In this episode, I am once again joined by Jensen Martin, a scholar-practitioner and PhD student at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California.

Jensen leads a deep dive into Narasiṃha, compares different version of the Narasiṃha myth, and examines contradictions in the tradition.

Jensen reveals his motive for pursuing a PhD, describes his plans for a meditation retreat as part of the project, and reflects on what he sees as a crisis in academia.

Jensen also discusses the relevance of Narasiṃha to today’s world situation, the terror of dissolution, and the advantages of being an outsider.

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Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep359-narasimha-the-lion-man-jensen-martin-2

Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.

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Topics include:

00:00 - Intro

00:47 - Jensen’s PhD about Narasiṃha

02:27 - Caveats and disclaimers

04:26 - Relevance of Narasiṃha to today’s world situation

07:54 - Story of Narasiṃha

25:59 - Uniqueness of Narasiṃha

29:00 - Calculating the yuga

33:46 - Interstellar travel and kriya yoga

37:15 - Reconciling myths with historical evidence

37:15 - Soifer and comparing the Narasiṃha myths

50:06 - Star Wars canon

51:55 - 1000 years of narrative development

56:03 - How Narasiṃha is most commonly seen today

01:01:49 - Many different schools

01:02:50 - The advantages of being an outsider

01:06:09 - Jensen is motivated by awakening

01:08:42 - Narasiṃha meditation text

01:15:15 - Oral tradition

01:20:12 - Dhruva Gorrick and visions of Narasiṃha

01:23:43 - Terror of dissolution

01:28:42 - The Cult of Janagannath

01:34:14 - The benefit of worshipping Narasiṃha

01:42:28 - What Narasiṃha means to Jensen

01:45:29 - Jensen’s goal is to find out what Narasiṃha means today

01:47:21 - Contradictions in the tradition

01:48:35 - How Jensen will proceed with his PhD and a practice focus

01:49:37 - The danger of moving too fast

01:52:43 - Jensen’s retreat curriculum

02:00:09 - Learning Hindi

02:01:58 - Academic lineage and a flexible programme

02:03:12 - Future plans and financial crisis in academia

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Previous episode with Jensen Martin:

- https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=jensen

To find our more about Jensen Martin visit:

- https://www.instagram.com/jensen_sudarshan/

For more interviews, videos, and more visit:

- https://www.guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James