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Like the Sumerians, Hindus wrote poetic stories which focused on the powers of the gods. Devdutt Pattanaik uncovers the hidden stories of the greatest epics in Hindu mythology: Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Devdutt Pattanaik discusses Brahma (the Creator), Vishnu (the Sustainer) and Shiva (the Destroyer) -- three personas representing God in Hinduism collectively known as the Trimurti.
Colors play an important role in Hindu culture and have a deep significance transcending decorative values. Devdutt Pattanaik introduces the concept of using a specific color for a deity to create a persona of the god or goddess.
Various legends surround the prominent figure Shiva, one of the most powerful gods of the Hindu pantheon. Devdutt Pattanaik talks about Shiva being at the core of the centrifugal force of the universe due to his responsibility for death and destruction.
Hindu mythology boasts of numerous stories of supernatural beings, either fighting against one another for supremacy or joining forces to fight some other being. Devdutt Pattanaik introduces the various supernatural beings from Indian mythology.
Indra Dev is the God of rain and thunder. Devdutt Pattanaik highlights Indra's characteristics of insecurity and jealousy which drive him to sabotage sages' meditations and instigate battles between the devas.
Hindu narratives offer explanations for any event. Good things happen because of boons; bad things happen because of a curse. Devdutt provides stories of some interesting boons and curses that resulted in grave consequences.
At its fundamental level, Hinduism terms heaven and hell as "swarga" and "naraka." Devdutt Pattanaik does a comparative study of heaven and hell between three religions -- Hinduism, Christianity and Islam.
Devdutt Pattanaik discusses the significance of Shakti's creative energies underlying the cosmos. Shakti is revered as the mother Goddess, the universal source of power, vitality and creativity.
The most revered and popular God of Hinduism is Lord Ganesha. Devdutt Pattanaik discusses the significance of the elephant-headed god and the legends that encapsulate the idea of Ganesha being the supreme consciousness that pervades all beings.
Devdutt Pattanaik discusses the variety of astra possessed by various deities, their USPs and the conditions that existed involving their usage. He also talks in depth about some very well-known astra.
Devdutt Pattanaik discusses the various mounts of Hindu deities and the strengths with which they correlate. He also narrates the stories fo the birth of various mounts.
Devdutt Pattanaik traces the history of the Ganga in Hindu mythology. He discusses the importance of Ganga as a deity, her co-relation with the other deities, especially Shiva, her prominence in different sects and her descent from heaven to earth.
The Bhagvad Gita, as we all know, is the holy book of the Hindus. Devdutt Pattanaik breaks down this idea with an in-depth analogy based on geography, history and philosophy.
Devdutt Pattanaik touches upon the many famous Hindu pilgrimage centers inclusive of the Dhams, Kshetras, Peetas and the Melas. He also discusses the ideas behind pilgrimage, its birth and growth.
Devdutt Pattanaik talks about Hindu deities and their favorite foods. He also explores the stories and folk tales behind Krishna's association with maakhan, Ganesha's love for modaks and Shiva's affiliation with the bel leaf.
Devdutt Pattanaik explains the different stages of evolution in the Yugas, their significance and the important events that occurred in the different Yugas.
Devdutt Pattanaik decodes the various cosmogonic myths surrounding the creation of the world. He explains the various stories accepted by people belonging to different sects and offers a neutral viewpoint regarding the roles played by the Hindu pantheon.
Devdutt Pattanaik introduces the Guardians of the Directions -- the deities who rule the specific directions of space according to Hindu mythology. They are known as Dikpalas. Though frequently mentioned, they are rarely worshiped.
Devdutt Pattanaik discusses the tales of love and marriage of the gods in the Hindu pantheon. He also talks about introducing the story form to explain the philosophical ideas to the common man.
Devdutt Pattanaik talks about the idea of shape shifting and its existence since time immemorial. He introduces us to stories about shape shifting in Hindu mythology.
Devdutt Pattanaik introduces Vishnu's avatars and talks about each one of them in brief. He also discusses "Dashavatara" and changes in the list based on sects and regions.
Devdutt Pattanaik talks about some of the more famous nakshatras in Hindu mythology and narrates interesting stories about them. He also briefly talks about the idea that the positions of the nakshatras and grahas influence our lives.
Devdutt Pattanaik talks about the association of trees and plants with deities in Hindu mythology. He narrates stories from the Vedas and the Puranas that tell us how a particular plant or tree became a favorite with a particular god or sect.
Devdutt Pattanaik breaks down the idea of Puja, the different kinds of Puja and how they are performed. He talks briefly about yagna, temple ceremonies like an abhisheka, annual festivals like Durga puja etc.
Devdutt's in-depth look at the Surya Vansh dynasty reveals Lord Rama’s many ancestors and their shared struggles, values and strength of character.
Devdutt uncovers two simple ideas of Hindu philosophy: Dhyan and Darshan and reveals the meaning behind them. Discover where the practices originated and further developed as Jainism, Buddhism and Hinduism diversified.Read less
Devedutt shares the story of Amrit Mahthan and explains how it sparked the emergence of Ocean of Milk's various gems, gods and goddesses. Explore the meaning behind Dharma, Artha and Kama and how they became an integral part of Hindu mythology.
Devdutt shares how forests in Hindu mythology play an integral part in Hinduism. Devdutt further explains the connection between several gods and devas that are connected to the forest and how Matsya Naya (survival of the fittest) is the norm.
Devdutt compares Astik and Nastik, two Indian philosophical schools. He then reveals which schools Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism fall under, and contrasts commonly used terms like religion and spirituality against the backdrop of Theism and Atheism.
Devdutt shares the stories of Surya Vansh and Chandra Vansh, the two most illustrious mythological dynasties of ancient India. He reveals the kings of these dynasties and how they possessed honesty, integrity and fearlessness.
Devdutt shares the concept of Aatma, the first principle in Hindu philosophy. He draws comparison of how Hinduism and Buddhism interpret Aatma, and later how this Sanskrit word is perceived in Jainism, Christianity and Islam.
Devdutt explains the significance behind the powders and materials used in Hindu puja thali. He reveals the importance of the three Hindu Paramparas: Shaiv, Shakt and Vaishnav, and shares how Kumkum and Haldi play a major role during Indian festivals.
Devdutt shares stories and anecdotes about one of Rama's ardent devotees, Hanuman. He reveals stories from the Sundar Kand that introduces Hanuman's traits and attributes and his encounters he faced with asuras, mountains and kings.
Devdutt shares stories about the Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Jagannath. He reveals how the rath of Yatra is performed and the various customs and rituals that precede it. Discover the history behind the temple, the deities, and the amenities it has.
Devdutt shares how elephants play a prominent role in Hindu mythology. See how the symbols of Dhrama emerged from the Ocean of Milk during Samudra Manthan and much more. Later, he explains the importance of these creatures in Jainism and Buddhism.
Discover the illustrious Surya Vansh, and how Devdutt connects Rama and his ancestors. Explore how Dilip, Raghu and Aja connect with Dharma, Artha and Karma, and later see how a king torn by his duties and family proves that he is the true Surya Vanshi.
Devdutt unfolds the meaning that mountains have in Hindu mythology, and how the sacred Mount Maru is incorporated into Hindu, Jain and Buddhist cosmology. Devdutt shares stories of mountain gods and the reason why this environment symbolizes strength.
Discover Karna, the most misunderstood characters in Indian mythology. Explore his journey and how he grows up as a charioteer's son and see how this warrior's life helped shed light on caste, creed, goodness of heart and duty.
Discover the lives of Pandavas and Draupadi and the lessons they learned while they lived in the forest. Revealing how their experiences in the woods during the thirteenth year in exile enabled them to become kind, wise, and well-informed kings.
Devdutt uncovers the many nature gods that predate the idea or school of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Discover the stories of Vedic gods and goddesses when he later compares the Vedic gods of India to the Roman and Greek culture.
Devdutt shares the origins and significance of vrata. Discover how vrata is observed around the country, from abstaining from food and water, to walking bare-foot.
Discover the ideology behind Ramayan and Mahabharat. Explore the ideas behind different theories and uncover the mediators that helped pass the texts that are known today. Later, see how Veda Vyasa and Valmiki's ideas and lives were influenced.
Devdutt continues to explore the stories behind the divine deities, Lakshmi and Saraswati. Discover their significance during the vedas, the transformation during the Purnas, and their formidable presence in life.
Devdutt explores the various mothers in Hindu mythology. Discover Kunti, Gandhari, Parvati and more, while drawing comparisons between mothers throughout generations and their characteristics.
Devdutt explores the various women in Mahabharat. Discover Ganga, Satayavati, Amba, Ambika, Ambalika, Kunti, Madri and Gandhari. Later, get an in-depth comparison that emphasizes the changing norms, along with the ideals and rules across time.
Devdutt explores the two dark avatars of Vishnu, Varaha, and Narrisha. Discover the calm avatars of Vishnu and the differing characteristics between Varaha and Narismha. Later, he uncovers the temples that house the deities and how they are worshiped.
Devdutt uncovers the meaning behind varna and jaat. He explores how these terms became part of the vocabulary and how the meanings changed over time. Later, discover how the demarcation started with terms like brahmin, kshatriya, vaishya shudra and more.
Devdutt shares the prominent women of Ramayan and Mahabharat, Sita and Draupadi. Discover their polar opposite personalities and their differing families, spouses that helped shaped their roles of being iconic epics.
Devdutt explores the various siblings in Hindu mythology. He uncovers the compelling stories about these characters and see their role in Hindu mythology as a whole.
Devdutt explores the characters of the epics, Ramayan and Mahabharat and the idea behind chiranjeevi. Discover why these epics exist in both eras and the idea behind Parashurama and Rama, avatars of Vishnu.
Devdutt explores Harishchandra, one of the most discussed characters in Hindu mythology. Discover Harishchandra's journey and how he is known for his honesty, loyalty and keeping his word.
Devdutt explores the different elements that are used to decorate the entrance of homes. Discover why the doorway holds such importance in Hindu mythology and how the definition of Toran has been transformed over the years and civilizations.
Devdutt explores the various women in the great epic, The Ramayan. While some of these women are known to be pious and the embodiment of grace, some others are known for their devotion and deep faith.
Devdutt explores the last chapter in Ramayan. Discover the significance of this chapter and the stories of Rama's children in Valmiki's ashram. Later, see the crucial part of the Uttar Ramayan that teaches Luva and Kusha.
Devdutt explores the infamous king, Yayati. Discover his materialistic pleasures, his downfall, and the subtle meaning hidden behind Yayati's life.
Devdutt Pattnaik explores the ancient Indian tradition of Yoga. Discover the different types, concepts of tantra, mantra and yantra that play a role in the philosophies that are in the Indian ethos.
