynamic for those living with dementia.
  • Dementia care in South Asian households is nuanced and complex and is shaped by cultural, familial and societal forces.

Caregiving in South Asian communities

    • Strong family bonds: The South Asian community is characterized by its close-knit family structures, where family members often share caregiving responsibilities.
    • Respect for elders: South Asian cultures traditionally hold elders in high regard.
    • Multi-generational households: Many South Asian households often have multiple generations living under one roof.

Challenges to caregiving

    • This can influence the decision-making process regarding caregiving arrangements.
    • Language and cultural barriers: Language and cultural differences can pose significant challenges in accessing appropriate care and information about dementia.
    • The constant demands of caregiving, coupled with the progressive nature of dementia, can lead to caregiver burnout and mental health issues.
    • In South Asian communities, caregiving responsibilities often fall on daughters or other female relatives due to gendered expectations of their role in the family.

Supporting caregivers

    • Acknowledging and supporting caregivers is crucial for a more equitable future.
    • Financial support and legal protections further empower caregivers.
    • It is imperative to address the unique challenges faced by South Asian care partners and individuals with dementia.

New Exhibition Seeks to Forge a Better Understanding of Religious Traditions and Communities through Sacred Sites

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, September 12, 2023

INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Children's Museum of Indianapolis' newest exhibit takes visitors to sacred sites around the world, shares the religious, and spiritual beliefs of young people who live in and worship at these sites and encourages children and their families to explore what makes a site sacred.

Key Points: 
  • "By showcasing some of the world's sacred places, we hope to foster curiosity and understanding of religious traditions so that people may better understand one another and communicate in thoughtful and respectful ways."
  • The exhibit Sacred Places features images, artifacts, and stories depicting more than two dozen sites that are sacred within different faith traditions.
  • We're pleased that this new exhibition will help children and families learn about important religious sites and those who find them sacred."
  • As visitors explore Sacred Places, they are invited to consider the nature of sacred places and reflect on sacred places in their own lives.

Krishna Janmashtami: Celebrating the birthday of a beloved Hindu god, renowned for his compassion and his wisdom in the Bhagavad Gita

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, September 5, 2023

Many Hindus around the world will celebrate Krishna Janmashtami, the birthday of the Hindu god Krishna, on Sept. 6.

Key Points: 
  • Many Hindus around the world will celebrate Krishna Janmashtami, the birthday of the Hindu god Krishna, on Sept. 6.
  • In Sanskrit, Krishna means “dark” or “black,” and like the deity Vishnu with whom he is associated, Krishna is often depicted as dark-skinned.
  • Today, in the global community of about 1.2 billion Hindus, Krishna Janmashtami is considered an important holiday among all lineages and traditions.

Krishna’s birth

    • The story of Krishna’s divine birth is told in households across South Asia on Krishna Janmashtami.
    • In an effort to preserve his reign, Kamsa imprisoned Devaki and her spouse, Vasudeva, and killed each child born to them.
    • Devotees commemorate the love of Yashoda for Krishna and recall his playful pranks in songs and dances.

Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita

    • In the Gita, Krishna, disguised as a charioteer, advises the warrior Arjuna, who is heartbroken that he has to fight his own cousins, about his duty on the battlefield.
    • In its 18 chapters, Krishna counsels Arjuna about three paths, or “margas,” to realize salvation, or “moksha,” from the eternal cycle of suffering and rebirth.

Festivities on the day

    • On the first day of the celebration of Krishna Janmashtami, activities culminate in a “Krishna puja,” a devotional form of worship using a form or an image, such as an idol of Krishna.
    • After midnight, statues of Krishna are bathed in milk and water, dressed in new clothes and venerated in homes and temples.
    • A 2012 group from Mumbai holds the world’s record for forming a 13-meter tall Dahi Handi pyramid.

Beyond South Asia

    • Krishna devotion spread in the United States with the founding of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, or ISKCON, in New York City in 1965.
    • Since then it has become a global movement, with the devotees being referred to as “Hare Krishnas” due to their devotional chants to Krishna.
    • On Krishna Janmashtami, the devotees observe the birthday of the founder, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, as his “Appearance Day,” believing him to be another incarnation of Krishna.

Navigating the intersection between AI, automation and religion – 3 essential reads

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, August 23, 2023

But now, this technology is increasingly making inroads into a realm that has long been uniquely human: religion.

Key Points: 
  • But now, this technology is increasingly making inroads into a realm that has long been uniquely human: religion.
  • Over the last few months, The Conversation U.S. has published a number of stories exploring how AI and automation are weaving themselves into religious contexts.
  • These three articles from our archives shed light on the impacts of such technology on human spirituality, faith and worship across cultures.
  • Robotic rituals
    A unique intersection of religion and robotic technology has emerged with the introduction of robots performing Hindu rituals in South Asia.

PATHEOS' "100 MOST HOLY PLACES ON EARTH" RANKING REVEALS TOP 10 MOST SACRED SPACES, WITH TEMPLE MOUNT TAKING NO. 1 SPOT

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, August 15, 2023

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., Aug. 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Patheos, the leading online platform for exploring and understanding religion and spirituality, today announced the conclusion of its multifaith initiative titled "Sacred Spaces: The 100 Most Holy Places on Earth." Showcasing a curation of locations significant to major religions, including Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism and Buddhism, the ranking reveals the top 10 most holy sites on Earth. The list is a comprehensive guide to the world's most sacred sites and a platform where people can learn about many religious faiths and the practices and practitioners that call each site sacred in hopes of a more unified understanding and acceptance of all faiths.

Key Points: 
  • Showcasing a curation of locations significant to major religions, including Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism and Buddhism, the ranking reveals the top 10 most holy sites on Earth.
  • "Selecting only 100 of the most holy places on Earth was the most challenging aspect of this initiative because there are so many sacred sites around the world.
  • We could have easily included 500 additional sites filled with meaning," said Travis Henry, senior director of content at Patheos.
  • His approach considered multiple factors and parameters, including the number of faiths attributing sacred or holy status to each site.

Shaligrams, the sacred fossils that have been worshipped by Hindus and Buddhists for over 2,000 years, are becoming rarer because of climate change

Retrieved on: 
Friday, August 4, 2023

Because they are not human-made, but created by the landscape, they are believed to have an intrinsic consciousness of their own.

Key Points: 
  • Because they are not human-made, but created by the landscape, they are believed to have an intrinsic consciousness of their own.
  • As a result, Shaligrams are kept in homes and in temples, where they are treated as both living gods and active community members.
  • Since then, as an anthropologist, I have documented a wide variety of Shaligram practices while working with devotees in Nepal and in India.

Living fossils

    • The first is told in a series of three Hindu scriptures, the Varaha, Padma and Brahmavaivarta Puranas.
    • As the story is told, Vishnu disguised himself as her husband Jalandhar so that the god Shiva could kill the demon in a fight.
    • As part of the first legend, Vishnu takes up residence within a sacred stone that appears in the Kali Gandaki River of Nepal.

Rivers and roads

    • Mustang, however, is currently divided into the upper or the northern region and the lower or the southern region.
    • In 1950, both Upper and Lower Mustang were closed to travel following China’s annexation of Tibet.
    • But though Lower Mustang was reopened to pilgrimage and trekking in 1992, Upper Mustang remains highly restricted.
    • In 2016, Muktinath also became home to the largest statue of the Buddha ever built in Nepal.

Climate change and Shaligrams

    • Climate change, faster glacial melting, and gravel mining in the Kali Gandaki are changing the course of the river, which means fewer Shaligrams are appearing each year.
    • But with the glacier disappearing, the river is becoming smaller and shifting away from the fossil beds that contain the ammonites needed to become Shaligrams.
    • Even so, once the new Shaligrams are introduced to worship at Muktinath, it is time for pilgrims to leave Mustang and return home.

Modi's gift of '10 danas' – the 10 donations – to Biden reflects ancient Hindu wisdom and carries a deep symbolism

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, July 11, 2023

I study these traditions in my work as a scholar of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.

Key Points: 
  • I study these traditions in my work as a scholar of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.
  • Traditionally, the gift of an actual piece of land is something one could draw upon in times of financial difficulty.
  • Ghee, or clarified butter, is an element in Hindu rituals going back to at least the second millennium B.C.
  • Silver is connected with the Moon in Hindu symbolism – as gold is connected with the Sun.