A student reaches Benares to learn Sanskrit texts. The teacher says that this is a journey to know one...More
A student reaches Benares to learn Sanskrit texts. The teacher says that this is a journey to know oneself, and truth and happiness. His son holds them irrelevant, but directs a Romeo-Juliet play in the style of the ancient poet, Kalidas.Less
30mins2012-03-11
2. Think - Who Am I, Ask - Story from Mahabharat
We are asked to consider if we know who we are, the purpose of our lives, why do we often rebel and wh...More
We are asked to consider if we know who we are, the purpose of our lives, why do we often rebel and who within ourselves wants to express itself. In a play Sri Krishna extols that the entire cosmos is He, the one Atman; we are all one.Less
30mins2012-03-25
3. Knowledge Transforms
A discerning mind and true wisdom transform a person. Dacoit Ratnakar accosts sage Narada in a lonely ...More
A discerning mind and true wisdom transform a person. Dacoit Ratnakar accosts sage Narada in a lonely forest. Prodded by Narada, he realizes that his family disapproves of his actions. Reformed, he becomes Valmiki, who wrote the Ramayana.Less
30mins2012-04-01
4. Universal Welfare
A scripture centered debate between Ashtavakra and Acharya Bandi tells us that violence cannot win ove...More
A scripture centered debate between Ashtavakra and Acharya Bandi tells us that violence cannot win over anyone. Incomplete knowledge of our Oneness is why we consider ourselves of this ephemeral world, with its notions of beauty and form.Less
30mins2012-04-08
5. Veda-The source of Dharma - 1
Mughal Dara Shikoh's intense interest in the Hindu scriptures takes him to Kashi. He learns that the V...More
Mughal Dara Shikoh's intense interest in the Hindu scriptures takes him to Kashi. He learns that the Vedas were not composed by humans. India is a holy land where self inquiry and reflection is ingrained, although many invaders ruled it.Less
30mins2012-04-15
6. Veda-The source of Dharma - 2
Dara Shikoh learns the meaning and structure of the Vedas and translates them and related scriptures t...More
Dara Shikoh learns the meaning and structure of the Vedas and translates them and related scriptures to Farsi. These are then rendered in French and German. All this takes them global, and piques the interest of the scholar, Max Mueller.Less
30mins2012-04-22
7. Vedanga - Story of Bhaskaracharya
Renowned mathematician and astronomer Bhaskaracharya wrote the treatise, Karan Kutuhal. Unable to get ...More
Renowned mathematician and astronomer Bhaskaracharya wrote the treatise, Karan Kutuhal. Unable to get his daughter Lilawati married, he wrote the treatise on Vedic maths, Lilawati. Maths is considered crucial to the study of the Vedas.Less
30mins2012-04-22
8. Upaved - Story Of Kach Devyani
The asuras defeat the devas due to their sanjeevani vidya (lore to trounce death) So, Kaccha goes to S...More
The asuras defeat the devas due to their sanjeevani vidya (lore to trounce death) So, Kaccha goes to Shukracharya, sage of the asuras, to learn this sanjeevani vidya. The four upvedas each are supplementary to the four main vedas.Less
30mins2012-04-29
9. The Human Goal: Dharma - Story of Raja Harishchandra
Raja Harishchandra lived according to the rules of dharma, with steadfast effort and never reneging on...More
Raja Harishchandra lived according to the rules of dharma, with steadfast effort and never reneging on his words. Once, he mistakenly disturbs Sage Vishwamitra's meditation and has to sell his wife, son and himself to pay the sage's fine.Less
30mins2012-05-06
10. The Human Goal: Artha - Story of Chanakya & Chandragupta
Vishnugupta (Chanakya) taught Chandragupta, the ruler of Magadh, that a king is just like a paid serva...More
Vishnugupta (Chanakya) taught Chandragupta, the ruler of Magadh, that a king is just like a paid servant. He has vast responsibilities to keep his subjects happy. And, for that, dharmic economic principles of governing should be employed.Less
30mins2012-05-13
11. The Human Goal: Kama - Story of Samrat Bhartrihari
The Lord of Desire (Kama devta) is key to all beings. Dharma should rule Desire. King Bhartrihari best...More
The Lord of Desire (Kama devta) is key to all beings. Dharma should rule Desire. King Bhartrihari bestowed a fruit blessed with sexual prowess to his wife. After travelling to four persons, it came back through his clueless, other wife.Less
30mins2012-05-20
12. The Human Goal: Moksha - Story of Kotikarna
Attaining moksha (enlightenment) should be the ultimate aspiration and effort for all. Kotikarna had u...More
Attaining moksha (enlightenment) should be the ultimate aspiration and effort for all. Kotikarna had untold wealth, and was highly egotistic. He sets out to attain moksha, realizing that money cannot buy it. Thief Satyawadi follows him.Less
30mins2012-05-27
13. Brahmacharya Ashram: Student Life - Story of Satyakama
Living in and seeking the truth is enough for a student to be taught by a guru. Young Satyakam, of low...More
Living in and seeking the truth is enough for a student to be taught by a guru. Young Satyakam, of lower caste, wanted to study. The gurus did not accept him due to his low caste. But, Rishi Gautam agreed because he had spoken the truth.Less
30mins2012-06-03
14. Gruhasta Ashram: Married Life - Story of Mahakavi Magha
After his education as a Brahmacharya (student), a person becomes a Gruhasta (householder). Here he li...More
After his education as a Brahmacharya (student), a person becomes a Gruhasta (householder). Here he lives according to dharmic principles, helping others as much as possible and not harming anyone. The story of poet Magha illustrates this.Less
30mins2012-06-10
15. Vanprasth Ashram: Retired Life - Story Of Bheem, Dhritarashtra & Bimbisar, Ajatshatru
As you grow old, vanaprashta ashram (retired life) should follow gruhasta ashram (householder life). S...More
As you grow old, vanaprashta ashram (retired life) should follow gruhasta ashram (householder life). Sorrow results if it is postponed or ignored. Old Dhritrastra and King Bimbisara clung to their lives of worldly desire, and suffered.Less
30mins2012-06-17
16. Sanyasa Ashram: Renunciation: 1 - Story of Vidyaranya
In the last phase of sanyasa (renunciation), detachment is practiced and moksha (enlightenment) is sou...More
In the last phase of sanyasa (renunciation), detachment is practiced and moksha (enlightenment) is sought. Having lost his family, Vidyaranya became a monk at the Shringeri Sharda Peetam and lead a revolt against the anti-Hindu Mughals.Less
30mins2012-06-24
17. Renunciation 2 - Yajnavalkya & Maitreyi
Unable to answer a question in a contest, Vidagdha commits suicide. Acharya Yajnavalkya realizes that ...More
Unable to answer a question in a contest, Vidagdha commits suicide. Acharya Yajnavalkya realizes that the real victory is to know oneself. Renunciation means no desire for people, things and ourselves. The soul is essentially joyous.Less
30mins2012-07-01
18. Varna - The Universal Characterisation
Magadh's brahmins opposed appointing low caste Chandragupta as their ruler. Chanakya (Vishnugupta) arg...More
Magadh's brahmins opposed appointing low caste Chandragupta as their ruler. Chanakya (Vishnugupta) argued that caste is not based on birth. It is based on occupation, effort and present karma. He cited many well known examples in defense.Less
30mins2012-07-08
19. Shodasha Samskara - The 16 Milestones of Life - 1
There are 16 milestones (Shodasha Samskaras) in a life's journey from the womb till death. Surdas expl...More
There are 16 milestones (Shodasha Samskaras) in a life's journey from the womb till death. Surdas explains the first 8 of these. These are garbhadana, pumsavana, seemantonayana, jatakarma, namakarna, nishkarma, annaprashana and chudakarma.Less
30mins2012-07-15
20. Shodasha Samskara - The 16 Milestones of Life - 2
Blind Surdas recounts that, as a child, he was neglected. Even a group of travelling singers left him ...More
Blind Surdas recounts that, as a child, he was neglected. Even a group of travelling singers left him behind. Vallabhacharya stops by to hear young Surdas sing. Emperor Akbar and Tansen visit him. He explains the upnayana step to Kanhai.Less
30mins2012-07-22
21. Shodasha Samskara - The 16 Milestones of Life -3
Vallabhacharya initiates Surdas to vedic knowledge. Surdas explains the remaining milestones to Kanhai...More
Vallabhacharya initiates Surdas to vedic knowledge. Surdas explains the remaining milestones to Kanhai. Emperor Akbar is beset by fakes when he decides to compile Surdas' songs and get them translated to Farsi. Birbal solves this problem.Less
30mins2012-07-29
22. Theory Of Karma & Rebirth: Chitraketu
Chitraketu experiences the joy and tragedy of a new born son. The son's soul has seen countless rebirt...More
Chitraketu experiences the joy and tragedy of a new born son. The son's soul has seen countless rebirths, with countless parents. Unfulfilled desires cause rebirth. Past karma rules our present and present karma dictates our rebirths.Less
30mins2012-08-05
23. Glory of Human Birth - Tulsidas
Orphan Tulsidas sang stories of Lord Rama to earn a living. His wife rebuked him for not loving Rama e...More
Orphan Tulsidas sang stories of Lord Rama to earn a living. His wife rebuked him for not loving Rama enough. So, he left home, plunged into the lore of Rama and re-wrote the original Sanskrit language Ramayana of Valmiki in Awadhi.Less
30mins2012-08-12
24. Adhikari - The Seeker of Knowledge
Nachiketa, son of Vajashravas, meets Lord Yama, the God of Death. Granted 3 boons by Yama, Nachiketa d...More
Nachiketa, son of Vajashravas, meets Lord Yama, the God of Death. Granted 3 boons by Yama, Nachiketa desires to know what is Death, what comes after and what is not impermanent. Yama replies that only the soul (Atman) is indestructible.Less
30mins2012-08-19
25. Guru - Avadhuta Dattatreya
Courtesan Pingala is distraught when a patron does not come. She and Sthulibhadra realize the futility...More
Courtesan Pingala is distraught when a patron does not come. She and Sthulibhadra realize the futility of things impermanent. Yadu, alienated from his princely life, meets Avadhut in his wanderings. Avadhut describes his 24 gurus to Yadu.Less
30mins2012-08-26
26. Guru Upasadan - Seeking the Guru - Indra & Virochana
The Asuras and the Gods constantly fought. They send one person each to Acharya Prajapati to learn abo...More
The Asuras and the Gods constantly fought. They send one person each to Acharya Prajapati to learn about the secret of existence. Prajapati taught that the Atman is non-material, eternal and in every being. So, we should share everything.Less
30mins2012-09-02
27. The Quest - Yaksha Prashna
The five thirsty Pandavas cannot drink water until the Yaksha's questions are answered. The four young...More
The five thirsty Pandavas cannot drink water until the Yaksha's questions are answered. The four younger brothers refuse to answer, drink water and die. Yudhisthira first answers these eternal questions. All questions lead to knowledge.Less
30mins2012-09-16
28. Anatman - Not The Self - Abhimanyu & Savitri
When Abhimanyu is slain in war, Krishna explains that the soul never dies. Savitri pursues her dead hu...More
When Abhimanyu is slain in war, Krishna explains that the soul never dies. Savitri pursues her dead husband being taken away by Yamaraja. He grants her many boons but she wants 100 sons. Yamaraja is forced to give her dead husband back.Less
30mins2012-09-23
29. Atman - The True Self - Arunagirinathar
Arunagiri was a dissolute and became a pauper. His sister berated him and offered herself to him, if h...More
Arunagiri was a dissolute and became a pauper. His sister berated him and offered herself to him, if he so craved sensual pleasures. Awakened, Arunagiri became a renunciate and seeker. He realized that only the atman is permanent.Less
30mins2012-09-30
30. The Existence Principle - Yagyavalkya & Gargi
King Janak organized a Brahma Sabha (assembly). Yagyavalkya remained undefeated in its Q and A session...More
King Janak organized a Brahma Sabha (assembly). Yagyavalkya remained undefeated in its Q and A session. He expounded on the all-pervading Brahma when Gargi had 2 questions. He later composed 3 texts used extensively in historical India.Less
30mins2012-10-07
31. Consciousness: The Life Principle - Balaki, Ajatshatru & Devs
King Ajatshatru renounces his throne in favor of Balaki when the latter wants to learn from him. Indra...More
King Ajatshatru renounces his throne in favor of Balaki when the latter wants to learn from him. Indra, Agni and Vayu learn that they are not the real victors. The omniscient force, Brahma, is the origin of everything in the universe.Less
30mins2012-10-14
32. The Bliss - Happy Man's Shirt
A king is chronically unhappy. He is told to wear a happy man's shirt. They locate Bhura, a happy, shi...More
A king is chronically unhappy. He is told to wear a happy man's shirt. They locate Bhura, a happy, shirtless bullock cart owner. Bhura says that we are atman, and it is essentially blissful. We are unhappy when we seek happiness outside.Less
30mins2012-10-21
33. Bondage - Camel's Rope
Dulabhagat explains that a camel is habituated to being tethered, even if it is imaginary. We are slav...More
Dulabhagat explains that a camel is habituated to being tethered, even if it is imaginary. We are slaves to our desires. The mind is shackled to the physical world. However, we are truly unchanging and transcend this physical universe.Less
30mins2012-10-28
34. The Self And The Not Self: Jada Bharat
Jada Bharata explains that we are not our bodies or our possessions. We are atman which is unchanging ...More
Jada Bharata explains that we are not our bodies or our possessions. We are atman which is unchanging and omnipresent. It is the same atman which dwells in all beings and things. So, we are no different from all else in the universe.Less
30mins2012-11-04
35. God - The Three Questions
An unbelieving prince wants to know what is God, where is He and what is the proof of His existence. A...More
An unbelieving prince wants to know what is God, where is He and what is the proof of His existence. A lady explains that God is invisible, like the cream in milk. He is the cause of everything. He permeates, like the light of a candle.Less
30mins2012-11-11
36. Maya: The Power Of Bhagwan - Narad & Krishna
Sage Narada asks Lord Krishna to explain what is Maya, Illusion. Krishna explains that Maya is inexpre...More
Sage Narada asks Lord Krishna to explain what is Maya, Illusion. Krishna explains that Maya is inexpressible. Only that which was true earlier, is true today and will be true tomorrow, is not Maya. All else is impermanent and changing.Less
30mins2012-11-18
37. God's Incarnations: Ved Vyas
Students felt discouraged since studying the Vedas was arduous. Veda Vyasa simplified matters by divid...More
Students felt discouraged since studying the Vedas was arduous. Veda Vyasa simplified matters by dividing the Vedas into 4 parts. He divided the Puranas into 18 main (maha) and 18 secondary (upa) Puranas. He also wrote the Mahabharata.Less
30mins2012-11-25
38. Devta: The Cosmic Deities
The essence of the entire universe is Brahma. Therefore, Brahma, God, is everywhere. Its various funct...More
The essence of the entire universe is Brahma. Therefore, Brahma, God, is everywhere. Its various functions, like birth, growth, destruction are manifest as devatas, individual divinities.Less
30mins2012-12-02
39. OM - The Sacred Symbol - Price of the Gem
Less
30mins2012-12-09
40. The Creation - Varah Mihir
Less
30mins2012-12-16
41. God, Me & The World - Prahalada & Hiranyakashipu
