The sky as our teacher…
Enter Karna…
Karna is one of the most nuanced characters created by Vyasa. He crafts the character of Karna so finely making Karna one of the greatest tragic heroes of all times. Check out how, when and where Karna enters the epic’s story and changes its course forever….
Mahabharata: The Epic and the Nation – Not a book review
Several hundred books have been written about the Mahabharata. Why one more? Is there place for another sensible read? These are questions that often plague me when people ask me to write a book. Any book. Do I have anything new to say, anything worth saying, anything that has not been said before? But with…
Arjuna, the iconic hero of the Mahabharata
The Mahabharata refers to Arjuna using 14 different names. One of which is Savyasachi. Do you know what the name means? Watch the YouTube video for the answer and to know what makes Arjuna the iconic hero of the epic.
Vyasa’s Ramayana(?) – Rama’s story as found in the Mahabharata
The story of Rama had such universal appeal that it is even found in the Mahabharata. But what is interesting is that Ramopakhyana, as it is called, is very different from the Valmiki version familiar to us. How? Listen in to find out!
Mahabharata and the Ukraine War
All wars are the same. They are seeded by the egos, jealousies and insecurities of individuals. Neither the ancient Kurukshetra war nor the ongoing Ukraine war is an exception. Listen in to the story of how vendetta between two individuals, who were once friends, set off an uncontrollable chain of events that proved to be…
Sarasvati: River or Goddess? What does the Mahabharata say?
The river Sarasvati finds wide mention in the Rig Veda. The Mahabharata is not far behind as it dedicates an entire sub-parvan to the tirthas or pilgrimages on the banks of the river. But was the river Sarasvati a real river that flowed in the Indian sub-continent? Or, was it a river reconstructed from a…
Drona’s cruelty to Ekalavya
Why did Drona refuse to teach Ekalavya? Was it because Ekalavya was not a Kshatriya? Because Ekalavya was supposedly a low-born compared to his other students? Why did he extract a bloody sacrifice from Ekalavya? Check the video on one of the most debated issues from the Mahabharata!
Akshaya Tritiya: When Every Second is Gold! (The Indian Astrology series)
Akshaya Tritiya, as you many of you may know, falls in the month of Vaishaka on the third day after amavasya i.e. in the phase of the growing or waxing moon. Over the last couple of decades, Akshaya Tritiya, has come to be associated with the purchase of gold or some consumer durables for the…
Caste in the Mahabharata
The stories of discrimination that characters like Karna and Ekalavya faced in the Mahabahrata are well known. But equally well known are the birth stories of Vyasa and Vidura who were born to mothers from a lower social strata of the society, but were nevertheless revered and respected for their ability. So, what was the…
Follow My Blog
Get new content delivered directly to your inbox.
Kulture Katha 