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There have been attempts to deny nationalism or paint nationalism, patriotism as jingoism for some years now. To be precise this gained momentum and vigour in the run up to the 2014 General Elections. In order to support their stand many started resorting to quote Aurobindo’s later works, select works of Subramania Bharati, to suggest they gave up nationalism for a greater universe where the humanity stood elevated beyond the national boundaries. While one cannot deny the broader, universal vision of the great personalities, writers like Aurobindo and Bharati, at core they were nationalists. Their yogic vision demolished the “narrow domestic walls”, but neither did Aurobindo retract his “The Renaissance in India”, nor Bharati reject “Swadesa Geetanthangal” (National Songs). It is going to be almost 100 years since Mahakavi Subramania Bharati passed away, he continues to ignite the minds of his readers now, with his vision, his fire as much as it did when they were first published, igni...

 Hayagriba Madhab Temple, Hajo    Jnananandamayam devam nirmalasphatikakrtim Adharam sarvavidyanam hayagrivam upasmahe   “We medidate upon that Supreme One, who has the neck and face of a horse and who is the embodiment of Jnana, Ananda. He has a Thirumeni like a radiant, blemishless spatikam and is the abode of all Vidhyas.”   This was a verse we learnt as children to recite, especially on the day of Saraswati Puja, and also regularly. Hayagriva as a deity of jnana, wisdom is invoked and his blessings are sought before vidyaramba. Hayagriva, a Vishnu avatara is worshipped by many sampradayas and specifically by the Sri Vaishnavas of south India. Thiruvendipuram near Cuddalore where one of 108-Divyadesas are situated, of the Devanatha Perumal, there exists a Hayagriva temple. It is situated on a small hillock called Aushadagiri overlooking the temple of Devanatha close to the river Gadilam. At a small village called Chettipunyam not very far from Chennai t...