Kudos
Heartiest namaste, and congratulations to your organization for the work you do for Hinduism. I enjoyed the beautiful collection and presentation on your web portal. It fills me with pride for our Sanatan world that we Hindus—wherever we live—will continue to feel proud of and show respect for our culture, religion and sacred traditions.
Dr.Balaji Kumar Satapathy
Dept. of Karmakanda
Darbhanga Sanskrit University
How My Work Is Worship
Thank you for the article “Work Is Worship” (Jul 2004). I have been in the line of work I’m in for over 15 years. It aligns with the amends I need to make for the life—or lives—I lived before. I often see reflections of myself at different stages of my past in those I encounter who are living their own current version. It is my duty to be a positive influence by sharing time and attention with them.
Anytime I wonder, “Is this still what I’m meant to be doing?” another life situation arises for me to face, and the answer is confirmed. My understanding of dharma has evolved throughout my practice, and I remember more often to be joyful in the tests life brings me. Though there has been progress, I fall short often. I still have much more willpower to cultivate.
Heather Cantamessa
On Keeping Traditions Separate
I had been debating whether to send this in for a few years now, but I have concerns that secular mindfulness, while well-intentioned, does not leave one with much to work with in terms of long-term spirituality, and can often mislead people into thinking that all traditions are interchangeable.
I want to share briefly some anecdotal evidence. In May 2013, I began attending a Mindfulness Club at BGSU, which was active until late 2020. Only one or two former members converted to Buddhism, none to Hinduism or Jainism, and one of the two who became a Buddhist believed that there should be racial separation between nuns. No doubt she had never actually picked up a Buddhist text, but she had been misled by very unqualified people. One member had a yoga teaching certificate and had never heard of the Ramayana.
I think reading from the scriptures (regardless of faith tradition), teaching basic ethical principles, and cultivating real knowledge will do more good in the long and short run for meditation students than poorly orchestrated “drum circles” or “laughing meditation” (yes, that is a thing). I frequently saw members try to mix Navajo religion with Zen, and it just did not look right. Many traditions like Shuddhadvaita and Gaudiya Vaishnavism are fluid and share elements, but there is no way to collapse Navajo religion into Zen or Lutheran Christianity into Kabbalah.
I remember during Mindfulness Club meetings at BGSU, we were all subjected to a long “talking circle,” yet nobody besides me knew how to properly pronounce common Sanskrit names or knew anything about Buddhist or Hindu festivals, like Diwali. Secular mindfulness, to me, is a lot like megachurches—TedTalks that give only surface-level knowledge.
Bill Kennedy IV
On Faith & Courage
Reading the OpEd “A Legacy of Faith and Courage” (Oct. 2025) made me emotional, reliving the lives of our forefathers and the memories we carry—even at the age of 76. This is where we are. If only all youngsters could relive memories like this and carry with them the true sanskar, I would truly appreciate it.
I remember my parents had strong faith in Lord Rama, and my seven elder brothers were required to chant the Hanuman Chalisa daily. We used to have bhajans in the evenings, with the whole family of siblings sitting together with our parents. My mother used to read the Bhagavat daily to women from around our neighborhood.
Yes, chanting the Hanuman Chalisa helps students become strong—mentally and physically. These days, some schools even include it in their morning prayers. Moral strength comes through chanting the Hanuman Chalisa and writing “Sri Rama Jaya Rama Jaya Jaya Ram.”
Meenakshi S.Rao
Sacred Nepal
Thank you, Nikki, for a thoughtful write-up, “Nepal Youth Speak Out” (Apr/May/Jun 2021). I write this a few days after Nepal’s new Gen Z revolt against the corrupt government. While the dust settles and the new generation navigates a new path forward, it is time to consider our roots, as pointed out in this article. Nepal is the land of Pashupatinath. It is the land where sages have come throughout the ages to find direction in life. Know that the very land where you live is filled with the timeless wisdom of the universe—you just need to look inward.
Dhan Mahat
The Great Kabir
“The Mystic Mind and Music of Kabir” (Jul/Aug/Sept 2016) is truly a unique biography of a spiritual scientist of the 15th century. His timeless wisdom is a beacon of light for everyone in this world for endless years to come.
Rupesh Kumar Dhananjai
Musical Magic
I had the pleasure of listening to Behroze, in Greenville, South Carolina, several times. (“The Magic of Hindu Music,” Oct 2007). I was stunned by her enchanting voice and the way she sang so many songs—including some of the greatest bhajans and ghazals. I still have a few of her tapes, which I listen to in my quiet moments. Once when she was in Houston, I invited her to our home in Sugar Land, and we went out for lunch at a local restaurant. She had a very beautiful voice, and I was told she never missed a single swar in her singing. I think she sang beautifully.
Dilipkumar Kapasi
From the Kumbha Mela
Dear beloved Ellen (author of “How Women Experience the Mela,” Jul/Aug/Sep 2025), I feel blessed and humbled to read your profound experience of the Mahakumbha. You are truly a divine soul of Sanatana, or Vedic, Dharma and tradition.
Hom Shrestha
Hinduism and Science
Your article on the sacred science of Siddha Medicine by Dr. Kulreet Chaudhary was very informative. The venerable and powerful sage Agastya Muni is credited as the originator of Siddha Medicine as well as the Tamil language itself—with Lord Muruga!
There is a huge rise in dementia among the elderly where I live in San Ramon, and I wish to help them through the Siddha tradition. Even if I can help one person recover from this illness, it will be a great reward. I thank Hinduism for these ancient medical systems and their continued practice.
Thank you for your service through Hinduism Today magazine, which is always so informative about Hindu temples and Sanatana Dharma. Of special interest, I noted the opening of a Hindu temple in Krakow, Poland, in Eastern Europe. God bless the editors for sharing this precious knowledge!
Subramanian Ramani
Youth Interest on the Rise
It’s impressive that the younger generation has a growing interest in our culture and rituals. Thanks for the detailed insight about the Kumbh Mela (Jul/Aug/Sep 2025).
Viren Chauhan
A Summary of Hindu Belief
“Nine Beliefs of Hinduism” (Jan/Feb/Mar 2020) is truly a most enlightening and concise listing that, at the same time, beautifully explains the ocean of Hindu philosophy in a short article. There is plenty of material in the Vedic, post-Vedic, and Agama scriptures for a wisdom seeker to digest and explore in depth, and this serves as a great starting point for anyone interested
Viren Chauhan
Aurobindo
The article “Sri Aurobindo” (Jul/Aug/Sep 2023) was really helpful for our reporting in Indian Philosophy regarding Sri Aurobindo’s life, works and thoughts. I learned a lot from it—thank you so much.
Caballero, Stella Marie P.
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Our In-Depth Reporting on the Maha Kumbh Mela
By Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami
The 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, India, received extensive coverage across Indian television channels and newspapers. The “basic facts” about the event are well known. Hinduism Today’s first article on the 2025 Mela—in our July 2025 issue—takes a distinctive approach. Rather than reiterating widely known information, it brings the event to life through personal encounters and reflections. Dev Raj Agarwal walks us through the Mela in real time, gathering insights from saints and renunciates on key issues facing Hinduism. This people-centered narrative offers a depth and intimacy rarely found in standard reporting.
The saints and renunciates shared thoughtful insights on a wide range of topics, including the global significance of the amazing event, the role of dharma in the modern world, bridging ancient traditions with today’s generation, spirituality versus religion and environmental awareness. They also spoke on strengthening Hindu unity, the place of women in Hinduism, preserving Hindu identity abroad, challenges from academia, the relevance of meditation and yoga today and the use of technology to share Hindu teachings.
Among the many insights shared by spiritual leaders at the Mela, Ma Santoshi Mata offered a poignant reflection on the spirit of true pilgrimage: “The humblest pilgrims have a main goal—the holy bath—followed by darshan of saints. They carry belongings on their heads. Such pilgrims are the real form of dharma. No yatra is a real yatra without ordeals. We must feed them, look after them, welcome them. We must also alert pilgrims to infiltration by fake saints.”
Ellen Coon focused on the voices of women pilgrims, capturing reflections that reveal the depth of their experiences. One described entering the river: “It feels like climbing into my mother’s lap—always there, always ready to take me. Once I’m in the water, I feel the utmost peace. Bliss. I don’t want to come out.” Another, reflecting afterward, said, “Very light, joyful! The water comes straight from Lord Sivaji and Parvati, so of course it feels amazing. We women should be more like Ma Ganga—pure, feminine, delicate and soft.” A Naga Sadhvi spoke of the mystical dimensions of the Mela: “During the Kumbh, especially the Maha Kumbh, all the devatas and Deities come to the Sangam in astral form to absorb and share blessings. You can feel their presence even if you can’t see them. Not just Deities—gurus and rishis who left their physical bodies 200 or 300 years ago still come in subtle form (sukshma sharir) to guide and uplift us.”