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Stories from Upaniṣhads and PuranasThe king who sacrificed EVERYTHING for TRUTH! Markandeya Purana – Part 1What’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 th...2025-07-0622 min
Stories from Upaniṣhads and PuranasThe Bharata Mystery - Rishi Jaimini meets the birds of wisdomDear 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...2025-06-2433 min
Stories from Upaniṣhads and PuranasThe Story of Four BirdsThis 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 arghyathinks@gmail.com.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 we...2025-05-1129 min
Stories from Upaniṣhads and PuranasThe Story of Four BirdsWho were those four birds who witnessed the great battle of Kurukshetra? Who were those four birds who knew all the intricate answers from "Bharata"?How did these four birds talk in a human voice and possess Vedic knowledge?So, friends, hold on tight and listen to my new podcast from Markandeya Purana. These podcasts are also available in all podcast players, along with YouTube - www.youtube.com/@StoriesfromUpanishadsPuranas2025-05-1129 minStories from Upaniṣhads and PuranasIntroduction to PuranasPuranas 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 sto...2025-05-1105 min
Stories from Upaniṣhads and PuranasBeyond Time and Space - Messages of the UpanishadsThis 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...2024-12-0908 min
Sunday Suspense (Full Episodes)রাজদ্রোহীSaradindu Bandyopadhyay's Rajodrohee on Sunday Suspense Starring: Pratap- Satyam Bhattacharya Chinta- Suranagana Bandyopadhyay Seth, Hakim, Kotowal- Deep Seth Gokuldas- Sumit Samadder Kantilal- Agni Champa- Mohor Pratap's mother and poor artisan's wife- Tomali Chaudhuri Lachman and poor villager- Shankari Prasad Mitra Bheembhai- Soumen Chakraborty Tilottama a.k.a. Tilu- Rimjhim Basak Sardar Tej Singh- Angshuman Pal Nanabhai- Debanjan Mitra Prabhu- Indranil Bhaduri Purandar- SayanBlind traveller from Mithapur and Seth Rupchand- Arghya BasuPoor artisan (whose child was snatched)- Buddhadev DasHungry child's...2024-08-112h 16
Stories from Upaniṣhads and PuranasEpisode 28 - Story of King Brihaadratha and the path to moksha – Chapter 1 – Maitreya UpanishadToday'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 - http...2023-09-2317 min
Stories from Upaniṣhads and PuranasEpisode 27- What is AUM? Maandukya Upanishad Part 2The 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...2023-09-0123 min
Stories from Upaniṣhads and PuranasEpisode 26 - “Ayam Aatma Brahma” - Maandukya Upanishad - Part 1This 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...2023-08-1440 min
Stories from Upaniṣhads and PuranasEpisode 25- What are the paths of liberation? Part 2 - Muktika UpanishadDear 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...2023-07-1632 min
Stories from Upaniṣhads and PuranasEpisode 24- What are the paths of liberation? A story of Shri Ramchandra and Hanuman Chapter 1 - From Muktika UpnishadMuktika 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...2023-07-0224 min
Stories from Upaniṣhads and PuranasEpisode 23 - Satyameva Jayate - Mundaka UpanishadSatyameva Jayate Na-anrtam - satyena panthaa vitato devayaanah |Yen-aakramanty-rsayo hyaapta-kaamaa - Yatr tat satyasya paramam nidhaanam ||Which means - Truth alone triumphs not untruth. By truth is laid out the divine path, which the seers who are free from desires, reach to the supreme abode of truth”.This is story from Mundaka Upanishad and describes a dialogue between Sage Angiras and his student Shaunaka. What are the two types of knowledge? Which one is the lower and which one is the higher? What is S...2023-06-1846 min
Stories from Upaniṣhads and PuranasEpisode 22 - Shat Prashna - Prasna Upanishad - Part 2This episode is in continuation of last week's podcast episode on Prashna Upanishad - Shat Prashna. It is a collection of 6 questions asked by 6 different students to their guru Sage Pipalada. In today's episode, the next 3 set of questions and their responses are retold. The 4th question was asked by Gaargya on what is that thing which sleeps when a man sleeps which awakes when he is awakened, who really sees his dreams? The 5th question was asked by Satyakama Saiba on benefits of chanting AUM and how one must recite it. The last question was asked by Sukesha...2023-06-0419 min
Stories from Upaniṣhads and PuranasEpisode 21 - Shat Prashna - 6 Questions - Part 1This is the part 1 of Shat Prashna or 6 questions from Prashna Upanishad. Once 6 hermits named Sukeshaa Bharadwaja, the descendant of Sage Bharadwaja, Saibya Satyakama, the grandson of Surya named Sauryaayani, Gaargya from the line of Garga, Kausalya Aasvalaayana the son of Asvala, Vaidarbhi Bhargava from the line of Bhrigu and Kabandhii Kaatyaana, the great grandson of Kaatya asked the great sage Pippalada 6 various questions. This episode will cover 1st 3 questions which is about Origins of Life, How many Gods are there and which one is the greatest god in human body, How is Praana born? Friends, sit...2023-05-2733 minStories from Upaniṣhads and PuranasEpisode 20 - Narada and SanatkumaraThis is a story from Chandogya Upanishad. In this story devarishi Narada seeks teachings from his brother and sage Sanatkumara on how to attain infinite happiness or Bhumaiva Sukham. This episode also touches upon an another interesting story about Sanatkumar and Lord Shiva. So dear friends, sit tight for an another interesting episode on Stories from Upanishads. Please subscribe, follow, like, download or put in your review comments. Some of the links of my podcast on the various players are -Spotify link -https://open.spotify.com/show/7cls2BIlQSD9Suyiikz6mo2023-04-0944 min
Stories from Upaniṣhads and PuranasEpisode 19 - Yagnavalkya and King Janaka Part 2What are desires? What are dreams? How does the soul transmigrate? Is Self Indeed Brahman? Is Self the light for the man, when there is no sun, moon or fire? All these questions are answered in the episode - Yagnavalkya and King Janaka part 2, which is the concluding part of the question and answer session between the two learned men from ancient India. 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...2023-03-2640 min
Stories from Upaniṣhads and PuranasEpisode 18 - Yagnavalkya and King Janaka -Part 1BU presents most of the stories from the life of the ancient vedic sage Yagnavalkya and many of them also feature King Janaka of Videha. Today's story is part 1 of never ending conversation between the Sage and the King. In this story, the king learns about Speech, Sight, Hearing, Vital Force, Mind and Heart are forms of Supreme Brahman! 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...2023-03-1329 min
Stories from Upaniṣhads and PuranasEpisode 17 - Yagnavalya and MaitreyiWhat is immortality?Knowing that “Truth” itself is "Immortality"! Freedom from all fears is "Immortality"! Fear of death, fear of poverty, fear of insecurity, fear of pain and sorrow, fear of losing a near one, fear of unknown, beyond these fears lies "immortality".Why do we love our spouse, parents or children?We love our spouse, parents and our children not because we love them rather because we love ourselves. We love our "Self" or "Aatman"! The “Self” or “Aatman” is everything! Everything springs from the “Self”, it dissolves in It and remains imbued with It d...2023-02-2633 min
Stories from Upaniṣhads and PuranasEpisode 16- Story of King Pravahana, Sage Uddalaka Aaruni and ShwetaketuMy dear friends and listeners, it’s been a while I could upload any new episode. The reason being multiple, but here I am with a new story from the Upanishads. Before I begin, my earnest request to you to follow, subscribe, like, share and download my podcast. It will immensely help me to keep going and provide you with these contents. Also please do write to me at my email address arghyathinks@gmail.com. I receive emails from my listeners and we discuss lot of things and often goes into a discovery session on various qu...2023-02-0837 min
Stories from Upaniṣhads and PuranasEpisode 15- "Tat Tvam Asi" - Story of Uddalaka Aaruni and ShwetaketuPodcast Credits -The Concept, Script, Narration and Audio Design: Arghya Goswami-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Credits, Acknowledgements and Source ContentsSource 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...2023-01-2152 min
Stories from Upaniṣhads and PuranasEpisode 14- Story of 3 friends - Pravahana, Silaka and ChaikitayanaToday I will be telling you a story from Chaandogya Upanishad. It is featured in the 8th Khanda of the book, and it is about 3 young well versed scholars named Pravahana Jivala, Silaka Salavat and Chaikitayana Dalbhya. This is a story which involves a deep curiosity amongst these 3 young men. Our Vedic rishis, sages and scholars always regarded experience or anubhava to be the paramount, next they would regard the scriptures or Shrutis and lastly they would regard the reasoning and logic as most important. So when these 3 young scholars met, were very curious to learn who h...2023-01-0811 min
Stories from Upaniṣhads and PuranasEpisode 13 - Proud BalakiToday’s episode is named - Proud Balaki! This story is featured in BU Chapter 2, Section 1 and features one of the greatest kings of India - Ajaatashatru. He was also known as Kunika and was son of Bimbisara. He was a contemporary to both Bhagwaan Mahavira and Gautama Buddha. I hope you all must be knowing about Bhagwaan Mahavira and Gautama Buddha! As a result he is referenced in both Jain and Buddhist literature. Interestingly, name of his mother is different in different literatures. As per Jain literature his mother’s name was queen Chellana where as as per...2023-01-0226 min
Stories from Upaniṣhads and PuranasEpisode 12 - What the thunder said?Episode 12 - What the thunder said? Da-Da-Da================================================================================================================My dear listeners and friends, today I am going to move away from Yagnavalkya’s adventures and tell a new story from Brihaadaaranyaka Upanishad. The reason why I am doing this is for a purpose! I want to bring in some variety to my storytelling from Upanishads. Yagnavalkya’s debates were high on philosophy and required extreme attention and mindfulness to understand. Today’s story is lighter although still possess deep inner meanings and philosophy which we will unearth! Today’s story - “What the thunder said” is featured in...2022-12-2212 min
Stories from Upaniṣhads and PuranasEpisode 11 - Yagnavalkya in King Janaka's SymposiumDear listeners, from the last 3 episodes of my podcast, you have been listening to Yagnavalkya’s debates in the King Janaka’s Symposium. You heard the debates of Ashwala, Aartbhaaga with Yagnavalkya in part 1, then followed by debates of Bhujyu, Usasta and Kahola with Yagnavalkya in part 2. Yagnavalkya was almost declared as a winner in the debates when he was challenged by Gargi Vaachaknavi in part 3, however after listening to his philosophies on Brahman, she decided that she must admit that Yagnavalkya was the greatest scholar in the symposium and no one can think of defeating him in knowledge on B...2022-12-1646 minStories from Upaniṣhads and PuranasEpisode 10 -Yagnavalkya in King Janaka's Symposium - Debate with Gargi VachaknaviHello my dear listeners, hope you all are enjoying Yagnavalkya’s debates in the courtroom of King Janaka. We heard how he defeated Ashwala and Arthabhaaga in part 1, then silenced Bhujyu, Usasta and Kahola in part 2. Part 3 is an important episode as it perhaps describes one of the most celebrated debates in the history of the Upanishads. Brihaadaaranyaka Upanishad has recorded this glorious and engaging debate beautifully. This part celebrates our Ancient India’s one of greatest Rishika, and women scholars Gargi Vaachaknavi. So I welcome you all to a great episode in which we will listen to the deba...2022-11-2730 min
Stories from Upaniṣhads and PuranasYagnavalkya in King Janaka's Symposium - Part 2Yagnavalkya in King Janaka's Symposium================================================================This is the part 2 from the interesting events and debates which took place during the symposium arranged by King Janaka of Videha. We heard about Yagnavalkya’s decision to take home thousand cows with ten gold coins tied to their horns and how he was stopped and challenged by eminent scholars such as Ashwala and Aartabhaaga. They both got involved in a debate with Yagnavalkya and eventually accepted their defeat. While Yagnavalkya wanted to leave the symposium, he was again challenged by few other eminent scholars. Before I start the tod...2022-11-1226 min
Stories from Upaniṣhads and PuranasEpisode-08 - Listener's Hub -001 - Srila BhattacharyaHello, my friends and listeners, today’s episode is very different from all other episodes. If you remember, I ask a few questions at the end of each episode. The listener with correct answers will be invited to my show, so today is the day where I will have the first ever - Listener’s hub episode. Srila Bhattacharya from California USA answered the questions correctly from the episode of Satyakama. So I interviewed her recently and was enriched to know her thoughts on the messages from Upanishads. Listener’s hub is an open platform, if you want to...2022-11-0632 min
Stories from Upaniṣhads and PuranasEpisode 7 - Yajnavalkya in King Janaka’s Symposium - Part 1Yajnavalkya in King Janaka’s Symposium - Part 1Hello friends and wish you and your loved ones a very happy Deepawali. After a hiatus for about a week or so I am back with a new story from Brihaddaaranyaka Upanishad. Today’s story will mark the beginning of one of the most important chapters mentioned in the largest of the Upanishads. The Madhukhanda portion of the Brihadda-Aranyaka Upanishad presents a series of dialogues and debates between the great Maharishi Yajnavalkya and other eminent scholars of ancient Vedic India such as Gargi Vachakanavi, Maitree, Uddalaka, Ashwala, Aartabhaaga and many...2022-10-2827 min
Stories from Upaniṣhads and PuranasEpisode 6- The Perfect Teacher - Story of Satyakaama and Upakosala KaamalaayanaToday’s story is of Satyakama and Upkosala Kaamalaayana. Friends in episode 2 of this podcast series we heard the tale of Satyakāma the seeker of truth. He was a young pupil then. In today’s story, we will take you on a forward journey where Satyakāma is a great scholar and a teacher of the sacred text. This story is also featured as part of Chaandogya Upanishad which is a part of Sama Veda. Satyakāama after attaining sacred knowledge became a respected teacher. He tutored many pupils throughout his career. Upakosala Kāmalāyana was his student. H...2022-10-2115 min
Stories from Upaniṣhads and PuranasEpisode 5 - Story of Praana!Hello Friends, wishing you all a very happy Dusherra and Subho Bijoya Dashami. I welcome you all to another episode of Stories from Upanishads. Today’s interesting story appears in the 3rd Brahmana of the 1st Adhyaya of Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad. In my podcast series, this is the first story from this Upanishad, which is a part of Shukla Yajurveda and believed to be composed between the 9th-6th centuries BCE. It is one of the Dashopnishads to which Adi Shankaracharya provided his Bhasya- commentary. Prajapati (Lord Brahma or Supreme Father) had two kinds of children...2022-10-0821 min
Stories from Upaniṣhads and PuranasEpisode 4 - Story of a teacher and his pupil - Kena Upanishad=====================TRANSCRIPT ==============================Today’s story is about a teacher and his pupil. The teacher was about to begin the day’s lesson when he saw that his student had an unusual inquisitiveness. The concerned teacher asked the pupil -“Son, what’s the matter? Why are you so disturbed today? What troubles you?” The startled pupil said “O Guru, From whom comes all of it - my thoughts, my sight, my hearing, my breath? Who is he who controls all of it?” The teacher smiled and took a deep breath. He knew all his great students will one day ask simila...2022-09-3018 min
Stories from Upaniṣhads and PuranasEpisode 3 - Story of King Jānaśruti and Raikwa===============================================================Transcript of the podcast================================================================Today I’m going to retell the story of Jānaśruti and Raikwa, which is found in the fourth Prapāthaka of Chāndogya Upanisad which is a part of Sama Veda. King Jānaśruti was the great-grandson of King Jānaśruta. He was the ruler of the kingdom of Mahavrsa. He was a good king, just, pious, knowledgeable, known for huge charities and cooked food in large quantities. He built free of cost rest-houses and eateries everywhere throughout his kingdom so that he could feed travellers...2022-09-2313 min
Stories from Upaniṣhads and PuranasEpisode 2 - Story of Satyakama - the seeker of truthThis story is about a young boy named Satyakāma Jābāla . It teaches us about honesty, truthfulness and courage! This story is featured in Chandogya Upanishad. This story tells us how Satyakama is taught about Brahman and is enlighted by non-human gurus namely a bull, fire, swan and a diver-bird. So sit back and enjoy the story!========================================================Transcript of the story Dear friends, thank you for joining in today and I hope you are quite excited to listen to the stories from Upanishads, as I am excited to tell them to you! If you have tune...2022-09-1814 min
Stories from Upaniṣhads and PuranasEpisode Zero- Introduction to the series "Stories from Upanishads"I am a software professional and working for various corporates and MNCs for the past 23 years. While I am working on tight deadlines I realised that we need an outlet to relax, rejuvenate, to recapture our souls. So I started reading Upanishads and found a wealth of stories which shake you up and ask you to contemplate further.Did you know there were about 200 Upanishads? Did you know Adi Shankaracharya commented on ten Upanishads which are called Ten Principal Upanishads? Did you know the Upanishads were written over a huge period of time? Even they were written...2022-09-1407 min
Stories from Upaniṣhads and PuranasEpisode 1 - Story of Nachiketa and YamaIn today's story, I will narrate to you the story of Nachiketa and Yama. This is a story of pure grit and determination in which young Nachiketa forces the lord of death Yama to reveal the secrets of life beyond death!This has been a popular story for ages and has been retold in many formats. This is my small effort to bring to you this great story! So sit back and listen to the Story of Nachiketa and Yama!Stories from Upanishads retold by Arghya Goswami, Concept, Script, Narration and Audio Design: Arghya Goswami2022-09-1423 min