Sanatan Archive

The world has seen many powerful empires rise and fall, with the British Empire being one of the most famous for its control over the seas, a dominance that lasted until the middle of the 20th century. But today, even with all our modern technology where goods are traded in the blink of an eye and people can talk face-to-face from opposite sides of the planet, the seas are once again at the heart of global concerns. Issues like piracy on the water, keeping shipping routes safe, and nations arguing over who controls which part of the ocean are making headlines. For a country like India, this is a big deal because it has a massive coastline stretching “7,517 kilometers”, a long and exposed border that’s hard to protect fully.

On January 7th, the Supreme Court provided the Karnataka government with one last opportunity to decide on the contentious issue of worship rights at the sacred Datta Peeta shrine in Bababudangiri, Chikkamagaluru district. This holy site is revered by both Hindus and Muslims. The court, emphasizing the urgency of the matter, instructed the state to finalize its decision within eight weeks, warning that any delay could result in penalties, stating, “would be liable to pay costs as would be determined by the Court.”

Jatin Das, revered by many as 'Jatin Da,' was a name synonymous with sacrifice and revolution in India’s struggle for independence. His enduring legacy is often tied to the 63-day hunger strike he embarked on, a journey that would ultimately lead to his tragic yet heroic death. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose fittingly likened Jatin Das to Dadhichi, the mythological sage who sacrificed himself for the greater good. The depth of his conviction shone through as he chose to die in protest rather than succumb to a British-imposed execution.

The final rites of Ratan Tata, the legendary industrialist and Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons, were carried out with full state honors on Thursday evening. Tata, aged 86, passed away on Wednesday night at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital. A long list of prominent figures paid their respects to the business tycoon, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Minister Piyush Goyal, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, and industrialist Mukesh Ambani. Their presence reflected the deep admiration and respect Tata commanded in the business and political spheres.

In an unusual turn of events, a thief who had stolen a Radha Krishna idol from a temple in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj district returned it on the 1st of October. Alongside the idol, he left an apology letter explaining the troubles he had been facing since committing the crime. In his note, the thief confessed to experiencing a string of misfortunes, including his son falling ill, which he attributed to the theft. The idol, made from the sacred ashtadhatu (an alloy of eight metals), was promptly reinstalled in the temple after performing necessary rituals, restoring peace to the place of worship.

The sacred Tirupati Laddu Prasadam, revered by millions of Hindus, has now been thrust into a scandal of unimaginable proportions. The discovery of pig fat and beef fat in the laddu, offered at the Sri Venkateswara temple in Tirupati, has shaken the faith of devotees. Instead of addressing the issue with the gravity it deserves, former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy chose to dismiss the allegations by accusing the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) of “politicising religious matters”. Such a response does little to console the millions of Hindus who now feel betrayed.

In every corner of the world, women have proven that they stand shoulder to shoulder with men, mastering every field and undertaking roles once considered beyond their reach. Today, we spotlight a remarkable woman from Karnataka, whose determination and strength paralleled the legendary figures of Indian lore. She was likened to Bhagirath, who was said to have brought the Ganges to the earth, and Dashrath Manjhi, the man who single-handedly cut a path through a mountain in Bihar. Known affectionately as "Lady Bhagirath," this woman took it upon herself to address a critical issue in her community—the dire water shortage.

In a surprising turn of events that sparked immense joy and excitement, the small town of Mirzapur became the center of an unexpected discovery. While a local family was laying the foundation for their new house in the Chunar excavation, specifically in the Sheetal Dham area of Adalpura within the Chunar-Sikhar region, they stumbled upon an ancient Shivling buried beneath the earth. This remarkable find has not only brought a wave of happiness among the residents but has also attracted the attention of history enthusiasts and spiritual followers alike.

In an inspiring incident reminiscent of divinity's resurgence, mirroring the awakening of Bharat, a group of young boys playing by a river in Tamil Nadu made a groundbreaking discovery. "Our Gods are awakening from a long sleep, much like Bharat!" This statement, reverberating with many, heralds a revival of divine presence and faith across the nation.