podcast by Benjamin C. Collins

By Benjamin C. Collins

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Great stories from Vedic mythology, traditional recitation of mantras, and Indian music presented from a western perspective with a sense of fun and enjoyment.

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Daksha's Sacrifice

08.30.2009

The story of Daksha's sacrifice and how and why Shiva created Virabhadra to destroy it

episodes:

08.30.2009 Daksha's Sacrifice The story of Daksha's sacrifice and how and why Shiva created Virabhadra to destroy it
04.19.2009 Subramanyam, Part 4 The story of Subramanyam continues with a yagya performed by the demons to please Shiva who grants them great power. Chanting of Tandava Stotram by Ravana.
04.10.2009 Subramanyam, Part 3 The story of Subramanyam continues with the battle against Taraka and stories about Kashyapa Rishi, the father of Soorapadhman. Chanting of Ardhanarishwara Stotram and Subramanyam Suprabhatam.
03.18.2009 Subramanyam, Part 2 The story of Subramanyam, from the Sri Kandha Puranam. Shiva eminates sparks from his eyes, scaring Parvati. Young Subramanyam scares both the demons and devas. Chanting of Saraswati Stotram and Sri Devi Navaratna Maalika.
03.09.2009 Subramanyam, Part 1 The story of Subramanyam, son of Shiva as told in the Sri Kandha Puranam by Kachiappar Sivachariyar. Chanting of Shanmuganar and the 108 names of Subramanyam.
12.05.2008 Agastya, Part 2 Using modern astronomy we can establish Agastya was alive in 4000 BC. Also, a quick look at his verses in Rig Veda. Chanting of Surya Suprabhatam and two prayers to Lalitha
11.25.2008 Agastya Rishi Agastya; a great Rig Veda rishi who created his own wife, author of Lalitha Sahasranam, and consumer of the oceans. Chanting of Aditya Hridayam and Lalitha Trishati
11.14.2008 Lakshmi - Goddess of Abundance Lakshmi is found in different forms throughout the vedic tradition. Chanting of Lakshmi Stuthi, Lakshmi Ashtakam and Sri Suktam.
11.07.2008 Ayyappa, child of Shiva and Vishnu The story of Ayyappa, the child born of Vishnu and Shiva who eventually milks a leopard! Chanting of Mahishasura Mardini
09.09.2008 The Origins of Ganesha, Part 2 Stories of Ganesha from the Mudgala Purana describing his 8 forms. Thoughts on the inner meanings of Ganesha Puja. Chanting of Ganapati Pancharatnam and Ganesha
09.03.2008 The Origins of Ganesha There are different form and incarnations of Ganesha; one for each Yuga and each with their own great story. Chanting of Ganapati Dhynam and Ganesha Stuthi
08.19.2008 Baradwaja and Drona The story ofBaradwaja, one of the original rishis and the story of his son Drona in the Mahabharata. Chanting of Pahimam Ramachandra and Matha Maheshwari
07.27.2008 Meenakshi Goddess of Madurai The story of Meenakshi, sister of Vishnu and wife of Shiva and the traditional story of the jeweled anklets. Chanting of Meenakshi Pancharatnam and Kamakshi Stotram
07.12.2008 Gotras and Kashyapa The concept of gotra or lineage and stories about Kashyapa one of the original rishis. Chanting of slokas about the Surya, the Sun
06.06.2008 Birds in the Mahabharata Two stories that feature birds, taken from the Mahabharata. Chanting of Garuda Dandakam and Purusha Suktam
05.15.2008 Shakalya looses his head Shakalya bothers Yajnavalkya with disasterous results. Chanting of Saraswati Stuthi and Asvamedha Prakarana.
05.15.2008 Gargi and Yajnavalkya Gargi and Yajnavalkya: Stories from the Brihadarnayaka Upanishad in which Gargi challenges Yajnavalkya. Chanting of Taittariya Upanishad
04.15.2008 Rahu and Ketu Rahu and Ketu, these uniquely vedic planets and their effects in our lives. Chanting of Rahu and Ketu Kavacha and a long selection from Sama Veda.
04.06.2008 Madhu Vidhya Madhu Vidhya, the story of Dadhyann Rishi, the Ashwin Twins, and how Indra cut off his head attempting to keep this knowledge secret. Plus chanting of Goshi Shanti, Purusha Suktam, and Rishi Suktam.
03.27.2008 Gosha and the divine Ashvin Twins Gosha, one of the woman seers of the Rig Veda is author of hymns on the Ashvin Twins, the divine physicians. Plus chanting of Navagraha stotras and a mantra from the Ashvameda ritual.
02.21.2008 Shivaratri, the nght of Shiva An examination of Shivarati;the night of Shiva, plus stories about this festival. Also, modern versions of traditional songs about Shiva
02.19.2008 Jyotish, Part 2 The conversation about Jyotish with Trisha George continues with a discussion of using astrology to predict the weather.
02.12.2008 Jyotish, Part 1 An examination of their traditions followed by an amusing story about renunciation. Chanting of Trotaka Ashtakam and Guru Paduka Stotram.
02.07.2008 The Danda Swamis An examination of their traditions followed by an amusing story about renunciation. Chanting of Trotaka Ashtakam and Guru Paduka Stotram.
01.22.2008 Ascetics and Sadhus Ascetics and Sadhus; the mystic renunciates of the Vedic tradition. Chanting of Sani Stotram, Kalabhraiva Stotram and a complete Shiva puja.
01.11.2008 Shankara as Amaruka Writes on Love Shankara as Amaruka writes on the nature of love. Chanting of Saraswati Stuthi, Lalitha Ashtotra, and the beautiful Ardhanareshwara stotram.
12.20.2007 Shankara and Mandana; Part Two Adi Shankara meets Mandana Mishra in debate and Mandana's wife asks an unexpected question. Chanting of Guru Stotram and Vedasara Shiva Stotram
11.26.2007 Shankara and Mandana; the Great Debate Adi Shankara meets Vyasa whcih leads to further travels ending with the great debate against Mandana. Chanting of Govindashtakam and Shivananda Lahari
10.25.2007 Lalitha - The Playful Goddess Lalitha is a playful goddess and the universe is her playground. The story of Hayagriva and Rishi Agastya. Chanting of Lalitha Trishati
10.17.2007 Rudram - Essence of Yajur Veda A look at the meaning and significance of Rudram - the main hymn for Shiva from Yajur Veda. Chanting of Rudram by Seetharama Sastry
09.20.2007 Morning Mantras Seetharam Shastry explains the traditional mantras to be recited as one gets up in the morning. Chanting of Hayagriva Pancharatnam and Hayagriva Panjaram.
09.19.2007 Pundit Interview An interview with a traditional Yajur Veda pundit about his many years of training. Chanting of Ganapati Thalam.
09.11.2007 Saturn, Part 2 More stories about Saturn and how he tortured even his own guru for 3 hours and 45 minutes. Chanting of a Saturn puja and a Vedic Ashirvadam; a blessing for happiness and prosperity.
08.22.2007 Saturn; Friend or Foe? Saturn and Ketu are the planets of misfortune but also the planets of enlightenment. Stories of Saturn and Ketu followed by chanting of their mantras and Mahalakshmi Jaganmataa
08.08.2007 The Dasa Mahavidyas, Dhumavati Dhumavati, the smoky widow goddess who was created when Sati swallowed Shiva. Chanting of Dhumavati mantras and Kripa Stotram by Vasistha
07.31.2007 The Dasa Mahavidyas, Bhairivi Bhairivi, The Fierce Goddess of Decay and Destruction who has 10 different forms. Chanting of Bhairivi mantras and Saraswati Dasastotrani.
07.25.2007 The Dasa Mahavidyas, Chinnamasta Chinnamasta, The Goddess of Sacrifice. Chanting of Chinnamasta mantras and Mahisura Mardini Stotram.
07.15.2007 The Dasa Mahavidyas, Bhuvaneshwari Bhuvaneshwari, The Goddess of Creation. Chanting of Bhuvaneshwari mantras and Vanistavam.
05.18.2007 The Dasa Mahavidyas, Tripura Sundari Tripura Sundari, The Goddess of Beauty and 3rd of the Mahavidhyas. Plus a new story about the origin of Ganesha! Chanting of Bala mantras and Lalitha Trishati.
05.04.2007 The Dasa Mahavidyas, Tara Tara The Wisdom Goddess, the fierce form of Saraswati. Chanting of Tara mantras and Saraswati Stotram and Mangalam
03.28.2007 The Dasa Mahavidyas, Kali The 10 Forms of the Divine feminine; Kali The Universal Mother, the terrifying protectress. Chanting of Kali mantras and Kali Karpura Stotram and Durga Suktam.
03.09.2007 The Dasa Mahavidyas, 10 Forms of the Divine Mother The divine feminine is seen in 10 forms which range from the terrifying to the beautiful. Chanting of Rajarajeshwari Ashtakam and three selections for Lalitha
02.20.2007 Bhishma, The End of the Story The conclusion of the story that centers on Bhishma and Amba. She finally has her revenge in the battle of the Mahabharata. Chanting includes PanchaShanti, Bala Mukundam, and Amba Pancharatnam.
01.23.2007 Pandu, father of Arjuna The continuation of Amba's story from the Mahabharata leading to Pandu and the birth of Arjuna and the other Pandava brothers. Chanting of Surya Kavacham and Bala Mukunda Ashtakam.
01.16.2007 Amba, enemy of Bhishma The Amba story from the Mahabharata, Amba becomes Bhishma's enemy and with help from Shiva and Subramanyam plots to kill him. Chanting of Shivastuthi and Muruganar from Tamil Nadu
12.27.2006 Draupadi, friend of Krishna Draupadi, born of a yagya fire becomes wife of the 5 Pandavas. Stories from the forest, the Kauravas court, and Mahabharata War. Chanting from Chapter 13 of the Gita and Vishnu Sahasranam
12.06.2006 Annapurna, the goddess of food Annapurni, Parvati argues with Shiva, Shiva fights with Brahma, and Shankara composes the Kanakadhara Stotram. Chanting of Kanakadhara stotram, Annapurna ashtakam and Saraswati Navaratnamala
11.29.2006 Vishwamitra and Gayatri Mantra Vishwamitra tries to steal Vasistha's cow. He goes off to become a Brahmarishi and eventually becomes the seer of 3rd mandala of Rig Veda and Gayatri Mantra. Chanting of Gayatri Mantra and Rig Veda
11.12.2006 Mrytunjaya Mantra and Markendeya Rishi Markendeya and the Mrytunjaya Mantra, Markendeya lives only 16 years, Shiva kills Yama, the Lord of Death, Markendeya is tested by Indra and visited by Vishnu and Shiva. Chanting of Mrytunjaya gayatri, kavacham, and stotram
10.31.2006 Nandi - Shiva's Bull Nandi, Shiva's Bull, Parvati creates Ganesha so she can take a bath, Shiva gets in trouble and Nandi turns into a shark to help him out. Chanting of Ganesha's morning song, and Garuda Dandakam

Older episodes

What's about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

episodes:

Daksha's Sacrifice

Subramanyam, Part 4

Subramanyam, Part 3

Subramanyam, Part 2

Subramanyam, Part 1

Agastya, Part 2

Agastya Rishi

Lakshmi - Goddess of Abundance

Ayyappa, child of Shiva and Vishnu

The Origins of Ganesha, Part 2

The Origins of Ganesha

Baradwaja and Drona

Meenakshi Goddess of Madurai

Gotras and Kashyapa

Birds in the Mahabharata

Shakalya looses his head

Gargi and Yajnavalkya

Rahu and Ketu

Madhu Vidhya

Gosha and the divine Ashvin Twins

Shivaratri, the nght of Shiva

Jyotish, Part 2

Jyotish, Part 1

The Danda Swamis

Ascetics and Sadhus

Shankara as Amaruka Writes on Love

Shankara and Mandana; Part Two

Shankara and Mandana; the Great Debate

Lalitha - The Playful Goddess

Rudram - Essence of Yajur Veda

Morning Mantras

Pundit Interview

Saturn, Part 2

Saturn; Friend or Foe?

The Dasa Mahavidyas, Dhumavati

The Dasa Mahavidyas, Bhairivi

The Dasa Mahavidyas, Chinnamasta

The Dasa Mahavidyas, Bhuvaneshwari

The Dasa Mahavidyas, Tripura Sundari

The Dasa Mahavidyas, Tara

The Dasa Mahavidyas, Kali

The Dasa Mahavidyas, 10 Forms of the Divine Mother

Bhishma, The End of the Story

Pandu, father of Arjuna

Amba, enemy of Bhishma

Draupadi, friend of Krishna

Annapurna, the goddess of food

Vishwamitra and Gayatri Mantra

Mrytunjaya Mantra and Markendeya Rishi

Nandi - Shiva's Bull

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