by Shantala Sriramaiah | Mar 31, 2026 | Chanting practice, Personal & community
We have reached an important milestone in our Viṣṇu Sahasranāma course: the completion of the Pūrva Bhāga, the opening section that precedes the thousand names themselves. What is the Pūrva Bhāga? The pūrva bhāga, literally the ‘prior section,’ is...
by Shantala Sriramaiah | Mar 21, 2026 | Chanting practice
This article is a work in progress and may go through further revision as I learn to articulate my views in a more refined way. I wish to express my deep gratitude to NIna Rao for her contribution to the western style Kīrtan column in the contrast made between the...
by Shantala Sriramaiah | Nov 11, 2025 | Chanting practice
The Viṣṇu Sahasranāma, the thousand names of Lord Viṣṇu, is one of the most beloved hymns in the Vedic tradition. Many of us know it as a prayer of protection, healing, and grace. Yet, when we approach it deeply, we begin to discover that each name is also a window...
by Shantala Sriramaiah | Oct 13, 2025 | Chanting practice, Festival chanting
The Festival of Renewal Diwali marks the victory of light over darkness – a time to rekindle clarity, joy and auspiciousness.For me, it is also a moment to turn inward, to engage in sādhana – a daily practice that aligns sound, thought and intention.This...
by Shantala Sriramaiah | Sep 4, 2025 | Chanting practice, Personal & community
When you move to a new place, one of the first questions you often hear is: “So, what do you do?” As many of you know, we’ve just moved to Lugano, Switzerland, and are settling into a new rhythm of life and new social situations It’s a simple question, but I’ve found...
by Shantala Sriramaiah | Jul 18, 2025 | Books Published, Chanting practice, Personal & community
From July 6–12, 2025, participants from across the world gathered at the breathtaking Mandali Retreat Center in the mountains of northern Italy for a weeklong immersion in Śiva Saṅkalpa—the sacred intention of the mind, as revealed through the mantras of the Veda to...
