Namaskar India - Tales from Indian History and Mythology

This episode delves into the profound concept of time and death in Hindu philosophy, embodied by Lord Shiva as Mahakaal. Set against the backdrop of the holy Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain (India), the episode weaves together mythology, astronomy, and spiritual insights.

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Bibliography:

Shastri, J. L. (1970). Shivapurana. Motilal Banarsidass Publ...

Uncover how the 'five limbs' of Panchang - Tithi, Yoga, Karana, Nakshatra and Var - shape daily life and auspicious events through celestial observations. Learn how the Hindu calendar harmoniously blends solar and lunar cycles to maintain alignment with nature's rhythms, ensuring a prosperous life in tune with the cosmic order.

Bibliography:

Sen, S. N., & Bag, A. K. (1983). The Sūrya-Siddhānta: A Text-book of Hind...

This episode uncovers the captivating world of tithis, the lunar days that form the core of the Hindu calendar. We delve into their calculation based on the moon's celestial dance and explore the two dominant systems, Amavasyanta and Purnimanta. We uncover the fascinating phenomena of Tithi Vrddhi and Tithi Kshaya, caused by the moon's varying speed due to its elliptical orbit.

Bibliography:

Seth, H. C. (1994). Hindu cale...

Kundali: Is it destiny written in the stars or an intriguing system of ancient wisdom? We're diving into the world of birth charts, exploring how they're made, and what they might (or might not) tell us about ourselves.

Bibliography:

Parāśara, & Rao, R. S. (2000). Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra (Vol. 1). Parashara Jyotishalaya.

deFouw, H., & Svoboda, R. (1996). Light on Life: An Introduction to the Astrology of Indi...

This episode explores the nakshatras, the fundamental concept of the Vedic astrological system. Nakshatras refer to the division of the sky into 27 equal segments, each named after a prominent star. Aligning with the 12 zodiac signs, nakshatras are considered a cosmic clock, with one day passing as the moon moves through each nakshatra, repeating every 27 days. 

Bibliography:

Padmanabham, T. (2017). History of Indian Astronomy. S...

In this episode, we will discuss the difference between sidereal and tropical zodiac systems used in Indian and Western astrology respectively. The sidereal zodiac is based on stars and the tropical zodiac is based on the sun's position. We will also cover the precession of the equinoxes, which causes the spring equinox to move along the orbit and creates a difference between these two zodiacs over time. 

Bibliography:

Campio...

In this episode, we explore the concept of the zodiac and its origins. We delve into the relationship between the Sun, Moon, and planets and how their movements in the sky have been used for centuries to guide astrological predictions. We also discuss the ecliptic plane and how it relates to the zodiac. 

Bibliography:

Rochberg, F. (1998). Astrology in Ancient Mesopotamia: The Science of Omens and the Knowledge of the Heavens. Uni...

In this episode, we unravel the mystery of Rahu and Ketu, often referred to as shadow planets in Hindu astrology. We delve into their origin story, and how their dharma has been to seek revenge against the Sun and the Moon. We will also dive into the captivating subject of eclipses and uncover the science behind these celestial events.

Bibliography:

Pattanaik, D. (2013). Myth = Mithya: A Handbook of Hindu Mythology. Penguin UK.

Co...

The episode narrates the story of Samudra Manthan, where gods and demons churned the ocean for the elixir of immortality. We will delve deeper into the story and discuss its significance in Hindu mythology.

Bibliography:

Vyasa. (1993). The Mahabharata: Volume 1. Penguin Classics.

O'Flaherty, W. (1980). Hindu Myths: A Sourcebook Translated from the Sanskrit. Penguin Classics.

Pattanaik, D. (2003). Indian Mythology: Tales, Symbo...

In this episode, we explore the roots of astrology and how it is based on the position of celestial bodies with respect to stars. However, scientific evidence suggests that the gravitational forces exerted by distant stars and planets are not significant enough to have an impact on human personality traits or life events. Studies have failed to demonstrate any patterns or correlations between astrological charts and real-life outco...

The Navagrahas possess distinctive and profound iconography and symbolism that hold significant insights. Let's explore and understand their meaning to obtain a profound and deeper understanding of their purpose.

Bibliography:

Wilhelm, E. (2010). Graha Sutras: Science of Jyotish. Kala Occult Publishers.

Frawley, D. (2000). Astrology of the Seers. Motilal Banarsidass.

Thompson, R., & Frawley, D. (2012). The Art and Science o...

In this episode, we examine the traditional arrangements of the Navagrahas in Hindu temples and the astrological significance of each planet's placement. We also delve into the symbolic and astrological significance of the colors associated with each Navagraha.

Bibliography:

Gupta, S. (2016). Navagraha Temples: An Insight into the Importance and Significance. Notion Press.

Bakshi, S. R., & Naidu, P. S. (2006). Hindu Mythol...

In this episode, we delve into the importance and mystery surrounding Navgrahas in Hinduism, detailing their influence on various aspects of human life. Using the Navgraha Stotram, we explore the philosophical significance behind these celestial entities while highlighting the interconnectedness of the universe.

Bibliography:

Dreyer, R. G. (1997). Vedic Astrology: A Guide to the Fundamentals of Jyotish. Lotus Press.

Rath, S. (2010). N...

This episode explores the significance of each day of the week in Hinduism and the associated deities and rituals. From worshiping the Sun on Sundays for health and wisdom to seeking the blessings of Goddess Durga or Mahalakshmi on Fridays for love and creativity, each day has a unique value. Through this exploration, we learn to understand the logical connections behind these traditions and appreciate our cultural heritage's imagi...

This episode explores the origin of the seven-day week from an astronomical, historical, and cultural perspective. We discuss how Hindu astronomers identified grahas and how the Brihat Parasara Hora Shastra outlines a method to establish the seven-day week. We also look at how the idea of the seven-day week originated in ancient Babylon and was adopted by other civilizations.

Bibliography:

Satyabhama A. (2014). Astronomy and Math...

Join us in this episode as we explore the fascinating world of ancient Indian astronomy and astrology. We discuss the relationship between these two fields and how they evolved from naturalistic observations of celestial bodies. 

Bibliography:

Subbarayappa, B. V. (1994). Indian Astronomy: An Introduction. Cambridge University Press.

Ramasubramanian, K., & Srinivas, M. D. (1994). Astronomy and Mathematics in Ancient India. Camb...

In this episode, we explore the cyclical nature of time in Hindu mythology and its unique differences from other religions. We delve into various time units described in ancient Indian texts, from microcosm to macrocosm, and explain the concept of relativity of time in different realms. We also discuss modern science's definition of time, theories predicting multiverse and the discrepancy between scientific estimates and those ...

In this episode, we delve into the symbolism of Nataraja, the cosmic dancer, and explore the profound understanding of the universe that it embodies. We explore the five aspects of Nataraja's form that represent creation, preservation, destruction, illusion, and grace. 

Bibliography:

Coomaraswamy, A. K. (1985). The dance of Shiva: Fourteen Indian essays. Dover Publications.

Parthasarathy, A. (1977). The symbolism of Hindu gods and...

We all know that India gained its independence on August 15th, 1947, but did you know that according to the Indian National Calendar, India gained independence on Sravana 28th, 1869? In this episode, we explore the history of timekeeping and calendars in India, from the creation of sundials to the development of lunar, solar, and lunisolar calendars. We also discuss the Indian National Calendar and its connection to the Saka samvat...