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The Mahabharata with Arti Dhand

The Mahabharata with Arti Dhand

By Arti Dhand, University of Toronto

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Episode 6: A Virgin in Alms

The Mahabharata with Arti DhandJul 30, 2020

00:00
16:06
Episode 64 Two Men and Two Babies

Episode 64 Two Men and Two Babies

The Pandavas hear the stories of King Yuvanasva, who gives birth to Prince Mandhatr, and of Jantu, the only child of King Somaka.

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Dec 05, 202226:15
Episode 63 Lakes of Blood, Lakes of Youth

Episode 63 Lakes of Blood, Lakes of Youth

The tale of Rama Jamadagneya aka "Parasurama" concludes; the tale of another
Bhargava figure, Cyavana and his wife, Sukanya

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Nov 17, 202223:11
Episode 62 2 Women, 2 Trees, and a Man with an Axe

Episode 62 2 Women, 2 Trees, and a Man with an Axe

We conclude the story of Rsyasrnga, and begin that of Rama Jamadagneya, aka Parasurama, or "Rama with an axe".

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Mar 04, 202225:45
Episode 61 Descent of Ganga, and Rsyasrnga

Episode 61 Descent of Ganga, and Rsyasrnga

King Sagara's story continues, with his great-grandson Bhagiratha's efforts to entice Ganga to earth; in part II, we meet Rsyasrnga, a boy who's grown up in the forest and never met another human being before.

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Feb 18, 202223:46
Episode 60 Killer Bones and Savage Sons

Episode 60 Killer Bones and Savage Sons

The Pandavas continue their tour, still hearing about Agastya; they learn of Indra's battle against the asura Vrtra, followed by the story of King Sagara and his 60,001 sons.

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Feb 07, 202225:08
Episode 59 The Pandava Pilgrims, and Agastya

Episode 59 The Pandava Pilgrims, and Agastya

Distressed at the absence of Arjuna, the Pandavas go on pilgrimage, where they hear many ancient stories--among them that of the famous rsi Agastya.

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Jan 22, 202222:02
Episode 58 Nala-Damayanti Together at Last

Episode 58 Nala-Damayanti Together at Last

Nala and Damayanti are finally united; The Pandavas think consider the future.

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Jan 10, 202223:53
Episode 57 Indomitable Damayanti and Gnarly Nala

Episode 57 Indomitable Damayanti and Gnarly Nala

The Nala-Damayanti story continues. Nala loses his kingdom, and the couple is forced to confront a new reality.

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Dec 06, 202126:16
Episode 56 Nala and Damayanti

Episode 56 Nala and Damayanti

The charming tale of Nala and Damayanti continues.

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Nov 05, 202122:26
Episode 55 Arjuna in Heaven, and Matchmaking Fowl

Episode 55 Arjuna in Heaven, and Matchmaking Fowl

Arjuna ascends to heaven, and begins military school. The Pandavas, meanwhile, hear a story about the unluckiest man on earth.

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Oct 24, 202124:05
Episode 54 Lone Ranger Arjuna

Episode 54 Lone Ranger Arjuna

Vyasa suggests Arjuna train with the gods; Arjuna travels up the Himalayas and tussles with a seemingly indomitable tribal man.

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Oct 10, 202123:04
Episode 53 The Jungle of Doubt

Episode 53 The Jungle of Doubt

The Pandavas move to Dvaitavana, where they wrestle painfully with their situation, and try to persuade Yudhisthira to fight.

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Sep 14, 202120:18
Episode 52 - Krishna v. Battlestar Saubha

Episode 52 - Krishna v. Battlestar Saubha

Krishna explains his absence from Indraprastha. The King of Saubha had attacked his city of Dvarka, which was defended valiantly by his sons. Then Krishna'd pursued Shalva to destroy him.

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Sep 06, 202119:09
Episode 51 Visitors' Log, Forest Year 1

Episode 51 Visitors' Log, Forest Year 1

As the Pandavas set up in the Kamyaka Forest, visitors come by--Vidura, Samjaya, Rishi Maitreya, Krishna, Dhrstadyumna, and others. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Duryodhana frets about Vidura's return, and Duryodhana hatches another plan.

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Aug 29, 202123:07
Episode 50 Into the Wilderness

Episode 50 Into the Wilderness

The Pandavas begin their exile, and try to come to terms with the trauma of all that's befallen them.

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Aug 24, 202120:44
Episode 49 The Aftermath

Episode 49 The Aftermath

The Pandavas bid goodbye to folks in Hastinapura, leaving behind Kunti, their other wives and children; the Kauravas take stock.  

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Aug 15, 202118:55
Episode 48 Sabhaparva Debrief

Episode 48 Sabhaparva Debrief

Why did Yudhisthira gamble? Where was Krishna? What game were Yudhisthira and Sakuni playing? In this episode, we consider these questions, as the last game concludes and the Pandavas and Draupadi prepare for exile.

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Aug 09, 202118:41
Episode 47 Gambling 2.0

Episode 47 Gambling 2.0

Sinister omens bring a halt to the events, and Dhrtarastra offers Draupadi 3 boons. Yudhisthira, however, imperils the Pandavas' kingdom again.

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Jun 27, 202120:25
Episode 46 Assault of Draupadi

Episode 46 Assault of Draupadi

The infamous scene in the Kaurava assembly hall continues. Draupadi demands an answer to her question. Duryodhana's brother Vikarna offers his perspective, Vidura tries again to make the Kauravas see reason, and the assembly devolves into the outrageous sexual assault of Draupadi.

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Jun 16, 202119:20
Episode 45 Draupadi's Question

Episode 45 Draupadi's Question

Some of the most outrageous, iconic, and scandalous events of the epic - Yudhisthira loses himself and all of his brothers to Duryodhana, then stakes his wife, Draupadi.

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Jun 09, 202121:26
Episode 44 A Game for Thrones

Episode 44 A Game for Thrones

Yudhisthira and Sakuni face off in a series of high stakes gambles in which Yudhisthira experiences a catastrophic losing streak, jeopardizing everything for himself and his family.

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May 31, 202120:58
Episode 43 Sense and Sophistry

Episode 43 Sense and Sophistry

Dhrtarastra dispatches Vidura to invite the Pandavas to Hastinapura; Yudhisthira must decide whether to go, knowing it involves gambling.

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May 24, 202117:29
Episode 42: Persuasion

Episode 42: Persuasion

Duryodhana returns from Indraprastha filled with envy, and his uncle Sakuni devises a plan to wrest away the Pandavas' kingdom.

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May 15, 202119:50
Episode 41: Sisupala

Episode 41: Sisupala

Yudhisthira's rajasuya sacrifice gets underway, but runs into a hiccup when Sisupala, the King of Cedi, challenges the choice of Krishna as the Guest of Honour.

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May 02, 202120:01
Episode 40: The Rajasuya Sacrifice

Episode 40: The Rajasuya Sacrifice

Krishna, Arjuna, and Bhima challenge King Jarasamdha of Magadha, and Yudhisthira prepares to fulfill the requirements for the Rajasuya Sacrifice, which will declare him emperor of the world.

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Apr 25, 202121:33
Episode 39: Jarasamdha

Episode 39: Jarasamdha

Book II, the Sabhaparva begins with councils to discuss the viability of Yudhisthira's ambition to perform the rajasuya sacrifice. What's the import of this sacrifice? What does it entail? Krsna arrives for consultation, and advises that the only way forward is by eliminating the king of Magadha, the powerful Jarasamdha.

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Apr 11, 202120:44
Episode 38: Khandava Fire Debrief, and the Pandava Palace

Episode 38: Khandava Fire Debrief, and the Pandava Palace

Why did Krishna and Arjuna enable the massacre of the Khandava Forest? Some theories, some survivors, and the building of the Pandava Palace. 

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The Mahabharata Podcast with Arti Dhand

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Apr 04, 202120:06
Episode 37: Subhadra, and The Khandava Forest

Episode 37: Subhadra, and The Khandava Forest

Arjuna marries Subhadra with high drama, and the couple return to Hastinapura. Arjuna and Krishna participate in the burning of the Khandava Forest.

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Mar 17, 202119:38
Episode 36: Arjuna the Hermit

Episode 36: Arjuna the Hermit

The Pandavas begin work on their new capital, but there's a mishap. Arjuna must retreat into exile for a year.

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Mar 08, 202118:42
Episode 35: Indraprastha

Episode 35: Indraprastha

Upon learning of the Pandavas' survival, King Dhrtarastra considers his options, war or conciliation. 

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Feb 28, 202118:26
Episode 34: Five Weddings and Five Indras

Episode 34: Five Weddings and Five Indras

Kunti instructs Arjuna to share his alms with his brothers, prompting a crisis when the "alms" in question is the Princess Draupadi.

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Feb 15, 202119:25
Episode 33: Draupadi's Wedding

Episode 33: Draupadi's Wedding

The Pandavas arrive in Pancala, in time for the groom-choosing tournament of Draupadi.

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Feb 08, 202119:58
Episode 32: Visvamitra v. Vasistha - Kings and Brahmins

Episode 32: Visvamitra v. Vasistha - Kings and Brahmins

Visvamitra orchestrates the murder of Vasistha's sons by using the King Kalmasapada, who becomes a cannibal. 

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Feb 01, 202120:02
Episode 31: Magic Cows, Derelict Kings, and Pacifist Brahmins: The stories of Citraratha, Tapati, and Vasistha

Episode 31: Magic Cows, Derelict Kings, and Pacifist Brahmins: The stories of Citraratha, Tapati, and Vasistha

As the Pandavas travel to King Drupada's capital in Pancala, they have an altercation with a gandharva known for his snazzy chariot as Citraratha. He tells them stories of their ancestry, which leads to tales about the ancient rsi Vasistha.

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Jan 25, 202118:15
Episode 30: Bhima, Bakasura, and Being Brahmins

Episode 30: Bhima, Bakasura, and Being Brahmins

After the departure of Hidimba and Ghatotkaca, the Pandavas wander the forests until they meet their grandfather Vyasa, who directs them to live disguised as brahmins in the town of Ekacakra. 

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Jan 18, 202121:05
Episode 29: Bhima, Hidimba, Ghatotkaca

Episode 29: Bhima, Hidimba, Ghatotkaca

While Hastinapura mourns the death of the Pandavas, the heroes escape to the woods and Bhima assumes responsibility for the protection of the family.

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Jan 10, 202118:34
Episode 28: Escape from Varnavata

Episode 28: Escape from Varnavata

The Pandavas arrive for the festival of Varnavata, and find themselves living in a house constructed for burning. 

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Jan 04, 202119:14
Episode 27: Varnavata: Road-tripping to Disneyland

Episode 27: Varnavata: Road-tripping to Disneyland

Duryodhana schemes with his father to get rid of the Pandavas.

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Dec 20, 202018:49
Episode 26: Drupada: Pride and Retribution

Episode 26: Drupada: Pride and Retribution

Drona is now prepared to undertake the task for which he's worked so hard to train the Bharata boys: revenge upon his childhood friend Drupada for his rejection of him.

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Dec 13, 202019:36
Episode 25: Bows, Blades, Bats, and Boys

Episode 25: Bows, Blades, Bats, and Boys

Drona organizes a tournament to showcase his students' talents, and the great hero Karna enters the scene.

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Dec 06, 202022:21
Episode 24: Drona

Episode 24: Drona

Arrival on scene of one of the most important characters of our text, Drona.

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Nov 30, 202019:10
Episode 23: A Few Good Women

Episode 23: A Few Good Women

Last rites of Pandu and Madri, who becomes a sati; and childhood squabbles among the 106 boys lead Dhrtarastra to look for teachers.

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Nov 22, 202018:19
Episode 22: Duryodhana, and Pandu

Episode 22: Duryodhana, and Pandu

Gandhari's 100 sons are born, and one daughter; and Pandu succumbs to death, followed by Madri.

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Nov 17, 202019:24
Episode 21: Kunti's 5 Men - and the Pandavas

Episode 21: Kunti's 5 Men - and the Pandavas

Kunti shares her secret, enabling Pandu to have 5 children through the intercession of the gods. 

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Nov 10, 202018:49
Episode 20: Pandu's Problems

Episode 20: Pandu's Problems

Pandu returns triumphant from conquest, and goes on vacation - to traumatic results. 

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Nov 03, 202019:13
Episode 15: Bhisma, the Awesome

Episode 15: Bhisma, the Awesome

The story of Samtanu and Satyavati, concluding with Devavrata's magnificent sacrifice, which transforms him into Bhisma.

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Oct 27, 202018:34
Episode 19: Gandhari, in Wedding Season

Episode 19: Gandhari, in Wedding Season

Bhisma arranges the marriages of Dhrtarastra, Pandu, and Vidura; introduction to Gandhari

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Oct 25, 202018:43
Episode 18: Satyavati's Birth, King Vasu, and Ani Mandavya

Episode 18: Satyavati's Birth, King Vasu, and Ani Mandavya

We learn the mystery behind Satyavati's birth, and hear the painful story of Ani Mandavya, who curses the god Dharma to be born as Vidura. 

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Oct 19, 202018:58
Episode 17: Satyavati the Truthful, and Vyasa

Episode 17: Satyavati the Truthful, and Vyasa

A dynastic crisis in the House of Bharata is resolved with the assistance of Vyasa--or is it?

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Oct 11, 202018:55
Episode 16: Amba, Ambika, Ambalika, and a Kingdom without a King

Episode 16: Amba, Ambika, Ambalika, and a Kingdom without a King

Two weddings, a Funeral, and a Kingdom without a King: Bhisma returns to Hastinapura with the 3 Kasi princesses, and the marriage of Ambika and Ambalika to Satyavati's son, Vicitravirya.

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Oct 04, 202017:01