Author Archives: Tarun Rattan

Book Review – Adi Shankaracharya: Hinduism’s Greatest Thinker by Pavan K. Varma

Posted on June 2, 2019 by Tarun Rattan

Jagad Guru Adi Shankaracharya (788-820 CE) was an early 8th century philosopher and theologian who led the revival of Hinduism and is credited with unifying and establishing the Advaita Vedanta doctrine in Hinduism. He successfully trampled the onslaught of contrarian … Continue reading →

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Why Seek?

Posted on May 27, 2019 by Tarun Rattan

 

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The Greatness of the Rishi tradition in India by Sampadananda Mishra

Posted on May 12, 2019 by Tarun Rattan

A Rishi is one who flows or is in tune with the rhythmic movement of the universe. Introduction इदं नम ऋषिभ्यः पूर्वेभ्यः पूर्वजेभ्यः पथिकृद्भ्यः|| || idaṁ namaḥ ṛṣibhyaḥ pūrvajebhyaḥ pūrvebhyaḥ pathikṛdbhyaḥ || (Rigveda, 10.14.15) “We offer our obeisance to the … Continue reading →

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Oldest Chess Board

Posted on May 12, 2019 by Tarun Rattan

This chess board excavated from Lothal, Gujarat is the earliest ever chessboard known to the history of mankind. It belongs to Indus Valley Civilization and dates back to c.2300 BCE. The board was used to play an early form of … Continue reading →

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Albufeira – The Gateway to Algarve

Posted on May 6, 2019 by Tarun Rattan

Located in the south of Portugal, in the centre of the Algarve, Albufeira enjoys Mediterranean climate with pleasant air and water temperatures all year round. We’d been planning a trip to Algarve for some time, finally Easter break of 2019 … Continue reading →

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Book Review – Night Trilogy by Elie Wiesel

Posted on March 9, 2019 by Tarun Rattan

I’d read Night before when I was quite young and don’t think had then grasped the depth of depravity described in this profound memoir. Reading it again now, when I’ve accumulated perhaps a bit more wisdom made this book shine … Continue reading →

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Sanskrit – A Language of Integral Perfection

Posted on December 30, 2018 by Tarun Rattan

The sheer depth and fecundity of Sanskrit makes it a peerless language which deserves much exploration. by Sampadananda Mishra Introduction The source of human language, as experienced and expressed by the ancient Indian Rishis, is the urge to express an … Continue reading →

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Book Review – Why I’m A Hindu by Shashi Tharoor

Posted on December 19, 2018 by Tarun Rattan

This book is a light primer by an Indian politician covering the basic tenets and sacred texts of Hinduism. I’ve read Shashi Tharoor’s earlier works, some of which I can vouch to be pretty good, but this book has been … Continue reading →

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US Texas Trip 2018

Posted on December 1, 2018 by Tarun Rattan

Texas, the lone star state, has been romanticised in so many Hollywood westerns like “Unforgiven”, “The Alamo” and also in neo noirs like “Kill Bill”, “No Country for Old Men“. Everything’s bigger in Texas, or so the saying goes. It … Continue reading →

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V. S. Naipaul’s India Trilogy – A Tribute

Posted on November 21, 2018 by Tarun Rattan

I’d read Naipaul’s India Trilogy when I was in my late teens and at that young age, it did fill me up with profound hatred for the writer who in my opinion was spewing venom against my beloved country. Naipaul … Continue reading →

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