The birthday of Bhagwan Rama, known as Rama Navami, is very important for Hindus all around the world. Bhagwan Rama is regarded the seventh incarnation of Vishnu, one of Hinduism's most important deities, and he is adored as the personification of justice, virtue, and an ideal ruler.
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In the Joy of others lies our own
A short glimpse of the life and achievements of HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj
There are hundreds of coaching books that teach you various ways of dealing with life situations. Never ever has there been a book written about the life of a Hindu Sadhu containing lessons from his life.
This is a unique educational tool as the readers gets a glimpse of the life of a Sadhu and even more unique is that we will share some incredible basic life lessons from someone that actually practises them.
To start off, how many teachers do you know that work for nothing other than to help humanity, have only one purpose in life which is to introduce all individuals from all walks of life to the God within him.
This book is all about humility, purpose of life, love and respect, patience and working to benefit everyone - all unheard of life lessons. You will not learn to make more money, or how to have more of everything, you will simply learn about how to become happy by actually not wanting anything!
HH was born in an average family home in a village in India (photo) and when he died at the age of 96 he had established temples, schools and hospitals in almost all the continents of the world. The Sanstha(2) has a following of over 10 million devotees worldwide, each one an ambassador of his virtues. He has received accolades from various Parliaments etc. and, most importantly, built a workforce of over 100,000 volunteers who had been inspired to give time (seva) as part of life.
Yet he personally had two pairs of Dhotis, no bank account, and practised 5 vows of detachment - his attachment was only to God and his purpose was to introduce everyone to God, help all to live a life free of addiction, commit to spreading harmony and truly understand that the purpose of life is to be responsible for all that is around us and be a good sevak(3), never expect to receive credit and only to participate in making the world a happier place without waiting for the result. One piece of advice he gave was not to engage in breaking someone else's stick or trying to make your stick bigger, not to bully nor to bring someone else down, only to show that you have a higher purpose of reconciliation, forgiveness, harmony and love.
The life lessons we will explore are from his childhood right up to his death.
I hope you will enjoy reading about this wonderful soul who I was privileged enough to know and serve. Many individuals from all walks of life, even those who met him for as little as 5 minutes, have commented "if God was to exist on earth, it would be in him because he and his action can only be described as divine".
It would be appropriate to end this short introduction by summarising his life’s message:
In the joy of others, lies our own
In the happiness of others rests our own,
In the progress of others rests our own.
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heoretical physicist and global speaker Shri (Dilip) Jay Lakhani passed away peacefully at home on December 4, aged 72. It was a sad day for the British Hindu community as they bade farewell to the adored and well-respected scholar and pioneer of Hindu studies in the UK.
Author of 'Hinduism for Schools' (2005), 'Primary Hinduism' (2006), 'Special Times: Hinduism' (2009) and 'A Journey Through Life in Hinduism' (2010), Lakhani was the first Hindu tutor at Eton College and was known for his popular GCSE and A-Level Hinduism classes, which he ran up and down the country.
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In part 2 of his talk on seeking excellence in personal development, Mangalnidhidas Swami explores how we can transition from a ‘fixed mindset’ to a ‘growth mindset’ to ensure that we are continuously improving ourselves.
Originally from Houston, Texas, USA, Mangalnidhidas Swami graduated with a degree in Psychology and Biology from Harvard University. After completing his first year of an MBA at Yale School of Management, he left to commence his monastic training in India, where he was ordained as a sadhu by His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj in 2003. He remained in India for 8 years, studying Hindu scriptures, world religions and Swaminarayan history and theology. Mangalnidhidas Swami currently serves at the BAPS Swaminarayan mandir in Robbinsville, New Jersey, USA, from where he oversees the English publications for BAPS across North America. He himself has authored and translated several articles, chapters and books, including the two-volume biography of Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami. He is an accomplished speaker, having spoken widely on Hindu teachings and values around the world.
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Mangalnidhidas Swami begins to unpack how to cultivate the attitudes and virtues that are necessary to actually achieve excellence.
Originally from Houston, Texas, USA, Mangalnidhidas Swami graduated with a degree in Psychology and Biology from Harvard University. After completing his first year of an MBA at Yale School of Management, he left to commence his monastic training in India, where he was ordained as a sadhu by His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj in 2003. He remained in India for 8 years, studying Hindu scriptures, world religions and Swaminarayan history and theology. Mangalnidhidas Swami currently serves at the BAPS Swaminarayan mandir in Robbinsville, New Jersey, USA, from where he oversees the English publications for BAPS across North America. He himself has authored and translated several articles, chapters and books, including the two-volume biography of Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami. He is an accomplished speaker, having spoken widely on Hindu teachings and values around the world.
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Family unity can help us flourish in the face of modernity’s challenges. Brahmasetudas Swami continues to reflect on Krishna’s approach in the Bhagavad Gita and helps us learn how to apply it at home in this, the second episode of a special three-part mini-course on parenting.
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Brahmasetudas Swami reveals some insightful and practical lessons from the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita for parents and children of all ages over a special three-part mini-course.
Brahmasetudas Swami, Originally from Virginia in the United States, Brahmasetudas Swami graduated with a degree in journalism and political science from the University of Southern California before being ordained as a sadhu by His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj in 2006. He has been studying Hindu scriptures, classical Sanskrit and Indian philosophy in India for 16 years and has a Master’s degree in Vedanta (Hindu Theology).
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Everyone wants to be heard! In this episode of ‘Timeless Hindu Wisdom’, Paramtattvadas Swami unpacks two powerful ways in which we can get people to listen to us
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About the Speaker: Divyamurtidas Swami was raised and schooled in London, UK, before being ordained as a sadhu by His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj in 1986. He spent the next six years training as a sadhu in India where he studied Hindu scriptures, Swaminarayan literature and philosophy, and world religions. Divyamurtidas Swami then served in Kolkata for 20 years overseeing youth and community outreach activities for BAPS in West Bengal as well as the construction of the new traditional mandir in Kolkata. Divyamurtidas Swami currently serves at Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Delhi where he is responsible for various guest services. He has also travelled extensively and helps lead BAPS activities in East and South East Asia, including China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. He is an accomplished speaker, regularly delivering insightful talks on Hindu values and teachings to professionals and youths around the world.
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We are in the midst of Adhik maas, but what is Adhik maas?
Mass means 'month' and Adhik means 'additional'.
Pujya Yogvivek Swami, Head Sadhu of the Neasden Temple explain.
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Who is the evil Ravana?
In this special Diwali episode of 'Timeless Hindu Wisdom', Paramtattvadas Swami asks how we can fight - and defeat - the evil Ravana within.
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In the final part of this sequence of 'Timeless Hindu Wisdom' talks, Brahmaviharidas Swami brings his exploration of belief to a climax by introducing ultimate faith.
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Abdul Kalam learnt the value of ....
- reasoning and thnking from Socrates "
- truth from Galelio
- non-violence from Mohandas K Ghandhi
- of forgiving from Nelson Madela
- equality from Abraham Lincoln
- compassion from Buddha
... find out who did he learn the value of "faith in God" from?
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Brahmaviharidas Swami further explores belief and how faith leads from trust.
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How to Stop Worrying? Are you worried about this question?
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar shares easy tips to stop worrying & overcome problems in life.
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Since time unknown to mankind, we have been finding solace in our faith in God. Though many religions have come and gone and there still are many. Almost all the religions began from the sheer enlightenment of human consciousness and later turned into comforting the fears of the unknown in human mind. But, in today's times due to technological development and our intellect-oriented education system, the audacity of faith have begun to weaken. In this video, Sadhguru talks about the two fundamental questions that all the great religions cannot withstand. This is an eye-opening insight given by Sadhguru, about the things that have kept humanity confused since ancient times. A must watch video for all.
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In the third part of this sequence of 'Timeless Hindu Wisdom' talks, Brahmaviharidas Swami further explores belief and how faith leads from trust.
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Learn the importance of Ekadashi in Hinduism from Pujya Yogvivek Swami, head of the Neasden Temple.
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In the second part of this sequence of 'Timeless Hindu Wisdom' talks, Brahmaviharidas Swami explores the idea of self-belief and its role in a successful life.
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Brahmaviharidas Swami explores the idea of 'belief' and its enduring power to transform our life.
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Wisdom from the Upanishads. Secular in their content and universal in their appeal, these compositions have life affirming secrets that contain ideas about life, the universe and everything relevant from the 700BCE to the 21st century. Computer engineer, journalist and children's author, Roopa Pai is the co-founder of Bangalore Walks and the winner of the Crossword Award for "The Gita for Children". She has published over 20 books, including the fantasy-adventure Taranauts. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community
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BAPS's Pujya Bhaktivardhan Swami continue to explore popular Hindu bhajans about the power of prayer.
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BAPS's Pujya Bhaktivardhan Swami continue to explore popular Hindu bhajans about the power of prayer.
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Pujya Bhaktivardhan Swami explore popular Hindu bhajans about the power of prayer
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Bhaktivardhan Swami explore popular Hindu bhajans about the power of prayer. With his upbringing in the US, Bhaktivardhandas Swami earned a degree in Economics from Rutgers University in New Jersey before being ordained as a sadhu by Pramukh Swami Maharaj in 2004. He spent the next 8 years training as a sadhu in India where he studied Hindu scriptures, Swaminarayan literature and philosophy. Bhaktivardhandas Swami currently serves at the BAPS Swaminarayan mandir in Houston. He regularly delivers talks on Hindu values and teachings and is an accomplished singer having performed around the whole as well as on BAPS audio publications. His insightful talks infused with his melodious singing have enthralled people around the world.
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Tyagprakashdas Swami continue exploring 'secrets' from the Mahabharat on how to be loved, free of sorrow, wealthy and happy.
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Tyagprakashdas Swami conclude exploring 'secrets' from the Mahabharat on how to be loved, free of sorrow, wealthy and happy.
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Tyagprakashdas Swami explore 'secrets' from the Mahabharat on how to be loved, free of sorrow, wealthy and happy.
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Chaitanyamurti Swami explore how to stabilise the mind through knowledge and wisdom.
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Chaitanyamurti Swami explore the world of the mind, our 'inner space', and how it can help us cope with the current global crisis. The 30-minute talk included a short Q&A.
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BAPS Swaminarayan Sudhu Pujya Snehmunidas Swami further explore Krishna’s flute and what it can teach us about coping with the current global crisis
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- Accepting the unexpected
- Affirming God must have a plan
- Adjusting happily
- Adapting
Krishna’s Flute: From Flat to Flexible
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Session 8 sees Snehmunidas Swami explore Krishna’s flute and what it can teach us about coping with the current global crisis. The 30-minute talk included a short Q&A. Originally from Toronto, Snehmunidas Swami undertook a degree in Pharmacy in Detroit before being ordained as a sadhu by His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj in 1997. He spent the next ten years studying Sanskrit and Hindu scriptures in India. Snehmunidas Swami currently serves at the BAPS Swaminarayan mandir in Chicago. He regularly delivers engaging talks on Hindu values and teachings in conventions and seminars across North America. He is also the author of a book titled ‘Truth from Under a Tree’ which explains the spiritual teachings of Bhagwan Swaminarayan in an engaging and contemporary manner for children and youth.
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Click Here for Hanuman's Leap: The Power Within You is Never Locked Down
In the Second Part of Hamuman’s Leap Pujya Yogananddas Swami explores teachings from the Ramayan and how they can help us cope with the current global crisis. The 30-minute talk included a short Q&A.
Originally from the USA, Yogananddas Swami graduated with a degree in Chemistry before being initiated as a sadhu by His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj in 2005. He studied Hindu scriptures in India for 14 years and has a degree in Purana-Itihas (Scriptural History) as well as a Master’s in Vedanta (Indian Philosophy and Hindu Theology). He is a prolific and accomplished speaker, having spoken extensively on Hindu teachings and values around the world.
Credit:- BAPS, Neasden Temple, London
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Click Here for Hanuman’s Leap: The Power Within You is Never Locked Down
Pujya Yogananddas Swami explores teachings from the Ramayan and how they can help us cope with the current global crisis.
The 20-minute talk was followed by a short Q&A.
Originally from the USA, Yogananddas Swami graduated with a degree in Chemistry before being initiated as a sadhu by His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj in 2005. He studied Hindu scriptures in India for 14 years and has a degree in Purana-Itihas (Scriptural History) as well as a Master’s in Vedanta (Indian Philosophy and Hindu Theology). He is a prolific and accomplished speaker, having spoken extensively on Hindu teachings and values around the world.
Credit:- BAPS, Neasden Temple, London
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The most celebrated Diwali festival in Europe is back! Diwali on Trafalgar Square (DOTS 2024), hosted by the MAYOR OF LONDON in partnership with the Diwali in London Committee (DiL), will take place on Sunday, 27th October 2024 at Trafalgar Square.
Once again, this annual celebration of the Festival of Lights will bring communities together for a day filled with joy, culture, and festivity, marking the victory of light over darkness and good over evil.
Diwali is one of the most significant events in the Indian cultural calendar, and this year’s festival promises to be a spectacular showcase of the rich traditions, vibrant colours, and unity that Diwali embodies.
Open to all and free of charge,
DOTS 2024 invites Londoners and visitors alike to experience the cultural grandeur of this joyous occasion.
Event Highlights – Live Performances:
A day-long programme of performances featuring traditional and contemporary music and dance. Attendees can enjoy the finest classical Indian dance forms and energetic Bollywood performances from talented artistes across the UK.
– Food Stalls: A diverse selection of vegetarian food stalls offering authentic Indian cuisine, from popular street food to traditional sweet treats, allowing guests to savour the flavours of Diwali.
– Family Activities: A range of interactive activities for all ages, including henna art, exciting games, and storytelling sessions focused on the significance of Diwali.
Additionally, a series of unique Marquees will enhance the event’s immersive experience:
– Bhajan Zone: Join a collective of voices singing devotional bhajans, uplifting the spirit of togetherness and harmony.
– Glimpses of Goddesses: A sacred space featuring live representations of Hindu Goddesses, offering a meditative experience of divine grace and power.
– Puppet Marquee: A captivating puppet show retelling the Ramayana, the ancient story behind the festival of Diwali.
– Sari and Turban Marquees: Experience the elegance of a sari or the regal feel of a turban, with expert drapers at hand to guide you.
– Yoga Marquee: Discover the health benefits of yoga through guided workshops suitable for all, whether you are new to yoga or a regular practitioner.
– Dance Marquee: Join in Bollywood dance workshops and experience the joy of movement through a variety of dance styles.
– Children’s Marquee: A dedicated space offering activities and entertainment to keep children engaged throughout the day.
– Diwali Culture Zone: A series of interactive games and cultural experiences, offering a deeper understanding of Diwali and its message of harmony and giving from the heart.
Join Us in Celebration Diwali is a time to reflect on unity, peace, and the spirit of renewal.
Trafalgar Square will be transformed into a vibrant space, filled with light and positivity, embodying the community spirit and values of Diwali.
DOTS 2024 is a unique opportunity for London’s diverse population to come together, appreciate cultural richness, and celebrate the festival’s universal themes.
Event Details
– Date: Sunday, 27th October 2024
– Time: 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM GMT
FREE event – Open to ALL
– Location: Trafalgar Square, London
Contact info: Email: media@diwaliinlondon.com Website: www.diwaliinlondon.com
The British Sanatan Dharmic Alliance organised an events called Freedom of Hindu Beliefs. It was a first of its kind event, bringing together prominent parliamentary figures, community leaders, Hindu rights activists, academics and members of the diverse Hindu community.
The farmers protest has taken a violent turn last week when thousands broke through the main protest and invaded one of India’s iconic sites – The Red Fort. And if that was not bad enough, they did it on India’s Republic Day celebrations.
One of the worst years in humanity’s history is coming to an end it is very sad to see that many key events and anniversaries have been marginalised. One such key date is the anniversary of women’s rights which has been rarely mentioned in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
The pandemic has changed the boundaries of what we can do, and what we cannot. Diwali no longer means that thousands of people out on the streets of Leicester or on Trafalgar Square.
The Coronavirus is taken its toll and as the second lockdown takes effect, there are lots of questions as to on what basis decisions are taken. The faith communities are particularly upset. A group of faith leaders have jointly written to the Prime Minister saying: “We strongly disagree with the decision to suspend public worship during this time.”
The world psyche revolves around the coronavirus as stories of death, economic destruction, and glimpses of inspirational individuals continue to cover the news headlines.
As the numbers of covers have begun to rise again, the data for the South Asian community does not look rosy. South Asians are five times more likely to get coronavirus than white people. Numerous reports have shown that BAME communities have a much higher chance of dying from coronavirus than white people.
It is another must-watch. Healing Our Earth group of volunteers are bringing another seven hours of in-depth insight into vegetarian and vegan cuisine. You can watch it at
https://m.facebook.com/healingourearth
and
The amount of information available on coronavirus is astonishing, but with it comes confusion, mixed messages and a whole lot of fake or inaccurate news. So here we are here again hoping to simplify the key information impacting the ethnic communities currently on the news agenda.
Life in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic is severe, stressful and in many cases fatal with the UK death rate rising above forty-four thousand. It is during this time; you see and hear about the brave and enduring individuals who find ways to beat the odds against the virus.
The reasons behind why ethnic minorities are suffering greater losses over COVID than the white population continues. It is also getting more confusing as there is so much speculation, yet less clarity as to what it all means and what extra steps should BAME communities take to fight the dreaded disease.
It is breath-taking to see a young role model making his mark into the mainstream of British arts and culture. The Birmingham Opera Company has appointed locally born Alpesh Chauhan as their new Music Director.
The crisis of Coronavirus continues worldwide. Even countries with low mortality rates are not safe, as they are either lacking increased testing or they are fearing a second wave of the spread which could further bring chaos within the health and economic systems.
What we took for granted only a few weeks ago, now is a completely different world where we cannot even touch our loved ones.
The gentle giant and one of the great pioneers of Asian media in the UK, Ramniklal Solanki has sadly passed away after an illness aged 88. He lives behind a legacy of inspirational stories about his own life as well as the thousands of other lives he helped to highlight on the pages of his media empire.
So, after India threatens to boycott the Commonwealth Games, the officials negotiate and buckle down to a deal where India will host the archery and shooting events and pay the bills.
Indian professionals continue to make their mark on the top echelons of the world's tech companies. The latest one is Arvind Krishna taking up his post in April 2020 as the new CEO of IBM.
Talented Indian techies have an opportunity get funded with a new British Government fund launched to support collaborative research under the UK-India Tech Partnership.
The British Museum has managed to raise around £440,000 to buy a painting by one of India’s greatest painters which was earmarked to be exported abroad. It has been bought with support from the Art Fund, National Heritage Memorial Fund and the Brooke Sewell Permanent Fund.
India has adopted the marigold as a symbol to commemorate the Indian soldiers who died in WW1.
It’s a sight of a new dawn. Indian culture is extending across the globe. Where Indian culture has been tolerated for the sake of diversity and community relations is now embraced by the mainstream.
Two years have been marked to celebrate Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th anniversary and there have been many celebrations all around the world.
Britain ethnic minority population is nearing 14%. There has been a steady rise in how ethnic minorities are represented in public life at around 8% in parliament.
The threat to places of worship has been mainly targeted toward mosques and synagogues. It would be an oddity that other places of worship would face any kind of hate from vandals and criminals. But in the last year or so, things have changed, and no places of worship are safe from being hit.
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) has appointed Kumar Iyer as their Chief Economist thereby making him their first BAME origin member of the Board of Management.
The Hindu community has welcomed the Government’s decision to help update crematoria facilities so that the needs of different faiths can be accommodated.
The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the world's largest and heaviest Bhagavad Gita at the ISKCON temple in New Delhi. It is the world’s “largest principle sacred text ever to be printed.”
More than 300 guests attended West Midland's Shri Venkateswara Balaji Temple for the opening of the Gandhi Peace Centre.
Following on from Diwali in Trafalgar Square and Belgrave Road, Leicester, the wider Europe has begun taking notice of the importance of Hindu Festivals outside India.
In its 17th year, the Diwali festival on Trafalgar Square attracted thousands of people for an afternoon of spectacular celebration and commemorating the legacy of Indian soldiers during WW1.
For years India has had to be stuck with the labels of unhygienic, dirty and not taking environmental issues seriously. Are such views justified?
In its 72nd year of Independence, India is a country with thousands of years of heritage. So how is this diverse nation progressing?
After years of debacle, political scrutiny, community disharmony and blame from all sides, Theresa May’s government has finally decided to ditch the caste legislation.
In a special event dedicated to the UK India-Week, there is much hope that this special relationship will only get stronger as Brexit beckons and Britain needs a major trading partner. With India progressing as an economic hothouse, it is no wonder that the UK-India Week is gaining new gravitas.
A prominent women’s organisation ‘Pukar Group’ in Leicester managed to raise over a thousand pounds by organising a community concert.
In a democratic country, people have a right to protest. And there were plenty of protests during the recent visit of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London.
It is Easter time in the Christian calendar and people are breaking up for the Easter break. But this year, March 31st also represents a major festival in the Hindu calendar. It is dedicated to the birth one of the great superheroes of civilisation – Lord Hanuman.
Around 10,000 labourers and craftsmen helped build one of the greatest places of worship in the world?
The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha is endowed to construct the first Hindu Temple in Abu Dhabi.
The Indian space programme ISRO has reached another landmark by launching its 100th Indian satellite.
India has adopted the marigold as a symbol to commemorate the Indian soldiers who died in WW1.