What’s the real price of a promise? A piece of gold? A bit of land? For one legendary king, the price of his word was far, far greater. It wasn't his crown or his vast, prosperous kingdom. The ultimate cost of his promise was his beloved wife, his only son, and himself. This is the story of a kingso devoted to truth that he was forced to sell his own family and himself into slavery. It's a story that pushes the very limits of honour, sacrifice, and what a human being can endure. This is the story of the great Ikshvaku King, ancestor of Lord Rama, Raja Harishchandra!

This podcast is part 1 of a 2-part story on Raja Harishchandra from Markandeya Purana.

We’d love to hear from you in the comments:

Do you think one must keep their promise, and to what level one must go to fulfil that in today’s times?

Please comment or write to me at [email protected]!

This podcast is available in audio format on all majorpodcast platforms. It is also available in video format on YouTube, and my channel name is “Stories from Upanishads and Puranas”.

Dear Friends and listeners,

Welcome to another brand new episode from my podcast series -"Stories from Upanishads and Puranas". This episode is in continuation of my previous episode -"The story of four birds". This episode looks further into Rishi Jaimini's journey in search of four talking birds and finally getting his questions on "Bharata" answered. The episodes delve into the explanation of four forms of Vishnu and tell us why Balaram went on a pilgrimage after murdering Sage Suta Lomaharshana. It also throws light on a mysterious question: why Draupadi married five Pandavas and why the sons of Draupadi were murdered at a very young age! So hold on tight and listen to my podcast - "The Bharata Mystery - Rishi Jaimini meets the talking birds".This podcast is also available in audio format on most leading podcast players, including Spotify, Amazon Music, and Gaana. Please ensure to follow, subscribe and like the podcast.

Furthermore, this podcast is available in video form on YouTube.

The link to YouTube is -https://youtu.be/Buep4YOmk88?si=o0QGk49Hu1vRwVVt

This is my first story from the Puranas, and as I told youall last time, in my channel, I will narrate stories from both the Upanishads and the Puranas. So please like, share, and subscribe to my channel if you haven’t done so. Also, if you want to have a direct conversation with me, pleaseemail me at [email protected].

Rishi Jaimini had a few intriguing questions on the great text named "Bharata", so he asked Sage Markandeya about them. Sage Markendeya redirected Rishi Jaimini to the four birds who knew everything about "Bharata". These birds were learned and could talk in a human voice. Today's podcast is from the Markandeya Purana and the story tells us about the four birds.

Who were these four birds who knew everything about the great battle of Kurukshetra?

Why were they able to talk in human voice and possess Vedic knowledge?

Let's dive deep into this new episode in the channel "Stories from Upanishads and Puranas"

Puranas are a different set of scriptures from Vedas and Upanishads. Our ancient scriptures can be broadly categorised into Smritis and Shrutis. Smritis are the texts that were remembered for ages. This category includes Puranas along with Tantras, Shrimad Bhagawad Geeta, Dharma-shastras and our itihaasas such as Ramayana and Mahābhārata. Shrutis are the texts or scriptures which were heard as narration. This includes our 4 Vedas, Vedangas, Upavedas, Upanishads, Brahmanas, Samhitas and Āranyakas.

In my view Puranas from which we will hear stories are the easiest way to understand the Supreme power. These stories bring in the concepts of the Supreme Trinity – Prajapati Brahma – the creator; Vishnu – the protector; and Shiva – the destroyer.

They personified the idea of Brahman and divinity with various interesting stories. It was an excellent medium to familiarize the concept of Brahman with common people as Upanishads and Vedas were technically far superior scriptures in terms of philosophies and thought processes which were difficult for common people to understand. The Puranas brought in the similar ideas but in a story format that was more understandable and interesting for common people.

There are 18 Puranas, and each of them has been attributed to an author or main protagonist of the Purana. Veda Vyasa the author of Mahābhārata is hagiographically credited as the compiler of the Puranas.

The word “Purana” etymologically means “ancient”. The ancient tradition suggests that originally there was only 1 Purana – “Puranasamhita”. Ved Vyasa entrusted his Puranasamhita to his disciple Lomaharshana, who imparted this wealth of knowledge to his disciples including his son Rishi Ugrashrava.

Later on Veda Vyasa systematically compiled the “Puranasamhita” into 18 distinct puranas which cover a wide range of topics, including cosmology, genealogy, mythology, and dharma.

The 18 Puranas are –

1) Brahma Purana

2) Padma Purana

3) Vishnu Purana

4) Shiva Purana

5) Bhagavata Purana

6) Narada Purana

7) Markandeya Purana

8) Agni Purana

9) Bhavishya Purana

10) Brahmavaivarta Purana

11) Linga Purana

12) Varaha Purana

13) Skanda Purana

14) Vamana Purana

15) Kurma Purana

16) Matsya Purana

17) Garuda Purana

18) Brahmanda Purana

These are divided into Shaiva Puranas, Vaishnava Puranas, Shakti Puranas and Brahma Puranas. As the names suggest, a primary deity is attributed to these, and it is said that these puranas are categorised as per the three gunas or qualities, which are inherent in existence.

Sattva – the central deity is Vishnu, and the following puranas are dedicated to him: Vishnu, Bhagavata, Garuda, Narada, Padma, Vamana, Matsya, Kurma, and Varaha

Rajas- the central deity is Brahma and the puranas dedicated to him are Brahma, Brahmanda, Brahmavaivarta, Markandeya, and Bhavisya.

Tamas – the central deity is Shiva, and the Puranas which are dedicated to him are - Shiva, Linga,  Skanda, and Agni.

These podcasts are also available on Youtube -https://www.youtube.com/@StoriesfromUpanishadsPuranas

Please like, share and subscribe to my channel for further updates.

This is a new series within my podcast "Stories from Upanishads" where in I will read out some sections /excerpts from some of the important books and writings on Upanishads by great scholars and thinkers. I hope you will find this episode interesting.

I am reading this section from the book Messages of the Upanishads, section "Beyond Time and Space."

Please follow and subscribe to my podcast series, "Stories from Upanishads," available on all major podcast platforms. Also, please do subscribe and like my YouTube channel, where you will find visuals along with audio experiences, visit - https://www.youtube.com/@StoriesfromUpanishads

Today's story is taken from Maitreya Upanishad. This story is featured in chapter 1 of the Upanishad. This chapter describes the dialogue between the great ascetic king Brihaadratha from the Ikshvaaku dynasty or Solar dynasty and Sage Saakaayana.

Please like, share, subscribe and download my podcast “Stories from Upanishads”, available on multiple podcast streaming platforms. Also, visit my website https://www.storiesfromupanishads.com, listen to my earlier podcast episodes, and read some of the blogs available.

From now on my podcast will also be available on Youtube. You can search YouTube using the following link - https://www.youtube.com/@StoriesfromUpanishads/featured

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The part 2 of Maandukya Upanishad deals with "AUM". It describes verses 8-12 from the Upanishad. It tells us about "AUM", how do you pronounce it? What happens when you chant "AUM" and many other secrets lying hidden in the syllable "AUM"?

How it is connected to Viraat Purush, Hiraanyagarbha, Ishwara and Brahman? Why silence is "Turiya" the fourth quarter of Aatman? How do you perform Aum Kara Dhyaanam?

Come with me and dive into a journey full of mysticism and unknowns.

This podcast was created on Hubhopper studio. If you wish to start your own podcast for free, visit www.hubhopperstudio.com. Hubhopper is India's leading podcast creation platform. Start your podcast with Hubhopper studio & get your voice heard across platforms like Spotify, Gaana, Google podcasts, Wynk Music and more. Click on the link in the episode description or visit www.hubhopperstudio.com.”

Source content collected from various books on Upanishads such as “Messages of the Upanishads” by Swami Ranganathanada, “The Brhadaaranyaka Upanishad” by Swami Madhavananda, “Eight Upanishads” from Advaita Ashrama, Upanishads.org, “Vedas and Upanishads for Children” by Roopa Pai and several other write-ups and thoughts on Upanishads. 

Background Music is sourced from various royalty-free music sources, Apple Loops and Internet Archives with a Non-Commercial 4.0 International license. Aum Shantih chants are from Youtube - source - Gaiea Sanskrit.

The Concept, Script, Narration and Audio Design: Arghya Goswami

You can listen to all my podcast episodes in my exclusive website:

https://www.storiesfromupanishads.com

also, you can read through some of my blogs and shop at ExoticIndia. ExoticIndia has a fabulous collection of rare books, jewellery, art objects and paintings.

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This is the 1st part of the Maandukya Upanishad in which the teacher describes the 4 states of Self. This episode also describes one of the Mahaavaakya from Upanishad -"Ayam Aatma Brahma" which means - "This Self is Brahman". As told in Muktika Upanishad, Maandukya Upanishad is the most important of all the 108 Upanishads. So come on friends, let's embark on a journey to know more about this wonderful ancient text.

This podcast is available on almost all podcast platforms such as - Apple Podcast, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Blubrry Podcasts, and many other podcast players.

You can listen to the podcast on my exclusive website https://www.storiesfromupanishads.com. Furthermore, as a bonus, you can read through some interesting blogs and shop from ExoticIndia. ExoticIndia is India’s leading online store where you can find rare books, brass articles, idols, and many others.

Also, I would request you all to like, share, follow, and download the podcast. Also, leave some of your valuable comments and reviews on various platforms you are listening to.

Also, you can get in touch with me by writing to me at [email protected].

Dear friends,

I am back with the next part of the story - "What are the paths of liberation". The episode will tell you about types of Vaasanaas or desires, what are the fluctuations of the mind and how to control it, what are jivan mukti and Videha mukti.

I hope you will love this episode as you have loved the previous part.

Please visit the website, https://www.storiesfromupanishads.com, read the blogs, and listen to the earlier episodes. Also, you can shop from ExoticIndia, which houses a great collection of collectibles, rare books and artefacts. Please click on the button "Shop Now" to access the website. Do write to me in my email [email protected] as many of my listeners often write to me and discuss with me various topics. 

Source content collected from various books on Upanishads such as “Messages of the Upanishads” by Swami Ranganathanada, “The Brhadaaranyaka Upanishad” by Swami Madhavananda, “Eight Upanishads” from Advaita Ashrama, Upanishads.org, “Vedas and Upanishads for Children” by Roopa Pai and several other write-ups and thoughts on Upanishads. 

Background Music is sourced from various royalty-free music sources, Apple Loops and Internet Archives with a Non-Commercial 4.0 International license. Aum Shantih chants are from Youtube - source - Gaiea Sanskrit. Excerpts from the Mangal Bhavan are taken from Ramacharitamanas, sung by Anup Jalota.

The Concept, Script, Narration and Audio Design: Arghya Goswami

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Muktika Upanishad is the last of the 108 Upanishads which is derived from Shukla Yajur Veda. I have extracted this story from this upanishad which presents a dialogue between Lord Shree Ramchandra and Lord Hanuman, where in Hanuman asks Lord Ram about the vedanta, upanishads and paths of salvation. This episode features adhyaya 1 or chapter 1 from the Upanishad.

Do you know what are the 108 Upanishads? How they are categorised? What are the different shanti mantras of each category of Upanishad? What are the different paths of liberation? What is "Kaivalya", the highest state of emancipation? To know more, please listen to this episode.

Please don’t forget to like, subscribe, follow, rate and leave some review comments on my podcast series - Stories from Upanishads and on this episode. Do write to me in my email [email protected] as many of my listeners often write to me and discuss with me on various topics.

Also do visit the exclusive website of my podcast series - "Stories from Upanishads". The url is https://www.storiesfromupanishads.com/ to get some more information in form of blogs, collection of all my previous podcast episodes and an exciting offer from ExoticIndia. ExoticIndia which offers a unique selection of products that reflect the cultural traditions and lifestyle of India. You can directly access their website using the link provided in the button “Shop now” in my website.

Direct link to Exotic India -

https://www.exoticindiaart.com/sculptures/brass/aff11769/