Explore categories
-
Understanding Islam
Islam, the second-largest religion in the world today, literally means submission to God. That is the starting point. It signifies the natural inclination of human beings, a God-centred worldview. Also, it’s worth noting that Muhammad, the Prophet of Islam, continued the monotheistic tradition of Abrahamic religions – Judaism and Christianity – after the Quran was… Read more
-
Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras on Pranayama
Pranayama, as we learnt, is the regulation of breath, and subsequently, energy. Now let’s see what the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali say about pranayama. There are three sutras dedicated to it in the text from 11:49 to 11:51. We will discuss them one by one. Asanas are important The first sutra (11:49) defines the pranayama… Read more
-
Yoga Sutras and the Art of Breathing
Previously, we learnt about the importance of breath. Now let’s turn to an important text, which considered to be the foundation of yoga and meditation: Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali described the ways of overcoming the afflictions of the body and the fluctuations of the mind. About the Yoga Sutras Patanjali’s… Read more
-
How to Breathe: Lessons from Ancient India – Part One
Breath… Perhaps it’s the only thing that stays with us for as long as we live. You can’t get rid of it, try as hard as you may. The breath won’t leave you. It’s what gives us life — that’s why the ancient Indians called it Prana, the life force. Most of the time we… Read more
-
The Political Life of an Indian Muslim: Ziaur Rahman Ansari
The political life of an Indian Muslim — especially after the creation of Pakistan — has revolved around the twin challenges of preserving one’s religious identity and, at the same time, bringing reforms in the community, in order to move forward in this age of nationalism. To understand these challenges, there is no better way… Read more
-
The Story of Mahabharata – Part Six
Now we get to the most important part of the story of Mahabharata: the war. Previously, we learnt about what the Panadava brothers went through, which had established a clear animosity on both sides, the Kauravas and the Pandavas, that is. But, why the war? Pandavas had fulfilled both the exile conditions imposed on them.… Read more
Kalampedia 