Category Miscellaneous

Why Tiruppavai replaces Suprabhatam in Dhanurmasam

Dhanurmasam is a sacred month in the Hindu calendar that spans mid-December to mid-January, when the Sun transits the zodiac sign Dhanus (Sagittarius). The name comes directly from this solar movement. Unlike many ritual periods defined by lunar days, Dhanurmasam…

The moment that inspired “Bhaja Govindam”

Bhaja Govindam, one of Adi Shankaracharya’s most loved compositions, was born from a moment of deep compassion. According to a traditional account, as Shankaracharya walked through the streets of Kashi (Varanasi) with his disciples, he saw an aged scholar sternly…

How a cow’s blister saved humanity

Did you know the word vaccine traces its roots to the Latin vaccinus, meaning “of or from cows.” Ever wondered why? This connection goes back to the late 18th century, when English doctor Edward Jenner noticed that milkmaids who caught…