CONTINUED FROM PART 2 Author: Suhas Mehra (2019). Published in Sraddha, Vol. 11 (1), August 2019, pp. 140-152 We find several stories in Indian tradition which remind us of the various ways of the working of the Divine Grace. For example, Tulsidas who was madly in love with his wife, Ratnavali, became the Sant Tulsidas,... Continue Reading →
The Magnificence of Lepakshi – Part 3
Text by Beloo and Suhas Mehra; some photos by Suhas Mehra, some taken from the website of IIACD (International Institute for Art, Culture and Democracy). Continued from Part 2 In this final part of the series, we zoom in on the magnificent mural paintings of the Veerabhadra Swami Temple at Lepakshi. Many of the murals... Continue Reading →
Aspiration, Grace, and Life – 2
CONTINUED FROM PART 1 Author: Suhas Mehra (2019). Published in Sraddha, Vol. 11 (1), August 2019, pp. 140-152 Grace Anything is achievable by aspiration from below and divine grace answering that call. Googling the word ‘Grace’ one gets the following results – “smoothness and elegance of movement; courteous goodwill; an attractively polite manner of... Continue Reading →
The Magnificence of Lepakshi – Part 2
Photos by Suhas Mehra, text by Beloo and Suhas Mehra. Continued from Part 1 After experiencing some of the splendour that fills the compound of Swamy Veerabhadra Temple, let us now proceed toward the interior of the mandir. As noted before, according to the earliest inscriptions available, the present temple is about 500 years old,... Continue Reading →
Aspiration, Grace, and Life – 1
Author: Suhas Mehra (2019). Published in Sraddha, Vol. 11 (1), August 2019, pp. 140-152 Dashrath Manjhi, a poor labourer from a village in Bihar, single-handedly carved a path through a hillock, a road 110 m long, 9.1 m wide and 7.6 m deep, using only a hammer and chisel, the work which took him 22 years. This road... Continue Reading →
The Magnificence of Lepakshi – Part 1
Photos by Suhas Mehra. Text by Beloo and Suhas Mehra. “Le Pakshi!” said Lord Rama to Jatayu. Grief-struck Rāma and Lakshmana had been desperately searching for Sita when they met Jatayu. Sita had mysteriously disappeared one afternoon when both the brothers were gone in chase of a golden deer. (Rāma had gone first, but then... Continue Reading →
Hampi Continues to Live – Part 10
Continued from Part 9 Royal Enclosure (Photos by Suhas Mehra, text by Suhas and Beloo Mehra) If you were a visitor to Hampi during the times of the mighty Vijayanagara emperors, wanting to see where the kings and queens, princes and princesses lived and from where they ruled the great empire, you would go to... Continue Reading →
Dawn, the Bringer of Truth
April 24, 2020 marks the centenary of the final arrival of the Mother in Pondicherry. This marked a new phase of her work with Sri Aurobindo for the destiny of Earth and mankind. While on the outer level her return to Pondicherry marked a definitive change in the rhythm and scope of the life at... Continue Reading →
Hampi Continues to Live – Part 9
Continued from Part 8 Lotus Mahal, Queen's Bath, & Stables (Photos by Suhas Mehra, text by Suhas and Beloo Mehra) A little walk from behind the Hazara Rama temple brings you to the great Royal Quarters of the mighty Vijayanagara Emperors who ruled from Hampi. A visit to Hampi would not be complete without... Continue Reading →
Hampi Continues to Live – Part 8
Continued from Part 7 Hazara Rama temple (Photos by Suhas Mehra, text and quotes selection by Beloo Mehra) यावत्स्थास्यन्ति गिरयः सरितश्च महीतले | तावद्रामायणकथा लोकेषु प्रचरिष्यति || "As long as the mountains and even rivers flourish on the surface of the earth, so long the legend of Ramayana will flourish in this world... [Valmiki... Continue Reading →