their first     “Thread ceremonies”,   These are the ‘Sandhya Vandana’ offered at dusk 
and dawn, and Madhyanhika offered at noon. 

 The sacred mantra of Gayatri is recited at these times.  Devata pooja is
performed in the morning and evening.

Omkara mantra

OM

AUM

Harappa-Seal                     ...

The practice of Religion

Bhakti Marga, Gnana Marga and Yoga Marga,

are the three paths (Devotion, Knowledge and Yoga) for god realization, which is the ultimate aim of the Hindu religion. All Brahminical teachings and writings lead to one of these paths. One is free to choose the path depending upon his or her intellect, inclination, or inner urge. Whereas the Gnana and Yoga margas may call for high degree of learning and discipline, the Bhakti Marga or the path of devotion and love is w...

Swami Vivekananda
1863 - 1902

Swami Vivekananda, who was born as Narendra, at Calcutta in 1863 was the favorite disciple and chosen heir of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. At an early age, he came under the influence of Sri Ramakrishna, and took ‘Sanyasa’. After the passing away of his guru, Vivekananda traveled the length and breadth of India, mostly by bare foot teaching universal brotherhood of man, and Vedanta philosophy. Swami Vivekananda represented India at the C...

In this period the mass of material generated was summarized in the form of Sutras (rule in verse form expressed in brief but technical language). Here, critical attitude in philosophy developed. Samkhya, Yoga, Mimamsa, Vedanta, Vaisesika and Nyaya schools were born. 

Scholastic period. Also dating from A.D 200

By this time the Sutras had become complex and unintelligible. It was impossible to comprehend them without expert commentaries.

Great names of, Bhaskara, Jayanta, Kumarila Bha...

Rishis  and  Gotras

  Rishi means a sage. The Vedas were revealed to them and the respective hymns  stand in their names. Seven Rishis (Saptarshi) are recognized as the mind born sons of the creator Brahma.  The ’Satapatabrahmana’ gives their names as,

Brahmin sages, where the bravest warriors and the most pious priests live."  (Arthur A Macdonell. A history of Sanskrit literature).

  Historically, Brahmin philosophers and priests have played a key role in defining and giving me...

  The religion of the Vedic period is called ‘Sanatana Dharma’ (ageless and timeless moral and religious duty), which later came to be called Hinduism.

E p i c  M y t h o l o g y

Of later origin than the Vedas and the Upanishads are the great Epics   Ramayana, Mahabharata and the Bhagavadgita. Ramayana and Mahabharata celebrate the legendary actions of their respective heroes, Rama (Ramachandra) and Krishna who appear as mortal men and considered as incarnations of lord Vishnu. The Bhagavadgita is a small but most popular part of the Mahabharata. It is the subject of numerous commentaries by scholars both...

Great names from the Vedic period.

The three Acharyas, Shankara, Ramanuja and Madhwa have written commentaries on the following ten Upanishads.

Isaavaasya Upanishad. Kenopanishad. and Kathopanishad. 
Prashna, Mundaka and Mandukya Upanishads. 
Taittereeya Upanishad and Aitareya Upanishad. 
Chaandogya Upanishad. 
Brihadaranyaka Upanishad.

Brihadaaranyaka is the biggest Upanishad. This Upanishad discusses the nature of the Soul (Aatman) and describes it as ‘ that which cannot be described’. This is it’s ‘neti neti�...