At the outset, let me state that as a Sri Vaishnava, I deeply revere Sri Viśvaksēna as a nitya‑sūri and an Ācārya‑figure in the Śrī‑vaishnava paramparā. Let there be no doubt. It is only philosophical‑hermeneutical curiosity that leads me to ask a few questions on this celestial Acharya in this brief essay: — Why hasContinue reading “Sri Viśvaksēna, a divine puzzle in the Śrī‑Vaishnava Guru‑Paramparā: Revelation, Historicity, and Theological Function”
Category Archives: Religion
WhatsApp conversation with “Eepa”(Sri Indira Parthasarathy) on Samuel Beckett’s famous stage-play, “Waiting for Godot”
On the intriguing subject of “finding meaning in life”, last week on a WhatsApp exchange of messages, back and forth, with Sri Eepa (Indira Parthasarathy, now 96 years old, who lives alone in Athulya Assisted Living Home), we had a very interesting conversation which I take the liberty of sharing here with you . Eepa, the doyen of Tamil literature,Continue reading “WhatsApp conversation with “Eepa”(Sri Indira Parthasarathy) on Samuel Beckett’s famous stage-play, “Waiting for Godot””
Is a special mental attitude needed to study the “Sri Rahasya Traya Saram” of Sri Vedanta Desika (1268-1368 CE)?
Swami Sri Vedanta Desika’s monumental treatise on Sri Vaishnava Siddhanthic soteriology, the Srimad Rahasyatraya Sāram is a uniquely layered work that is, at once, (a) a philosophical treatise, (b) a theological manual, and (c) a catechetical‑homiletic guide. A disciple undergoing a program of serious study of this text even under the guidance and tutoring ofContinue reading “Is a special mental attitude needed to study the “Sri Rahasya Traya Saram” of Sri Vedanta Desika (1268-1368 CE)?”
“Better to reign in Hell than to serve in Heaven” versus the Sri Vaishnava Ideal of “Nitya Kainkarya Praapthi”
Understanding Sri Vaishnava Soteriology with the aid of Milton’s ‘Paradise Lost’. (A) A comparative glance at moksha and salvation in the three Vedānta schools, Christianity, and Islam Across traditions, liberation or salvation — moksha — is conceived as the final release from bondage, suffering, and separation from the divine. But the nature of that release differs remarkably in ontology,Continue reading ““Better to reign in Hell than to serve in Heaven” versus the Sri Vaishnava Ideal of “Nitya Kainkarya Praapthi””
How to make sense of Bibi-Trump’s meaningless two wars on Iran
After I heard President Donald Trump’s April 7, 2026, Truth Social post laying bare the stakes for Iran and the whole world: “A whole civilization [will] die tonight never to [be] brought back… complete demolition by 12 o’clock… over a period of four hours”, I for one even in faraway Chennai, India couldn’t help feelingContinue reading “How to make sense of Bibi-Trump’s meaningless two wars on Iran”
UNESCO, Ahobilam, and the Limits of International Recognition for Hindu Temples
In recent months, the Paruveta Utsavam of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy at Ahobilam has entered the national spotlight with a Parliamentary resolution seeking UNESCO recognition—either as an Intangible Cultural Heritage element or as part of a broader heritage‑conservation framework. The Ahobila Mutt, custodian of the Ahobilam temple for over 750 years, stands at the centreContinue reading “UNESCO, Ahobilam, and the Limits of International Recognition for Hindu Temples”
The Debt (“Rishi Rnam”) of ‘noblesse oblige’ owed to Saint Thyagaraja by the Carnatic Music world
Today a reflective morning mood prompted me to think up and ask three pointed questions to the Perplexity AI engine. The three questions and the Answers obtained are given below in seriatum. Question No. 1 Saint Thyagaraja composed more than a thousand “kritis” out of intense Bhakthi. He was not a musician nor was CarnaticContinue reading “The Debt (“Rishi Rnam”) of ‘noblesse oblige’ owed to Saint Thyagaraja by the Carnatic Music world”
What is present population size of Ayyangars? And how large is the size of the “Vadakalai” subsect?
Recently, some friends of mine on a WhatsApp group were engaged in chatter while discussing comparative Jain community population versus Ayyangar community size. Although , the Jains represent a religious minority while Ayyangars represent a Hindu sect , the lively discussion continued nevertheless. My views stated during the discussions were as follows : Ayyangars areContinue reading “What is present population size of Ayyangars? And how large is the size of the “Vadakalai” subsect?”
Sri Thyagaraja, the undeclared Sri Vaishnava “prapannan”
Like millions of Rasikas all over the world , I too consider myself an ardent Sri Thyagaraja bhakth who loves so many of the saint’s exquisite kritis and often, whenever swept away by the mood, I do sing a few of them in the privacy of my home purely for the delight of my ownContinue reading “Sri Thyagaraja, the undeclared Sri Vaishnava “prapannan””
Mapping the “Dreams of the World”: Freud, Jung and the Bhagavath Gita
What a fascinating Infograph indeed on the Freudian stuff that the Dreams of the whole world is about! If you study the map closely, you will not fail to notice that nearly the whole of world populations have either the “Snake” or the “Falling of Teeth“ to be objects appearing as recurring themes in theirContinue reading “Mapping the “Dreams of the World”: Freud, Jung and the Bhagavath Gita”