Friday, September 11, 2026

Finding courage in repetition and uncertainty

 Collated by Tusar Nath Mohapatra

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Vedic Chhanda: Sandarbha Alankara

Let us look at the Bhagavad Gita 2.61 and 6.14 respectively:

तानि सर्वाणि संयम्य युक्त आसीत मत्पर: ।
वशे हि यस्येन्द्रियाणि तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता ॥ 61॥

प्रशान्तात्मा विगतभीर्ब्रह्मचारिव्रते स्थित: ।

मन: संयम्य मच्चित्तो युक्त आसीत मत्पर: ॥ 14॥

What does the first one say? 2.61 says that having brought all the senses under control, he must sit firm in yoga, wholly given up to Me; for whose senses are mastered, of him the intelligence is firmly established.

6.14 says that with a peaceful mind, free from fear, established in the vow of Brahmacharya, the whole controlled mentality turned to Me (the Divine), he must sit firm in yoga, wholly given up to me

Are they not saying something similar? No, for if you notice the emphasis has shifted to the complete unity and identification of consciousness with Sri Krishna in the second one. In the first shloka, it was the means; in the second it is the goal.

The same pada has now completely changed in significance due to its location and reference. This happens in the Veda often with the shift in sandarbha giving us a musically ever-fresh experience of the Veda. Meanings change subtly with slight shifts in order and placement and each time the echo is different

https://x.com/AmazingVedas/status/2097901721162801514

Vedic Concept: Bandhu

This is one of the most important aspects of Vedic worldview. The bandhu is a kinsman, friend, brother, someone who is related

In the Vedic paradigm everything is related to the other intimately. And this close connection is inherent and not dependent on any external factor

The term bandhu appears in the Veda in RV 6.57.4, 7.67.9 and 10.10.9. And it becomes clarified in the Vedantic and Buddhist concepts of Pratitya Samutpada

All the devas are related to each other in the unity of Vishvedeva and Ritam, Satyam and in the Vast expanse of the Universe, Brihat. All the fields and disciplines are connected in one vast realization of Ekam Sat

https://x.com/AmazingVedas/status/2098188077558558775

What lies beneath the words of the Veda, Bible, and Gita? Join @MakrandParanspe and Richard Hartz as they explore layered meanings, symbolism, and Sri Aurobindo’s insights. youtu.be/9R1fep1BK6c?si… @PariksithSingh @AmazingVedas

https://x.com/sriaurobindochr/status/2098155301082149348 

https://x.com/MakrandParanspe/status/2098077952231768521

Why Sri Aurobindo Rejected Reading the Mahabharata as Pure Allegory youtu.be/-_FPkMQSh9E?si… via @YouTube

https://x.com/MakrandParanspe/status/2098065828109496344

Explore the deep connections between the Veda and Mahabharata with Richard Hartz & @MakrandParanspe . Discover symbolism, timeless themes, and profound insights into human experience. Watch full episode youtu.be/-_FPkMQSh9E?si… @PariksithSingh @AmazingVedas

https://x.com/sriaurobindochr/status/2098110002871550174

Such affirmation need not always be intellectually formulated or consciously articulated. A person may lack philosophical knowledge, scriptural learning, or doctrinal vocabulary while nevertheless living within, practising, and transmitting a religious tradition whose underlying assumptions are those of Sanātana Dharma. Lack of doctrinal knowledge is therefore not, by itself, rejection of the Dharma. Religious identity is therefore constituted by metaphysical assent and disciplined participation, not by ancestry, ethnicity, language, geography, political affiliation, cultural proximity, historical interaction, or social classification.

https://x.com/MNageswarRaoIPS/status/2097549059217338756

The decisive criterion is whether an organisation’s or cult’s foundational doctrines and practices implicitly or explicitly affirm the foundational Hindu metaphysical first principles based on Veda and remain substantially within Hindu religious framework. On that criterion, Sri Aurobindo, Arya Samaj, etc are within Hindu fold.

https://x.com/MNageswarRaoIPS/status/2097894250340110386

Reconciling science and religion requires rejecting the notion that truth is singular or confined to one method, especially when religion is freed from the constraints of prophetic monotheism’s absolutism. Truth is multifaceted, encompassing the physical and metaphysical, the measurable and the meaningful. Science and non-dogmatic polytheistic traditions like Hindutva are not rivals but partners, each illuminating aspects of reality the other cannot. This understanding demands humility—science must acknowledge its limits in addressing purpose, and while non-dogmatic polytheistic traditions like Hindutva are open to empirical discoveries that challenge traditional interpretations.

Philosophers like Sri Aurobindo have proposed models for this integration within Hindutva. Aurobindo’s integral yoga envisions a synthesis of material and spiritual evolution, where scientific progress aligns with the Hindu pursuit of divine consciousness. Modern Hindu thinkers like Vandana Shiva integrate scientific ecology with Hindu reverence for nature, advocating for sustainability rooted in both empirical data and spiritual values. These frameworks suggest that science and non-dogmatic polytheistic traditions can enrich each other’s pursuit of truth.

https://x.com/MNageswarRaoIPS/status/1965657256776880175

A new controversy has arisen in West Bengal regarding eating of veg food during Durga Puja as suggested by a saint known as Bageshwar Baba who visited here recently. In Hinduism there are different sects who worship gods & godesses following different customs, rituals or creeds. The saint has forgotten that sadhaks and common man are different.What has been prescribed for a sadhak in any sect cannot be recommended for common man simply because he is not prepared or intend to do sadhana. Similarly those common Bengalis who curse on or revile the saint are making a political noise for nothing. They have no compulsion to follow the advice of the saint. Hinduism has vaster and deeper elements of spirituality which is true meaning of any religion. Don't stretch the noise too far to make Hinduism appear as a Kitchen religion.

https://x.com/PGhosh74859/status/2098226543206261183

There is No Single Hindu Plate: What Bengal’s Durga Puja tells us about Faith and Food

by Dr Marshal R countercurrents.org/2026/09/there-…

A controversy over whether Bengalis should eat fish and meat during Durga Puja opens a wider discussion about religious diversity within Hindu traditions. This article examines Bengal’s distinctive relationship with Durga, Uma and Shakta practices, where vegetarian and non-vegetarian customs have historically coexisted. It distinguishes temple offerings, family rituals and individual dietary choices, while placing them within India’s broader regional diversity of religious practice. The article argues that no single dietary practice can serve as a universal measure of Hindu devotion. Respecting religious observance also requires recognising inherited cultural differences and allowing communities to practise faith without imposing one tradition as the standard for all.

https://x.com/Countercurrents/status/2098068357253865743

More than half a century ago, the pioneering psychologist Carl Rogers wrote with uncommon insight about the 3 elements of the good life

https://x.com/themarginalian/status/2098118311577817170

Why is it that we want so badly to change, yet have such a hard time doing it? Adam Phillips on the paradoxes and possibilities of transformation:

https://x.com/brainpickings/status/2098141977220927576

Is nationalism and national identity necessary to protect the lives and living standards of the average working person, or is nationalism always a vehicle for intolerance? iai.tv/video/patrioti… James Orr, Gillian Tett, and Michael Ignatieff debate. Hosted by Rana Mitter.

https://x.com/IAI_TV/status/2098117830952530273

Consider Gaël Monfils, a former World No. 6, winner of 12 ATP Singles titles, and two-time Grand Slam semifinalist. While his achievements on paper are impressive, what truly set him apart on the courts of Adelaide and across the globe was his identity as "The Master Showman." When he stepped onto the court, he did not simply play the game—he elevated it into an art form. Whether executing a soaring, mid-air backhand jump smash or celebrating a point with pure joy, he reminded us that performance is at its best when driven by passion.

When you step into your arena—whether it is a boardroom, a community project, or a personal ambition—do not just play to meet expectations. Play with flair, precision, and unwavering enthusiasm. True success is not merely reaching the finish line or chasing silver trophies; it is mastering your skill, rising above challenges with agility, and inspiring everyone who watches your journey. Trust your preparation, embrace the rhythm of the moment, and execute every action with confidence. When you bring authentic joy and mastery to your work, success naturally follows, and your impact resonates far beyond the game. 

https://x.com/shrikant_soman/status/2098252784030437678

From Parts to Patterns: Fritjof Capra on Science, Society and the Web of Life

by Pon Chandran countercurrents.org/2026/09/fritjo…

Fritjof Capra’s work connects modern science with broader questions about society, ecology and human civilisation. His writings examine the limitations of a mechanistic worldview that treats nature and society as collections of separate parts. In its place, Capra develops a systems perspective centred on relationships, interdependence, complexity and context. His engagement with modern physics also led him to explore parallels with Eastern philosophical traditions. In later works, he applied systems thinking to living organisms, economies and social organisation, emphasising ecological literacy, sustainability and cooperation. This article by Pon Chandran examines Capra’s perspectives on science, social organisation, cultural values and the need to understand human life within interconnected systems.

https://x.com/Countercurrents/status/2098255908170248380

Conversations along the Way!

by Dr Salim Nazzal countercurrents.org/2026/09/conver…

A journey to Oslo becomes an unexpected journey through literature, philosophy and the questions that have long shaped human thought. A conversation with a Belgian traveller leads from Eugène Ionesco and Samuel Beckett’s Theatre of the Absurd to the anxieties of the contemporary political world. The discussion then turns to Sisyphus, Albert Camus and the possibility of finding courage in repetition and uncertainty. Along the way, the reflections connect Camus with Abu al-Ala al-Maarri, Omar Khayyam and Elia Abu Madi, revealing how questions about existence, purpose and human destiny cross cultures and centuries. The journey ends quietly in Oslo.

https://x.com/Countercurrents/status/2098269478958379226

How Many Great ‘Obscene Heroes’! How Many Should We Salute?

by B R Bapuji countercurrents.org/2026/09/how-ma…

B R Bapuji examines the growing use of abusive and obscene language in political discourse, focusing on recent exchanges among political leaders in Telangana. The article distinguishes between ordinary insults and expressions that carry misogynistic or sexually degrading meanings, while tracing how such language has become increasingly normalised in political campaigns, public speeches and popular culture. It also places Telugu political rhetoric within a wider context, noting that crude political language is not confined to one party, region or country. The article argues that public applause and partisan loyalty can encourage such behaviour, and calls for voters to reject leaders who rely on abusive language.

https://x.com/Countercurrents/status/2098260222720798987

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studying the rollback of feminist and queer gains globally. While there is growing …

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… This symbiotic relationship, where Muslim communalism strengthens Hindutva, is
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