Timeless Treasures: 7 Of The Oldest Libraries That Still Hold Ancient Secrets
May 07, 2025
It was destroyed in the 12th century, it contained thousands of manuscripts on philosophy, medicine, etc.
It dates back to the 8th century and contains some of the oldest known medieval manuscripts of all over the globe.
It was established in 1602 and is considered one of the oldest libraries in the world. It remains a working library and an essential part of Oxford University.
It dates back to the 7th century and it includes the epic of Gilgamesh.
It's a part of a Christian Monastery which has existed since the 6th Century and contains a large amount ( second highest) of codices and manuscripts in the world.
It was founded in 859 AD and it contains Islamic texts, scientific manuscripts and philosophical works.
It was founded in 1475 and contains rare manuscripts. Read Next Story
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Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
Bhakti Through Eyes Of A Christian Brother
Bhakti is universal in its manifestation and practice, regardless of religion or spiritual traditions. The writings of devotees throughout the ages can inspire us to seek God as the Lord of all Truth and find spiritual salvation through Bhakti. An example of how omnipresent the Bhakti Marg is can be found in writings of Brother Lawrence , a Christian brother who lived during the 17th century in a Carmelite monastery in Paris. Having fought in the Thirty Years' War, which devastated central Europe, Lawrence realised what matters most in the life of a Bhakt: "Let Him do what He pleases with me: i desire only Him, and to be wholly devoted to Him." To Brother Lawrence, it did not matter what became of him in life: Love for God should be there of its own accord, and we must carry out any worldly transaction in the spirit of Karm Yog - that is, without desire for results and only for the sake of loving God. Our inner aptitude should become that of any bhakt: get to know and surrender your life to the Lord. But how do we get to know the Divine? As Lawrence says: We must know before we can love. To know God, we must often think of Him, and when we come to love Him, we shall then also think of Him often, for our heart will be with our treasure. The brother states clearly: Developing jnan as liberating knowledge of God is a prerequisite for Bhakti: We cannot approach God in devotion without the mind having a strong foothold in contemplation. If we practise thus, as Lawrence assures us, then Jnan and Bhakti Yog will go hand in hand. As one progresses on the Bhakti Marg, applying the mind correctly becomes ever more important: "i began to live as if there was none but He and i in the world...i drove away from my mind everything that was capable of interrupting my thought of God." Not only should the sole desire in life be God, but the mind should also be kept in a unified Focus on the Divine. As Krishn advises in the Gita: "...completely restraining the whole group of senses by the mind from all made the mind established in the Self, let him not think of anything." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Mini House for 60 sqm for Seniors with Toilet and Bath (Price May Surprise You) Pre Fabricated Homes | Search Ads Search Now Undo Immerse yourself in Atman, which in turn will lead you to God. However, there remains one last ingredient: Bhakti can never fulfil itself without the Grace of God. For Brother Lawrence, mukti is impossible if we are not willing to make spiritual sacrifices : how can we ask for it (grace), unless we are with Him? How can we be with Him unless our thoughts are ever of Him? How can He be in our thoughts unless we form a holy habit of abiding in His presence? In regularly seeking communion with the Lord within, we develop the presence of God. Devotees such as Lawrence are an example of how the Bhakti Marg, practised in conjunction with Jnan and Karm Yog, can become a way to transcend everything and dissolve the ego in the experience of God. It does not matter which religion we belong to; simple words of the brother carry in them the universal application and message of Bhakti - seek by getting to know God. Authored by: Swami Bhaktivenkateshwara Why Arjun Was Chosen: The Untold Secret of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4, Verse 3
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
'Return to the land': Group sets up all-white town in Arkansas; civil rights activists raise alarm
(Image credit: RTTL X handle) An extremist ethnonationalist organisation has established an exclusively white settlement in a secluded area of northeastern Arkansas's Ozarks and is reportedly considering expansion into Missouri. Return to the Land (RTTL), a self-described private membership association for people with "traditional views and European ancestry," launched its initial community in Arkansas in October 2023 and is now planning to enter Missouri, likely near Springfield, according to NBC affiliate KSNT. The organisation rejects mass immigration, multiculturalism and "forced integration" and excludes non-white, non-Christian and LGBT+ individuals, stating its members aim to distance themselves from contemporary society in favour of rural living. "You want a white nation? Build a white town?" RTTL's co-founder Eric Orwoll asks in an X video promoting the initiative. "It can be done. We're doing it." The organisation's primary settlement spans roughly 150 acres, houses 40 residents, and includes cabins, roads, wells, a community centre, and a schoolhouse. A second location opened nearby in January 2024, with plans for another Ozarks site and potential expansion into the Appalachian mountains listed on their website. In conversation with Sky News journalist Tom Cheshire, who visited RTTL's first settlement and observed activities including goat milk production, flute performances, family sports and swimming, Orwoll expressed longing for 17th-century colonial America. "I would probably feel more comfortable there because I'm white and that's the way this country was when my ancestors came there," he remarked, disregarding the indigenous population displaced by colonisation," he said. "Even if an individual has all the same values that I have, if they have an ethnic identity that other people share and care about, their children will also have that identity, and their children might not necessarily have all the same beliefs that they have," Cheshire further added. Regarding RTTL's growth plans, he said, "I would like to have more communities so that people in all parts of the U.S. have this as an option if they want. I would also like us to network and branch out internationally." Their expansion efforts include online fundraising, including a campaign offering financial incentives to parents of newborns to encourage population growth, which had reached half of its $10,000 target. Despite promoting rural living, RTTL maintains an active social media presence, sharing construction updates, nature photography, and children's book illustrations to promote their pastoral vision. Orwoll, who presents his project as a matter of First Amendment rights and private property freedom, has invested significantly in legal research. "The attorneys we've consulted believe what we're doing is legal," he told KSNT. "Americans have the right to freely associate and form intentional communities on whatever basis they choose." He believes RTTL's private membership association status exempts it from anti-discrimination laws like the Civil Rights Act and Fair Housing Act, though legal experts dispute this interpretation. Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin responded, "Racial discrimination has no place in Arkansas or anywhere in a free society. These allegations raise all sorts of legal issues, including constitutional concerns. My office is reviewing the matter." Barry Jefferson, Arkansas NAACP chapter president, said: "I just truly believe that we don't need to get back to the Jim Crow era. We've been through that before. I think no one should be discriminated against because of their skin colour. "If you really look deep into the Civil Rights Act, it doesn't state that. I think they're misunderstanding what it states because there have been many organisations that tried to carve that out. That's not right," he added. The Anti-Defamation League has directly criticised RTTL, stating it attempts to resurrect "discredited and reprehensible forms of segregation." When questioned about racist elements within his organisation, including white supremacist content in its Telegram channel and his views on Adolf Hitler's "second coming," Orwoll maintained that conventional perspectives on the Nazi leader are "one-sided" and influenced by wartime propaganda. "I think all historical figures are complex, multi-dimensional," he said. "But when I say, 'you're gonna have to wait for that new Hitler to arise', I'm not saying you're going to have to wait for a new person to start a new Holocaust," Orwoll further said, adding to his statement that, "I am saying you are going to wait for a charismatic leader who is going to advocate for your interests because that's how a lot of people see Hitler."
News18
2 days ago
- News18
Can A Son-in-Law Claim Father-in-Law's Property? Here's What The Law Says
A question that often arises is if a son-in-law have any legal right over his father-in-law's property. It's important to understand that the rules can differ based on religion; what applies to a Hindu father-in-law may not apply to a Muslim one. To begin with, let's clarify the basic principle: a son-in-law has no direct legal claim to his father-in-law's property, regardless of whether the family is Hindu, Muslim, or Christian. Under Indian inheritance laws, a son-in-law does not have any automatic or independent right over his in-laws' assets. What the Law Says for Hindus? For Hindus, the Hindu Succession Act of 1956 governs inheritance. This act applies to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists. According to the law, a son-in-law is not included in the list of legal heirs. Therefore, he cannot claim a share in his father-in-law's property directly. However, if the wife inherits property from her father, then the son-in-law can access that property indirectly, through his wife. This is particularly relevant in cases of ancestral property, where a daughter has a rightful claim. Once she inherits it, the son-in-law may benefit as her spouse, but not in his own capacity. Another way a son-in-law may gain property rights is if the father-in-law makes a will in his favour or transfers property through a registered gift deed. In such cases, the son-in-law can legally claim ownership. It's important to note that this is entirely at the discretion of the father-in-law. Without such a will or gift, no legal rights exist for the son-in-law. What Sharia Law Says For Muslims? In the case of Muslims, inheritance is governed by Islamic Sharia law. This legal framework also does not recognise the son-in-law as a legal heir. A Muslim father-in-law can only leave up to one-third of his property to a person outside his list of legal heirs, which includes the son-in-law, via a will. The remaining two-thirds must go to the legal heirs as prescribed under Islamic law. So, unlike under Hindu law, where 100% of the property can be willed to a son-in-law, a Muslim father-in-law is restricted to one-third through a will. What About Christian Laws? For Christians, similar inheritance laws apply. A Christian son-in-law has no automatic legal claim to his father-in-law's property. His rights would only arise if his wife inherits property from her father, or the father-in-law writes a will or gifts the property directly to him. Just like with other religions, a gift deed must be registered, and local laws may also influence the process. In conclusion, inheritance laws in India are religion-specific, and in all major communities, a son-in-law does not have direct rights to his father-in-law's property. Any access he may gain is either indirect, through his wife, or dependent on the existence of a valid will or gift deed. Because local laws and personal circumstances can vary, it's always best to consult a qualified legal expert for advice tailored to a specific situation.
