Marm ni vaat (Gujarati) - Bhagvat Puran - Devi Bhagvat

In this last episode of the first skandh, we really set the scene for the future skandh. As Parikshit realises that he has only seven days to live, he starts his penance and asks the sages 'what should a living being do towards the path of moksha?' and 'what should a person knows that s/he is dying should do in particular?'

We understand the inside story of how Parikshit gets the curse of death from Shrungi, the son of the sage Samik. We also understand the need and traits of a good leader and the consequences of a leaderless society. The sage also reflects on how the devotees of Lord Sri Krishna should remain unacquisitive and be ready to forgive and forget. 

In this episode we learn how Parikshit defeats Kaliyug but then let's him live. Parikshit also suggests the five places where Kaliyug can establish and how material desires lead to spiritual downfall of a person. 

In this episode we explore the deep and reflective dialogue between Dharma and the Earth who have taken the shape of a bullock and a cow respectively. We understand how the both of them are losing their universal powers as the Lord Sri Krishna has left for his abode in Vaikunth. 

Arjun shares the knowledge that Lord Sri Krishna has left the Earth and confirms why Yudhisthir is feeling all these negative energy. He also offers his Bhakti filled reflection on the lord and their closeness. We also discuss the way of moksha (nirvana) as explained by sage Vyas. 

In this episode, we understand the sixth sense of a good king that Yudhisthir demonstrates. He has sent Arjun to Dwarika to get information about how things are there and he is getting negative signals from the environment and people which he finds extremely worrying. When Arjun returns after 7 months, Yudhisthir asks him lots of questions but Arjun remains silent and that makes him even further a...

The great politician and dharmaraj Vidur ji explain the realities of life and moksha to Dhritarashtra. At last, Dhritrashtra understands the need to 'let go'. He and Gandhari leave for vanprasthashram. Yudhisthir gets really upset and the great sage Narad explains to him the importance of understanding that nobody is dependent on anybody in reality. 

This episode deals with the birth of Parikshit, the grandson of Pandavas and the three ashwamedh yagnas by them. We also discuss how great sage Vyas manages to keep linearity in a parallel story. 

Lord Sri Krishna's return to Dwarika and his grand welcome is depicted in this episode. We also explore the idea of 'lajja' and why the literal meaning in English 'shame' falls short in explaining this term. We also examine the cultural construct of shame and guilt too. 

This episode contains a beautifully crafted stuti of Lord Sri Krishna by Vyas ji using a dialogue between two Sakhi (lady friends) and details a story of Krishna's return to Dwarika post the great battle of Kurukshetra. 

In this episode, we learn how Sri Krishna saved Parikshit in his mother Uttara's womb. We also hear a beautifully poetic bhakti filled stuti by Kunti of  Sri Krishna and then a very different take on Bhishma Pitamah offering his own reflections on the lord's being. Bhishma also explains the Raj Yog to Yudhisthir. 

In this episode, we pick up the thread where Mahabharat ends and Bhagvat Puran really starts. We learn about the brutality of Ashwathama and how his identity is crushed by Arjun. 

Naradji (also called Narad muni) is an avatar of Vishnu and in this episode he shares his own life story from birth to nirvana and re-birth. In part, we also touch the Hindu idea of time and Naradji's advice to Sage Vedvyas on why he needs to write an ode to Sri Krishna that focuses on Bhakti. 

This episode takes into the mindset of Mahamuni (great sage) Vedvyas wherein we explore the concept of the 'circle of life' and why we need Bhaktiyog in Kaliyug rather than other ways to spirituality. 

This episode explores and examines Hinduism's idea of evolution. Could it be that some of the sages figured out evolution far before Charles Darwin? Who knows? But have a listen?

In this episode, we explore the meaning of 'yog' and human 'gunas' - satva, rajo and tamo gun and how they define us. We continue to explore the idea of bhakti. 

In this episode, we explore the concept of Nishtha (a culimnation of faith, steadiness and devotion) through the story of Dhundhukari (Rishi Gokarn's brother) and how Bhagvat Puran became the stairway to heaven for him. 

This is where we discuss the story of Rishi Gokarna and reflect on the intense desire that exist within human beings for material life and its effects on spiritual journey. 

Bhagvat Puran - Mahatamya - Adhyay 1 where we discuss how sages feel empathy towards everyone and why. We also learn about the fate of Bhakti (devotion) the mother, and her two sons Gyan (knowledge) and Vairagya (detachment) in Kaliyuga and Naradji's efforts to revive them. 

This is the first adhyay of Bhagvat Puran mahatamya.