Ten days online lecture series on Sanskrit Drama.
With a view to providing a firsthand exposure of Dramatic literature in Sanskrit and an in-depth understanding of its aesthetic, literary, and theatrical quality, we have organized 10 days online lecture series.
It will give us a glimpse into the literary history of more than two millennia through the exploration of dramas such as: 1. Svapnavāsavadattaṃ 2. Abhijñānaśākuntalaṃ 3. Mṛcchkaṭikaṃ 4. Mudrārākṣasaṃ 5. Kundamālā
6. Uttararāmacaritam 7. Anargharāghavam 8. The four plays of Caturbhāṇī 9. Bhagavadajjukīyaṃ 10. Mattavilāsa 11. Prabuddharauhiṇeya and 12. Mallikāmakaranda
The series commences on August 24th, and 10 consecutive sessions will be broadcast live from our Facebook page - The-Bhandarkar-Oriental-Research-Institute at 7 PM every day. #Sanskrit#Drama
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The Gandiva of Arjuna - A long thread on the divine bow of the Mahabharata
Gandiva was created by Brahma in ancient times. It was named Gandiva because it was made from the skin or backbone of a rhinoceros — a material symbolizing endurance and resilience.
From Brahma, it passed successively through the hands of Prajapati, Indra, Soma, and Varuna, before finally reaching Arjuna.
Heavenly, miraculous, and indestructible, it stood apart from every other bow that ever existed.
As radiant as the sun, Gandiva gleamed with gold and shimmered in many hues.
Though resplendent and ornate, it was smooth, massive, and effortless to draw in the hands of the chosen warrior.
Its power equalled that of a hundred thousand bows. Unassailable by any weapon, it had destroyed Daityas, Pishachas, and countless enemies across ages.
When drawn, its thunderous twang was compared to lightning, blazing fire, and Indra’s own vajra.
Among the countless weapons that thundered on the plains of Kurukshetra, few matched the sheer force and fear of Bhīma’s mace.
Forged in iron, bound in gold, and charged with divine power, it was a weapon that embodied destruction, justice, and strength.
Every swing of this colossal mace was said to shake the very ground — a symbol of Bhīma’s unmatched might.
The story of this mace begins at the sacred Bindu Lake.
Once wielded by King Yauvanāśva, the weapon was hidden in the lake after his death.
It was later discovered by Mayāsura, the celestial architect, who declared it to be “equal to a hundred thousand maces.”
Recognizing Bhīma’s strength and destiny, Mayā gifted it to him — just as Gāṇḍīva was given to Arjuna.
From that moment, the mace became Bhīma’s ultimate companion in battle.
Mentioned in the Mahabharata, Gokarna is not just a coastal town—it’s a sacred tirtha where gods, demons, sages, and stories converge.
The Mahabharata places Gokarna in southern India, on the western coast. Some verses even describe it as “in the middle of the ocean”—a threshold between land and sea, matter and spirit.
Gokarna is the cherished abode of Shoolapani (Shiva). Here, Devas, Yakshas, Pishachas, Nagas, and sacred rivers gather—not in fear or chaos, but in devotion to Umapati, the Lord of Uma.
How India Came to Be: An Epic Story of Geography, Culture, Trade, and Politics
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A Thread of threads that binds together 120 Million Years of History
1. Geography and civilisation are perhaps the two most significant factors that make a nation. The interaction of these two weaves the history of a nation and continues to shape its future.
India, that is, Bharat, is one of the most richly diverse nations on the planet on both counts. From diverse ecologies, terrains, and natural frontiers to a living civilisational and cultural tradition that is thousands of years old, India is a story of epic proportions.
In this thread of threads, we aim to tell a story of how geography shaped India’s frontiers, its civilisation and how our homeland became what it is.
This compilation offers a mere glimpse but a cohesive and logical one.
2. If we look at India from space, we will see a gifted geography.
The grand Himalayas shield us in the North, and in the Northeast, we have an equally daunting Patkai mountain range. Then, sitting at the head of the Indian Ocean, the Indian peninsula has the Arabian Sea on the West and the Bay of Bengal on the East. That leaves one border with open access, the Northwest. A factor that has been a conduit of progress and peril for aeons.
These frontiers of India come with their own storied history.
A Complete List of Available Courses on @Bharatvidya_in
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A Descriptive Thread
1. 18 Parvans of Mahabharata -
Based on the iconic "Critical Edition of Mahabharata", This course provides an in-depth look at the Mahabharata by detailing its 18 parvans, emphasizing key stories and insights.
Designed for those with basic Mahabharata knowledge, it aims to deepen understanding of the epic's text, philosophical concepts, character psychology, and societal frameworks.
2. "Ayurveda - A Science for Daily Life" -
The "Ayurveda - The Science of a Healthy Life" course, led by Dr. Yogesh Bendale, is an expansive guide to Ayurvedic principles, covering the Tridoshas, body tissues, digestion, and the mental aspects of health.
It delves into dietary guidelines, clinical examination, treatment methods, and detoxification, aiming to apply ancient Ayurvedic wisdom to modern lifestyle needs for holistic health.
The course consists of 23 lectures, offering a deep understanding of Ayurveda for improving daily life and wellness.