“As long as you don’t teach them to levitate!”
“The highest form of grace is silence.”
Swami Chinmayananda (1916-1993)
Other religions have all been founded by individuals, but Hinduism is not based on the teachings of any one single person. Before any prophet was born, the Sanatana Dharma was there.
Swami Rama Thirtha (1873-1906)
From one seed arises a huge tree; from it comes numerous seeds, each one of which in its turn grows into a tree. No two fruits are alike. Yet it is one life that throbs in every particle of the tree. So, it is the same Atman everywhere. All creation is That. There is beauty in the birds and in the animals. They too eat and drink like us, mate and multiply; but there is this difference: we can realize our true nature, the Atman. Having been born as human beings, we must not waste this opportunity.
Sri Anandamayi Ma (1896-1982), Bengali mystic
Water is sufficient to cleanse the body, but truthfulness alone can purify the mind.
Thirukkural 298
Let me tell you the truth: there is nothing wrong in your being in the world. But you must direct your mind towards God; otherwise you will not succeed. Do your duty with one hand and with the other hold to God. After the duty is over, you will hold to God with both hands.
Sri Ramakrishna (1836-1886)
Divisions are imaginary lines drawn by small minds.
Paramahansa Yogananda (1893-1952)
India has come to preserve spiritual traditions which many ancient cultures and countries have lost. Today, Hinduism represents not only India but the ancient wisdom of humanity. In Hinduism many ancient countries can still rediscover their religious past, their old Gods and their old spiritual traditions.
Ram Swarup (1920-1998), Indian writer and scholar
You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.
Khalil Gibran (1883-1931), Lebanese-American mystic, poet and writer
An equation for me has no meaning unless it expresses a thought of God.
Srinivas Ramanujan (1887-1920), Indian mathematician
By practicing tolerance of those who insult us, we will feel honor and insult as the same. Just as we feel good when someone praises us, we should feel just as good when we are insulted. Stability in honor or insult is the ability to still have love for our aggressor.
Sri Pramukh Swami Maharaj (1921-2016), spiritual guru of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha
Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws.
Plato (427-347 bce) Greek philosopher
Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the Earth all one’s lifetime.
Mark Twain (1835–1910), American author
I felt great need of a holy pilgrimage, so I sat still for three days and God came to me.
Saint Kabir (1440-1518)
In dwelling, live close to the ground. In thinking, keep to the simple. In conflict, be fair and generous. In governing, don’t try to control. In work, do what you enjoy. In family life, be completely present.
Lao Tzu (551-479 bce), Chinese philosopher
In the Vedas I have found eternal compensation, unfathomable power, unbroken peace.
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882), American philosopher and writer
For the Self, all that is seen is but mirage; it lasts but for a moment. Whatever is seen, we know it is not the real “I.” Who could call real this personal self that changes every moment?
Adi Shankara, 8th century Indian saint
Rise above the cycle of unhappiness, desire, acquisition, excitement and unhappiness again.
Bodhinatha Veylanswami, publisher of Hinduism Today
Your journey on this earth has only one goal, Self Realization. You are here to attain the highest possible states of consciousness. You are not here to react to the petty incidents that occur in the valley of the subconscious. You are here to learn to control the mind and live on the mountaintop.
Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami (1927-2001), founder of Hinduism Today
DID YOU KNOW?
The Maha Kumbha Mela
The kumbha mela is the largest spiritual gathering on Earth, held at four sacred sites in India—Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik—in a 12-year cycle. Each city hosts the event in rotation every three years, with the Purna Kumbha Mela occurring once every 12 years. Prayagraj and Haridwar also observe an Ardha Kumbha Mela every six years. The event’s timing is determined by specific planetary alignments involving Jupiter, the Sun and the Moon. For instance, in Prayagraj, the Kumbha Mela occurs when Jupiter is in Taurus and the Sun is in Capricorn, while in Haridwar, it happens when Jupiter is in Aquarius and the Sun is in Aries.
The Maha Kumbha Mela, a once-in-144-years celebration, occurs once every 12 cycles of 12 years. It is the rarest and most auspicious of these gatherings, hosted exclusively in Prayagraj. The 2025 Maha Kumbha Mela, held from January 13 to February 26, drew hundreds of millions of devotees. At its core is the ritual bathing (shahi snan) at the sangam—the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the mystical Sarasvati rivers. This act is believed to purify the soul and move one closer to moksha, liberation.
The event traces its origins to the samudra manthan, the cosmic churning of the ocean, during which it is said that drops of the divine nectar of immortality, amrita, fell at these four sacred sites. The celestial configurations of Jupiter, the Sun and the Moon are believed to heighten spiritual energy and provide an unparalleled opportunity for purification and inner growth.
Beyond its spiritual significance, the Mela is a monumental expression of cultural heritage and devotion. Each event is a temporary city, with massive infrastructure, built to host millions of visitors, including saints, yogis and seekers from around the world. The vibrant atmosphere is alive with rituals, discourses, and cultural programs, showcasing the timeless ethos of the Sanatana Dharma.
The Maha Kumbha Mela is a profound reminder of humanity’s shared quest for personal growth and the enduring power of dharma. It unites millions in a collective quest for higher truth, offering a glimpse into the sacred tapestry of Hinduism. This extraordinary gathering serves as a testament to the universal yearning for the Divine, embodying the timeless principles of purification, liberation and devotion.