In this episode, Prathik and Revanth discuss the history and "philosophy" of the practice of Sati. They study early references to it across historical sources ranging epics, classical poetry in Tamil and Sanskrit, Dharmashastras and legal texts, and inscriptions. They examine the arguments put forth by advocates, and really ask if it has anything to do with suicide of Shiva's wife. The podcast spends time looking at memorial practices around the committal of Sati. They then trace the practice through colonial records and European literature (which shows disturbing degree of obsession and also fascination with the practice). Finally they discuss the unfortunate fact of Sati's presence even in post-colonial "modern" India.
