Valmiki’s Ramayana didn’t just narrate a prince’s story — it sculpted a cultural archetype. Ram, as painted by Valmiki, was not merely a character; he was an emblem, a metaphor. A maryada purushottam — the “ideal man.” He was the obedient son, the loving husband, the just king, the disciplined warrior, the stoic exile. He did the right thing,Continue reading “The Ideal Man and the Ideal Gas: Ram Through Valmiki’s Lens”
Category Archives: BLOGS
Why Do Indians Take Marriage Advice from Celibates?
A car expert is someone who has driven a lot of cars, repaired them, renovated them, and reviewed them. That’s why we trust his opinion before investing in a car that will last maybe a decade — fifteen years at best if you’re lucky or drive like a grandma. Now imagine this: You’re planning toContinue reading “Why Do Indians Take Marriage Advice from Celibates?”
Second-Class Citizens: The Immigrant’s Unspoken Reality
In a foreign country, you are a second-class citizen. You either adapt to their culture or go back to your own. That may sound offensive to some ears — especially in a world that celebrates “diversity,” “inclusion,” and “global citizenship.” But anyone who has lived as an immigrant, especially in the West or in culturallyContinue reading “Second-Class Citizens: The Immigrant’s Unspoken Reality”
Shruti, Smriti… and Smarana: When Wisdom Becomes Real
In the Vedic tradition, all knowledge — śruti (that which is heard), smṛti (that which is remembered), śāstra (scriptures), and purāṇa (mythic lore) — has already mapped out the full spectrum of human experience. There is nothing a man will go through in his life that hasn’t already been articulated in the Rigveda’s hymns, the Upanishadic silence, or the stories of the MahabharataContinue reading “Shruti, Smriti… and Smarana: When Wisdom Becomes Real”
The Four Opinions We Carry
“I’ve got four opinions on every topic — one for myself, one for my close ones, one for society, and one for social media.” This may sound like a confession, but it is in fact the reality of almost everyone walking around with a smartphone and a mind of their own. In a world saturatedContinue reading “The Four Opinions We Carry”
Auroville: From Spiritual Wilderness to Curated Commercialism
When I first encountered the idea of Auroville, it felt like a rare experiment—almost utopian. Conceived by The Mother and rooted in Sri Aurobindo’s vision of human unity, Auroville was meant to be a space free of politics, religion, and commerce. A spiritual sanctuary that respected the earth, embraced silence, and gave room for the soul toContinue reading “Auroville: From Spiritual Wilderness to Curated Commercialism”
Why Travelling Is About Learning More Than Fun
I’ve been backpacking extensively since 2009—covered nearly 30 countries and almost every corner of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala, with a few short hops to Maharashtra and Delhi. On the surface, travel seems like a whole lot of fun: new places, cozy hotels, sightseeing, sampling local food, meeting interesting people. And yes, of course, youContinue reading “Why Travelling Is About Learning More Than Fun”
God, Government, and the Great Indian Irony
In India, we make more demands from God than we do from the government. We ask God for jobs, money, marriage, visas, promotions, children, marks, and sometimes even cricket wins. We light lamps, break coconuts, donate coins, offer our hair, and chant elaborate mantras — all in the hope that the Almighty will answer ourContinue reading “God, Government, and the Great Indian Irony”
No Religion Exists Outside the Realm of Power
The Dalai Lama may suggest that his next incarnation could emerge outside of China. In response, China may assert that any future Dalai Lama must be approved by the Chinese government. This tug-of-war appears ideological, even spiritual—but at its heart lies an old truth we often forget: No religion or religious leader has ever trulyContinue reading “No Religion Exists Outside the Realm of Power”
If a Country Is Like Your Parents… Then Let’s Talk About That
We often hear this analogy thrown around, especially in emotionally charged conversations: “A country is like your parents — you should never hate them. If you don’t like it, just leave.” Sounds neat and noble at first. But let’s sit with that for a second. Because if you truly believe a country is like yourContinue reading “If a Country Is Like Your Parents… Then Let’s Talk About That”