Nārāyana Guru (नारायण गुरु) (1856 - 1928) was a great sage and social reformer of India. Born in Ezhava/Thiyya community (a Backward Community in today's parlance), he demonstrated a path to social emancipation without invoking the dualism of the opressed and the opressor. In contrast to certain other reformers who critized Brahmins and "upper caste" Hindus for the conditions of the "lower castes", Nārāyana Guru stressed on the upliftment of the community through its own efforts by the establishme ...

Including:

• Narayana Guru - Early Life
• Narayana Guru - Transformation as Master Yogi and Seeker of Truth
• Narayana Guru - Enlightenment and its Poetic Expression
• Narayana Guru - Consecration of Siva Lingam at Aruvippuram
• Narayana Guru - Nārāyana Guru’s Philosophy
• Narayana Guru - Nārāyana Guru Rationalism and Atheism
• Narayana Guru - Works by Nārāyana Guru
• Narayana Guru - In Malayalam
• Narayana Guru - In Sanskrit
• Narayana Guru - Notes
• Narayana Guru - Bibiliography/Reference

Read more here: » Narayana Guru: Encyclopedia - Narayana Guru

Narayana Guru (1856-1928): Born in the low Ezahava caste in Kerala, he was a respected reformer who spent his life building temples, teaching Vedanta and preaching against social injustice.

(See also: Narayana Guru, Hinduism, Yoga, Body Mind and Soul)

Narayana Guru - In Malayalam. Swanubavageethi Atmopadesa Śatakam Advaitha Deepika Arivu Daiva Desakam Jeevakarunya Panchakam Anukamba Dasakam Jathi Nirnayam Jathi Lakshanam Sadacharam Chijanda Chinthakam Daiva Chin ...

See also:

Narayana Guru, Narayana Guru - Early Life, Narayana Guru - Transformation as Master Yogi and Seeker of Truth, Narayana Guru - Enlightenment and its Poetic Expression, Narayana Guru - Consecration of Siva Lingam at Aruvippuram, Narayana Guru - Nārāyana Guru’s Philosophy, Narayana Guru - Nārāyana Guru Rationalism and Atheism, Narayana Guru - Works by Nārāyana Guru, Narayana Guru - In Malayalam, Narayana Guru - In Sanskrit, Narayana Guru - Notes, Narayana Guru - Bibiliography/Reference

Read more here: » Narayana Guru: Encyclopedia II - Narayana Guru - Works by Nārāyana Guru

Religion has nothing to do with the practice of goodness, according to Sri Narayana Guru.

Narayana Guru preached the recondite message of the Vedas and Upanishads in a lucid, uncomplicated style. He advocated a formless, non-dual metaphysics and would advise seekers to meditate by sitting in front of a looking-glass.

According to Hindu belief, the Atman - which is evolved from the Supreme - resides in every living being. It was the latent divinity in man that the Guru wished to awaken by his exhortation.

(See also: Sri Narayana Guru, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Detachment is not indifference or lack of love. In fact, it is real love because it is not related to appearance. Witness has no attachment and hence no detachment is needed. Ego has attachment therefore detachment has to be developed.This article is Ean excerption from Mind the Gap. The writer, Sukshmananda Swami, is a disciple of Sri Narayana Guru.

Read more here: » Buddhism: Buddha Consciousness - Become a Witness

The Guru was born at Chempazhanthi a small village near Thiruvananthapuram circa 1856. As the only son of his parents, who had three daughters, the young boy was named Nānu (shortname for Nārāyanan). The small thatched house where Nānu was born is preserved to date as a historic monument. Nānu’s father Mādan Āśān, of the Valyalvārathu joint family, was, besides being an agriculturist, also a village teacher knowledgeable in astronomy, Ayurvedic medicine and the epics of Hinduism. Nānu’s uncle Krishnan Vaidyan was ...

See also:

Narayana Guru, Narayana Guru - Early Life, Narayana Guru - Transformation as Master Yogi and Seeker of Truth, Narayana Guru - Enlightenment and its Poetic Expression, Narayana Guru - Consecration of Siva Lingam at Aruvippuram, Narayana Guru - Nārāyana Guru’s Philosophy, Narayana Guru - Nārāyana Guru Rationalism and Atheism, Narayana Guru - Works by Nārāyana Guru, Narayana Guru - In Malayalam, Narayana Guru - In Sanskrit, Narayana Guru - Notes, Narayana Guru - Bibiliography/Reference

Read more here: » Narayana Guru: Encyclopedia II - Narayana Guru - Early Life

Varkala is a municipal town in Chirayinkil taluk of Thiruvananthapuram district. It is 51 km from Thiruvananthapuram city, located on the coast. Varkala is an important hub for neighbouring places like Kadakkavur, Edava and Kappil. A famous beach resort, Varkala is also famous for its 2,000 year old Janardanaswamy temple, which is an important Vaishnavaite shrine in India and is referred to as "Southern Kashi". It is also the centre of Sivagiri Mutt, established by the great social reformer Sree Narayana Guru. The 'Papanasam' beach is considered to have holy waters which wash away sins, and i ...

Including:

• Varkala - Demographics
• Varkala - Famous Personalities

Read more here: » Varkala: Encyclopedia - Varkala

Sathya Sai Baba (born Sathya Narayana Raju with the family name Ratnakaram [1], November 23, 1926 or October 4, 1929 is a popular, controversial Indian guru who has millions of followers and hundreds of Sathya Sai Baba groups in many countries. In the 1940s he claimed to be the reincarnation of Shirdi Sai Baba and subsequently took the fakir's name. He says that he is an avatar (incarnation) of Shiva and Shakti and an embodiment of love w ...

Including:

• Sathya Sai Baba - History and origins
• Sathya Sai Baba - Miracles claims and ashrams
• Sathya Sai Baba - Teachings
• Sathya Sai Baba - Organizations
• Sathya Sai Baba - Opposition controversy and allegations
• Sathya Sai Baba - Stances by devotees and proponents
• Sathya Sai Baba - Parliamentary governmental and political issues and responses
• Sathya Sai Baba - Sathya Sai Baba's Presence in Popular Culture
• Sathya Sai Baba - Bibliography
• Sathya Sai Baba - Books by Sai Baba
• Sathya Sai Baba - Selected books by his followers
• Sathya Sai Baba - Books by sceptics and critics
• Sathya Sai Baba - Other books

Read more here: » Sathya Sai Baba: Encyclopedia - Sathya Sai Baba

Achyuta Pisharati (1550–1621) was a renowned Sanskrit grammarian, astrologer and mathematician of his time. He was a student of Jyestadeva and a member of Madhava of Sangamagrama's Kerala school. He is remembered mostly for his part in the composition of his student Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri's devotional poem, Narayaneeyam. Achyuta Pisharati - Works. He discovered the technique of 'the reduction of the ecliptic'. He authored Sphuta-nirnaya (sphuta roughly meaning < ...

Including:

• Achyuta Pisharati - Works
• Achyuta Pisharati - Narayaneeyam

Read more here: » Achyuta Pisharati: Encyclopedia - Achyuta Pisharati

Parampara (Sanskrit: परमपरा) denotes a long succession of teachers and disciples in traditional Indian culture. It is also known as Guru (teacher) Shishya (disciple) parampara, where the knowledge (in any field) is passed down (undiluted) through the succeeeding generations. In Sanskrit, the word literally means: Uninterrupted series of succession. It is the traditional method of residential form of education wherein the Shishya remains with his Guru as a family member and gets the education as a true learner. The domains may include spir ...

Including:

• Parampara - Other uses

Read more here: » Parampara: Encyclopedia - Parampara

The guru-shishya tradition (also guru-shishya parampara or lineage) is a spiritual relationship found within traditional Hinduism which is centered around the transmission of teachings from a guru (teacher, गुरू) to a 'śiṣya' (disciple, शिष्य) . The term shishya roughly equates to the western term disciple, and in some parts of India is synonymous with the term chela. In a Hindu context, the term guruIncluding:

• Guru-shishya tradition - Common characteristics of the guru-shishya relationship
• Guru-shishya tradition - Guru-shishya relationship types
• Guru-shishya tradition - In bhakti yoga
• Guru-shishya tradition - Other
• Guru-shishya tradition - In Buddhism
• Guru-shishya tradition - Psychological aspects

Read more here: » Guru-shishya tradition: Encyclopedia - Guru-shishya tradition

Satsang is the company of the highest knowledge and Truth; the company of a Guru; contact with a person or an assembly of persons who listen to, talk about, and assimilate the Truth. This highest company also takes the form of hearing or reading the words of highest awareness, reflecting on, discussing and assimilating their meaning, meditating on the source of these words, and bringing this awareness into one’s daily life. From Siree Raag Mahala 1, 71, Guru Granth Sahib: How is the Society of the Saint ...

Read more here: » Satsang: Encyclopedia - Satsang

Bhairavi is a fierce and terrifying aspect of the Goddess virtually indistinguishable from Kali, except for her particular identification as the consort of the Wrathful Shiva. Bhairavi is a raaga in Indian Classical Music. It is sung as a conclusion of concerts. ...

Read more here: » Bhairavi: Encyclopedia - Bhairavi

The Upanayana is a Hindu samskara for children of the three highest castes. It is the beginning of serious study with a guru and also means that the child is fully a part of the religious community. Young male members of the Brahmin and Kshatriya caste may perform a coming of age ceremony, the Upanayana commonly known as Janoy, or the thread ceremony. The Janoy is many strings rolled together to resemble an umblical cord to symbolise the New birth as a student and from this day on he belongs to the ...

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In Hindu mythology, Brihaspati (also known as Brahmanaspati) is the guru of the Devas and the chief nemesis of Shukracharya, the guru of the Danavas. Brihaspati is the son of rishi Angirasa and Suroopa according to the Shiva Purana. He has two brothers named Utathya and Samvartana. He has three wives. His first wife Shuba gave birth to Bhanumati, Raaka, Archishmati, Mahamati, Mahishmati, Sinivalli and Havishmati, his seven daughters. His second wife Tara gives birth to seven sons and a daughter. Through his third wi ...

Read more here: » Brihaspati: Encyclopedia - Brihaspati

A Dakshina, also known as Gurudakshina is a Sanskrit word describing the Indian tradition of a student repaying his teacher, his guru after the completion of his education. This tradition is a mark of respect, and of thanks. The repayment is not money, but a special task a teacher wants his pupil to accomplish for him. In most cases, the teacher receives a valuable gift from the pupil and his family. Indian traditions equate one's teacher as equal in importance to one's parents, and to be given great respect throughout one's life. However, this tradition is no ...

Read more here: » Dakshina: Encyclopedia - Dakshina

Japa, or Japam, is a spiritual discipline in which a devotee repeats a mantra or the name of the God. The repetition can be aloud or just the movement of lips or in the mind. This spiritual practice is present in the major religions of world. This is considered as one of the most effective spiritual practices. In Hinduism, Japamaala (a garland of beads) is used. In Hinduism, Vaishnavas generally use the Japamaala of Tulsi beads. The Shaivites use that of Rudrakhsa beads. A Japamaala made out of neem,crystal is also used. ...

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In Hinduism, a Sampradaya is a tradition encompassing a common philosophy but embracing many different schools, groups, or guru lineages (called parampara). By becoming initiated (diksha) into a parampara one automatically belongs to its proper sampradaya. A sampradaya is a spiritual channel through disciplic succession. There are only four such authorised sampradaya's according to the authority of the Vedic scriptures. These four sampradaya's are the Rudra Sampradaya , Brahma Sampradaya, Sri Sampradaya and the Kumara Sa ...

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In Hinduism and Buddhism, the Sanskrit term bīja (Jp. 種子 shushi), literally seed, is used as a metaphor for the origin or cause of things. The metaphor is considerably extended in the Consciousness-only teachings of the Yogacara school of Buddhism. According to this theory, all experiences and actions produce bija as impressions, stored in the alaya (storehouse) consciousness. The external world is produced when the seeds "perfume" this consciousness. This view of bija has been equated to memes, with the theory itself positing an extreme form of memetics (ie. real ...

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The Bhrigus, also known as Bhargavas, are a clan of sages descending form the ancient fire-priest Bhrigu. They instituted the ritual of offering the juice of the Soma plant to the old Indo-Aryan deities. Some of them were also warriors in addition to being priests. The Bhrigus are intimately linked with the composition of the Atharva-Veda. Bhrigu, a sage in Hindu mythology, was said to have stepped on Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu to test who of the three gods was the greatest. Though Brahma and Shiva were furious at Bhrigu's act, Vishnu greeted the sage with respect an ...

Read more here: » Bhrigus: Encyclopedia - Bhrigus