Swaminarayan (Svāmīnārāyaṇa, 3 April 1781 – 1 June 1830), also known as Sahajānand Swami, is the central figure in a modern tradition of Hinduism known as the Swaminarayan Hinduism, a form of Vaishnavism, founded and most popular in Gujarat state of India. Here, in the following pages, you can read the life-story of this distinguished Divine Personality, founder of a religious tradition and social reformer,

Piḷḷai-lokācārya who preferred a solitary and tranquil residence moved to a temple of Lord Narasiṁha in the outskirts of Śrī Raṅgam and it was here that he delivered discourses on Dharma to all who would listen. He taught in a very simple and skilful manner which is reflected in his writings. Piḷḷai-lokācārya opposed all differences based upon, caste, gender, nationality etc. He exemplified the doctrine

The concept of the Guru is important to Indian civilization and culture. A guru is the essential necessity for the study of all sciences — art, sculpture, architecture, medicine, music, politics, law etc. and of course - for spirituality. The guru is not merely a teacher but also a guide, mentor, a surrogate parent, a role model and a friend. The term guru means “the

Murāri Gupta (fl. 16th century) was a noted Bengali Vaishnava poet, a contemporary and close disciple of Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya , also known as Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (18 February 1486 – 14 June 1534), the founder and major inspiration of what is now known as Krishna Consciousness movement. Murāri Gupta is known to us as an author of the Sanskrit work - Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya...

Rāmānuja is well-known as the great philosopher and ācārya of the Śrī Vaishnava sampradāya and expounder of Viśiṣṭādvaita Vedanta or philosophy of qualified non-dualism, the famous author of Śrī bhāṣya - the legendary commentary on Vedanta Sūtras and several other classical works on Vedanta, including Rāmānujācārya’s commentary on Bhagavad Gītā already made available on our website. It is description of the saintly life of one

"Nimbarka," said Lord Śiva, "at the edge of this village is a sacred bael forest. There, in that forest, the four Kumāras are absorbed in meditation. By their mercy you will receive transcendental knowledge, for they are your spiritual masters, and by rendering service unto them you will receive all that is of value." After saying this Lord Śiva disappeared. Nimbarka immediately went to that

The world-famous book “Autobiography of a Yogi” by Swami Paramahamsa Yogananda (January 5, 1893 – March 7, 1952), born Mukunda Lal Ghosh, now you can read it online. Yogananda Swami was not only ardent devotee of Kāli Mā and exceptional teacher and popularizer of Kriya Yoga in India and in USA, he is considered a God-realized personality or in Indian terminology – Paramahamsa (non-returning).

Haidakhan Babaji is considered among the few greatest spiritual teachers or Guru of the last century. He excelled not so much in any new teaching for the brains, but rather with his personal spiritual energetical radiance that was clearly felt by everyone around, which served for the upliftment and inspiration of people. Haidakhan Babaji is considered a real incarnation of God.

Rāmkumār wanted Sri Ramakrishna to learn the intricate rituals of the worship of Kāli. To become a priest of Kāli one must undergo a special form of initiation from a qualified guru, and for Sri Ramakrishna a suitable brāhmin was found. But no sooner did the brāhmin speak the holy word in his ear than Sri Ramakrishna, overwhelmed with emotion, uttered a loud cry and