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Renuka Narayanan

Renuka Narayanan is a commentator and columnist on religion and culture.

Articles by Renuka Narayanan

Review: Sacred Songs – the Mahabharata’s Many Gitas by Bibek Debroy

As with his other monumental work, Bibek Debroy’s last published volume, Sacred Songs – the Mahabharata’s Many Gitas, devoted to the 24 gitas in the epic apart from the Bhagavad Gita, uses the English language to repossess these ancient spiritual texts

A traditional Javanese dance depicting a scene from the Mahabharata. (Wikimedia Commons)

Books

Updated on Nov 09, 2024 05:28 AM IST

ByRenuka Narayanan

Review: The Collected Stories of Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury

Human beings, animals, birds, fish, insects and super-natural beings mix as equals, talking to each other and being mutually understood in The Collected Stories of Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury

A scene from Satyajit Ray’s Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne, which was based on a story from Golpomala by his grandfather, Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury. (HT Photo)

Books

Updated on May 24, 2024 10:51 PM IST

ByRenuka Narayanan

Review: Aryans by Charles Allen

In this posthumously published book, Charles Allen, author of works on Ashoka and Rudyard Kipling, among others, investigates who the Aryans were by drawing on linguistic theories, archaeology, and studies of human migration and genetics

A performance of the Ramayana ballet at the Prambanan temple in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. (Aleksandar Todorovic/Shutterstock)

Books

Updated on Mar 23, 2024 05:44 AM IST

ByRenuka Narayanan

Review: Green Pearls of India by V Sundararaju

Describing 27 trees considered sacred in India, this book provides information about their habitat, distribution, usage and environmental, economic, historical and religious significance

A 75-year-old banyan tree in the Baba Nayaram Das temple in Manesar, Haryana. (Parveen Kumar/Hindustan Times)

Books

Updated on Jan 05, 2024 10:21 PM IST

ByRenuka 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

A performance in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, of the play ‘Doot Ghatotkacham’ Ghatotakacha, son of Hidimba and Bheema, who wreaks havoc on the Kauravas. Episodes from the Mahabharata continue to inspire creative expression. (Deepak Sansta/Hindustan Times)

books

Updated on Feb 09, 2023 09:59 AM IST

ByRenuka Narayanan

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

A scene from the Ramlila held at the Kavi Nagar Ramlila Grounds in Ghaziabad on 2 October 2019. (Sakib Ali/Hindustan Times)

books

Updated on Dec 05, 2022 08:45 AM IST

ByRenuka Narayanan

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

Artists performing at a Ramlila in New Delhi. (Sanjeev Verma/Hindustan Times)

books

Updated on Sep 28, 2022 06:44 PM IST

ByRenuka Narayanan

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

Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa (Wikimedia Commons)

books

Updated on Aug 17, 2022 07:19 PM IST

ByRenuka Narayanan

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.

columns

Updated on May 06, 2018 09:23 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByRenuka 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.

British royals William and Kate wave to photographers hours after the birth of their third child.(Tim Ireland / AP Photo)

columns

Updated on Apr 29, 2018 09:51 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByRenuka 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.

People from across communities participate in a peaceful march in Kolkata to condemn the rape and murder of an 8-year-old in Kathua.(Samir Jana / HT Photo)

columns

Updated on Apr 21, 2018 04:52 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByRenuka 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.

columns

Updated on Apr 15, 2018 08:40 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByRenuka 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.

In Babette’s Feast, sumptuous dishes like the cailles en sarcophage (quail in puff pastry shell with foie gras and truffle sauce) become a metaphor for the perceived conflict between pleasure and piety. You can read Karen Blixen’s elegant short story online, and watch the film on YouTube.

columns

Updated on Apr 08, 2018 08:57 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByRenuka 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

Hanuman in Lanka, by Raja Ravi Varma. Indians love the ‘action hero’ personality of Hanuman, but the wise and gentle giant is also upheld as an ideal of humility and devotion despite being a superstar.

columns

Published on Mar 31, 2018 06:44 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByRenuka 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.

How stories unite us: The Pandavas depicted as shadow puppets at an Indonesian museum.

columns

Updated on Mar 25, 2018 11:42 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByRenuka Narayanan

A mystic moment of historic holy flow

Thanks to the Kanchi Srimatam’s efforts, we have properly-trained Vedic priests and scholars today.

Jagadguru Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Sankaracharya.(HT Photo)

columns

Updated on Mar 16, 2018 10:01 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByRenuka 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.

Lalita Tripurasundari is worshipped across India, from Tripura in the northeast to Tamil Nadu in the south.(Wikimedia Commons)

columns

Published on Mar 10, 2018 05:20 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByRenuka 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.

Jatayu Moksham: The epics teach us to look closely at the dynamics of love, duty and discipline. To ask why Jatayu, who was just another bird of prey, died with his head on Rama’s lap, reciting Rama’s name

columns

Updated on Mar 04, 2018 08:48 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByRenuka 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

In later versions of the Ramayana, no one could handle the thought of Ravan laying hands on Sita and so they respectfully or prudishly changed it.(Getty Images/iStockphoto)

lifestyle

Published on Feb 24, 2018 04:58 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByRenuka 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’

All nature, all creation is pervaded by God, says the Isha Upanishad.(Shutterstock)

columns

Updated on Feb 17, 2018 10:40 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByRenuka 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.

Pandharpur temple town, Solapur district in south Maharashtra, 400 km from Mumbai.(Hindustan Times)

columns

Published on Feb 02, 2018 12:18 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByRenuka 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.

A downpour in New Delhi. Rain-making, at its heart, even in our oldest myths, is about faith and good intentions.(HT File Photo)

columns

Published on Jan 27, 2018 09:41 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByRenuka 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?

columns

Published on Jan 20, 2018 05:16 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByRenuka 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.

Along with festivals like Buddha Purnima, Vesak and Kartik Purnima, Makara Sankaranti is another ancient festival shared by regions across South and South-East Asia - with the added benefit of kite-flying thrown in!(iStock)

columns

Published on Jan 13, 2018 07:25 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByRenuka 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.

columns

Published on Jan 06, 2018 07:47 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByRenuka 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.

columns

Updated on Dec 31, 2017 08:29 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByRenuka 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.

The Bible tells us that Jesus ate bread, wine and fish. Scholars say other chief crops during Christ’s time were wheat, grapes and lentils.(Getty Images / iStock)

columns

Updated on Dec 24, 2017 09:54 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByRenuka 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.

columns

Updated on Dec 17, 2017 03:56 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByRenuka 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.

It said in religious discourses that the Dharma Shastras hold duty to one’s mother paramount.(Shutterstock)

columns

Updated on Dec 09, 2017 11:13 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByRenuka 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.

columns

Published on Dec 02, 2017 07:35 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByRenuka Narayanan

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Renuka Narayanan

Renuka Narayanan is a commentator and columnist on religion and culture.

As with his other monumental work, Bibek Debroy’s last published volume, Sacred Songs – the Mahabharata’s Many Gitas, devoted to the 24 gitas in the epic apart from the Bhagavad Gita, uses the English language to repossess these ancient spiritual texts

Human beings, animals, birds, fish, insects and super-natural beings mix as equals, talking to each other and being mutually understood in The Collected Stories of Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury

In this posthumously published book, Charles Allen, author of works on Ashoka and Rudyard Kipling, among others, investigates who the Aryans were by drawing on linguistic theories, archaeology, and studies of human migration and genetics

Describing 27 trees considered sacred in India, this book provides information about their habitat, distribution, usage and environmental, economic, historical and religious significance

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

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

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

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

Take a cue from stories, old and not so old, to mark this time with kindness.

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.

Each one of us can and must do what we can to make things better.

A quaint story from the annual Kapalishwar festival of Mylapore is a reminder that the Eternal God is far above human conflicts and quarrels.

In a time of food wars, we would do well to remember that God’s grace is reflected in every plate and palate.

The verses glorifying Hanuman are more about ‘personality development’, meant to inspire the reciter to become a positive person and an asset to society

The Harikatha, a piece of inner India, draws from the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. Here’s why we need it more than ever today.

Thanks to the Kanchi Srimatam’s efforts, we have properly-trained Vedic priests and scholars today.

In our forgotten links to common deities is a reminder of the unity that we all culturally share.

There’s still a lot to learn from the epics, about virtues and discipline, and the importance of God-awareness.

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

There is a crucial difference between the ‘godly’ and the ‘godless’ regarding what actually constituted ‘godliness’

The Naam Samkeertan tradition centred on Vitthala that originated with the great medieval Marathi saints, is hugely popular across the Deccan or Indian peninsula.

From Ramayana’s Rishyashringa to Honi, the Circle-Drawer of Galilee, legends of seers who could make it pour abound.

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?

A significant positive aspect to Makara Sankaranti is that it unites the regions of India in a profoundly meaningful but baggage-free way.

As we start a new year, let’s remember that our true purpose is to show loving kindness to all.

Let us cultivate the patience and good humour we need to keep us from going to pieces when tired or unhappy.

It is believed Jesus and his disciples ate simply. As Christmas draws closer, a look back at feasts of the old Judeo-Christian tradition.

As Christmas draws near, tales about the nature of God-love come to mind with renewed joy.

The mother is revered as one’s first guru, who not only teaches us the basics of existence but also our human duty.

On the anniversary of the revelation of the Bhagavad Gita, revisit its lessons on generosity, charity.

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