Saturn – a quick overview – Podcast #88
September 6, 2009
This podscast presents a few quick insights into the nature of Saturn from an astrological perspective. This is particularly relevant because Saturn is moving from Leo into Virgo on September 10th.
A series of stories about Saturn are presented, followed by a collection of slokas and mantras for Saturn. A file containing only the Saturn mantras can be downloaded from the Sloka Library by clicking here.
The Sacrifice of Daksha – Podcast #87
August 30, 2009
Daksha was a highly knowledgeable King and a son of Brahma the Creator. As the story goes, he decided to have a big yagya and invited all the gods and goddesses with the notable exception of Shiva, because Daksha considered him to be wild and unpresentable. But of course Shiva was married to Daksha’s daughter Sati.
That sets the stage for one of the vedic tradition’s most widely known stories. There are a number of different versions, but essentially, when Sati heard about the yagya she wanted to go so she could see her mother and father and enjoy the festivities. Shiva discouraged her from attending, although she went anyway and what happens next is the subject of this podcast. Shiva gets angry and creates Virabhadra to destroy Daksha’s festivities.
The Story of Subramanyam, Part 4, Podcast #85
April 19, 2009
In this episode, Kashyapa turns over the teaching of his three demon children to his wife Mayai and they soon head off to the Himalayas to perform yagyas on a very grand scale. But Shiva, the object of their devotions, fails to show up and in desperation they start to throw themselves into the yagya fire. After some time, Shiva rescues them and the demons gain great power. Shukracharya, the guru for the demons gives them instructions on what to do next, justifying it with a bit of tricky philosophy. Things are not looking good for the devas!
The chanting for this episode includes the Shiva Tandava Stotram written by Ravana, the demon who steals Sita in the Ramayana, and that is followed by the Brahma Kadinga Padamu, which equates the feet of Vishnu with the power of Brahma the creator.
The Story of Subramanyam, Part 3, Podcast #84
April 10, 2009
The story of Subramanyam continues as he postpones his marriage to Vishnu’s daughters in order to attack Tarakasura. At first it doesn’t go well and his general Veerabhahu is almost defeated and Subramanyam has to taunt Tarakasura into fighting. When he is losing, Taraka enlists the help of the powerful Kounchanagiri who puts up a good fight. But in the end, as one might expect Subramanyam is eventually victorious.
Soorapadhman, Tarakasura’s brother is furious at the loss and prepares for battle, but decides to send out spies first. In the mean time, the narrative continues with some amusing stories, particularly the one about Kashyapa’s seduction so that he can father hundreds of thousands of asuras.
The Story of Subramanyam, Part 2, Podcast #83
March 18, 2009
In this podcast we continue with the story of Subramanyam as told in the Sri Kandha Puranam by Kachiappa Shivacharya.
We present different stories surrounding the birth of Subramanyam; the sparks that emanated from Shiva’s eyes, how Parvati got scared which gave rise to nine shaktis and how Parvati tormented them as well as the other devas.
After Shiva, Parvati and Subramanya moved to Mount Kailas, the youthful boy caused all sorts of trouble by moving mountains, rivers and oceans, which scared both the demons and devas. But all is well in the end, and the stage is set for some big battles with the demons.
The Story of Subramanyam, Part 1, Podcast #82
March 10, 2009
Subramanyam is the son of Shiva and Parvati, and the brother of Ganesha. He embodies the qualities most often associated with the planet Mars; energy, determination, optimism, military might, quick intelligence, youthful exuberance and impulsiveness. Like many deities, he came into existence to meet a specific need; the killing of a demon who had obtained a boon that he could only be killed by a son of Shiva.
This podcast features the story of Subramanyam as told in the Sri Kandha Puranam, a classic work from Tamil Nadu in south India. The first episode of this series tells the story of the Purana’s author, Kachiappa Shivachariar, and the troubles he went through to present his work. Then we begin with the story of Subramanyam’s birth in which the gods have to convince the ascetic Shiva to marry Parvati; a task in which the vedic cupid, Manmatha is turned to ash because he interrupted Shiva’s meditation. Everything turns out well in the end though, and even Manmatha is returned to life, although invisible to all but his wife.
The chanting portion of the show begins with a traditional song about Subramanyam in the style of Tamil Nadu and concludes with the traditional sanskrit recitation of the 108 names of Subramanyam.
Agastya and modern astronomy – Podcast #81
December 9, 2008
It is possible using astronomical calculations to determine the era in which Agastya walked the earth. In this podcast, we look at the work of K. D. Abhyankar which was published in the journal “Current Science”, volume 89, December 2005. By looking at the time in which the star Canopus appeared above the horizon in southern India, he determined that Agastya was alive around 4,000 BC. This theory is further validated by events mentioned in the Ramayana and Mahabharata, as well as records of the Tamil Sangams (gatherings of poets and seers).
Additionally, we take a look at Agastya Rishi’s contributions to Rig Veda, which will be presented in greater detail in the next podcast.
Chanting is Surya Suprabhatam and two short selections for Lalitha; Lalitha Shauna Prarthana and Lalitha Pratasmaranam.
Agastya, Rig Veda Rishi – Podcast #80
November 25, 2008
Agastya Rishi contributed many hymns to the Rig Veda, compiled both Lalitha Sahasranam (1008 names) and Lalitha Trishati (300 names), wrote the Saraswati Suktam, and created systems of martial arts (Agastya Tekkan), medicine (Agastya Siddha) and astrology (Agastya Nadi).
He was a man of great humor and genuineness whose activities are told in a number of wonderful stories. Among other stories, he drank the oceans to help the gods, ate a demon, created the soul of his wife and their son, and carried his wife in a water pot when they traveled. He also helped both Rama and Arjuna in their quests.
The podcast concludes with chanting of Aditya Hridayam which he wrote for Rama to give him strength to kill Ravana, and then Lalitha Trishati; the 300 names of Lalitha, the playful form of the goddess.
Lakshmi, Goddess of abundance – Podcast #79
November 14, 2008
Lakshmi is the goddess of abundance in all its various forms; family, food, wealth, beauty, happiness, etc. This podcast recounts some of the different stories of her birth and her role in the universe as the Divine Mother. She is the wife of Vishnu but doesn’t always get along with him as one story goes. In the end, she is always ready to give her blessings to all and never stays angry for long.
Ayyappa, son of Shiva and Vishnu – Podcast #78
November 7, 2008
Ayyappa is a unique form of the divine because he is the son of Shiva and Vishnu! This story has so many twists and turns; clever demons and the even more clever devas who defeat them. No episode in the vedic tradition is quite like this one with buffalo headed demons, Vishnu appearing as a beautiful woman, and the young Ayyappa going off to the forest to obtain the milk of a leopard!
Chanting of the wonderfully rythmic and melodic Mahisasura Mardini concludes the podcast.