Devlok With Devdutt Pattanaik

Devdutt Pattanaik uncovers the hidden stories of the greatest epics in Hindu mythology, Ramayana and Mahabharata. Like the Sumerians, Hindus wrote poetic stories which focused on the powers of the gods. Ramayana translates to the story of Rama. It is believed that Valmiki, a Brahmin whose style of writing poetry was carried forward from that point on, wrote the epic. Following its main hero Rama on his journey to Lanka, Ramayana praises the heroism and virtues of the Aryan warrior princes. Mahabharata meaning The Great India, is said to be written by a Brahmin Veda Vyasa. It is divided into verses interspersed with passages of prose. A story incorporated into the Mahabharata came to be known as the Bhagvad Gita.

Trimurti translates as three forms. It is an iconographic representation of God in Hinduism which depicts divinity as a threefaced figure. These three faces represent Gods roles of creation, preservation and destruction which are associated with Brahma the Creator, Vishnu the Sustainer and Shiva the Destroyer.Devdutt Pattanaik discusses the three personas and their different modalities in this episode. The trio are assisted in their duties by their consorts, Saraswati, Laxmi and Parvati respectively. The specific gods of the Trimurti each have their own origins in Hindu mythology but the single iconographic representation finds its source in the Vedas. It is only after the arrival of the Puranas that Trimurti becomes a standard doctrine.

Colors play an important role in Hindu culture and have a deep significance transcending decorative values. Hindus use colors on their deities and their clothes, signifying their qualities. Devdutt Pattanaik introduces the concept of using a specific color for a deity to create an environment that highlights the persona of the god or goddess.Some of the more prominent colors used in our rituals and festivals are red, green and saffron. While goddesses Saraswati and Parvati are seen in red sarees, goddess Laxmi is seen in white. Similarly, sages are seen in saffron. Devdutt does a comparative study on the use of colors by hermits and householders. The legend of the color filled festival, Holi, is also highlighted.

Various stories and legends surround the prominent figure, Shiva. He is one of the most powerful gods of the Hindu pantheon and is one of the godheads in the Trimurti. Known as the Destroyer, Shiva is perhaps the most complex of Hindu deities. In this episode, Devdutt Pattanaik talks about Shiva being at the core of the centrifugal force of the universe, because of his responsibility for death and destruction. He is the dissolving force but he dissolves in order to create since death is a mode to rebirth. Thus, life and death, creation and destruction, both reside in Shiva. Devdutt also talks about his various manifestations as Bholenath, Mahadev, Nataraja, Vishwanath and Bhairava.

Hindu mythology boasts of numerous stories of supernatural beings, either fighting against one another for supremacy or joining forces to fight some other being.Devdutt Pattanaik introduces the various supernatural beings from Indian mythology, in this episode. The Hindu universe is divided into different Lokas or worlds and in each world, reside different beings. All of these beings are said to be Brahmas children. Devas reside in DevLok, Asuras live in Paatal, Nagas in NagLok et al. Devdutt does a comparative study of the characteristics of these beings. While Devas are said to be benevolent and debauched, the Rakshasas are shown as mean and ugly. Yakshas are known to hoard everything they get their hands on and Asuras are said to be obsessed with wealth and power.

Indra Dev is the God of rain and thunder. He is one of the primary gods of the Vedas who all phenomenons of nature.In this episode, Devdutt Pattanaik highlights Indras characteristics of insecurity and jealousy which drive him to sabotage sages meditations and instigate battles between the devas. He also discusses the shift in Indras position from the Vedas where he is considered the king of all devas to the puranas but his position fades as the Holy Triad emerges.

In the first episode of Season 2, Devdutt breaks down two simple yet abstract ideas of Hindu philosophy Dhyan and Darshan. Providing an analogy between the Hindi and the English disclaimers that open every episode, Devdutt explains that Darshan means to see and Dhyan refers to think about or process what one has seen. With examples ranging from devotees praying at a temple to ascetics giving up on the material world, Devdutt explains how the practice originated in the Vedic era and how it further developed as Jainism, Buddhism and Hinduism became diverse. Although the meaning behind the terms remain the same, they are discussed differently in various texts. Devdutt touches upon these contexts and provides a better understanding of Dhyan and Darshan.

Devdutt Pattanaik narrates the popular story of Amrit Manthan in a lucid manner explaining how it was the cause for the emergence of various gems, gods and goddesses from the Ocean of Milk. He also explores the essence and the meaning of Dharma, Artha and Kama and how they have become an integral part of Hindu mythology. Devdutt also sheds some light on other stories like Shivas Neel Kant and the Chaar Dhams in this episode.

In this episode, Devdutt discusses the numerous vans forests in Hindu mythology. Forests form an interesting backdrop to many mythological stories. Several gods and devas are associated with forests, providing a close connection with the Hindu way of life. Devdutt talks in depth about how forests have provided prosperity, life and shelter to different beings throughout mythology and how the forest is a space where Matsya Nyay Survival of the Fittest is the norm. With this understanding, he provides an analogy between the workings of forest and those of field.

In this episode, Devdutt Pattanaik reviews the different Indian philosophical schools. Generally, Astik translates to the one who believes in God and Nastik would translate to mean an atheist. Devdutt explains the different terms by drawing comparisons between different religions like Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism. He also explains how some religions like Jainism and Buddhism are Nastik religions owing to the fact that they reject the doctrine of Vedas. He introduces Charvak, another nastik school of thought. Devdutt also explains commonly used terms like Religion and Spirituality against the backdrop of Theism and Atheism.

Surya Vansh and Chandra Vansh refer to the two most illustrious mythological dynasties of ancient India. In this episode, Devdutt Pattanaik describes the famous and the infamous kings of these dynasties. Manu was the progenitor of mankind, who had two children Ikshvaku and Ila. Devdutt narrates interesting stories about Harishchandra, Aja, Rama, Dasharath reiterating some of the Surya Vansh39s strongest traits honesty, integrity and fearlessness. The Pandavas, Kauravas and the Yadavas to which some illustrious characters from the Mahabharat belong, are Chandra Vanshis. Devdutt shows us the different characteristics of the two vanshas through stories.

A Sanskrit word for inner soul or self, Aatma is the first principle in Hindu philosophy, especially in the Vedanta school of Hindusim. In this episode, Devdutt Pattanaik tells us how the concept of Aatma developed since the Vedas. He briefly narrates the different Hindu schools of thought and describes a major point of difference between Hinduism and Buddhism Hinduism believes that there is Aatma in every being where as Buddhism does not believe in either soul or self. He also talks about how Aatma is perceived in Jainism, Christianity and Islam.

The first episode of the new season of Devlok with Devdutt Pattnaik explores the ancient Indian tradition of Yoga. Devdutt elaborates on its types, the concept of tantra, mantra and yantra while demonstrating how deep rooted yoga and its philosophies are in the Indian ethos.

Fathers play a pivotal role in Hindu mythology and have a deep significance transcending family values. Devdutt Pattanaik introduces Vedic Gods as fathers and explains the sophisticated concept of fatherhood according to Puranas. Brahma, who is credited as the Creator, is also known as the Father and the Grandfather of all living beings. Devdutt also elaborates on the importance of bearing children and the stature of a son and a daughter in ones family.

Our ancient texts abound with stories of kings and kingship, some courageous, some cowardly, some just and some unjust. This episode of Devlok with Devdutt Pattanaik shines the spotlight on Ram Rajya and why it is deemed most successful. He also elaborates the stark difference between Ram and Ravana as rulers and their ideologies on how Ravana only ambitioned to be the King, while Ram desired the onus of a King. Know about Lord Krishna as a guardian and the symbols of kingship including lion throne, gold royal footwear, stool, chhatri and chakra.

There is more about the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Khajuraho Temples than meets the eye. In this episode of Devlok with Devdutt Pattanaik Season 3, the mythologist speaks of a culture and its scriptures that celebrate love and their association with Indian temples in general and Khajuraho in particular. He elaborates on the temples architecture and the relevance of sexual desires that have emerged from chronicles, epics and lore.

The names RadhaKrishna are always spoken in the same breath, yet their relationship is unlike any other mentioned in Hindu mythology. While we are enchanted by their immortal love story, most might not completely understand the essence of their divine love. Several questions still arise about their relationship. How did Lord Krishna and the mortal Radha get together Why didnt they get married Why is Radha a prominent link for Lord Krishnas devotion In the fifth episode of Devlok with Devdutt Pattanaik Season 3, the adept mythologist shares a point of view on these questions and elaborates on the various beliefs, schools of thought and evidences from the Hindu Puranas.

Have you ever wondered how and why popular Indian cities like Mumbai and Calcutta got their names Yes, the names have an ancestral history linked to them, which has dwindled over the centuries and almost been forgotten. In the sixth episode of Devlok with Devdutt Pattanaik Season 3, the mythologist rekindles the relevance of Grama Devis, the goddess of fertility and Gram Devtas, the protector Gods.