Articles by Renuka Narayanan
Essay: The Mahabharata – beyond the harrowing angst
First published in 1965, Kamala Subramaniam’s excellent 870-page translation attained a fresh awareness of the life code laid out in Vyasa’s epic

Updated on Feb 09, 2023 09:59 AM IST
Re-reading the Ramayana of Valmiki
Reading Kamala Subramaniam’s English translation of the grand epic is a rewarding journey into the natural beauty of old India and into the emotional landscape of the heart

Updated on Dec 05, 2022 08:45 AM IST
Kamala Subramaniam: An epic life well-served
Kamala Subramaniam’s detailed and lucid renditions of the Ramayana, Mahabharata and the Srimad Bhagavatam have helped generations of readers discover the depth of these epics in English

Updated on Sep 28, 2022 06:44 PM IST
Excerpt: Learning from Loss by Renuka Narayanan
This extract from a collection of stories on death, heartbreak and loss from Hinduism’s many traditions retells one of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa’s parables

Updated on Aug 17, 2022 07:19 PM IST
A month of fasts, feasts and reaching out: Shebaba by Renuka Narayanan
Take a cue from stories, old and not so old, to mark this time with kindness.

Updated on May 06, 2018 09:23 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Renuka Narayanan
The beauty of a job well done: Shebaba by Renuka Narayanan
It’s easy to scoff and make light of them, but it takes tonnes of discipline and commitment to do what real princesses must do.

Updated on Apr 29, 2018 09:51 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Renuka Narayanan
Accepting our errors, expressing remorse: Shebaba by Renuka Narayanan
Each one of us can and must do what we can to make things better.

Updated on Apr 21, 2018 04:52 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Renuka Narayanan
A curious old tale for a new cycle of time: Shebaba by Renuka Narayanan
A quaint story from the annual Kapalishwar festival of Mylapore is a reminder that the Eternal God is far above human conflicts and quarrels.

Updated on Apr 15, 2018 08:40 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Renuka Narayanan
The many metaphors hidden within a feast: Shebaba by Renuka Narayanan
In a time of food wars, we would do well to remember that God’s grace is reflected in every plate and palate.

Updated on Apr 08, 2018 08:57 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Renuka Narayanan
From an epic hero, lessons in humility: SheBaba by Renuka Narayanan
The verses glorifying Hanuman are more about ‘personality development’, meant to inspire the reciter to become a positive person and an asset to society

Published on Mar 31, 2018 06:44 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Renuka Narayanan
A living river of sermons, stories, songs: Shebaba by Renuka Narayanan
The Harikatha, a piece of inner India, draws from the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. Here’s why we need it more than ever today.

Updated on Mar 25, 2018 11:42 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Renuka Narayanan
A mystic moment of historic holy flow
Thanks to the Kanchi Srimatam’s efforts, we have properly-trained Vedic priests and scholars today.

Updated on Mar 16, 2018 10:01 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Renuka Narayanan
The lost-and-found realm of a great goddess: Shebaba by Renuka Narayanan
In our forgotten links to common deities is a reminder of the unity that we all culturally share.

Published on Mar 10, 2018 05:20 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Renuka Narayanan
Of a brave, old bird that died in the woods: Shebaba by Renuka Narayanan
There’s still a lot to learn from the epics, about virtues and discipline, and the importance of God-awareness.

Updated on Mar 04, 2018 08:48 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Renuka Narayanan
No zari curtains on Valmiki’s Ramayana: Shebaba by Renuka Narayanan
The root Ramayana didn’t have a ‘Lakshman rekha’ or a terrible last parting, but the versions after it have been revised to suit the writers

Published on Feb 24, 2018 04:58 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Renuka Narayanan
When you (fairly) civilly disagree about God: Shebaba by Renuka Narayanan
There is a crucial difference between the ‘godly’ and the ‘godless’ regarding what actually constituted ‘godliness’

Updated on Feb 17, 2018 10:40 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Renuka Narayanan
Many languages maybe, but a common prayer
The Naam Samkeertan tradition centred on Vitthala that originated with the great medieval Marathi saints, is hugely popular across the Deccan or Indian peninsula.

Published on Feb 02, 2018 12:18 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Renuka Narayanan
To good thoughts, good deeds, and rain: Shebaba by Renuka Narayanan
From Ramayana’s Rishyashringa to Honi, the Circle-Drawer of Galilee, legends of seers who could make it pour abound.

Published on Jan 27, 2018 09:41 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Renuka Narayanan
An easy path to a happier you: Shebaba by Renuka Narayanan
Spring is a time to celebrate Sarasvati, the patron deity of knowledge and the arts. And also to ask, how well do you really know yourself?

Published on Jan 20, 2018 05:16 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Renuka Narayanan
A sweet way to hit refresh on friendship, unity: Shebaba by Renuka Narayanan
A significant positive aspect to Makara Sankaranti is that it unites the regions of India in a profoundly meaningful but baggage-free way.

Published on Jan 13, 2018 07:25 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Renuka Narayanan
Understanding the purpose of human life: Shebaba by Renuka Narayanan
As we start a new year, let’s remember that our true purpose is to show loving kindness to all.

Published on Jan 06, 2018 07:47 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Renuka Narayanan
May we be kinder, better in the new year: Shebaba by Renuka Narayanan
Let us cultivate the patience and good humour we need to keep us from going to pieces when tired or unhappy.

Updated on Dec 31, 2017 08:29 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Renuka Narayanan
Visions of a feast in the time of Christ: Shebaba by Renuka Narayanan
It is believed Jesus and his disciples ate simply. As Christmas draws closer, a look back at feasts of the old Judeo-Christian tradition.

Updated on Dec 24, 2017 09:54 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Renuka Narayanan
There is good in us all, even despite ourselves: Shebaba by Renuka Narayanan
As Christmas draws near, tales about the nature of God-love come to mind with renewed joy.

Updated on Dec 17, 2017 03:56 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Renuka Narayanan
The mother and mother-goddess as the teacher: Shebaba by Renuka Narayanan
The mother is revered as one’s first guru, who not only teaches us the basics of existence but also our human duty.

Updated on Dec 09, 2017 11:13 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Renuka Narayanan
It’s not just what, learn how to give too: Shebaba by Renuka Narayanan
On the anniversary of the revelation of the Bhagavad Gita, revisit its lessons on generosity, charity.

Published on Dec 02, 2017 07:35 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Renuka Narayanan
Take a moment to tune in to the Sun: Shebaba by Renuka Narayanan
One can chant the Aditya Hrudayam as a prayer of praise to the Sun, or enjoy it as inspiring Indian poetry.

Published on Nov 25, 2017 06:08 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Renuka Narayanan
Lost lessons in love from long ago: Shebaba by Renuka Narayanan
No matter which legends we were raised on, mutual love and respect was the moral of the story

Published on Nov 18, 2017 08:37 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Renuka Narayanan
Themes that will never ever leave us: Shebaba by Renuka Narayanan
Set language politics aside and you will find that there is, indeed, much to admire in early Indian poetry in English.

Updated on Nov 12, 2017 08:43 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Renuka Narayanan
Seven leaves to a sprig and other stories: Shebaba by Renuka Narayanan
Saptaparni has an ancient past in the annals of Ayurveda. Its bark-extract is said to boost immunity and help treat deep tummy disorders, malaria and epilepsy.

Updated on Nov 05, 2017 08:51 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Renuka Narayanan