Sacred Stones, Spaces, and Stories: Divya Desams Part 20

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Thiruchitrakoodam Temple, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu
Thiruchitrakoodam, located inside the Chidambaram Nataraja Temple complex in Tamil Nadu, is one of the most unusual and significant Divya Desams. Here, Vishnu and Shiva are worshipped side by side in the same sacred space, something rare in South India, where the two deities often have distinct temple traditions. The presiding deity is Govindaraja Perumal, with Pundarikavalli Thayar. The name Thiruchitrakoodam refers to a beautiful hall or divine chamber, a space where cosmic truths are revealed. This Divya Desam stands inside the Chit Sabha, the hall where Shiva performs the Ananda Tandava, the dance of bliss. The presence of Vishnu here underscores a simple spiritual idea: when there is creation, there is preservation; when there is movement, there is stillness; when there is dance, there is witness. This temple invites you into that balance.

The story most commonly associated with this temple begins with Shiva performing the cosmic dance. During the dance, all the gods gathered to witness it. Vishnu also came, along with Lakshmi, and stood as the steady witness to Shiva’s movement. Their presence brought balance; Shiva’s dynamic energy matched with Vishnu’s calm stillness. Tradition says Vishnu manifested here as Govindaraja Perumal, reclining comfortably while witnessing the Lord of Dance. This form symbolises harmony between divine energies, mutual respect between Vishnu and Shiva, a reminder that spiritual paths may differ but share a single essence.

The defining image here is unique. In a temple dedicated to Shiva’s dance, Vishnu lies in a relaxed reclining posture. Legend says Shiva paused His dance for a moment so Vishnu could take His place within the sacred space. This gesture showed divine unity, not competition. Another story says that when Shiva danced, the entire universe watched. Vishnu reclined fully at ease, trusting the cosmic order. His posture expressed surrender, not to Shiva, but to divine truth. Thirumangai Alvar composed verses in praise of Govindaraja here, noting the rare unity between Vishnu and Shiva. This is one of the reasons this shrine is counted among the 108 Divya Desams, even though it sits inside a major Shaivite temple.

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Thiruchitrakoodam’s history is layered, complex and tied closely to the political and religious shifts of Tamil Nadu. The temple originally flourished under the Cholas, who supported both Shiva and Vishnu worship. Several Chola kings offered gifts to this shrine, indicating that Vishnu’s presence in Chidambaram was well accepted. Around the 16th century, there were conflicts over ritual rights inside the Chidambaram complex. Traditional accounts say Govindaraja’s idol was removed by a Saivite king. Later, during the Nayak period, the idol was reinstated. This back-and-forth reflects the changing religious politics of the time. Despite this, the shrine endured because local communities and Vaishnavite devotees continued to support it.

Govindaraja’s sanctum stands near the Chidambaram Chit Sabha. The current layout shows Nayak-era and later reconstructions, though much of the foundational structure still carries Chola influence. The temple’s long, complicated history adds depth to its identity. It is not just a deity sharing space with another. It is a story of resilience, harmony and coexistence.

Thiruchitrakoodam sits inside one of India’s most iconic temples, the Chidambaram Nataraja Temple. Yet, the shrine maintains its own quiet presence. Architectural highlights include a simple sanctum distinct from the main Chit Sabha. Govindaraja is in a reclining posture facing east. There is a shrine for Pundarikavalli Thayar. A mandapam is used for festival processions, and pillars in the temple have Chola and Nayak engravings. The temple is close to the famous golden-roofed Chit Sabha. Because the shrine is part of a larger complex, it blends seamlessly into the architecture around it.

In this temple, Govindaraja Perumal reclines peacefully on Adisesha. His posture is symbolic of rest, witnessing, trust in cosmic order, and an ease within divine activity. It contrasts beautifully with the dynamic energy of Nataraja next door. Pundarikavalli Thayar’s shrine lies inside the complex and offers a softer presence. Devotees often come to her when they need grounding and reassurance.

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The worship at Thiruchitrakoodam follows Vaishnavite tradition, even though it sits inside a major Shaivite temple. Daily rituals include Suprabhatam, Thirumanjanam, Alankaram, Neivedyam, and evening aradhanai. Priests follow the Pancharatra Agama. Major festivals include Vaikunta Ekadasi, the temple Brahmotsavam, the Float festival or Theppotsavam, the Garuda Sevai, and Panguni Uthiram. A special feature is that many Vaishnavite festivals unfold within a Shaivite temple environment, reflecting the shrine’s unique identity. Even today, you can see Shaivite chanting in the Chit Sabha, Vaishnavite rituals in Govindaraja’s shrine, and devotees of both traditions moving through the same space. This unity is rare and meaningful.

Visiting Thiruchitrakoodam is different from visiting most Divya Desams. You enter the Chidambaram Nataraja Temple first, walk past the grand corridors and golden-roofed halls, and then reach the Govindaraja shrine tucked inside. The temple is often busy, yet Govindaraja’s shrine feels calm. The sound of bells from Shiva’s worship blends with Vaishnavite chants. The contrast between dance and repose is immediately felt. Pilgrims often say this temple softens the mind, helping them see that conflict between traditions exists mostly outside sacred spaces, not within them.

Moving from the Nataraja sanctum to Govindaraja’s is like walking from fire to still water. It gives a sense of integration, harmony, respect, and openness. The area around Chidambaram is well-connected and filled with shops, lodging and eateries. It is a major pilgrimage town, so visiting is convenient. Thiruchitrakoodam plays an important cultural role in bridging Saivite and Vaishnavite traditions. The presence of Vishnu inside a Shiva temple is a strong cultural symbol. It expresses an idea long present in Tamil spirituality: Shiva and Vishnu are not rivals. They are reflections of the same divine reality. Villagers, priests and scholars often cite this temple when speaking about religious harmony. Thirumangai Alvar’s hymns describe Govindaraja as the divine witness to Shiva’s dance, blending literary and philosophical ideas in a single verse.

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Chidambaram is a hub for Bharatanatyam and classical music. Performers often visit Govindaraja before their recitals, seeking blessings for clarity, grounding and balance. The temple remains a reminder that spiritual paths are wider than personal preference and broader than sectarian boundaries. Today, Thiruchitrakoodam continues as an active Divya Desam with daily pujas and festivals. Because Chidambaram is a major pilgrimage site, many visitors now discover Govindaraja’s shrine unexpectedly. Younger pilgrims share images and stories online, increasing awareness of this unique Divya Desam. The temple speaks directly to modern concerns like coexistence, balance, witnessing rather than reacting, resting without withdrawing, and harmony despite difference. Its message is timeless.

Thiruchitrakoodam stands as one of the most distinctive Divya Desams, not because of size or ornamentation, but because of its message. Govindaraja Perumal reclines calmly inside a temple famous for Shiva’s cosmic dance, reminding devotees that creation and preservation, movement and stillness, fire and water exist together, not apart. Pundarikavalli Thayar adds warmth and grounding. The temple’s myths, history and architecture make it a rare example of unity across traditions. In the Divya Desam circuit, Thiruchitrakoodam represents harmony; it teaches that divinity need not be divided. And it shows that when you see movement in one place and stillness in another, both are part of a larger rhythm.

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Thiruvanthipuram Temple, Thiruvanthipuram, Tamil Nadu
Thiruvanthipuram, located near Cuddalore, is one of the most beloved Divya Desams in the southern region. The presiding deity is Devanatha Perumal, with Hemambujavalli Thayar. The temple sits on gentle ground with Oushadha Giri, a small medicinal hill, rising just behind it. This hill is tied to the Ramayana and gives the temple a healing atmosphere, physical, emotional and spiritual. Thiruvanthipuram is known for its philosophy, stories of compassion and strong connection to Vedanta. It is often described as a temple where the mind softens and the heart steadies. The name Thiruvanthipuram means the sacred place of the Lord who comes near, and that tone is clear in every part of the experience.

The deity here is worshipped as Devanatha, the Lord of the Devas. According to the legend, when the gods were troubled by disturbances in the world, Vishnu took this form to protect them and restore harmony. He stood at this spot, overlooking the hill behind him, guarding creation. The small hill behind the temple, called Oushadha Giri, is tied to the Ramayana. When Hanuman carried the Sanjeevani-bearing hill to save Lakshmana, a small portion is said to have fallen here. This fragment became Oushadha Giri, believed to retain healing energy. Because of this, the temple has long been associated with emotional healing, relief from suffering, clarity during distress, and strength during difficult phases. People come here seeking peace in times of illness, worry and transition. The temple is also linked to Vedanta Desikar, one of the greatest Vaishnavite scholars. According to tradition, Devanatha Perumal personally taught him the Hayagriva mantra on the hill. From this moment onward, Thiruvanthipuram became a place of learning, wisdom and spiritual clarity. Local stories say that Devanatha Perumal is one of the most compassionate forms of Vishnu. He is known for granting boons readily and responding quickly to sincere prayers. People call him Vinnagara Theertha Perumal, or Devanatha, who answers without delay, or the Lord who bends down to listen. This understanding shapes the emotional tone of the temple.

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Thirumangai Alvar sang about Thiruvanthipuram, describing the Lord’s beauty, compassion and the healing atmosphere of the land. His hymn anchors the temple in the Divya Desam tradition. Thiruvanthipuram carries layers of history tied to Chola, Pandya and Nayak rule. The temple likely dates back to the Pallava period, with major additions during the Chola era. The Cholas expanded the temple, shaping much of its current structure, including a granite base, a large prakaram, a well-defined sanctum, and shrines for Alvars and Acharyas. Inscriptions from this period mention land donations for lamps, festivals and food offerings. The Nayaks added mandapams, gopurams and structural reinforcements. They also supported festivals that brought together scholars, musicians and reciters. During the 13th century, Vedanta Desikar lived in Thiruvanthapuram for many years. His literary works and philosophical teaching elevated the temple’s intellectual prestige. The temple thus evolved not only as a place of worship but also as a centre of traditional learning.

The temple has a serene, balanced layout typical of coastal Tamil Nadu temples. Its architecture is simple but clear, with strong Chola foundations and later-era refinements. Key architectural features include a tall five-tiered gopuram, a spacious prakaram, stone mandapams, a separate shrine for Thayar, a small shrine for Hayagriva on the hill, steps leading up to Oushadha Giri, and a sacred tank called Sesha Theertham. The temple grounds feel open, airy and calm. The main deity, Devanatha Perumal, stands facing east, holding the conch and discus. His posture is confident yet gentle, embodying the role of guardian and teacher. The idol reflects warmth, compassion, protection, and a readiness to help. Hemambujavalli Thayar’s shrine is close to the sanctum. Her form is benevolent and welcoming, offering emotional comfort. Many devotees go first to her shrine before visiting Devanatha Perumal. The shrine for Hayagriva, the horse-faced form of Vishnu associated with knowledge, sits atop Oushadha Giri. Climbing the small hill is part of the pilgrimage experience. This shrine is especially popular among students, teachers and those seeking clarity in studies or professional work.

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Thiruvanthipuram follows the traditional Vaishnavite pattern of worship, with rituals performed with grace and steadiness. Daily rituals include Suprabhatam, Thirumanjanam, Alankaram, Neivedyam, and evening lamp worship. The temple priests chant slowly and clearly, which enhances the meditative mood. Major festivals include the temple Brahmotsavam, Vaikunta Ekadasi, Pavitrotsavam, Krishna Jayanthi, Rama Navami, Hayagriva Jayanthi, and Vedanta Desikar’s festival. Hayagriva Jayanthi is of the temple’s most important festivals, where devotees offer books, pens and educational materials at the shrine for blessings. People come to Thiruvanthipuram when they seek healing, clarity, guidance, strength during difficult times, protection, and emotional balance. The temple’s energy naturally supports these intentions.

The roads leading to the temple pass through quiet residential areas and open fields. The temple rises calmly in the centre, with the hill behind it creating a sense of grounding. Inside the temple, the space is peaceful, with open air circulating through the wide prakaram. The chanting echoes softly, and the sound of bells does not overwhelm. The atmosphere is gentle, restful and thoughtful. Many pilgrims climb Oushadha Giri and walk up the steps to the Hayagriva shrine. The climb is short but meaningful, a moment of pause and perspective. At the top, the air feels lighter, and the view opens up across the temple town. People often say Thiruvanthipuram feels like a place where the mind switches to a slower pace. The land itself has a calming quality. The temple tank, visible from near the entrance, adds to the reflective atmosphere.

Thiruvanthipuram is deeply woven into Tamil Vaishnavite culture, especially through its ties to Vedanta Desikar. Desikar composed several works here, including hymns to Hayagriva and Devanatha Perumal. His time here shaped the temple’s identity as a place of wisdom and clarity. The Hayagriva shrine is a major cultural symbol. Students visit before exams, and teachers visit before the new academic term. Local families believe in the medicinal energy of Oushadha Giri. Water from the tank is used in prayers for recovery and emotional stability. Thirumangai Alvar’s verses continue to be sung during rituals and festivals, linking the temple to early Tamil devotional literature.

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The temple remains active and well-maintained. It sees steady attendance throughout the year, especially from students, families and those seeking emotional healing. Recent improvements include renovation of mandapams, improved lighting, steps restored on Oushadha Giri, festival arrangements expanded, and restoration of sculptural details. People today are drawn to temples that offer calm and mental grounding.
Thiruvanthipuram suits this need naturally. The temple’s philosophy, mythological background and atmosphere feel especially relevant in a time when many seek clarity and comfort.

Thiruvanthipuram stands among the Divya Desams as a temple of compassion, wisdom and healing. Devanatha Perumal represents a god who does not intimidate; he listens, teaches and guides. Hemambujavalli Thayar adds warmth and emotional stability. The presence of Oushadha Giri and the Hayagriva shrine deepens the temple’s connection to learning and recovery. In a Divya Desam circuit full of temples representing awakening, balance, rest and guidance, Thiruvanthipuram represents healing and understanding. It reminds devotees that strength does not come from force but from clarity, and that healing is not separate from devotion.

In My Hands Today…

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Kitne Ghazi Aaye, Kitne Ghazi Gaye: My Life Story – K.J.S. ‘Tiny’ Dhillon

He has extensively served in Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) and the North-East of India. He has the distinction of commanding the elite Chinar Corps (15 Corps). And, his last assignment before superannuation was the Director-General Defence Intelligence Agency and Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Intelligence) under the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Lieutenant General KJS ‘Tiny’ Dhillon (Retd) opens a window to his life in this book.

From the fascinating tales and the toughest challenges he has encountered in his career, including those from his multiple tenures in J&K since 1988 to the responsibility of maintaining a balance between counter-infiltration and counter-terrorist operations on one hand and the use of military soft power on the other in Kashmir, in this book Dhillon unfolds his journeys from a young boy to the Commander of Chinar Corps. With Kashmir being an inseparable part of this story including the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits, barbarous attack on the convoy of Indian security personnel on the Jammu-Srinagar highway in Pulwama district, killing 40 CRPF personnel, Balakot to the abrogation of Article 370 and its impact on the socio-political, economic and law and order, among others, the book takes us behind the scenes to bring out the nuances of various intriguing developments at a critical juncture in the history of the erstwhile State of J&K.

Happiness in the Moment vs Lasting Happiness: Are We Chasing the Wrong One?

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What kind of happiness are we really chasing? The quick flashes that brighten a moment, or the quieter kind that slowly shapes a life?

Happiness is one of those words everyone uses confidently and few people define carefully. Ask ten people what it means, and you will probably hear ten different answers. Yet most of us recognise two very different forms of it in our own lives. One appears suddenly and fades almost as quickly. The other arrives slowly and lingers, shaping the background of our days without drawing much attention to itself.

Two Different Experiences of Happiness
The first kind is happiness in the moment. The second is happiness that stays. We rarely stop to examine the difference between them, but the distinction quietly shapes many of our choices. Should we enjoy the small pleasures available today, or should we postpone them in the hope of building something deeper and more durable? Is delayed gratification the mark of wisdom, or simply another way of pushing happiness further into the future? The answers are not as obvious as they seem.

The tension between these two types of happiness sits quietly inside many of our daily choices. Should we prioritise the small joys available today, or should we work towards a more durable form of happiness later? Should we delay gratification in the hope of something better in the future? Or is that simply another way of postponing life? None of these questions have simple answer. But the distinction itself is worth examining.

The Happiness That Passes and the Happiness That Stays
Momentary happiness has a particular power because it is tangible. You can feel it in real time. It does not require patience or interpretation. A meal enjoyed slowly, a message from a friend, a walk in the evening when the air finally cools. These experiences are small, but they anchor us in the present moment in ways that abstract goals rarely do. In difficult periods of life, these brief flashes of happiness can be essential. When responsibilities feel heavy or circumstances are uncertain, it is often the smallest pleasures that carry us through the day. They remind us that life is still happening now, not only in the distant future we are trying to build.

Yet momentary happiness can also make people uneasy. For some of us, happiness that arrives too easily raises suspicion. If something feels good immediately, we wonder whether it is superficial or temporary. Perhaps it will disappear as quickly as it arrived. Perhaps it was never real in the first place. This suspicion is not entirely irrational. Modern life offers endless forms of stimulation disguised as happiness. Social media notifications, impulse purchases, and constant entertainment. These experiences are engineered to create small bursts of pleasure while asking very little from us in return. The result is a curious paradox. Happiness in the moment is both essential and potentially misleading. It can either refresh us or distract us. The difference often lies not in the experience itself, but in the role it plays in our lives.

A quiet cup of tea can be a moment of rest. But endless scrolling through a phone is also a form of momentary pleasure. One restores attention. The other slowly erodes it. So the question is not whether happiness in the moment is good or bad. The more useful question is whether it leaves us clearer or more depleted afterwards.

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The Slower Happiness that Builds over Time
The second type of happiness is harder to identify because it rarely feels dramatic. It develops slowly through repetition. A routine that supports your health. A relationship that deepens over the years. Work that gradually becomes more aligned with your abilities. Even something as simple as financial stability can create a form of happiness that is less visible but deeply reassuring. This kind of happiness tends to feel less like excitement and more like steadiness. It lowers the background noise of life.

When people talk about building a meaningful life, this is usually what they are referring to. It is the accumulation of choices that creates a structure in which life feels livable. But this form of happiness has its own complications. Sometimes it does not even feel like happiness while it is happening. It simply feels like life becoming a little easier to live.

First, it requires patience. Many of the habits that eventually produce lasting happiness feel neutral or even tedious while they are being built. Exercise rarely feels magical in the moment. Saving money requires restraint. Learning a skill involves long periods of feeling incompetent.

Second, the pursuit of lasting happiness can sometimes become rigid. In an effort to build a stable future, people can begin postponing every form of enjoyment in the present. Life becomes a sequence of conditions that must be met before happiness is allowed.

Once this project is completed, I will relax.
Once this goal is achieved, then I will enjoy life.

The problem is that these conditions rarely end. There is always another milestone, another responsibility, another improvement that seems necessary before happiness can finally begin. When this happens, the pursuit of lasting happiness quietly transforms into permanent postponement.

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The Question of Delayed Gratification
Few ideas are praised more consistently than delayed gratification. It appears frequently in discussions about discipline, financial planning, education, and productivity. The logic seems straightforward. If we resist immediate pleasures, we will eventually gain something more valuable. In many situations, this is true. Choosing long term health over short term comfort, or saving money rather than spending it impulsively, can lead to real benefits.

But delayed gratification is not automatically virtuous. It depends on what exactly is being delayed and why. Sometimes we delay gratification because we genuinely value something in the future more than the pleasure available now. In these cases, the trade-off is clear and intentional. At other times, delay comes from a different place. It may come from fear of enjoyment itself. When happiness has disappeared before, learning not to trust it can feel like a form of protection.

For some people, happiness feels slightly dangerous. If something is good, perhaps it will be taken away. If something comes easily, perhaps it was never deserved. The safest option is to keep happiness at a distance. Under those circumstances, delayed gratification is not discipline. It is a form of emotional caution.

There is also another complication that receives less attention. Sometimes people delay gratification for goals that are not truly their own. They pursue milestones that society approves of without pausing to ask whether those milestones actually produce happiness in their own lives. Years later, the goal is achieved, and the anticipated happiness never quite arrives. The issue was not patience. The issue was direction.

Seen this way, the difference between momentary happiness and lasting happiness is not simply a question of time. It is a question of how we relate to our own lives. One invites us to experience the present. The other asks us to shape the future.

When Spending Creates Happiness
Money introduces another layer of complexity. On the surface, spending money often looks like the purest form of momentary happiness. A purchase provides immediate satisfaction and the promise of enjoyment. But the value of spending depends heavily on context.

Some forms of spending genuinely enrich life. Travelling to a place you have long dreamed of visiting, for instance, can create memories that stay with you for decades. Shared experiences with family and friends often fall into this category as well. In these situations, spending money supports happiness that extends far beyond the moment of purchase. Other spending serves a different purpose. It temporarily relieves boredom or stress without addressing the underlying problem. The satisfaction fades quickly, leaving only the impulse to repeat the experience again.

The difference between these two forms of spending is not always obvious at the time. But over months and years, the patterns become clear. Some expenses become meaningful stories in our lives. Others become forgettable attempts to fill empty moments.

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The Quiet Influence of Hustle Culture
Modern culture often complicates our relationship with happiness even further. In many environments, happiness is treated as something that must be justified through productivity. Rest should improve performance. Hobbies should develop marketable skills. Even relaxation becomes a tool for becoming more efficient later. This mindset leaves little room for happiness in the moment. If enjoyment does not contribute to long term goals, it begins to feel wasteful.

But a life organised entirely around productivity risks becoming narrow. People may achieve impressive milestones while quietly losing contact with the everyday experiences that make life enjoyable. Ironically, the absence of small, immediate pleasures often makes long term goals harder to sustain. Without moments of rest, humour, or connection, discipline eventually begins to feel like punishment. Lasting happiness rarely grows out of relentless effort alone. It usually develops when effort is balanced with moments that remind us why the effort matters.

Balancing the Two Forms of Happiness
Rather than choosing between momentary happiness and lasting happiness, most people need some combination of both. Momentary happiness keeps life vivid. It reminds us that the present moment is not simply a waiting room for the future. Lasting happiness provides structure. It ensures that life does not drift aimlessly from one pleasant distraction to another. When either form dominates completely, problems begin to appear.

A life focused entirely on immediate pleasures often becomes unstable. Without deeper commitments or routines, satisfaction remains shallow and temporary. A life focused entirely on future happiness can become rigid and joyless. When enjoyment is constantly postponed, the future becomes a moving target that never quite arrives. The challenge is not choosing one type of happiness over the other. The challenge is recognising when one has quietly replaced the other.

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A Slightly Uncomfortable Ending
There is a final possibility worth considering. Sometimes our relationship with happiness says less about happiness itself and more about what we believe we deserve. People who distrust quick happiness often believe that good things should require effort. If something arrives easily, it feels suspicious. Perhaps it will vanish. Perhaps it was never real. At the same time, people who constantly delay happiness may be practising a form of protection. If you never fully allow yourself to enjoy something, you never have to risk losing it.

But life does not always follow these rules. Some of the most meaningful experiences in life arrive unexpectedly. A conversation, a friendship, a moment of clarity. They appear without careful planning and remain long after the moment itself has passed.

The deeper question may not be whether happiness lasts or disappears. The deeper question may be whether we allow ourselves to recognise it when it appears. Because happiness in the moment and happiness that stays are not always separate things. Very often, the happiness that remains with us began as a small moment we almost dismissed.

Life rarely delivers happiness in the neat categories we invent for it. And sometimes the difference between the two lies simply in whether we were willing to receive it. Happiness that stays often begins as happiness we almost ignored.

In My Hands Today…

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False Allies: India’s Maharajahs in The Age of Ravi Varma – Manu S. Pillai

India’s maharajahs have traditionally been cast as petty despots, consumed by lust and luxury. Bejewelled parasites, they cared more, we are told, for elephants and palaces than for schools and public works.

The British cheerfully circulated the idea that brown royalty needed, enlightened, white hands to guide it, and by the twentieth century many Indians too bought into the stereotype, viewing princely India as packed with imperial stooges. Indeed, even today the princes are either remembered with frothy nostalgia or dismissed as greedy fools, with no role in the making of contemporary India.

In this brilliantly researched book, Manu S. Pillai disputes this view. Tracking the travels of the iconic painter Ravi Varma through five princely states from the 1860s to the early 1900s, he uncovers a picture far removed from the clichés in which the princes are trapped. The world we discover is not of dancing girls, but of sedition, legal battles, the defiance of imperial dictates, and resistance.

We meet maharajahs obsessed with industrialization, and rulers who funded nationalists, these men anything but pushovers for the Raj to manipulate. Outward deference aside, the princes, Pillai shows, forever tested the Raj from denying white officials the right to wear shoes in durbars to trying to surpass British administrative standards. Good governance became a spectacularly subversive act, by which maharajahs and the native statesmen assisting them refuted claims that Indians could not rule themselves.

For decades this made the princes heroes in the eyes of nationalists and anti-colonial thinkers a facet of history we have forgotten and ignored. By refocusing attention on princely India, False Allies takes us on an unforgettable journey and reminds us that the maharajahs were serious political actors, essential to knowing modern India.

Social Media: Yaay or Nay in the Age of Endless Scrolling

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Social media usually begins with a very small promise.

“I’ll just check for a minute.”

A minute sounds harmless. Yet anyone who has opened a social media app knows how elastic that minute can become. You open a platform to reply to a message or check an update. A video appears. Then another. Then another. Before long, half an hour has slipped past without much awareness of where it went.

Social media has become so woven into daily life that it no longer feels like technology. It feels like background infrastructure. It sits beside our morning coffee, accompanies us on train rides, and often becomes the last thing we see before sleep.

You can see this most clearly in public spaces. A train carriage full of people travelling together, yet each person is looking down at a small glowing screen. Occasionally, someone smiles at something on their phone or frowns at a comment, reacting to a world invisible to everyone else in the carriage. The physical journey continues, but everyone is briefly somewhere else.

For some people, spending twelve to fifteen hours across different platforms is not an exaggeration but a typical day. Teenagers, working adults, parents at home, retirees; the pattern cuts across age and occupation.

So the question arises again and again. Is social media a yaay or a nay?

The answer rarely sits comfortably on either side. Social media can feel beneficial and exhausting within the same afternoon. It can expand our view of the world while quietly shrinking our attention. It can connect people across continents and yet leave individuals feeling oddly dissatisfied. Perhaps the real question is not whether social media itself is good or bad. The more interesting question is what it does to the habits of our minds and the rhythm of our days. Because the cost of social media is rarely measured in hours alone. It is measured in patterns.

Social media is not one thing
Discussions about social media often become unproductive because people treat it as a single entity. In reality, it performs several different roles at the same time. First, it is a communication tool. It allows people to exchange messages instantly, share photographs, and maintain contact with friends and family who live thousands of kilometres away. Second, it is an attention marketplace. Most platforms are free to use because attention itself has become the product. The longer users remain on the platform, the more advertisements they see and the more data is generated about their interests. Third, it functions as a mirror. Reactions in the form of likes, views, comments, and shares subtly shape how people present themselves and how they interpret their own lives.

When people argue that social media is simply a neutral tool, they usually focus only on the first role. That interpretation feels reassuring because it suggests that everything depends on personal discipline. But the marketplace and the mirror complicate matters. Markets are designed to hold attention, and mirrors inevitably change how we stand in front of them.

This is why two individuals can use the same platform and come away with completely different experiences. One person may discover new ideas, creative inspiration, and meaningful communities. Another may feel distracted, dissatisfied, and strangely tired. The platform remains the same. The internal experience does not.

Which raises a more interesting question: if the platform itself has not changed, why do some people leave it feeling energised while others leave it feeling strangely depleted?

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The genuine “yaay”
Before criticising social media, it is worth recognising what it has genuinely improved. One clear benefit is connection. Families and friendships today often stretch across different countries and time zones. Social media allows daily life to travel across those distances. A photograph of a meal, a short video from a celebration, a quick update about work or school. Individually, these moments seem small, yet together they keep relationships alive.

Another benefit is access to knowledge. Cooking tutorials, photography tips, language lessons, book discussions, and professional advice. While the internet certainly contains unreliable information, it has also created unprecedented access to learning. There is also the possibility of creative expression. In previous decades, many people needed publishers, editors, or institutions to share their work. Today, an individual can write, photograph, film, design, or teach directly online.

Perhaps most interesting of all is the ability to see lives different from our own. Social media exposes people to cultures, experiences, professions, and perspectives that might otherwise remain invisible. A single feed can contain a scientist explaining a concept, a chef demonstrating a recipe, a traveller documenting a city, an artist sharing a sketch, and an ordinary individual reflecting on daily life. At its best, social media expands the visible world. Yet benefits alone rarely tell the full story of any technology.

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The tension behind the screen
The difficulty appears when we examine how social media platforms are designed. These platforms are not simply neutral meeting spaces. They are businesses built around engagement. Their success depends on keeping users active for as long as possible. Features such as endless scrolling, autoplay videos, personalised recommendations, and notifications are not accidental. They exist because they are effective at holding attention. This creates a subtle tension between the user and the platform.

You may open an app to relax for a few minutes. The platform, however, is designed to keep you slightly stimulated. Calm users tend to close the app. Stimulated users tend to continue scrolling. Over time, this produces a particular mental rhythm. One emotional reaction quickly replaces another. Amusement becomes irritation. Curiosity becomes outrage. Inspiration becomes comparison. Nothing lasts very long, yet the stream never stops. The strange result is that a person may spend hours on social media and still feel as if nothing meaningful happened during that time.

Attention: the quiet currency of modern life
For most of human history, attention was shaped largely by the physical world. A person’s focus moved between work, conversation, reading, rest, and observation of the environment around them. These rhythms were imperfect but relatively stable. The digital age changed that balance. Today, attention has become something that companies actively compete for.

In economic terms, attention is now a form of currency. Every notification, recommendation, autoplay video, or suggested post is part of a larger system designed to keep that currency circulating within the platform. The longer attention remains there, the more valuable it becomes. This does not necessarily mean the system is malicious. It simply means it is designed with a particular objective.

The difficulty arises because human attention is limited. When it becomes scattered across hundreds of small fragments throughout the day, the mind rarely has the opportunity to settle into deeper forms of thought.

A long conversation.
A challenging book.
A quiet walk without interruption.

In earlier generations, people worried about how they spent their money. Today it may be just as important to notice how we spend our attention. And wherever attention settles, life slowly follows.

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Does social media affect the brain?
The possibility that social media might influence the brain is frequently debated. Some claim that it permanently damages attention. Others dismiss such concerns completely.

The truth sits somewhere in between.

Researchers studying heavy social media use have observed links with differences in brain systems related to reward and impulse control. These systems influence how people respond to immediate gratification and how easily attention shifts between tasks.

However, scientists remain cautious about claiming direct cause and effect. It is difficult to determine whether social media creates these patterns or whether individuals with certain tendencies are more likely to use platforms heavily.

What is clearer are the everyday consequences. Late-night scrolling often reduces sleep. Frequent notifications interrupt concentration. Emotional content can create rapid shifts in mood. The more realistic concern is not permanent damage but habit formation.

The brain becomes efficient at whatever it practises. When people spend long periods moving rapidly between short pieces of content, slower activities such as reading or reflective thinking can begin to feel unusually demanding. Fortunately, habits can change. When interruptions decrease, and attention is given longer stretches of focus, the mind gradually readjusts.

The quiet costs people often overlook
The effects of social media rarely appear dramatically. Instead, they accumulate quietly. Sleep tends to suffer first. A few extra minutes of scrolling before bed gradually become an hour. Fatigue follows the next day. Attention becomes fragmented. When phones are checked repeatedly, the mind learns to expect interruption even during quiet moments.

Comparison increases subtly. Social media displays carefully selected highlights from other people’s lives. Repeated exposure to these moments can create unrealistic expectations of everyday life. Relaxation becomes confused with distraction. Many people believe scrolling helps them unwind, yet it often leaves them mentally restless rather than calm.

At this point, it may be worth asking a small question. “When was the last time you closed a social media app and felt quietly satisfied rather than slightly restless?”

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Returning to choice
Completely abandoning social media is one possible response, but for most people, it is unrealistic. These platforms are now woven into work, communication, and culture. A more practical response is to treat social media as a relationship that requires boundaries.

One helpful step is distinguishing active use from passive use. Active use involves sending messages, sharing ideas, or intentionally seeking information. Passive use involves scrolling without a clear purpose. Reducing unnecessary notifications also helps restore control. When the phone stops constantly interrupting attention, the mind regains longer stretches of focus. Some people also choose to keep parts of their lives deliberately offline. Not every experience needs to be shared. Private moments often carry a different kind of meaning. The question is no longer whether social media exists in our lives, but whether we remain awake to how it shapes them.

So, yaay or nay?
Perhaps the question should not be answered once but revisited regularly. When social media helps us stay close to people we care about, it deserves a quiet yaay. When it introduces new ideas, perspectives, and creativity, another yaay. But when it replaces sleep, fragments attention, or leaves us feeling strangely dissatisfied after hours of scrolling, that may be the moment for a gentle nay.

Technology rarely arrives as purely helpful or purely harmful. More often it becomes what our habits allow it to become. Which brings us back to that small moment. You pick up your phone to check something quickly. A message, perhaps. A notification. This time you pause before the second swipe. Not because social media is entirely good or entirely bad, but because you have remembered something easy to forget.

Your attention is valuable. And how you spend it quietly becomes the shape of your life.