Gita-God-Hinduism

Anusmriti is considered as one of the five jewels in the great epic of Mahabharata as mentioned in the following oft-quoted verse: गीता नामसहस्रं च स्तवराजोऽनुस्मृतिः। गजेन्द्रमोक्षणं चैव पञ्चरत्नानि भारते॥ The following are the five jewels in Mahabharata: Bhagavadgita, Sahasranama, Bhishma stava, anusmriti and Jagendra Moksha.  Anusmriti is in the form of a conversation with as beautiful in composition as Sri Vishnusahasranama.  शतानीक उवाच – महामते महाप्राज्ञ सर्वशास्त्रविशारद। अक्षीणकर्मबन्धस्तु पुरुषो द्विजसत्तम ॥१॥ सततं किं जपेज्जाप्यं विबुधः किमनुस्मरन्। मरणे यज्जपेज्जाप्यं यं च भावमनुस्मरन् ॥२॥ यं च ध्यात्वा द्विजश्रेष्ठ पुरुषो मृत्युमागतः। परं पदमवाप्नोति तन्मे वद महामुने॥३॥ शौनक उवाच – इदमेव महाप्राज्ञ पृष्टवांश्च पितामहम्। भीष्मं धर्मभृतां श्रेष्ठं धर्मपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः॥ युधिष्ठिर उवाच – पितामह महाप्राज्ञ सर्वशास्त्रविशारद। प्रयाणकाले किं चिन्त्यं मुमुक्षोस्तत्त्वचिन्तकैः॥५॥ किं नु स्मरन् कुरुश्रेष्ठ मरणे पर्युपस्थिते। प्राप्नुयां परमां सिद्धिं श्रोतुमिच्छामि तत्त्वत...

Yesterday late night I was asked by a senior member of the community to give a 10 minute talk next day on science, maths and astronomy in Sanatana Dharma. I am not an expert in any of these and may not even be qualified but when someone asks me to talk about anything I never say no because by saying yes I have the opportunity to learn about something. Talking about Mathematics, Science and Astronomy in 10 or 15 minutes is like swimming across the Atlantic Ocean in 10 or 15 minutes. It will take more than 10 to 15 minutes just to start. It could take 10-15 minutes to just mention the names of the great aacharyaas who have made significant impact of not just the past but even the present. Sanatana dharma has not just touched but gone into the details of almost every aspect of science and engineering: biology, chemistry, metallurgy, botany, physiology, medicine, anatomy, surgery, astronomy, cosmology, holistic healthcare etc. etc. etc. Have you heard of four-minute-mile? The four-minute...

Introduction to Mahabharata and the shAstrAs As we all know, Sanatana Dharma Shastras (the eternal and universal laws or scriptures) form the firm foundations of the Bharatiya (or "Hindu") philosophy. They encompass a wide range of texts, teachings, and disciplines that guide ethical, spiritual, and practical aspects of life. The shAstrAs are broadly divided into two categories: Shruti and Smriti, with further subdivisions in each.  Shrutis Shrutis refer to the base of all knowledge revealed within the hearts and intuitions of the realized Rishis upon intensified journey into the inner world. The source of the shrutis are unknown even though portions are attributed to some sages. They are "apaurushEya" -impersonal, authorless, beyond human capacity to produce them and are considered eternal and immutable. They form the core of Sanatana Dharma.  Key Texts in Shruti: The Vedas (the primary scriptures): Rgveda (collection of Hymns), Yajurveda (putting the hymns into pr...