For more than 2,000 years, the Thirukkural has stood as one of the crown jewels of Tamil literature—a concise yet profound spiritual guide composed of 1,330 couplets, each offering deep insight into virtue, ethical living, love, and the art of creating a harmonious...
Beyond the Meditation Cushion
The great South Indian sage Thiruvalluvar said, “What is tapasya (penance)?” Tapasya doesn’t mean go and close your eyes and meditate. That’s easy, comfortable. Tapas means to burn. A spiritual seeker is supposed to practice tapasya. Thiruvalluvar says, “The more you...
Embarking on a Spiritual Odyssey, Part 5: Guided by the Thirukkural
As a young boy, Ramu (Swami Satchidananda’s birthname was Ramaswamy, Ramu for short) was deeply immersed in Tamil culture and spirituality. One of the most significant influences in his life was the Thirukkural, a revered Tamil text written by the celebrated poet and...
Steps on the Spiritual Path
Question: For people who are new on the path of spirituality, what do you recommend for them? Are there steps or procedures? Swami Satchidananda: You have already taken the first step by wanting to become a spiritual student. That is the most important thing. You want...




