Namaskar India - A History and Mythology Podcast

This episode explores the origin of the seven-day week from an astronomical, historical, and cultural perspective. We discuss how Hindu astronomers identified grahas and how the Brihat Parasara Hora Shastra outlines a method to establish the seven-day week. We also look at how the idea of the seven-day week originated in ancient Babylon and was adopted by other civilizations.

Bibliography:

Satyabhama A. (2014). Astronomy and Mathematics in Ancient India: An Overview. Manglam Publishers.

Zerubavel, E. (1985). The Seven-Day Circle: The History and Meaning of the Week. The Free Press.

Sastri, R. (1985). Brihat Parasara Hora Sastra: The gospel book of Hindu astrology. Ranjan Publications.

Kupfer, P. (1996). The Seven-Day Week: The History and Meaning of the Week. UCL Press.

Whitrow, G. J. (1982). The Seven-Day Circle: The History of the Week and the Calendar. University of South Carolina press.

Topic: History of India

Join us in this episode as we explore the fascinating world of ancient Indian astronomy and astrology. We discuss the relationship between these two fields and how they evolved from naturalistic observations of celestial bodies. 

Bibliography:

Subbarayappa, B. V. (1994). Indian Astronomy: An Introduction. Cambridge University Press.

Ramasubramanian, K., & Srinivas, M. D. (1994). Astronomy and Mathematics in Ancient India. Cambridge University Press.

Sharma, P. (2017). The Story of Astronomy in India. Penguin Random House India.

Topic: History of India

In this episode, we explore the cyclical nature of time in Hindu mythology and its unique differences from other religions. We delve into various time units described in ancient Indian texts, from microcosm to macrocosm, and explain the concept of relativity of time in different realms. We also discuss modern science's definition of time, theories predicting multiverse and the discrepancy between scientific estimates and those described in Hindu scriptures. Tune in to discover the remarkable imagination and intellectual depth of our Indian ancestors as they contemplated time scales spanning trillions of years.

Calculations:

According to Hindu scriptures, we are in Brahma's 51st year's, 1st Kalpa's, 7th Manvantar's, 28th Chaturyuga's, Kalyuga. The Gregorian calendar dates the beginning of this Kalyuga to 3102 BCE. And Brahma's total lifespan is 100 Brahma years. What is Brahma's total lifespan in human years? What is the universe's current age in human years?

Satya Yuga = 1.728 million years

Treta Yuga = 1.296 million years

Dwapara Yuga = 0.864 million years

Kali Yuga = 0.432 million years

Total duration of one Maha Yuga cycle = 4.32 million human years

One day of Brahma (consisting of 1000 Maha Yuga cycles) = 4.32 billion human years

One complete day and night of Brahma = 8.64 billion human years

1 Brahma year = 360 Brahma days and nights

Total age of Brahma (100 Brahma years) = 360 days/year x 100 years x 8.64 billion years/day = 311.04 trillion human years

Total age of the universe (one Maha Kalpa) = 311.04 trillion human years

1 Manvantar = 71 Chaturyugas

1 Kalpa = 14 Manvantar

Current age of the universe = (50 x 2 x 360 x 1000 x 4,320,000) + (6 x 71 x 4,320,000) + (27 x 4,320,000) (4,320,000 x (0.4 + 0.3 + 0.2)) + 5124 = 155.52 trillion human years

Bibliography:

Debroy, B. (2010). The Mahabharata. Penguin Books.

Easwaran, E. (2007). The Bhagavad Gita. Nilgiri Press.

Doniger, W. (2010). The Hindus: An Alternative History. Penguin Books.

Topic: Indian mythology | Hindu mythology | Hinduism

In this episode, we delve into the symbolism of Nataraja, the cosmic dancer, and explore the profound understanding of the universe that it embodies. We explore the five aspects of Nataraja's form that represent creation, preservation, destruction, illusion, and grace. 

Bibliography:

Coomaraswamy, A. K. (1985). The dance of Shiva: Fourteen Indian essays. Dover Publications.

Parthasarathy, A. (1977). The symbolism of Hindu gods and rituals. Vedanta Press.

Topic: Indian mythology | Hindu mythology | Hinduism

We all know that India gained its independence on August 15th, 1947, but did you know that according to the Indian National Calendar, India gained independence on Sravana 28th, 1869? In this episode, we explore the history of timekeeping and calendars in India, from the creation of sundials to the development of lunar, solar, and lunisolar calendars. We also discuss the Indian National Calendar and its connection to the Saka samvat. Join us as we delve into the fascinating world of timekeeping and calendars in India.

Bibliography:

Parise, F. (2002). The Book of Calendars. Gorgias Press.

Hawking, S. (1988). A Brief History of Time: From the Big Bang to Black Holes. Bantam Books.

Topic: History of India

This podcast episode discusses the history and significance of dating systems, specifically BC & AD vs BCE & CE. It explores the origins of BC and AD, the meaning of BCE and CE, and the debate over which system to use. The episode concludes that understanding the historical context and significance of dates is important, regardless of which system is used.

Bibliography:

Mosshammer, A. (2008). The Easter Computus and the Origins of the Christian Era. Oxford University Press.

Declercq, G. (2002). Dionysius Exiguus and the Introduction of the Christian Era. Sacris Erudiri.

Dunn, J. D. G. (2003). Jesus Remembered. Eerdmans Publishing.

Topic: History of India

Namaskar India's upcoming season "Indian Concept of Time" explores the intricacies of Indian timekeeping, astrology, astronomy, and philosophy. The show takes a deep dive into the ABCDE of time, the symbolism of Nataraj, as well as the mysteries of Navgrahas and Rashis. It also delves into the philosophical concepts of Karma, Dharma, and Moksha through the lens of Karmachakra. Join us on this enriching and enlightening journey.

Topic: History of India

We like our ideas of God. We can parse them, explain them, and make our own decisions based on them. In fact, our idea of God is all we really have at all. Since all we really have is our idea of God, it dismantles and debilitates any attempts we might make to lay claim to God, including our claims to faith.

Topic: Indian mythology | Hindu mythology | Hinduism

Purusha suktam is hymn 10.90 of the Rigveda, dedicated to the Purusha, the "Cosmic Being" or “The Supreme God”. It describes the spiritual oneness of the universe. It depicts the nature of Purusha as both immanent and transcendent in the manifested world. The sukta incorporates the principles of meditation (upasana), knowledge (jnana), devotion (bhakti), and rituals and duties (dharma and karma).

Topic: Indian mythology | Hindu mythology | Creation or Origin myths | Hinduism | Vedas

The Rigveda used the epithet Viswakarma to refer to a supreme god. In the Rigvedic hymns 10.81 & 10.82 Vishwakarma Sukta, he is described as all-seeing, with eyes, faces, arms, and feet on all four sides, as well as wings. He represented ultimate reality as well as the enigmatic creative force shared by all gods, living things, and inanimate objects in the universe. Since the beginning of time, he has served as the universe's architect and divine engineer.

Topic: Indian mythology | Hindu mythology | Creation or Origin myths | Hinduism | Vedas

Hiranyagarbha, the source of all that is manifest and unmanifest; said to be the god of gods and that which connects all things, creates all things and where all things return. It is mentioned in Hiranyagarbha Sukta, a set of ten Shlokas in the 121st Hymn of the Rig Veda's 10th Mandala, suggesting a single creator deity, identified in the hymn as Prajāpati.

Topic: Indian mythology | Hindu mythology | Creation or Origin myths | Hinduism | Vedas

The Nāsadīya Sūkta after the incipit ná ásat, or "not the non-existent", is known as the Hymn of Creation. It is a collection of 7 Shlokas from the 129th Hymn of the Rig Veda's 10th Mandala. It begins and ends with questions about creation. It does not say that God created the universe, the stars, the sun, the moon, the earth, the plants, the animals, and humans, but rather asks how anyone could know how and when creation occurred, because everything and all beings, including the Devas or Gods, would have appeared only after the universe existed!

Topic: Indian mythology | Hindu mythology | Creation or Origin myths | Hinduism | Vedas

The Vedas are the religious texts which inform the religion of Hinduism. The term veda means “knowledge” in that they are thought to contain the fundamental knowledge relating to the underlying cause of, function of, and personal response to existence. The Vedas are thought to have always existed and were discovered by sages in intense states of meditation, rather than being thought to have been revealed to a specific person or people at a particular historical moment. As a result, Hinduism views the Vedas as Shruti, or "what is heard," as opposed to other texts like Ramayana or Mahabharata that are called Smritis, or "what is remembered."

Topic: Indian mythology | Hindu mythology | Creation or Origin myths | Hinduism | Vedas

“The Blind Men and the Elephant” is an Indian parable that has been adapted by many religions and published in a variety of adult and children's stories. It's about a group of blind men who try to figure out what an elephant is by touching different parts of it and disagreeing on their findings.

Topic: Indian mythology | Hindu mythology | Creation or Origin myths | Hinduism | Vedas

Hindu mythology is a large body of traditional Hindu narratives found in Sanskrit literature such as the epics Mahabharata and Ramayana, the Puranas and Vedas, Ancient Tamil literature such as the Sangam literature and Periya Puranam, and several other works and religious regional literature of South Asia. Rather than a single consistent, monolithic structure, it is a collection of diverse traditions developed by different sects, people, and philosophical schools in different regions and times, which are not necessarily held by all Hindus to be literal accounts of historical events, but are taken to have deeper, often symbolic, meaning, and have been subjected to a complex range of interpretations.

Topic: Indian mythology | Hindu mythology | Creation or Origin myths | Hinduism

The Ajanta Caves are approximately 30 rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments that date from the 2nd century BCE to about 480 CE in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra state of India. The caves include paintings and rock-cut sculptures described as among the finest surviving examples of ancient Indian art, particularly expressive paintings that present emotions through gesture, pose and form. Let us learn about the history of their construction, re-discovery and restoration.

Topic: History of India - Ancient India.

Till now we have learned about the Gupta Empire, which was ruling in North India. But what about those areas that were beyond Gupta Empire’s jurisdiction? Areas of present-day Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala & Tamilnadu. Let us know about the dynasties who used to control these areas of Deccan and South, the areas which lay south of the Vindhyachal mountain range.

Topic: History of India - Ancient India.

Timeline: 250 CE - 500 CE.

The nomadic Huns belonged to the Xiongnu tribe, who inhabited the borders of China as far back as the second century B.C. Another nomadic Yuezhi was forced to migrate from their neighbourhood because of their pressure which ultimately led to the invasions of the Sakas and the Kushanas in India. Later, the Huns themselves migrated to the west, and further dividing themselves into two parts, they proceeded towards the river Volga and the river Oxus respectively. The one threatened the Roman empire and the other Persia and India. By the fifth century A.D. the Hunas became a powerful force in Central Asia and, proceeding towards India, they occupied the north-west.

Topic: History of India - Ancient India.

Timeline: 320 CE - 560 CE.

The reign of the Gupta Empire is also known as the Golden Age & Classical Age of India. The stability, peace and prosperity created under leadership of Guptas enabled the pursuit of scientific and artistic endeavors in India. Large advancements were made in fields of science, technology, engineering, art, literature, mathematics, astronomy, religion and philosophy during this period.

Topic: History of India - Ancient India.

Timeline: 415 CE - 455 CE.

We will learn how Chandragupta took the throne of the Gupta Empire. Many say he conspired against his own brother, Ramagupta, to come to power. And even after such a controversial beginning, he became a revered character of Indian legends.

Topic: History of India - Ancient India.

Timeline: 375 CE - 415 CE.

We will learn about the reason why the Kushan Empire established feudalism in contrast to the centralized administrative and governance system which the previous Indian dynasties and empires used. After Kushans, the Gupta Empire rose to power under Chandragupta. But it was under Samudragupta, where it became powerful. We will learn about the strategies he employed in his conquests.

Topic: History of India - Ancient India.

Timeline: 320 CE - 375 CE.

Today we will learn how the construction of the Great Wall of China impacted the history of India by setting off a domino effect resulting in yet another series of invasions. And we will unravel the mystery of why this time is called the Dark Age?

Topic: History of India - Ancient India.

Timeline: 220 BCE - 320 CE.

We will talk about the foreign powers who invaded and ruled over the Indian subcontinent, after the fall of the Mauryan Empire.

Topic: History of India - Ancient India.

Timeline: 250 BCE - 130 BCE.

We will talk about the Indian Dynasties, who, after the fall of the Maurya Empire, ruled various parts of India, while foreign invaders were lurking around the corners of the subcontinent.

Topic: History of India - Ancient India.

Timeline: 185 BCE - 225 CE.

We will talk about the lands deep south, the realm of three famous Tamil dynasties- Pandyas, Cholas & Cheras, collectively known as Tamilakam.

Topic: History of India - Ancient India.

Timeline: 600 BCE - 300 CE.

What is the National Emblem of the Republic of India? Which emblem do we see in front of every government document and building, on every Indian currency and on Indian passport? Along with the words “Satyamev Jayate”.

Topic: History of India - Ancient India.

Amidst the tens of thousands of names of monarchs that crowd the columns of history, their majesties and graciousnesses and serenities and royal highnesses and the like, the name of Ashoka shines, and shines bright. Have you wondered why?

Topic: History of India - Ancient India.

Timeline: 265 BCE - 185 BCE.

The Mauryan Empire was the largest political entity that has existed in the Indian subcontinent. We will meet the rulers of the empire, who worked really hard to take it to its heights.

Topic: History of India - Ancient India.

Timeline: 322 BCE - 265 BCE.

We will meet those heroes who laid the foundation of the first empire in the Indian subcontinent. They not only were courageous but also very smart and analyzed the chaotic situation around them very well and made the right moves at the right time.

Topic: History of India - Ancient India.

Timeline: 345 BCE - 322 BCE.

We will find out who will become the winner amongst the Mahajanpadas in the conquest of power and resources? And will also bear witness to the rise of dynasties in the Indian subcontinent.

Topic: History of India - Ancient India.

Timeline: 550 BCE - 345 BCE.

Why there are so many religions and why do we have them anyway? What were the religious transformations the society was going through during this time period? Till now Hinduism was the only player. But that was about to change very soon.

Topic: History of India - Ancient India.

Timeline: 600 BCE - 500 BCE.

In this special episode, we will talk about the so-called caste system and the divine theory associated with it. And why it made sense in historic times but not anymore.

Topic: History of India - Ancient India.

In this special episode, we will talk about linguistics, archaeology and DNA genetics studies, which helped us in unraveling many mysteries of our history.

Topic: History of India - Ancient India.

Who were the Aryans? Where did they come from? Why do Sanskrit has a lot of similarities with Indo-European languages like Latin & Greek? Why do a lot of Rigvedic gods have a lot of similarities with Greek mythology gods? We will find out answers to these intriguing questions and more. 

Topic: History of India - Ancient India.

Timeline: 4000 BCE - 500 BCE. 

Do you know what are the other names of our country and how those happened to be? We will also find out about how life used to be in the Indus Valley Civilization and about the major power hubs of that time. And what was the reason for its disappearance?

Topic: History of India - Ancient India.

Timeline: 2800 BCE - 1800 BCE.

Let us embark on the journey to understand the India we live in today. Do you think its past or its history has any impact on it? Let us go back to the beginning of time and trace our steps to the present. Find out how humans evolved from apes, what transition they went through during Paleolithic, Mesolithic & Neolithic periods and how they reached the Indian subcontinent from Africa and laid foundations of one of the early civilizations.

Topic: History of India - Ancient India.

Timeline: prehistoric - 2800 BCE.