To, Tiru. S. RAMESH, The Honorable Minister for HR&CE,Government of Tamil Nadu,Fort St. George, Chennai. Subject: A Strategic Roadmap for Digital Transparency, Asset Protection, and Heritage Reform in Our Temples. Respected Minister, Allow me to congratulate you on your appointment to this vital ministry. As you take charge of managing over 40,000 temples and religiousContinue reading “An Open Letter to Tiru. S. Ramesh, the new Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE), Government of Tamil Nadu.”
Tag Archives: Sanatana Dharma
The Tambrahm meal: why “pariseshanam” ritual for males only?
The meal was spread before them on stainless steel plate, an ordinary Brahmin home meal made solemn by habit: rice, sambar, a dab of ghee, some vegetables, and the faint scent of steamed grain rising from the plates. The father sat down with the quiet composure of long familiarity, and with the same measured movementContinue reading “The Tambrahm meal: why “pariseshanam” ritual for males only?”
The 3 afflictions of the Tamil Brahmin: “Doormat Syndrome”, “Whipping Boy’s Masochism” and “Ostrich Attitude”
Yesterday, when I first watched the viral video clip of Udhayanidhi Stalin’s speech in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on May 12, 2026, I could not believe it to be authentic. It looked prima facie a fake on social media. I hastened to go online to do an immediate Fact-Check. I was aghast in discovering thatContinue reading “The 3 afflictions of the Tamil Brahmin: “Doormat Syndrome”, “Whipping Boy’s Masochism” and “Ostrich Attitude””
“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””
“Is there a case for Religion?”: Well… no, not to India and not in the Western sense
https://open.substack.com/pub/jimpalmerauthor/p/is-there-a-case-for-religion?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email I read the Op-Ed above with amused interest… interest because matters of Religion always have stoked my curiosity; and amused because I’m reminded of two old sayings — “The more things change, the more they remain the same” and “What goes round always comes around”. Religion went out of fashion and favour for theContinue reading ““Is there a case for Religion?”: Well… no, not to India and not in the Western sense”
Now Available for sale in a bookstore near you: “The Epistles of a Prolific Pontiff” (My book of English translations of the Tamil “arul mozhi” of the 44th Azhagiyasingar of Sri Ahobila Mutt)
Musings on “Bhakthi”explained in Swami Vedanta Desikan’s “Rahasya Traya Saaram” as a “virtuous cycle”
ஸ்வாமி வேதாந்த தேசிகரின் “ரஹஸ்ய த்ரய சாரம்” எனும் அபூர்வ கிரந்தத்தில் விளக்கப்படும் பக்தி தத்துவம் குறித்து எழுந்திருக்கும் சிந்தனைகள் — அது ஒரே நேரத்தில் ஆன்மீக உயர்வையும் நற்பெருக்கையும் விளைவிக்கும் ஒரு புனிதச் சுழற்சியாகப் பதிவாகின்றன. எங்கள் ஸ்ரீ வைஷ்ணவ சமூஹத்தின் காவலனாகிய ஸ்ரிமத் வேதாந்த தேசிகரின் “ரஹஸ்யத்திரய ஸாரம்” என்பதின் திவ்யார்த்தங்களை விளக்கும் ஸதாசார்யர் உ.வே. ஸ்ரீ வளையப்பேட்டை இராமாச்சார்ய ஸ்வாமிகள் அவர்கள் ஆவாராந்திரம் ஓவ்வொரு வார இறுதியிலும் அருளும் கலாசேபங்களில், அடியேன் தன்னுடையContinue reading “Musings on “Bhakthi”explained in Swami Vedanta Desikan’s “Rahasya Traya Saaram” as a “virtuous cycle””
What is the Agama ritual of Pavithrotsavam? Why it is conducted for our Sri Vaishnava temples?
Rangamannar and Sri Lakshminarasimha Swami Perumal Kovil , Bheemana Street Abiramapuram commenced on September 27 through 30th, 2025 . Pavithrotsavam: Sri Andal Rangamanar Sri Lakshminarasimha Kovil , Bheemana St. Abiramapuram, Chennai – Sep 27-30 2025 … I had the mahaabaagyam to participate in kainkaryam as one of the three Homam Ritwiks. (Following behind) The pavithrotsavamContinue reading “What is the Agama ritual of Pavithrotsavam? Why it is conducted for our Sri Vaishnava temples?”
“Mudhal Mariyaadhai”, “primus inter pares” and a religious community’s “mos majorum”
Please scroll right down below to read a summary of the above verdict delivered by the Madras High Court in the matter of dispute over claims to rights of “Mudhal mariyadhai” in the Arulmigu Sri Kallazhagar Kovil , in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. It could be argued that this verdict is blatant overturning of the wellContinue reading ““Mudhal Mariyaadhai”, “primus inter pares” and a religious community’s “mos majorum””
CONCLUDED:The Rt.Hon’ble Srinivasa Sastri’s memory and legacy…(Part-20): Death of the “Brahmin-Liberal”
On February 19, 1945, the anniversary of the death of Gopala Krishna Gokhale, Sastri spoke for about forty-five minutes at a public-meeting and suddenly lost consciousness. When he regained it after a while, he was advised by his doctors to give up all arduous work including public speaking. Nevertheless, on March 6. 1945, he gaveContinue reading “CONCLUDED:The Rt.Hon’ble Srinivasa Sastri’s memory and legacy…(Part-20): Death of the “Brahmin-Liberal””