Stories from Upanishads

Today's story is taken from Maitreya Upanishad. This story is featured in chapter 1 of the Upanishad. This chapter describes the dialogue between the great ascetic king Brihaadratha from the Ikshvaaku dynasty or Solar dynasty and Sage Saakaayana. Please like, share, subscribe and download my podcast “Stories from Upanishads”, available on multiple podcast streaming platforms. Also, visit my website https://www.storiesfromupanishads.com, listen to my earlier podcast episodes, and read some of the blogs available. From now on my podcast will also be available on Youtube. You can search YouTube using the following link - https://www.youtube.com/@StoriesfromUpanishads/featured #upanishads #upanishad #maitreyaUpanishad #aatman

The part 2 of Maandukya Upanishad deals with "AUM". It describes verses 8-12 from the Upanishad. It tells us about "AUM", how do you pronounce it? What happens when you chant "AUM" and many other secrets lying hidden in the syllable "AUM"? How it is connected to Viraat Purush, Hiraanyagarbha, Ishwara and Brahman? Why silence is "Turiya" the fourth quarter of Aatman? How do you perform Aum Kara Dhyaanam? Come with me and dive into a journey full of mysticism and unknowns. This podcast was created on Hubhopper studio. If you wish to start your own podcast for free, visit www.hubhopperstudio.com. Hubhopper is India's leading podcast creation platform. Start your podcast with Hubhopper studio & get your voice heard across platforms like Spotify, Gaana, Google podcasts, Wynk Music and more. Click on the link in the episode description or visit www.hubhopperstudio.com.” Source content collected from various books on Upanishads such as “Messages of the Upanishads” by Swami Ranganathanada, “The Brhadaaranyaka Upanishad” by Swami Madhavananda, “Eight Upanishads” from Advaita Ashrama, Upanishads.org, “Vedas and Upanishads for Children” by Roopa Pai and several other write-ups and thoughts on Upanishads. Background Music is sourced from various royalty-free music sources, Apple Loops and Internet Archives with a Non-Commercial 4.0 International license. Aum Shantih chants are from Youtube - source - Gaiea Sanskrit. The Concept, Script, Narration and Audio Design: Arghya Goswami You can listen to all my podcast episodes in my exclusive website: https://www.storiesfromupanishads.com also, you can read through some of my blogs and shop at ExoticIndia. ExoticIndia has a fabulous collection of rare books, jewellery, art objects and paintings. Spotify link: https://spoti.fi/3DVRcof Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3qxbaCF Gaana link: https://bit.ly/3KC9GxV Apple Podcast link: https://apple.co/3ORZrrH Google Podcast link: https://bit.ly/3QybEDg #upanishads #upanishad #upanishadstories #upanishadquotes #upanishadganga #upnisads #mahavaakya #mahavaakyas #mandukyaupanishad #mandukya #storiesfromupanishads #storiesfromupnishad #vedic #adwaita #advaitavedanta #advaita #advaitavedānta

This is the 1st part of the Maandukya Upanishad in which the teacher describes the 4 states of Self. This episode also describes one of the Mahaavaakya from Upanishad -"Ayam Aatma Brahma" which means - "This Self is Brahman". As told in Muktika Upanishad, Maandukya Upanishad is the most important of all the 108 Upanishads. So come on friends, let's embark on a journey to know more about this wonderful ancient text. This podcast is available on almost all podcast platforms such as - Apple Podcast, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Blubrry Podcasts, and many other podcast players. You can listen to the podcast on my exclusive website https://www.storiesfromupanishads.com. Furthermore, as a bonus, you can read through some interesting blogs and shop from ExoticIndia. ExoticIndia is India’s leading online store where you can find rare books, brass articles, idols, and many others. Also, I would request you all to like, share, follow, and download the podcast. Also, leave some of your valuable comments and reviews on various platforms you are listening to. Also, you can get in touch with me by writing to me at arghyathinks@gmail.com. Spotify link -https://open.spotify.com/show/7cls2BIlQSD9Suyiikz6mo Amazon music: https://music.amazon.in/podcasts/a5296ad4-00c3-453d-9215-a99466971d20/stories-from-upanishads Gaana link - https://gaana.com/podcast/stories-from-upanishads-season-1 Apple Podcast link - https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/stories-from-upanishads/id1645159771 Google Podcast link - https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5odWJob3BwZXIuY29tLzkxNmQ3NTdiMGUxZjM3NTk3NjQwN2MxN2M2ODFjNTE0LnJzcw?sa=X&ved=0CAMQ9sEGahcKEwiwgOjmjJX6AhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQVg Podcastindex - https://podcastindex.org/podcast/5687603 PodTail - https://podtail.com/en/podcast/stories-from-upanishads/ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stories-from-upanishads/id1645159771?ign-itscg=30200&ign-itsct=podtail_podcasts Podcast addict - https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/4096844 Hubhopper - https://hubhopper.com/podcast/stories-from-upanishads/406300 https://www.audacy.com/podcast/stories-from-upanishads-ccbb7 https://podtail.com/podcast/stories-from-upanishads/ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27430303/ https://www.boomplay.com/podcasts/59201?srModel=COPYLINK&srList=WEB https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/stories-from-upanishads-4881609/episodes/recent https://www.scribd.com/podcast-show/598492571/Stories-from-Upanishads https://www.ivoox.com/en/podcast-stories-from-upanishads_sq_f11669529_1.html Stitcher Link - https://www.stitcher.com/show/1076716 Pandora link - https://www.pandora.com/podcast/stories-from-upanishads/PC:1001076716 blubrry podcast - https://blubrry.com/2491435 This podcast was created on Hubhopper studio. If you wish to start your own podcast for free, visit www.hubhopperstudio.com. Hubhopper is India's leading podcast creation platform. Start your podcast with Hubhopper studio & get your voice heard across platforms like Spotify, Gaana, Google podcasts, Wynk Music and more. Click on the link in the episode description or visit www.hubhopperstudio.com.” Source content collected from various books on Upanishads such as “Messages of the Upanishads” by Swami Ranganathanada, “The Brhadaaranyaka Upanishad” by Swami Madhavananda, “Eight Upanishads” from Advaita Ashrama, Upanishads.org, “Vedas and Upanishads for Children” by Roopa Pai and several other write-ups and thoughts on Upanishads. Background Music is sourced from various royalty-free music sources, Apple Loops and Internet Archives with a Non-Commercial 4.0 International license. Aum Shantih chants are from Youtube - source - Gaiea Sanskrit. The Concept, Script, Narration and Audio Design: Arghya...

Dear friends, I am back with the next part of the story - "What are the paths of liberation". The episode will tell you about types of Vaasanaas or desires, what are the fluctuations of the mind and how to control it, what are jivan mukti and Videha mukti. I hope you will love this episode as you have loved the previous part. Please visit the website, https://www.storiesfromupanishads.com, read the blogs, and listen to the earlier episodes. Also, you can shop from ExoticIndia, which houses a great collection of collectibles, rare books and artefacts. Please click on the button "Shop Now" to access the website. Do write to me in my email arghyathinks@gmail.com as many of my listeners often write to me and discuss with me various topics. Source content collected from various books on Upanishads such as “Messages of the Upanishads” by Swami Ranganathanada, “The Brhadaaranyaka Upanishad” by Swami Madhavananda, “Eight Upanishads” from Advaita Ashrama, Upanishads.org, “Vedas and Upanishads for Children” by Roopa Pai and several other write-ups and thoughts on Upanishads. Background Music is sourced from various royalty-free music sources, Apple Loops and Internet Archives with a Non-Commercial 4.0 International license. Aum Shantih chants are from Youtube - source - Gaiea Sanskrit. Excerpts from the Mangal Bhavan are taken from Ramacharitamanas, sung by Anup Jalota. The Concept, Script, Narration and Audio Design: Arghya Goswami #upanishads #upnisads #upanisads #satyamevajayate #podcasts #StoriesfromUpanishads #MundakaUpanishad #NationalMotto #NationalEmblem #Spotify #GaanaPodcast #podcastshow #podcaster #GaanaPodcast #amazonmusicPodcast #spotifypodcast #podcast #podcasting #podcastshow #podcaster #podcastlife #Hubhopper #podtail #googlepodcasts #applepodcasts #podbeanpodcast #upanishads #upanishad #upanishadquotes #upanishadquotes #indianpodcast #indianscriptures #vedic #indianphilosophy #podcastindia #indiapodcast #indiapodcasters #vedicposts #spiritualpodcast #spiritualpodcasts #spiritualpodcasting #upanishad #upnishads

Muktika Upanishad is the last of the 108 Upanishads which is derived from Shukla Yajur Veda. I have extracted this story from this upanishad which presents a dialogue between Lord Shree Ramchandra and Lord Hanuman, where in Hanuman asks Lord Ram about the vedanta, upanishads and paths of salvation. This episode features adhyaya 1 or chapter 1 from the Upanishad. Do you know what are the 108 Upanishads? How they are categorised? What are the different shanti mantras of each category of Upanishad? What are the different paths of liberation? What is "Kaivalya", the highest state of emancipation? To know more, please listen to this episode. Please don’t forget to like, subscribe, follow, rate and leave some review comments on my podcast series - Stories from Upanishads and on this episode. Do write to me in my email arghyathinks@gmail.com as many of my listeners often write to me and discuss with me on various topics. Also do visit the exclusive website of my podcast series - "Stories from Upanishads". The url is https://www.storiesfromupanishads.com/ to get some more information in form of blogs, collection of all my previous podcast episodes and an exciting offer from ExoticIndia. ExoticIndia which offers a unique selection of products that reflect the cultural traditions and lifestyle of India. You can directly access their website using the link provided in the button “Shop now” in my website. Direct link to Exotic India - https://www.exoticindiaart.com/sculptures/brass/aff11769/

Satyameva Jayate Na-anrtam - satyena panthaa vitato devayaanah | Yen-aakramanty-rsayo hyaapta-kaamaa - Yatr tat satyasya paramam nidhaanam || Which means - Truth alone triumphs not untruth. By truth is laid out the divine path, which the seers who are free from desires, reach to the supreme abode of truth”. This is story from Mundaka Upanishad and describes a dialogue between Sage Angiras and his student Shaunaka. What are the two types of knowledge? Which one is the lower and which one is the higher? What is Satyam or Truth? Can Aatman and Brahman reside in the same body? Many questions are answered in this story. So hold on tight and enjoy the story from which our national motto was taken. Visit my website: https://www.storiesfromupanishads.com/ Visit ExoticIndia via link:https://www.exoticindiaart.com/sculptures/brass/aff11769/ Spotify link -https://open.spotify.com/show/7cls2BIlQSD9Suyiikz6mo Amazon music: https://music.amazon.in/podcasts/a5296ad4-00c3-453d-9215-a99466971d20/stories-from-upanishads Gaana link - https://gaana.com/podcast/stories-from-upanishads-season-1 Apple Podcast link - https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/stories-from-upanishads/id1645159771 Google Podcast link - https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5odWJob3BwZXIuY29tLzkxNmQ3NTdiMGUxZjM3NTk3NjQwN2MxN2M2ODFjNTE0LnJzcw?sa=X&ved=0CAMQ9sEGahcKEwiwgOjmjJX6AhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQVg Podcastindex - https://podcastindex.org/podcast/5687603 PodTail - https://podtail.com/en/podcast/stories-from-upanishads/ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stories-from-upanishads/id1645159771?ign-itscg=30200&ign-itsct=podtail_podcasts Podcast addict - https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/4096844 Hubhopper - https://hubhopper.com/podcast/stories-from-upanishads/406300 https://www.audacy.com/podcast/stories-from-upanishads-ccbb7 https://podtail.com/podcast/stories-from-upanishads/ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27430303/ https://www.boomplay.com/podcasts/59201?srModel=COPYLINK&srList=WEB https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/stories-from-upanishads-4881609/episodes/recent https://www.scribd.com/podcast-show/598492571/Stories-from-Upanishads https://www.ivoox.com/en/podcast-stories-from-upanishads_sq_f11669529_1.html #upanishads #upanishadquotes #upanishad #upanishadstories #upanishadstudy #upnishads #upnishadganga #vedic #philosophy #vedicphilosophy #sanatandharma #sanatandharma #hinduism #stories #storiesofupanishads #storiesfromupanishads #applepodcasts #spotifypodcast #spotifypodcasts #spotifypodcastsindia #googlepodcasts #hubhopper #hubhopperpodcasts #indianpodcast #india #prashnaupanishads #imdb #aum #om

This episode is in continuation of last week's podcast episode on Prashna Upanishad - Shat Prashna. It is a collection of 6 questions asked by 6 different students to their guru Sage Pipalada. In today's episode, the next 3 set of questions and their responses are retold. The 4th question was asked by Gaargya on what is that thing which sleeps when a man sleeps which awakes when he is awakened, who really sees his dreams? The 5th question was asked by Satyakama Saiba on benefits of chanting AUM and how one must recite it. The last question was asked by Sukesha Bharadwaja on 16 parts of Aatman. This episode also has a small snippet from Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan's famous bhajan = "Hari Aum Tat Sat" So sit back and enjoy today's episode which is treasured with importance of reciting AUM. Hari Aum Tat Sat on Youtube -https://youtu.be/SzZ-Fm7Q1x0 Spotify link -https://open.spotify.com/show/7cls2BIlQSD9Suyiikz6mo Amazon music: https://music.amazon.in/podcasts/a5296ad4-00c3-453d-9215-a99466971d20/stories-from-upanishads Gaana link - https://gaana.com/podcast/stories-from-upanishads-season-1 Apple Podcast link - https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/stories-from-upanishads/id1645159771 Google Podcast link - https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5odWJob3BwZXIuY29tLzkxNmQ3NTdiMGUxZjM3NTk3NjQwN2MxN2M2ODFjNTE0LnJzcw?sa=X&ved=0CAMQ9sEGahcKEwiwgOjmjJX6AhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQVg Podcastindex - https://podcastindex.org/podcast/5687603 PodTail - https://podtail.com/en/podcast/stories-from-upanishads/ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stories-from-upanishads/id1645159771?ign-itscg=30200&ign-itsct=podtail_podcasts Podcast addict - https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/4096844 Hubhopper - https://hubhopper.com/podcast/stories-from-upanishads/406300 https://www.audacy.com/podcast/stories-from-upanishads-ccbb7 https://podtail.com/podcast/stories-from-upanishads/ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27430303/ https://www.boomplay.com/podcasts/59201?srModel=COPYLINK&srList=WEB https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/stories-from-upanishads-4881609/episodes/recent https://www.scribd.com/podcast-show/598492571/Stories-from-Upanishads https://www.ivoox.com/en/podcast-stories-from-upanishads_sq_f11669529_1.html Host feed - This podcast was created on Hubhopper studio. If you wish to start your own podcast for free, visit www.hubhopperstudio.com. Hubhopper is India's leading podcast creation platform. Start your podcast with Hubhopper studio & get your voice heard across platforms like Spotify, Gaana, Google podcasts, Wynk Music and more. Click on the link in the episode description or visit www.hubhopperstudio.com.” Source content collected from various books on Upanishads such as “Messages of the Upanishads” by Swami Ranganathanada, “The Brhadaaranyaka Upanishad” by Swami Madhavananda, “Eight Upanishads” from Advaita Ashrama, Upanishads.org, “Vedas and Upanishads for Children” by Roopa Pai and several other write-ups and thoughts on Upanishads. Background Music is sourced from various royalty-free music sources, Apple Loops and Internet Archives with a Non-Commercial 4.0 International license. Aum Shantih chants are from Youtube - source - Gaiea Sanskrit. The Concept, Script, Narration and Audio Design: Arghya Goswami #upanishads #upanishadquotes #upanishad #upanishadstories #upanishadstudy #upnishads #upnishadganga #vedic #philosophy #vedicphilosophy #sanatandharma #sanatan #hinduism #stories #storiesofUpanishads #applepodcasts #spotifypodcast #spotifypodcasts #spotifypodcastsindia #googlepodcasts #hubhopper #hubhopperpodcasts #indianpodcast #india #prashnaupanishads #imdb

This is the part 1 of Shat Prashna or 6 questions from Prashna Upanishad. Once 6 hermits named Sukeshaa Bharadwaja, the descendant of Sage Bharadwaja, Saibya Satyakama, the grandson of Surya named Sauryaayani, Gaargya from the line of Garga, Kausalya Aasvalaayana the son of Asvala, Vaidarbhi Bhargava from the line of Bhrigu and Kabandhii Kaatyaana, the great grandson of Kaatya asked the great sage Pippalada 6 various questions. This episode will cover 1st 3 questions which is about Origins of Life, How many Gods are there and which one is the greatest god in human body, How is Praana born? Friends, sit back and listen to my latest episode - Shat Prashna or 6 Questions from Prashna Episode Part 1, in you favorite podcast show "Stories from Upanishads" available on ApplePodcasts, Spotify, AmazonMusic, GooglePodcasts and many other podcast platforms. Spotify link -https://open.spotify.com/show/7cls2BIlQSD9Suyiikz6mo Amazon music: https://music.amazon.in/podcasts/a5296ad4-00c3-453d-9215-a99466971d20/stories-from-upanishads Gaana link - https://gaana.com/podcast/stories-from-upanishads-season-1 Apple Podcast link - https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/stories-from-upanishads/id1645159771 Google Podcast link - https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5odWJob3BwZXIuY29tLzkxNmQ3NTdiMGUxZjM3NTk3NjQwN2MxN2M2ODFjNTE0LnJzcw?sa=X&ved=0CAMQ9sEGahcKEwiwgOjmjJX6AhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQVg Podcastindex - https://podcastindex.org/podcast/5687603 PodTail - https://podtail.com/en/podcast/stories-from-upanishads/ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stories-from-upanishads/id1645159771?ign-itscg=30200&ign-itsct=podtail_podcasts Podcast addict - https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/4096844 Hubhopper - https://hubhopper.com/podcast/stories-from-upanishads/406300 #upanishads #upanishadquotes #upanishad #upanishadstories #upanishadstudy #prashnaupanishad #upnishads #upnishads #upnishadganga #vedic #philosophy #vedicphilosophy #sanatandharma #sanatan #hinduism #stories #storiesofUpanishads #applepodcasts #spotifypodcast #spotifypodcasts #spotifypodcastsindia #googlepodcasts #hubhopper #hubhopperpodcasts #indianpodcast #india

This is a story from Chandogya Upanishad. In this story devarishi Narada seeks teachings from his brother and sage Sanatkumara on how to attain infinite happiness or Bhumaiva Sukham. This episode also touches upon an another interesting story about Sanatkumar and Lord Shiva. So dear friends, sit tight for an another interesting episode on Stories from Upanishads. Please subscribe, follow, like, download or put in your review comments. Some of the links of my podcast on the various players are - Spotify link -https://open.spotify.com/show/7cls2BIlQSD9Suyiikz6mo Amazon music: https://music.amazon.in/podcasts/a5296ad4-00c3-453d-9215-a99466971d20/stories-from-upanishads Gaana link - https://gaana.com/podcast/stories-from-upanishads-season-1 Apple Podcast link - https://podcastsconnect.apple.com/my-podcasts/show/stories-from-upanishads/2617f637-1e90-4e6a-b01f-c6f312ebe77b Google Podcast link - https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5odWJob3BwZXIuY29tLzkxNmQ3NTdiMGUxZjM3NTk3NjQwN2MxN2M2ODFjNTE0LnJzcw?sa=X&ved=0CAMQ9sEGahcKEwiwgOjmjJX6AhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQVg Podcastindex - https://podcastindex.org/podcast/5687603 PodTail - https://podtail.com/en/podcast/stories-from-upanishads/ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stories-from-upanishads/id1645159771?ign-itscg=30200&ign-itsct=podtail_podcasts Podcast addict - https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/4096844 Hubhopper - https://hubhopper.com/podcast/stories-from-upanishads/406300 #podcast #podcasting #jupitrr_audio #jupitrr #Spotify #GaanaPodcast #podcastshow #podcaster #GaanaPodcast #amazonmusicPodcast #spotifypodcast #podcast #podcasting #podcastshow #podcaster #podcastlife #Hubhopper #podtail #googlepodcasts #applepodcasts #podbeanpodcast #upanishads #upanishad #upanishadquotes #upanishadquotes #indianpodcast #indianscriptures #vedic #indianphilosophy #podcastindia #indiapodcast #indiapodcasters #vedicposts #spiritualpodcast #spiritualpodcasts #spiritualpodcasting #upanishad #upnishads #hinduism

What are desires? What are dreams? How does the soul transmigrate? Is Self Indeed Brahman? Is Self the light for the man, when there is no sun, moon or fire? All these questions are answered in the episode - Yagnavalkya and King Janaka part 2, which is the concluding part of the question and answer session between the two learned men from ancient India. This podcast was created on Hubhopper studio. If you wish to start your own podcast for free, visit www.hubhopperstudio.com. Hubhopper is India's leading podcast creation platform. Start your podcast with Hubhopper studio & get your voice heard across platforms like Spotify, Gaana, Google podcasts, Wynk Music and more. Click on the link in the episode description or visit www.hubhopperstudio.com.” Source content collected from various books on Upanishads such as “Messages of the Upanishads” by Swami Ranganathanada, “The Brhadaaranyaka Upanishad” by Swami Madhavananda, “Eight Upanishads” from Advaita Ashrama, Upanishads.org, “Vedas and Upanishads for Children” by Roopa Pai and several other write-ups and thoughts on Upanishads. Background Music is sourced from various royalty-free music sources such as pixebay with royalty free rights, Apple Loops and Internet Archives with a Non-Commercial 4.0 International license. Aum Shantih chants are from Youtube - source - Gaiea Sanskrit. The Concept, Script, Narration and Audio Design: Arghya Goswami

BU presents most of the stories from the life of the ancient vedic sage Yagnavalkya and many of them also feature King Janaka of Videha. Today's story is part 1 of never ending conversation between the Sage and the King. In this story, the king learns about Speech, Sight, Hearing, Vital Force, Mind and Heart are forms of Supreme Brahman! Hubhopper is India's leading podcast creation platform. Start your podcast with Hubhopper studio & get your voice heard across platforms like Spotify, Gaana, Google podcasts, Wynk Music and more. Click on the link in the episode description or visit www.hubhopperstudio.com.” Source content collected from various books on Upanishads such as “Messages of the Upanishads” by Swami Ranganathanada, “The Brhadaaranyaka Upanishad” by Swami Madhavananda, “Eight Upanishads” from Advaita Ashrama, Upanishads.org, “Vedas and Upanishads for Children” by Roopa Pai and several other write-ups and thoughts on Upanishads. Background Music is sourced from various royalty-free music sources, Apple Loops and Internet Archives with a Non-Commercial 4.0 International license. Ananda Shankar - Subh the Auspicious, - Internet Archives Boom - geomorphic Cinematic trailer, - Pixabay.com Dark Sad Ambient Piano Pixabay.com Asian Ceremony - Internet Archives Prank - Pixabay.com Sitar and Tanpura - Internet Archives Synth Bass - Apple Loops Indian Dreams Sitar - Apple Loops Country Fun - Pixabay.com Aum Shantih chants are from Youtube - source - Gaiea Sanskrit. The Concept, Script, Narration and Audio Design: Arghya Goswami Co-narrated by : Jiniya Goswami

What is immortality? Knowing that “Truth” itself is "Immortality"! Freedom from all fears is "Immortality"! Fear of death, fear of poverty, fear of insecurity, fear of pain and sorrow, fear of losing a near one, fear of unknown, beyond these fears lies "immortality". Why do we love our spouse, parents or children? We love our spouse, parents and our children not because we love them rather because we love ourselves. We love our "Self" or "Aatman"! The “Self” or “Aatman” is everything! Everything springs from the “Self”, it dissolves in It and remains imbued with It during continuance, for it cannot be perceived apart from the “Self”. Therefore everything is “Self”! Just as a lump of salt when dissolve completely in water and cannot be taken out of it again, but the salt makes every drop of that water salty, similarly, does the individual "Self or Aatman" dissolves into the limitless “Being” or "Brahman" and cannot be separated from it. Although that “Being” itself carries in it the essence of every individual "Self". After death, there is no body and once the body is no more, the "Self" or "Aatman" dissolves into "Brahman" and there is nothing to perceive! The means of immortality is the knowledge of the “Aatman”, with the renunciation of everything as part of it. When “That” is known, whole universe is known. It is dearer than everything else, hence it must be realised when it is heard from a spiritual teacher or guru and reflected through reasoning or logical contemplation. Our bodies are a powerhouse of energy, which helps us to sustain throughout our lifetime. When our body dies, this energy is released and becomes a part of the energy that sustains the world. This energy helps plants to grow, animals to reproduce, earth and other planets stay in their individual orbits, bring atoms together to make molecules and everything and anything else in this universe. It is the same vibrant energy in all organisms and celestial bodies although it is so fabulously diverse array of bodies, shapes and forms. That cosmic energy, has been around since before the earth existed, is the reason the world exists and will be there well after the universe is gone. So realise that “You” are the cosmic energy, it stands to reason that "You" will be around forever. This is immortality, at least feels like immortality. Let's find out in today's story on Yagnavalkya and Maitreyi. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This podcast was created on Hubhopper studio. If you wish to start your own podcast for free, visit www.hubhopperstudio.com. Hubhopper is India's leading podcast creation platform. Start your podcast with Hubhopper studio & get your voice heard across platforms like Spotify, Gaana, Google podcasts, Wynk Music and more. Click on the link in the episode description or visit www.hubhopperstudio.com.” Source content collected from various books on Upanishads such as “Messages of the Upanishads” by Swami Ranganathanada, “The Brihdaaaranyaka Upanishad” by Swami Madhavananda, “Eight Upanishads” from Advaita Ashrama, Upanishads.org, “Vedas and Upanishads for Children” by Roopa Pai and several other write-ups and thoughts on Upanishads. Background Music is sourced from various royalty-free music sources, Apple Loops and Internet Archives with a Non-Commercial 4.0 International license. Aum Shantih chants are from Youtube - source - Gaiea Sanskrit. The Concept, Script, Narration and Audio Design: Arghya Goswami Co-narrated by : Jiniya Goswami

My dear friends and listeners, it’s been a while I could upload any new episode. The reason being multiple, but here I am with a new story from the Upanishads. Before I begin, my earnest request to you to follow, subscribe, like, share and download my podcast. It will immensely help me to keep going and provide you with these contents. Also please do write to me at my email address arghyathinks@gmail.com. I receive emails from my listeners and we discuss lot of things and often goes into a discovery session on various questions. It’s real fun and interesting. Today’s story is a follow up or continuation stories from three characters on which I have already told you earlier. Pravahana’s story was discussed in Episode 14 i.e. Story of 3 friends - Pravahana, Silaka and Chaikitayana and Uddalaka Aaruni and Shwetaketu’s story was discussed in Episode 15 - Tat Tvam Asi - Story of Uddalaka Aaruni and Shwetaketu. I would highly recommend you to listen to them to understand the continuity. As per the book - The character of the Self in Ancient India by Brian Black brings in portrayal of character contributes in philosophical position of the texts. Such as the character of Shwetaketu, which has been mentioned in the Brihaddarankya Upanishad, Chhandogya Upanishads and Kausitaki Upanishad. As per Upanishadic researcher Patrick Olivelle, there are variations in the character and presentation and different Upanishads present the same story in a different ways. He argues that this variation in presentation is deliberate and that each version has its own narrative logic. So different portrayals of Shwetaketu and Pravahana Jaivali in different Upanishads tells us something about the overall stance. Olivelle concluded that Brihaadaaranyaka Upanishad favors the east and is critical about Kuru-Paanchala Brahmins and presents Shwetaketu as a rude and spoiled brahmin. However in Chhandogya Upanishad the portrayal is more conservative and presents the story of Shwetaketu and Uddalaka Aaruni more positively. Thus portrayal of certain characters in the Upanishads is a part of narrative strategy and political positioning of the texts. If incase you have not listened to my story of Tat Tvam Asi, please do listen to that episode. In Brihaadaaranyaka and Chhandogya Upanishad, Shwetaketu’s story introduces the teachings of five fires and the two paths whereas in Kausitaki Upanishad it introduces the doctrine of the path to heaven. Another important point to note is that in CU seem to emphasize on the formal instructions between the teacher and student more such as Story of Tat Tvam Asi. BU focuses mostly on debates such as stories of Yaagnavalkya. Today’s story is featured in Brihaadaaranyaka Upanishad Chapter 6, section 2. Chronologically this story falls after episode 15, when Shwetaketu gained the knowledge of Tat Tvam Asi from his father Uddalaka Aaruni. As per book - “Political History of Ancient India” by Hemchandra Raychaudhuri, Pravahana Jaivali was a Paanchaala king and contemporary to King Janaka of Videha. We have already heard his story when he and his two other friends exchanged their experiences of Brahman and how he brought out the significance of Om. As a king Pravahana was a good ruler and was ruling his kingdom as per the ancient Hindu Polity as explained by Bheeshma in Shanti Parva of Mahabharata. Pravahana was a man of action, knower of truth and a preceptor of Aatman. As we have seen that courtroom of King Janaka of Videha was filled with scholars and well-versed brahmins, so was King Pravahana’s courtroom. It was also filled with innumerable eminent scholars and brahmins questing for fame, name and money. Today’s story begins from the point when Shwetaketu weaponised with the knowledge of vedas and true knowledge from his father about Brahman comes to King Pravahana’s courtroom. Completely drenched in arrogance about the knowledge of vedas and Brahman, which he used as a means to measure other’s knowledge, asks the guards of...

Podcast Credits - The Concept, Script, Narration and Audio Design: Arghya Goswami ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Credits, Acknowledgements and Source Contents Source content collected from various books on Upanishads such as “Messages of the Upanishads” by Swami Ranganathanada, “The Brhadaaranyaka Upanishad” by Swami Madhavananda, “Eight Upanishads” from Advaita Ashrama, Upanishads.org, “Vedas and Upanishads for Children” by Roopa Pai and several other write-ups and thoughts on Upanishads. Background Music is sourced from various royalty-free music sources, Apple Loops and Internet Archives with a Non-Commercial 4.0 International license. Aum Shantih chants are from Youtube - source - Gaiea Sanskrit. Music - https://pixabay.com/ https://cdn.pixabay.com/download/audio/2021/08/09/audio_6b294070f5.mp3?filename=forest-with-small-river-birds-and-nature-field-recording-6735.mp3 https://pixabay.com/ https://cdn.pixabay.com/download/audio/2022/10/13/audio_2f54f9f4b8.mp3?filename=the-winter-fall-by-prabajithk-122683.mp3 https://pixabay.com/ https://cdn.pixabay.com/download/audio/2022/07/04/audio_477fb4c391.mp3?filename=sunrise-114326.mp3 https://pixabay.com/ https://cdn.pixabay.com/download/audio/2022/11/23/audio_af8f60c3a6.mp3?filename=deep-in-the-dell-126916.mp3 https://pixabay.com/ https://cdn.pixabay.com/download/audio/2022/02/18/audio_b3c6f0c96f.mp3?filename=always-with-me-always-with-you-long-21256.mp3 https://pixabay.com/ https://cdn.pixabay.com/download/audio/2022/02/07/audio_fe3203e65a.mp3?filename=greenfield-birds-suburban-sounds-in-the-background-16683.mp3 https://pixabay.com/ https://cdn.pixabay.com/download/audio/2022/03/09/audio_bc2ea94e5e.mp3?filename=bees-and-other-insects180527-24412.mp3 https://pixabay.com/ https://cdn.pixabay.com/download/audio/2022/11/11/audio_84306ee149.mp3?filename=please-calm-my-mind-125566.mp3 https://pixabay.com/ https://cdn.pixabay.com/download/audio/2022/08/02/audio_884fe92c21.mp3?filename=inspiring-cinematic-ambient-116199.mp3 https://pixabay.com/ https://cdn.pixabay.com/download/audio/2022/03/09/audio_0dda787382.mp3?filename=birds-in-the-morning-24147.mp3 https://pixabay.com/ https://cdn.pixabay.com/download/audio/2022/03/09/audio_05483e3d6e.mp3?filename=shining-neural-network-26727.mp3 https://pixabay.com/ https://cdn.pixabay.com/download/audio/2022/08/18/audio_6999ee78e1.mp3?filename=strong-117533.mp3 https://pixabay.com/ https://cdn.pixabay.com/download/audio/2022/10/24/audio_75bc71dae3.mp3?filename=boom-geomorphism-cinematic-trailer-sound-effects-123876.mp3 https://pixabay.com/ https://cdn.pixabay.com/download/audio/2022/07/25/audio_25c05ffd84.mp3?filename=sitar-in-the-moonlight-115602.mp3 https://pixabay.com/ https://cdn.pixabay.com/download/audio/2022/10/11/audio_d28d2bedf8.mp3?filename=ghost-dark-beat-halloween-122461.mp3 about:client https://ia600201.us.archive.org/4/items/ImcOnairPresents...Microtonalityshruti-sInHindustaniSangeet2008_20/20081104_2100_IMCpresents-MICROTONALITY-in-Hindustani-Sangeet-part3-1.mp3 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Transcript of the Podcast ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tat Tvam Asi - That Art Thou - Story of Uddalaka and Shwetaketu Dear friends and listeners, today’s episode is very important as it talks about the one of the four Mahavaakya’s mentioned in the Upanishads. Tat Tvam Asi - which means “That Art Thou” or “That is you!” Today’s story is about the great Vedic sage Uddalaka Aaruni and his son...

Today I will be telling you a story from Chaandogya Upanishad. It is featured in the 8th Khanda of the book, and it is about 3 young well versed scholars named Pravahana Jivala, Silaka Salavat and Chaikitayana Dalbhya. This is a story which involves a deep curiosity amongst these 3 young men. Our Vedic rishis, sages and scholars always regarded experience or anubhava to be the paramount, next they would regard the scriptures or Shrutis and lastly they would regard the reasoning and logic as most important. So when these 3 young scholars met, were very curious to learn who had what experience of Truth! They were all well versed in Udgita and wanted to have a friendly discussion on it. Friends, if you remember I have explained about Udgitha in the episode “Story of Praana”. I would really request the new listeners to listen to that first before listening to this story. Back to the story, ….3 scholars sat down under a shady Banyan tree, kept their bags beside them. All of them were earnest students of the Vedas, they meditated on Aum, the sound symbol of the Ultimate Reality or God. They followed meditation techniques as per Sama Veda. They decided to exchange their experiences on Udgita, which is the singing hymns of Sama Veda and forms of Vedic sacrifices. After drinking a sip of water, wiping off the sweat from his forehead, Pravahana said - “Dear friends, I think you both must start telling your experiences first. Let me listen to it.” Both Silaka and Chaikitayana agreed happily. They knew that Pravahana was destined to become a king later on. Silaka first questioned Chaikitayana, “May I ask you a question?” Chaikitayana nodded and said - “yes please go ahead!” Silaka smiled and asked -“ What is the origin of the Saman or Udgita?” Chaikitayana smiled and said - “Voice, or Swara. Naturally without swara or voice we cannot chant the Sama veda….and Udgita is a part of this veda!” Then Silaka asked - “What is the origin of voice or swara?” Chaikitayana said promptly - “It is the Praana or Vital Breath. Because when the vital breath or Praana stops functioning, one cannot speak and voice becomes mute.” Silaka immediately asked another question - “Obviously, without Praana one cannot live! So may I ask you, on what Vital Breath or Praana depend on?” Chaikitayana said -“We may say that all life for which the Praana or Vital breath is indispensable depends on the food!” Pravahana was quietly listening to the conversation of his two friends and was making mental notes and silently judging their conversation. Then Silaka asked - “Then what does Food depend on?” Chaikitayana thought for a second as said -“ Ahhhh…..Upon Water, Life itself is depended to water.” Silaka exclaimed - “hmmm…Okay!” He asked again -“Then tell me on what is the origin of Water?” Chaikitayana said - “It is space or Yonder as water comes from the yonder and goes back to it. It falls to earth from space in form of rainfall, fills in rivers and ponds and then again evaporates back as clouds to the space.” Silaka thought for a second and asked again -“ Okay then tell me what is the origin of yonder or Space?” To this question, Chaikitayana said - “Let no man carry the Saman beyond the world of Swarga or Heaven or Yonder. We recognise the Saman in the world of Swarga or Yonder, as Saman is hailed as Swarga!” These three friends were enlarging their kingdom of knowledge. They made a common attempt to share and spread knowledge as they followed a Vedic saying “Do things together!” They realised that they have gone as far as thought can reach. Being aware of the limitations of thought, Silaka told Chaikitayana - “O Chaikitayana, your saman is not firmly established! We cannot tell the origin of Saman! If at this time anyone who knew the origin of Saman, the your head shall surely fall off! I am afraid we cannot confine or delimit the Absolute Truth to any corner, remote or distant, of the cosmos or space. To the extent it is confined, it will...

Today’s episode is named - Proud Balaki! This story is featured in BU Chapter 2, Section 1 and features one of the greatest kings of India - Ajaatashatru. He was also known as Kunika and was son of Bimbisara. He was a contemporary to both Bhagwaan Mahavira and Gautama Buddha. I hope you all must be knowing about Bhagwaan Mahavira and Gautama Buddha! As a result he is referenced in both Jain and Buddhist literature. Interestingly, name of his mother is different in different literatures. As per Jain literature his mother’s name was queen Chellana where as as per Buddhist literature his mother’s name was Kosala Devi. However, both queen Chellana and Kosala Devi were referred as “Vaidehi” so he was also called “Vaidehi Putra”. Ajaatashatru is believed to live around 492 to 460 BCE and was one of the most important king of Haryanka Dynasty of Magadha. He forcefully took over Kingdom of Magadha from his father - Bimbisara and imprisoned him. He captured Vaishali and occupied Kashi or Benaras. Under his able rule Magadha became one of the most powerful kingdom of North India. He is believed to have invented two types of weapons which was used in wars in those days, first one being - Ratha-musala (Scythed Chariot) or chariot with swords or spike attached to its wheels, you may have seen that in many movies such as 300 or Baahubali. The second weapon was Maha-shila-kantaka - an engine to throw large boulders. You must have seen this in numerous movies such as in Lords of the Ring, Baahubali and many others. Apart from his military inventions and skilled warfare, he was also very learned, a scholar and was very well versed in various Indian scriptures. Baalaaki who was the son of Balaakaaa from Garg family was a upasaka and a renowned scholar. However there was some very indifferent about him, ….he was very proud of his knowledge and scholarship. One fine day, he went to the court of the king Ajaatashatru and told him - “O venerable king, I am Baalaaki Garg… son of Balaakaa Garg. I wish to tell you about Brahman!” Ajaatshatru was pleased to hear this proposal and immediately announced -“Really, o learned scholar, if you tell me about it then I shall award you with one thousand cows!” After a pause, the king continued with a smile - “I know King Janaka who is benevolent and generous and loves to listen to great debates and scholastic discussions on spirituality and Brahman! I too have some of his qualities.” Friends just a pause here, if you look into the timelines, Ajaatshatru lived around 492 - 460 BCE and during that time King Janaka also lived! So again clarifies the point that this King Janaka is not the father of Sita! This Janaka belonged to the same dynasty and was much much later that Ramayan’s Janaka. Let’s continue with the story - Baalaaki said - “The being who identifies himself both with the sun and the eye and who having entered the body through the eye resides in the heart as the ego as experiencer and the agent - Therefore I ask you to meditate that being as Brahman! Ajaatshatru stopped him with a hand gesture and said - “Please don’t talk about him! I meditate upon him as all surpassing. Who exists surpassing all beings in this universe. We both know the same Brahman and you are telling me the same thing now. So stop, please don’t discuss this Brahman. If you know any other Brahman then tell me about that. I would be happy to listen to it! I meditate upon the Brahman with these attributes as the agent and the experiencer and obtain results accordingly. Sruti also say that “One becomes exactly as one meditates upon Him!” When Ajaatshatru refuted the presentation of sun as the Brahman, Baalaaki tried to put forward another - “That being who is in the moon, I meditate upon as Brahman!” He wanted to present moon as the Brahman to the king. But the king again interrupted him… “Stop O Baalaaki, please stop telling me about this Brahman! I meditate upon him as the great, white robed, radiant Soma! That being in...

Episode 12 - What the thunder said? Da-Da-Da ================================================================================================================ My dear listeners and friends, today I am going to move away from Yagnavalkya’s adventures and tell a new story from Brihaadaaranyaka Upanishad. The reason why I am doing this is for a purpose! I want to bring in some variety to my storytelling from Upanishads. Yagnavalkya’s debates were high on philosophy and required extreme attention and mindfulness to understand. Today’s story is lighter although still possess deep inner meanings and philosophy which we will unearth! Today’s story - “What the thunder said” is featured in Chapter 5, section 2 of Brihaadaaranyaka Upanishad. Let’s enjoy the story! Aeons ago, gods, humans and demons who were the children of Prajaapati i.e.Viraaj, the Creator, lived together in the tutelage as his students. When their education was formally coming to an end, the pupils decided to ask their teacher - the Creator a final piece of advise and enlighten them, so that they can march towards their life’s destiny and goal. Before we move on with the story - We must understand few important concepts. The word “Narayana” which we refer to the God himself signifies - Narayam-ayana which means - “the goal of mankind”. To achieve the goal we require a guru. Just like in our modern era, students going to schools to learn academics and life skills are taught by their teachers who are their gurus. The sportsmen and women require coaches who can guide them, train them better so that they can achieve their goal. In professions such as Software or any other, we also have goals and it’s our seniors or leaders who act as our teachers or guru and makes us to realise our goals. Be it education, profession, spirituality or sports we must have goals and which is only be achieved if we have a teacher or a guru. God cannot come down to earth to guide us, and neither we humans can go to God to take his advice. So God takes the form of a Guru to guide us. We have recited a very popular verse - “Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu, Guru Deva Maheshwara, Guru Shaakshaath param Brahma, Tasmayi Shri Guruvey Namaha.” Now coming back to the Story - Prajaapati was a master psychologist. He could cure all those who approached him. He knew all his pupils and their nature. So he reserved his upadesha or advise until they approached him. Gods were first among the pupils to approach the Creator for his final advise. Prajaapati - the Creator did something marvellous! As he spoke, the thunder roared! The sound which gods could hear was a syllable “Da”. The Supreme Father asked his pupils - the gods - “Dear child did you understand my advise?” The gods looked at each other and with folded hands shook their heads. One of the god said - “Yes O Venerable One, we have understood!” The gods had completed the word from the first syllable as their guru’s advise and said to the Creator “You advised us the syllable “Da” - for us which means - “Daamyata” or “Self Restraint” or “Self Control”! You are telling us to exercise Self-restraint!” The Creator said - “You have understood my child!” Prajaapati was pleased as he could give his final advise to the gods and they could understand and interpreted it as per their temperament. The gods in general are inhabitants of regions of pleasure and happiness, as a reward for their virtuous qualities. However, the pursuit of pleasures is always very risky and just like walking on a tip of a sword! Unless they put in Self Restraint or Self Control in correct places, they may exhaust their virtue and can become slaves of flesh and pleasure! “Daamyata” or Self Restraint will keep them in check and control! Just like a boat responding to an expert captain or navigator, their heart should respond beating obediently to the call, the exhortation to achieve Self-Restraint! When the gods went back to their place, next to ask advise from the Supreme Father...

Dear listeners, from the last 3 episodes of my podcast, you have been listening to Yagnavalkya’s debates in the King Janaka’s Symposium. You heard the debates of Ashwala, Aartbhaaga with Yagnavalkya in part 1, then followed by debates of Bhujyu, Usasta and Kahola with Yagnavalkya in part 2. Yagnavalkya was almost declared as a winner in the debates when he was challenged by Gargi Vaachaknavi in part 3, however after listening to his philosophies on Brahman, she decided that she must admit that Yagnavalkya was the greatest scholar in the symposium and no one can think of defeating him in knowledge on Brahman. Yagnavalkya was the undisputed winner at the symposium and left with the prize of thousand cows with ten gold coins. Although Yagnavalkya’s debates in the symposium had ended with this victory and announcement of Gargi as he being the greatest knower of Brahman, her open challenge was not liked by many! One such scholar was Vidagdha, son of Saakala. After the symposium was over, he confronted Yagnavalkya and and him - “Yagnavalkya, so far you have been impressive with your knowledge and philosophies on Brahman. Can you answer my questions?” Yagnavalkya smiled and nodded his headed. This challenge was sudden and he was not expecting anyone to debate him after Gargi’s open announcement. However, ego played a bigger role! “How many gods are there?” Questioned Vidagdha. Friends, before Yagnavalkya answers to the question asked, I would like to deviate a bit and tell you a story. This is on Nivid mantras. Once devas wanted to perform a complex yagna or sacrifice. But the yagna hid himself from them. Since there was no other way out devas decided to perform a simpler fire sacrifice. They started reciting Nivid Mantras during the sacrifice. As they were nearing the end of the sacrifice, they realised that they could remember the steps of the complex Yagna. Eventually, their sacrifice was successful. Nivids are named after Devas or gods. They indicate Viswadevas, and present the number of Vedic gods in form of a riddle as it says the number of Devas or gods is 33 or 303 or 3003. Many modern indologists such as Dr.B.C.Sidharth of Birla Science Institute believe this to be an astronomical unit. As per him, each progression in this arithmetic sequence adds a step of refinement to estimate the length of a year. For instance the Lunar cycle provides a measure of month, however please note that a year is more than such 12 month units. In Medieval times, this was resolved by introduction of leap year. However in Ancient times, this issue was synchronised with lunar month counts to equinoxes. So intercalary or extra days where added after a fixed count of months. 33 intercalary days approximately were added in a year so that it would measure 365 days and 303 intercalary days would add to a year to measure 365.2421. In Rigveda, Sage Vishwamitra has given the number of Gods to be 3339 which is actually an addition of 33+303+3003. This number when considered as the number of intercalary days gives the average year length to be 365.2424. Now let’s listen to Yagnavalkya’s response. He said boldly “As many as are indicated in Nivid Mantras of Viswadevas that is 303 and 3003. Vidagdha said - “Very well! Then answer my next question…how many gods exactly are there Yagnavalkya?” Yagnavalkya said “33 gods”. “Oh, okay, then tell me how many gods exactly are there?” Again asked Vidagdha. Yagnavalkya again replied - “6” “Oh ho! Now you are changing the number again, so I am asking you again tell me how many gods are exactly there, Yagnavalkya?” Now Yagnavalkya smiled and said “3” Vidagdha again asked the same question and now Yaganvalkya replied “2”. Vidagdha continued to ask the same question again and now Yagnavalkya relied “1 and half”. Now visually irritated Vidagdha asked him the same question again as Yagnavalkya was changing the response each time. This time Yagnavalkya replied - “1”. Now Vidagdha changed the question track as...

Hello my dear listeners, hope you all are enjoying Yagnavalkya’s debates in the courtroom of King Janaka. We heard how he defeated Ashwala and Arthabhaaga in part 1, then silenced Bhujyu, Usasta and Kahola in part 2. Part 3 is an important episode as it perhaps describes one of the most celebrated debates in the history of the Upanishads. Brihaadaaranyaka Upanishad has recorded this glorious and engaging debate beautifully. This part celebrates our Ancient India’s one of greatest Rishika, and women scholars Gargi Vaachaknavi. So I welcome you all to a great episode in which we will listen to the debates between Gargi and Yagnavalkya and how he stood his ground with his responses. Now I take you all to the courtroom where king Janaka’s symposium was taking place. The symposium was filled with learned men and women debating on the Brahman. During the debate, Kahola lost to Yaagnavalkya. After his defeat, he sat down at his place. Yagnavalkya looked at the members of the symposium. They all were awestruck and wondered how could Yagnavalkya defeat such great scholars on the other. His vision and philosophy on Brahman were astonishing. Yagnavalkya smiled and joined his hands and was about to take leave when he was interrupted by Gargi Vaachakanavi. She stood up and greeted Yagnavalkya with folded hands. Yagnavalkya was quite surprised to see a woman challenging him as he never expected to be challenged by a woman! He greeted her back and walked towards her. Gargi asked him - “Yagnavalkya, as you explained to Kahola and Usasta that ‘all is pervaded by water, then tell me, who pervades water?” Yagnavalkya smiled and replied - “O Gargi, my salutations to you for asking such an interesting question! I think water is pervaded by air!” Here in this question, Gargi had asked about the 5 elements or panchabhuta. Prithvi or Earth is the first element of panchabhuta which is pervaded by “Apas”, which is Water. Water is pervaded by Agni or Fire, Agni is pervaded by Vayu or Air and Vayu is pervaded by Aakaasha or Space or Cosmos. Yagnavalkya was well versed on these hierarchical connections of these 5 elements. He very well knew that Earth was pervaded by Water. He knew about -“kham vayur jyotiraphah prithivi vishvasya dharini’ which means - the universe is borne (supported) by space (Kham), air (vayu), fire (jyoti), water (apah) and earth (prithivi). These elements reconnect us with the nature outside of us and help us to connect to our inner Self.Also it is important to understand that Gargi had a presumption that every effect is impregnated by its cause just like the threads woven in a cloth, lengthwise which is called “warp” and breadthwise which is called “woof”, the limited by the unlimited and the gross by the subtle. For an example a “clay pot” which is an effect pervaded by its cause which is “clay”. That means only because of “clay”, the “clay pot” was formed. Similarly in the hierarchy of Panchabhuta, the “earth” is an effect which is pervaded by its cause which is “water”, “Water” which is an effect is pervaded by its cause which is “Fire”. The “Fire” which is the effect which is pervaded by its cause the “Air”. The “Air” which is an effect is pervaded by its cause which is the “Space”! The Space is causeless and infinite. The Space doesn’t have any beginning or end. It is limitless, boundary less and infinite. Friends don’t you think, this concept is actually a combination of various theories such as the “Big Bang”, “origin of earth” and other related theories on how earth was formed. A Belgian priest named “Georges Lemaitre” first suggested the “Big-bang” theory in 1920s, when he theorised that Universe began from a single primordial Atom. As per Scientific American, the Hubble’s law points to a “big-bang” 13.7 billion years ago! An article in the National Geographic states that in the first 10^-43 seconds of its existence, the universe was very compact, less than a million billion billionth the size of a single atom. Then it...

Yagnavalkya in King Janaka's Symposium ================================================================ This is the part 2 from the interesting events and debates which took place during the symposium arranged by King Janaka of Videha. We heard about Yagnavalkya’s decision to take home thousand cows with ten gold coins tied to their horns and how he was stopped and challenged by eminent scholars such as Ashwala and Aartabhaaga. They both got involved in a debate with Yagnavalkya and eventually accepted their defeat. While Yagnavalkya wanted to leave the symposium, he was again challenged by few other eminent scholars. Before I start the today’s story, one point I would like to mention is that in my view this Upanishad was written post Mahabharata era as this mentions Parikshit, who was the grandson of the great pandava, Arjuna. This part 2 of the story is about the various debates between Yagnavalkya and scholars such as Bhujyu, Usasta and Kahola. So sit back and listen to some of the greatest thoughts which are mentioned in the Brihaddaaranyaka Upanishad.Bhujyu the grandson of the scholar Lahya, stopped and challenged Yagnavalkya. Yagnavalkya smiled and greeted Bhujyu with folded palms.Bhujyu asked -“When I was a student and was travelling to the kingdom of Madra, we visited Patanchala’s residence. He was a descent of Kapi. We came to know that his daughter was possessed by a Gandharva. We wanted to help the girl so we started inquiring the Gandharva.”After a pause, Bhujyu continued -“We asked Gandharva who he was?”The Gandharva said his name was Sudhavan who was a descendant of Sage Angiras.“We wanted to test the Gandharva further!”We asked him about the limits of the world so questioned him where were the descendants of Parikshit?”After a pause, Bhujyu looked at Yagnavalkya, and with a serious expression asked him -“Yagnavalkya, now I ask you the same question, Where were the descendents of Parikshit?”Friends, few things to clarify here, firstly Gandharva, means a celestial non-human being who can change its form and shape and possess humans. Gandharvas have been mentioned numerous Indian mythologies and ancient scriptures. Secondly, I want to throw some light on the timeline of this Upanishad. It is very clear that Bhujyu asked the Gandharva and Yagnavalkya about the descendants of Parikshit. As per Mahabharata, Parikshit was the son of Abhhimanyu and grand son of the great Pandava Arjuna. So in all possibility this upanishad was written quite some time after Mahabharata. So it also demonstrates that Mahabharata might not be just an epic or mythology rather might have actually occurred, as we know the documented existence of Yagnavalkya, Gargi and many other characters as mentioned in this Brihaddaaranyaka Upanishad! Well, these are my thoughts based on the logic I just presented. Thirdly we must also understand about the Ashwamedha Yagna or the famous horse sacrifice as this will be one of the response of Yagnavalkya. The chosen horse is left to roam around throughout the kingdom and beyond its borders. Whichever areas or regions the horse wanders into is claimed by the yaajamaana king of the horse sacrifice. If the king or ruler of that land or area doesn’t challenge the king who has arranged Ashwamedha, the Yaajamaana king claims that portion of land as part of his kingdom. As per the scriptures, this sacrifice produces both collective and individual results. Whether combined with meditation or performed exclusively through it, it is the highest of all rites. As per Smritis - there is nothing more heinous than killing a noble Brahmin nor anything more meritorious than the horse sacrifice. So let’s get back to the story. Yagnavalkya thought for a while and then replied -“Parikshit had performed Ashwamedha Yagna during his reign. So the Gandharva had told you that the descendants of Parikshit went to where the performers of horse sacrificers go! Thirty two times the space covered by the sun’s chariot in a day makes...