By Dr. Mohini Shinde People widely celebrate Rabindranath Tagore, a towering figure in literature and the arts, especially on his birth anniversary on May 7. Born on May 7, 1861, Tagore was not only a seminal figure in Indian culture but also a beacon of intellectual and artistic achievement globally. In 1913, Tagore became the first Asian to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature, making his legacy particularly notable. Tagore received this Nobel Prize for his book “Gitanjali,” a collection of poems he personally translated from Bengali into English. Officials bestowed the prize for Tagore’s profoundly sensitive, fresh, and beautiful…
Author: Dr. Mohini Shinde
Dr. Mohini Shinde
Dr. Mohini Shinde is a professor of religions of India and has taught Hindu religion and world religion in several US universities before her retirement. Her research was on religion and politics in South Asia. In her research engagements, she lived several years in India where she studied vedas and upanishads. She lives in California with her husband.
Looking through the Hindu lens at abortion in the wake of the Roe versus Wade reversal From the earliest times, Hindu scriptures have clearly denounced and condemned the practice of abortion unless the life of the mother was in danger due to a complication in pregancy. Hinduism believes the fetus is a living entity, a conscious being who deserves to be protected. Hindu scriptures refer to abortion as garha-batta, meaning “womb killing” and bhroona hathya, meaning “killing the undeveloped soul.” A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, India’s greatest scholar, philosopher, author, cultural ambassador, and spiritual leader, said on the subject of abortion:…
DisInfo Lab, a company with the motive of unveiling fake news, just came out with its own research report titled, “Operation Tupac – Decoding The Longest War” in response to the USCIRF (United States Commission on International Religious Freedom) report where USCIRF labeled India as a “Country of Particular Concern’ (CPC)” and clubbed India with known terrorist countires like China, North Korea, and Pakistan. In the introduction of the report, DisInfo Lab listed a few events which took place throughout the world, but mostly in the US. Here is a list of those events: The statue of Mahatma Gandhi was…
Swami Vivekananda, an Indian spiritual leader and philosopher who believed that self-belief and faith were closely connected. He famously said, “You cannot believe in God until you believe in yourself”. This statement encapsulates the idea that before we can have faith in something larger than ourselves, we must first understand our own worth and have faith in ourselves. Let us explore why Swami Vivekananda believed that self-belief and faith go hand-in-hand and how this belief has impacted his teachings. The Philosophy of Swami Vivekananda Swami Vivekananda was a spiritual leader and philosopher who emphasized the importance of self-belief and faith.…
By Dr. Mohini Shinde Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It is also not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this magazine. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. The publishers of this magazine do not endorse any specific treatments, medications, or procedures mentioned. The views expressed are…
This thought-provoking quote by Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu was first said around 500 B.C. and has now been echoed by others in various ways down through the centuries. In similar words, Aristotle said, “Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom. A famous declaration from the Upanishads, “Tat Tvam Asi,” or “Thou Art That,” encapsulates this profound spiritual truth. It conveys that the individual self (you) is not separate from the ultimate reality (that). Of course, the fundamental truth is that you possess the greatest wisdom. You will have a deeper understanding of the world once you have that information.…
