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Swayamvara vs Viryashulka: Ancient India’s Powerful Marriage Customs Explained
Swayamvara and Viryashulka are two important ancient Indian marriage customs, but they are not the same. Swayamvara centers on the bride’s public act of choosing a husband, while Viryashulka centers on a heroic test that proves a suitor’s worthiness. The Ramayana’s account of Sita and the bow of Shiva is a classic example of Viryashulka,…
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The Heart of Sri Krishna: The Story of Two Gopalas
In the heart of a typical village, where anonymity thrives amidst a self-sufficient hamlet, the Krishna temple stands as a living history book. The tale unfolds with the lineage of Keshava Bhatta, the devout Archaka of the temple, and his son Gopala, who, after a rain-soaked adventure in the forest, discovers an unexpected companion, another…