nfatuation – Mahesh Prabhu

March 17, 2020

Chandra Mandala: Artistic Ode to Moon

Chandra Mandala – Ode to Moon “Of all things in nature, the moon is unique. It appears to wax and wane during the bright and dark fortnights. In fact, the lunar globe ever remains the same. In this, it is like the self of the man. While a man appears […]

March 16, 2020

Altruism is impossible in presence of Expectations

Does altruism/selflessness really exist? Where does true altruism/selflessness come from? These were the questions that had occupied a brilliant, yet troubled, mind of George Robert Price, founder of “Price’s Equation” which is regarded by many as the most accurate mathematical, biological and evolutionary model for altruism. In his quest to understand altruism, Price inevitably dissected many […]

March 15, 2020

“You have time, use it and well – it’ll repay.”

I was 16 then; had just dropped out of college for the want of money. Life looked like a puzzle solving which it appeared to be a daunting task. “What’s going to happen to me?” I always thought. Insecurity was taking its toll. Frustrations were way too much. I wouldn’t […]

March 14, 2020

You definitely have an enemy!

मृगमीनसज्जनानांतृणजसन्तोषविहितवृत्तीनाम् |लुब्धकधीवरपिशुना निष्कारणमेव वैरिणो जगति || Deer, fish, and sages, who only require grass, water, and peace in the world, are wantonly pursued by huntsmen, fishermen, and envious people. Those who presume to be living without enemies are either ignorant or fools. Bhartrihari in Neeti Shatakam Art & translation by yours truly.

March 14, 2020

Rishis as Elephants

“Elephants are mighty and gentle. Although gigantic in size, they tend to mind their own business instead of messing around. There is a reason why even the mightiest of beasts do not bother to hunt them. For hunting elephants, there needs a deception of utmost nature. Lions hunt the elephant […]

March 11, 2020

Chanakya & Scorpions

Bunch of scorpions happened to be stuck in a trap and #Kautilya a.k.a. #Chanakya took it upon himself to untangle and set them free. Every time he tried to free a scorpion, it would try to sting him. Yet, undeterred Kautilya would tactfully liberate each one of them. Observing this his student Sharangarao asked […]

March 5, 2020

Quote of the day

“Friends are not enough to make one happy, nor foes enough to make one unhappy; wisdom isn’t adequate to make one wealthy, nor wealth is competent to bring happiness. Prudence is not enough to attain wealth, foolishness hinders not success; only wise can comprehend this truth. Fortune follows whomsoever she […]

February 28, 2020

The consequence of Information Overload on your Professional Wellbeing

Too much data and information have the colossal power to drive you away from your objectives, ones that matter the most, crucial ones. They make you lose the Focus – the key to achieving and success. Whatever you want in life, you will need to have absolute clarity about that. […]

October 3, 2018

“What’s wrong with the world?”

Everyone seems concerned with the world. Everyone appears to be apprehensive, worried and disturbed. Nobody is happy with the way of the world. And everyone is in it for a fierce debate infested with unkind and abusive words; this is truer almost in every part of the world, today. And […]

September 8, 2018

Socialism, Communism & Naxalism: Three Carcinogenic Ideologies Crippling the World Economy and Society

Exclusive to IndiaMahesh.com by U. Mahesh Prabhu On hearing words like Urban Naxals most people often think them to be different than those terrorist Naxals planning to overpower the Indian government and establish their version of the utopian state through ruthless means. Not many people understand Urban Naxals, their ideology […]

July 12, 2018

MDN: A unicorn in the making

This article by U. Mahesh Prabhu was originally published in Swiss Entrepreneurs Magazine July August 2018 Issue. Reproduced in original form with expressed permission. In my brief experience as an investor if there’s one quintessential observation I’ve made, then it’s the fact that companies with potentials are the ones who […]

June 22, 2018

Questions from Inquisitive Minds

My good friend Shivangini Pathak has always been generous in sharing my works with her friends and young students (aged between 11-15 years). A few weeks back she forwarded me a few questions from her students. Since I was busy completing my latest book Kautilya: Understanding the Colossal Genius (Volume […]

October 7, 2017

Mathaas, Mathaadhipathis and Saraswat Community – A Dharmic Perspective

By U Mahesh Prabhu I was born a “Goud Saraswat Brahman”, but I prefer to call myself a Saraswat – for Goud has little or no significance. While I do consider myself a Brahman, owing to my vocation (Brahman is anyone who earns his living by using his intellect only), […]

October 24, 2016

Ekaanth: Power of Isolation

Since time immemorial people have often feared isolation. Nobody likes being isolated and, therefore, seek the constant company of people. We compare Isolation to loneliness – a lack of feeling that something is missing, a pain, a depression, a need, an incompleteness, an absence. They relate isolation to pitch darkness – […]

October 17, 2016

Contours of Management Education

The following column by U. Mahesh Prabhu was first published by BW Businessworld I had the pleasure of being an external examiner for an interesting test-assignment at a local business school. The students were given the interesting task of identifying a local business of any financial scale and size, understand […]

October 2, 2016

Wisdom And Leadership

The following column by U. Mahesh Prabhu was first published by BW Businessworld In this era of globally intertwined economies, global corporations as well as local enterprises are facing – equally – the heat of countless challenges. All that defines “successes” of organizations today – mammoth or miniscule – is […]

September 25, 2016

Bhartrihari’s Maxims on Morality

This article, authored by U. Mahesh Prabhu, presenting the best nuggets from Bhartrihari’s Neeti Shataka was first published by India Facts. gends have it that Bhartrihari once ruled the city of Ujjain. Although a loving ruler, his mind was always engrossed about Love and Romance. He had over 100 beautiful […]

September 1, 2016

Half Lion: Tribute to an unforgettable statesman

Book Review by U Mahesh Prabhu Pamulaparti Venkata Narasimha Rao, popularly known in political circles as PV, was an unusual politician who came to power as India’s 10th prime minister after the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi. A few months before his assassination, Rajiv had asked PV to retire from active […]

June 27, 2016

Vedic approach to stress and crisis management

The following column by U. Mahesh Prabhu was first published by BW Businessworld and Vedic Management Institute. The mind is an important element in any situation. It is certain to have consequences; one way or the other. According to various Vedic scriptures, it has been established that a healthy mind […]

June 15, 2016

Modern vis-à-vis Vedic approach to Management

The following article by U. Mahesh Prabhu was first published by BW Businessworld & Vedic Management Institute Fredrick Winslow Taylor (1856-1925) and Henri Fayol (1841-1925) are two personalities who’ve shaped management as a subject taught in most business schools – ivy league including. While Taylor was a mechanical engineer; Fayol’s engineering […]

June 11, 2016

One Word Responses

The following column by U. Mahesh Prabhu was first published in Business Goa magazine. The columnist believes that responding to letters and emails is a fundamental sign of civility which we are fast tending to forget. Letter-writing was a serious business for many of history’s great men. Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar […]

May 20, 2016

Why India Was A Global Economic Power

The following column by U. Mahesh Prabhu was first published by BW Businessworld on May, 20, 2016 Isn’t it time we looked back into our history and searched for the wisdom of our Vedic ancestors to provide management solutions? Ancient Indian, or Vedic, philosophies and scriptures have provided valuable knowledge […]

May 15, 2016

Desire

The following is an excerpt from Shanti Parva chapter of Mahabharata. The origins of all creatures, their growth, decay and death are traceable to no intelligible cause. It is for this reason that you must not indulge in either joy or sorrow. All the propensities of action which exist in the universe may […]

May 10, 2016

Who Understands Modi?

The following article was first published by BW Businessworld. Many in the media would have us believe that Prime Minister Modi is fast losing his popularity and difficult days lie ahead for him When someone assumes colossal power, many rally towards the person with expectations. These expectations can either be […]

April 23, 2016

Thoughts in pursuit of excellence

The following column was published by Business Goa magazine in its April 2016 issue. The celebrated Spanish painter and sculptor Pablo Picasso once said this about his ability, with pomp and pride, “My mother said to me, if you become a soldier, you’d be a General; if you become a […]

April 5, 2016

Wisdom: The cure to grief

The following story is a part of Shanti Parva Chapter of Mahabharata translated by U. Mahesh Prabhu Wisdom is the highest of acquisitions as well as highest contentment in this world. It’s indeed very heaven for those who are good and virtuous. It’s through wisdom that great men acquire perpetual happiness. There can seldom […]

March 31, 2016

Wisdom on Desire

The origins of all creatures, their growth, decay and death are traceable to no intelligible cause. It is for this reason that you must not indulge in either joy or sorrow. All the propensities of action which exist in the universe may appear to flow from the very natures of […]

March 26, 2016

Greed

The following part is translated from Shanti Parva chapter of Mahabharata by U. Mahesh Prabhu He who regards everything with an equal eye, who never exerts himself for gratifying his unjust sensual pleasure, who practices truthfulness of speech, who is freed from all kinds of attachments, and who has no greed […]

March 25, 2016

Renunciation

The following part is translated from Shanti Parva of Mahabharata by U. Mahesh Prabhu Diverse kinds of sorrow and happiness occur in life of a person from the very day of his birth. If you could ascribe either of them to Destiny, you’d neither feel glad when the happiness comes […]

March 24, 2016

Death and Decrepitude

The following part is translated from Shanti Parva Chapter of Mahabharata of U. Mahesh Prabhu If death assails the world; the neglect encompasses it. All those irresistible things which come and go away are like nights – continually lessening the period of human life. When death approaches there’s none, like a […]

March 23, 2016

True Happiness

The following part is translated from Shanti Parva Chapter of Mahabharata by U. Mahesh Prabhu Whatever you devote yourself to, that object, and nothing else, will appear to you as if the highest of acquisitions fraught with the greatest of blessings. When you reflect properly, through purity of heart and […]

March 22, 2016

Wisdom of Chhandogya-Upanishad

Translated & Retold by U. Mahesh Prabhu I seek my speech, eyes, ears, limbs, life and energy to help me in my good works – that which have truth for theme. I shall never deny truth, or shall never let the truth deny me. Let me be in union, communion […]

January 15, 2016

Will PM’s Startup Policy Succeed In Fostering A Culture of Innovation?

The following column by U. Mahesh Prabhu was first published by BW Disrupt. This Saturday (January 16, 2016) Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to launch “Start-up India 2016”. The prime minister is also expected to announce various initiatives by his government to foster the culture of entrepreneurship. The response […]

January 13, 2016

Baba Ramdev: A Pragmatic Business Baron

The following article by U. Mahesh Prabhu was first published by BW Businessworld Magazine. So far, trust has been a key factor in determining the ‘success’ of Patanjali Ayurveda. The yoga guru’s saffron robe still attracts significant trust which FMCG companies can’t get even via million-dollar celebrity endorsements Baba Ramdev […]

January 13, 2016

Our Enemy Is Pakistan’s Army, Not Its People

This column by U. Mahesh Prabhu was first published by BW Businessworld magazine. The Pakistan Army is enemy not just to India, but Pakistan’s very own people as well as its elected government The terror strikes India – yet again – this time in Pathankot. Our soldiers are killed by […]

January 13, 2016

It’s Either Popularity Or Profitability – Never Both

The following article by U. Mahesh Prabhu was first published by BW Businessworld There’s an ancient Indian maxim, which reads “You cannot get everything you want; but you can definitely get that thing which you strive for.” Therefore, “It’s very important that you chose your objectives wisely; you must never […]

December 29, 2015

The Temptation of Imitation: A Recipe for Doom

This ADVENTURE CAPITALIST Column by U. Mahesh Prabhu was first published by BUSINESS GOA. This is an unedited copy. Once aroused by another’s success it’s pretty easy to desire ones’ own; but the temptation of imitation could be catastrophic not just for individuals but institutions as well – especially at […]

December 24, 2015

Understanding GURU through the wisdom of AVADHOOTA DATTATREYA

Once King Yadu saw Avadhoota Dattatreya in a forest and asked “Sir, you are revered to be quiet capable, energetic and wise. Such as you are, why do you live in the forest, free from all desires? Even though you have neither kith and kin nor even a family, how could […]

December 15, 2015

Karma ~ The Universal Law of Causation

There can be no event in absence of a definite cause. All sciences as well as philosophies of the world unanimously accept that the Law of Cause & Effect is the most universal of all laws. It is one law which governs all phenomenon however gross or fine they may be. The Universal Law […]

December 13, 2015

A Brahmin’s evidence proving Shankara’s Death

During the reign of Bhoja Raja there was a Brahmin who lived in an extremely pitiable condition. In anticipation of a charity from the king he approached the royal court. At the least he was expecting a cow or a buffalo from the king so that there could be some milk for his kids. […]

December 13, 2015

Tale of Dhan Pal ~ An Altruist Poet

A poet named Dhan Pal, who was considered very “shrewd” as well proficient, had earned respect as well as reverence of his king Bhoja Raja. The poet is believed to have used many stratagems to turn the Raja from path of violence to non-violence. Here’s a tale worthy of recollection: Once Bhoja Raja decided to embark on a hunting […]

December 12, 2015

Bhoja Raja’s perspective on Fortune

Bhoja Raja, one of the illustrious rulers to have ruled this land. He was a fine philanthropist who’d distribute gifts to the needy coming from far and near according to their wishes on a daily basis. His generosity didn’t go well with many, including a minister named Rohak. He was convinced that he had to do […]

November 19, 2015

Greece Paradox, German Dilemma and European Concerns

This ADVENTURE CAPITALIST column by U. Mahesh Prabhu was first published by Business Goa. While the international media is busy covering the apparent migrant crisis in Europe; there’s even worse crisis that’s brewing quietly with no credible solution at hand. European history has been replete with feuds, rebellions and intra-national […]

November 19, 2015

Succeeding in a Receding Economy

This ADVENTURE CAPITALIST by U. Mahesh Prabhu was first published in Business Goa If you are concerned about the adverse effects of recession then the following parable is just for you: Long time ago in Middle-east a traveller met a curious looking fellow. “Who are you? Where are you headed?” […]

November 12, 2015

The tale of a wise-old Rabbi

Once there was a young rabbi who settled down in a community. He was eager to teach and make his mark in the world. After several months he had been invited to speak at the local temple and had taught a few students, felt that he was still in the […]

November 12, 2015

Tales of Wisdom: Storyteller and a Samurai

Many years ago, there was an old storyteller – a master of his art – making his way through the countryside. As the sun lowered in the sky, he knew, from the grumbling in his stomach and the aching in his bones that he needed to find a place to […]

October 3, 2015

Vedic Wisdom for Leaders

The following is an excerpt from Simhasana Dvatrimsika translated by Aditya Narayan Dhairyasheel Haksar published by Penguin India: His life is fruitful, say the sages, Who lives acclaimed for learning valor, wealth and other merits. For even a crow can live long, eating left overs. The crow lives long, gobbling putrid […]

September 24, 2015

Vedic Concept of Adhyatma (Spirituality)

Vedic seers have declared that by receiving the knowledge of Adhyatma (roughly translated as Spirituality) an individual can identify and, thereafter, resolve all troubles, roadblocks and crisis in path to one’s prosperity. The following is the concept of Adhyatma professed by Bhishma in Mahabharata’s Shanti Parva (Chapter of Peace). The […]

September 23, 2015

Character as the Key to Happiness

Everything can be conquered by the strength character. When you have purity and unselfishness, nothing more is necessary to bring wisdom. There is nothing else in this universe which can help you attain peace than purity of body and thought; as also there is nothing more potent than impurity to […]

September 22, 2015

Aphorisms of Sri Ramakrishna

There are two type of people who attain perfection in this world: those who attain the truth and become silent, enjoying it all to themselves without consideration for anyone else; people of the other type get the truth and cannot find pleasure in keeping it to themselves, but cry out in a […]

September 21, 2015

Wisdom of Bhartrihari

The sage Bhartrihari was a Sanskrit grammarian par excellence. He renounced his kingdom and took Sannyasa for Sakshatkara. He is celebrated for 3 works. Sringara Shataka (on the science of erotics and sensuality) Niti Shataka (on the science of polity and Rajyabhara). Finally he writes the celebrated Vairagya Shataka (on pure Advaita Vedanta and Sakshatkara). I’ve dug […]

September 20, 2015

Wisdom of Acharya Kapila

Not in a perturbed mind does wisdom spring. * Lotus wherever it grows is beautiful and pure. * Success is slow and is never possible without reflection. * Not by enjoyment is desire appeased. * He who’s bereft of desire is happy. * Though one devote himself to many teachers, he must […]

September 19, 2015

Timeless Aphorisms of Vedas

He who feeds us is our father; he who helps us is our brother; he who places his confidence in us is our friend; those whose sentiments accord with ours are our kinsmen. * If a seed of a Neem (Margosa) tree is dropped into a beverage composed of sugar, […]

September 19, 2015

Vedas on Mind and Matter

According to Vedic philosophy ignorance is the root cause for bondage of the soul with nature – leading to all the pleasures and pains. Vedas seek its adherents to pursue that knowledge which can shred all bondage. Vedas also declare that each soul is potentially divine and that its goal […]

September 17, 2015

Conquest of Sorrow

Grief can seldom touch the one who is understanding, who has achieved balance, who has realized the knowledge of the scriptures, and is ever free from envy, self-control and master of his senses. The wise man should hold fast to this illumination and keep watch over his thoughts; he then knows how the […]

September 16, 2015

Pleasure and Grief

PLEASURE, when it is of the spirit of inactivity, ends in grief; grief when it is of the spirit of energy, leads to pleasure; prosperity and happiness dwell with the man of energy, not with the lazy one. But be it pleasure or pain, sweet or bitter, a man should […]

September 15, 2015

Humility, Wisdom & Liberation

The ultimate pursuit of human life, according to Vedic texts, is Moksha. Loosely the word could be translated as Liberation in English, although its way complex than that. Vedic scriptures suggest that “There is no man stronger than one who is humble. That’s because a humble man, renouncing self, yields to Moksha – the ultimate goal.” A prayer […]

September 15, 2015

Vedas on Waywardness of Fortune

Friends aren’t enough to make one happy, nor foes are enough to make one unhappy; wisdom cannot guarantee wealth nor wealth can guarantee happiness. Prudence isn’t enough for attainment of wealth nor foolishness hinders success; the wise man, not the fool, understands this secret of the world. Fortune follows whomsoever she […]

September 14, 2015

The Saga of Socialism and its Offshoots

Socialism was once regarded as a new faith for skeptical age. A faith that promised a world of harmony and abundance – if only – property was shared by all and distributed equally. The idea of socialism had spread farther and faster than any other political idea in history. Yet, […]

September 13, 2015

Thought Control

When misfortunes strikes know that they are not just because of what you’ve done; it’s because of what you’ve had thought. If we cannot restrain ourselves from committing a deed which we know is evil, it is due to the fact that we first permitted ourselves to think of this evil act […]

September 11, 2015

On making your mind clam and radiant

THE BUDDHA‬ was once asked this question: Why do the ‪noble‬ beings who have developed their minds appear so calm and radiant? The Buddha replied: “They ‪sorrow‬ not for what is ‪past‬, They yearn not after that which is not come, The ‪present‬ is sufficient for them: Hence it is […]

August 10, 2015

Parable on ‪Renunciation

A concerned wife once said to her husband: “Dear, I am very anxious about my brother. For the past one week he has been thinking of becoming an ascetic, and has been busy preparing for that life. He is trying to reduce gradually all his ‪desires and wants.” The ‪‎wise […]

August 10, 2015

A Parable on Knowledge v/s Wealth

Not so knowledgeable, yet pompous, and poor brahman named Balaki approached Ajatashatru – the ruler of prosperous kingdom of Kashi – with a claim that he could tell the “Ultimate Truth” in exchange for a handsome prize. The ruler humbly replied “I do know the ultimate truth; yet I won’t mind […]

August 6, 2015

Parable on Fear

Long time ago in Middle-east a traveler met a curious fellow. “Who are you?” he asked, “and where are you going?” “I am Cholera. I am going to kill five thousand people in Egypt”, said the other and resumed his journey. A few years later they happened to meet again. […]

August 5, 2015

Parable on Wisdom: Seeing & Saying

A king produced his horoscope before an astrologer and asked him about his future. The astrologer pondered the positions of the planets and consulted the Sastras and finally gave his verdict: O King, all your relatives will die before you, you will perform their obsequies with your own hands.” The […]

August 5, 2015

Resolving “most intractable conflict”

Book review by U. Mahesh Prabhu Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues to be world’s “most intractable conflict”. Despite a long-term peace process and the general reconciliation of Israel with Egypt and Jordan, Israelis and Palestinians have failed to reach a final settlement for peace. As per prevailing sentiments “two-state solution” is being […]

August 3, 2015

Rendezvous with just another “Swami”

Had been to a very “Spiritual Hindu ‪Monastery” not far from Udupi (Karnataka, INDIA) which is know for its picturesque “‪Aashram‬” – yesterday. I just wanted to have a glimpse of the Ashram and then leave quietly without bothering a soul. But as soon as we began leaving a “‪Brahmachari‬” […]

June 27, 2015

Yoga and Brahmacharya

By U. Mahesh Prabhu Author’s note: The following text is my translation of a portion of Mahabharata called Shanti Parva. After grandsire of Kauravas and Pandavas – Bhishma – was put on bed of arrows piercing through his body by Arjuna at the behest of Krishna. Krishna then instructs Yudhisthira […]

June 7, 2015

Carrying tomorrow’s load with today’s strength

Our worries are due to various commitments and responsibilities. Our worries comes in many hues and colours. We feel inadequate when we compare ourselves with others. “Maybe… I’m not good enough to do that job” or “I don’t think I’m clever enough to make an impact” We may be afraid to […]

June 5, 2015

Being in, and out of, love

It’s stupid to expect that all our desires will be satisfied. No matter how much powerful or influential we may be or become we are sure to experience frustration(s) by the sheer presence of a desire. The things we don’t have – we’ll long for them. Once we have them, […]

June 4, 2015

Wise & Wisdom: Vidura’s perspective

By U Mahesh Prabhu Wisdom, in a subtle, way can be regarded as an ability to think and act using ones knowledge, experience, common sense and insight. There was a time when Wisdom was considered as supreme virtue and wise men were not just revered but were also most sought […]

May 25, 2015

Vedas: Neither theistic nor atheistic

Vedas are often confused as “religious scriptures” and are compared with that of Torah, Bible and Quran. That’s completely unwise – if you ask me. Vedas have never preached a religion as they’ve never divided people on any lines. The Vedas have only elements, namely: Earth, Fire, Water, Air and Space (nature). It […]

May 22, 2015

Charvak: The ancient Hindu atheist, materialist & hedonist

Hindu is mostly a modern word. Believe me when I say that none of the Hindu scriptures have even a word called “Hindu” or even closely related to it. That’s because the word came into being mostly after the Alexander “the great” failed conquest of India. Hindu was the word they pronounced whenever […]

May 21, 2015

The Christian Swami: Tale of Roberto de Nobili

Roberto de Nobili was born in 1577 into an aristocratic family with great influence in the Roman Catholic Church. Historical records show that he was related to two popes and had joined the Society of Jesus at a very young age. He arrived in Goa (India) on May 20, 1605 during the violent days to Inquisition. From […]

May 21, 2015

Do Hindu scriptures hate Dogs?

Even this is my vow steadily pursued, that I never give up a person who is terrified, nor one who is devoted to me, nor one who seeks my protection, saying that he is destitute, nor one who is afflicted, nor one who has come to me, nor one who is weak in protecting oneself, nor […]

May 21, 2015

Essence of Yoga Vashistha

It is said that after embarking on a long and tiresome pilgrimage Prince ‪‎Rama‬ of Ayodhya found himself disillusioned with the world. He was overwhelmed by the pains of the people he met in travel and found world around him to be gruesome. He was not sure why the world […]

May 20, 2015

Kautilya’s Artha Sutras

Kautilya, also known as Chanakaya and Vishnugupta, is probably the oldest known authority on Economics. Arthashastra, oldest surviving treatise on polity, strategy and statesmanship, has recorded Sutras (read: formulas) which, according to it’s author, holds the key to finding quintessential success in ones’ life and all aspects of it. The following is my (U. Mahesh […]

May 20, 2015

Unusual Thief

One dark night an impoverished fisherman trespassed into a large private property with a clear intention of stealing fish from the pond, inside. As soon as he threw his net into the pond the owner woke up from his slumber and asked his guards to check if someone was trying to steal […]

May 19, 2015

The pompous scholar

One day several men were being ferried across the river in a boat. To pass his time a pompous scholar who was travelling in the same boat began conversing with his fellow traveler. “I am a scholar” he said, adding “I’ve made deep study of Upanishads. Have you read Upanishads?” “No […]

May 19, 2015

The missing – quintessential – element in prevailing management practices

The world we live in is seamlessly interlinked. Every single being is affected by the actions of other’s. Even though the world is being transformed into a “global village”, a sense that “all of mankind must become one community” is still a vague aspiration; far from being accepted as a […]

May 18, 2015

To Solitude

Loneliness is a pain. It’s a concept which tells you that you cannot be happy with yourself. Loneliness is a conditioning which declares people to be “incomplete”. Contrarily, Solace is a bliss. It’s an ultimate resolve made possible when you realize that you are complete in yourself and there’s nothing else […]

May 14, 2015

The Bitcoin Dilemma

By U. Mahesh Prabhu Since time immemorial currencies have continued to be business of political governments, across the world. And while the US has a history of private currencies before the creation of the Federal Reserve, the fact remains that in the modern world, too, governments control currencies. This online […]

May 14, 2015

Until “divorce” do us apart…

According to Indic faiths, nothing in life is eternal; change is the only constant. So, no matter how much – ever – we try, all that we’ve made or gathered is bound to perish. Since life is bound to perish – eventually – our philosophies teaches us to live in […]

April 7, 2015

Conquering Sorrow

The following is an excerpt from Mahabharata’s chapter called Shanti Parva. Translated by U. Mahesh Prabhu. An ancient King named Senajit was in deep agony after losing his eldest son. He was inconsolable beyond any means of making him feel better. This was when a wise Brahman approached the benevolent […]

January 2, 2015

PK: What’s wrong and how to make it right…

Two day’s back my dear friend Shashi was kind enough to give me two movies to watch. One was the “controversial” (what which I would call vindictive) “Bollywood” (read Hindi) movie called PK and another was “yet another” (read unusual) Hollywood drama-crime-thriller GONE GIRL. Both movies, apparently, had a social […]

February 14, 2014

U Mahesh Prabhu appointed as Hon. Director of Center for Global Research & Initiatives

U. Mahesh Prabhu is appointed as Center for Global Research & Initiatives’s Hon. Director. Centre for Global Research & Initiatives (CGRI) is think-tank that is not-for-profit, nonpartisan and poised to DEFINE, DESIGN and DELIVER on India’s national interests. We are confident of attaining this through inspiring the intellect by conducting in-depth research by appointing competent revered […]

October 25, 2013

Personal notes of wisdom from the UPANISHADS

UPANISHADS are considered to be HINDUISM’s “holiest scriptures” speaking of a path for attaining MOKSHA (read LIBERATION). After having completed reading 11 main UPANISHADS, namely ISHA, KATHA, BRIHADARANYAKA, CHANDOGYA, SHVETASHVATARA, MUNDAKA, MANDUKYA, KENA, PRASHNA, TAITTIRIYA and AITERAYA, I have found myself rather intrigued by their wisdom. Following are some of their best teachings: Speaking […]

October 25, 2013

Mundaka Upanishad on Teacher, Rituals and Sacrifices

We live in an era of SELF STYLED, PREACHERS, GURUS AND GOD MEN; who – simply – invent, re-invent and circumvent age old IDEAS and re-brand as something “new”. For whatever the “new-news” they will always fail to impress the truly LEARNED and WISE. Following is an interesting except from […]

June 2, 2013

Unleashing a Website’s Potential

This is unedited version of first ADVENTURE CAPITALIST Column by U. Mahesh Prabhu published in April 2013 issue of BUSINESS GOA magazine. Most enterprises these days have a website; but that’s not to believe that they take it seriously. Lack of earnestness is fundamentally due to ignorance about the opportunities […]

April 26, 2013

Lessons from my FIRST LOVE

First love is always special. It’s that which we, all, would cherish; openly or secretly. No matter how much you try – you can never forget that person whom you desired and loved so much. If your first love was your last – you can be assured – you are […]

March 27, 2013

Thoughts on writing

In a nutshell: Writers seek INSPIRATION to write and they write to gain APPRECIATION from their readers. In today’s world it’s not easy to pursue writing as a full time profession and that’s the very reason why many writers keep a parallel profession to run their kitchen. I don’t remember […]

May 30, 2010

Determining the age of Saraswat Community

Who are Saraswats? In India, there are at least five Brahmin communities who claim themselves as ‘Saraswat Brahmins’, including: Gaud Saraswat Brahmins, Chitrapur Saraswats, Rajapur/Bhalavalikar Saraswat Brahmins, Kashmiri Saraswats, Punjabi Saraswats, Sindh Saraswats, Kutch Saraswats and Rajasthan Saraswats. This community, as a whole, has produced eminent personalities including Pt. Jawaharlal […]

May 26, 2010

Similarities between Vedic, Aztec & Mayan Culture

In 1940 a little known Buddhist Bhikshu (monk) – Chaman Lal – authored & published a book entitled “Hindu America” with the intent of “revealing” the forgotten story of the ancient Americas, especially India’s “immortal links” with the Aztec and Mayan civilizations of Mexico and the Ayar-Inca rulers of the […]

December 31, 2009

Demystifying the Sufis

History testifies the fact that most of the Sufi “saints” came to India either accompanying the invading armies of Islamic marauders or just followed them in their sweeping conquests. Hazrat Shaikh Khwaja Syed Muhammad Mu’īnuddīn Chishtī was accompanied to Ajmer and Khwaja Qutubuddin to Delhi by Muḥammad Shahābuddīn Ghorī, famously […]

September 29, 2009

Stitaprajna: Standing Consciousness

Feelings and emotions are explicit testimonies to the fact that we are men. But when we fail to tame them and flow with them, our life is on a sure path to disaster. There is a word in Sanskrit, which is largely unparalleled in any other language, called Stitaprajna. Simply […]

May 16, 2009

Like the King

As the poll counting came to an end…the Congress led UPA emerged triumphant. While the members of the winning camp harped on every instant to lionize their triumph, the loosing camp was busy doing the ‘soul search’ and run, also, the blame game. In the world which we live in […]

May 5, 2009

Pain Endured is Pleasure Sought

Life has awe-inspiring ways to impart its lessons. And every lesson it imparts, is either with great “pain” or with extreme “pleasure”. Pain and pleasure are the most impending sentiments of life. You can seldom be glad with your pleasure, and similarly, can never be happy in presence of pain. […]

May 1, 2009

Little lesson from a little one

It was to be just another day at one of the bookstore, where I go, of course, to buy books and not just to ‘window-shop’. But it turned out a bit different experience for a very simple reason. As browsed through the scores of books under various categories under the […]

March 27, 2009

Lacking objectivity

By U. Mahesh Prabhu It is not easy to listen to something with which you are in total disagreement with. And it, obviously, seeks patience. Patience is a great virtue. Without it it’s absolutely up hilling to achieve something worthwhile. People of our times are frustrated and there can be […]

December 3, 2008

Double Standards

When Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur was arrested for her alleged involvement in the Malegaon blasts case, my inbox was bombarded with tons of email which promised ‘evidence’ in this regard. The people who mailed me were of course, the ones who sympathized with the ‘Mujahids’ a. k. a. ‘freedom fighters’ […]

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