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Continuing onward, in this essay we take on a study of Rig Veda 1.2, which introduces Vāyu, Indra, Mitra, and Varuṇa, and contains the first mention so far of the mysterious Soma. We explore the hymns to each of these gods one-by-one, developing detailed analyses of the symbolic implications of the precise wording of each of the verses. All this helps build further towards an understanding of the Rig Veda as being, in its secret underlying essence, a poetic and deeply symbolic manual on Yoga.

The Rig Veda is the most foundational and ancient of the Vedas and of Hindu scriptures at large. I recently read the Agni Suktam, the first hymn (1.1) of the Rig Veda, and it was so profound, I found myself in a state of utter shock for about two weeks just trying to process it. It is truly such a rich hymn and contains within it the seed of so much of later Indian philosophy. In this essay, we dive deep and explore who this Agni is whom the Vedic seers praise so dearly.

In modern times, the idea of a single, unified Good can seem outdated or untenable, especially given the wide diversity in culture, values, and perspectives that humans have. It is much easier to simply believe that we are all just different people with different wants and goals. In this essay, rather than proposing any metaphysical or theoretical arguments, I instead make a pragmatic case for holding on to the possibility of a unified understanding of the Good, especially in today's global world, where we are constantly confronted with different views and ways of life.

In the Hindu community, there is often apprehension toward the Christian doctrine of sin and especially the notion of recognizing oneself as a sinner, so much so that Swami Vivekananda famously declared, "it is a sin to call a man a sinner; it is a standing libel on human nature." On the other hand, many Christians also view the Hindu doctrine of avidya (ignorance) with skepticism, feeling that it diminishes the moral gravity of sin by reducing it to a mere lack of knowledge. In this essay, I hope to carefully show that these two doctrines are in fact much more reconcileable than they seem, and that by understanding each other's conception of human error, both traditions stand to gain a deeper understanding of their own.

What is the nature of surrender in spiritual life, and why do we resist it? This write up explores common fears and aversions to surrender, traces their underlying causes, and aims to reveal the contradictions within them. By addressing these fears, the hope is to cultivate readiness for true surrender.