The Mahabharata is one of the central works of Indian literature—its characters, lessons, and tropes are widely known and referenced in Indian popular culture, literary discussions and political debate.
And like all classic works, it’s ripe for reinterpretations, deconstructions and adaptations.
One such reinterpretation is Song of Draupadi (Aleph Book Compa ... Show More
Nov 5
Vākyamālā: A Garland of Words in Honour of John D. Smith with Wendy J. Phillips Rodríguez (Cardiff UP, 2026)
A multimedia collection dedicated to John D. Smith on the occasion of his eightieth birthday, edited by Wendy J. Phillips Rodríguez and Simon Brodbeck.Open Access here Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of pe ... Show More
40m 29s
Oct 29
In Pursuit of the Inconceivable: An Investigation of Metaphysics and Mysticism with Peter G. Jones (Essentia Books, 2025)
In Pursuit of the Inconceivable: An Investigation of Metaphysics and Mysticism (Essentia Books, 2025) is a compelling exploration of fundamental questions about existence, reality, and the meaning of life that challenges the traditional scepticism of Western thought. It presents ... Show More
1h 8m
Oct 25
Palimpsests Past and Present: The Sufis and Sultans of the Maklī Necropolis, 1380–1660 with Fatima Quraishi (UNC Press, 2026)
Established in the late fourteenth century in what is now Sindh Province, Pakistan, the Maklī necropolis grew over three centuries to a site of more than seventy monumental tombs and mosques, and hundreds, if not thousands, of graves. Maklī’s distinctive architecture sheds light ... Show More
1h 15m
Sep 2024
Kavita Kane on Writing Hidden Voices of Mythological Women: Sita's Sister Urmila & Karna's Wife Urvi
In this episode of Cyrus Says, bestselling author Kavita Kané joins Cyrus to discuss her revolutionary approach to Indian mythology, where she highlights the lesser-known women who played pivotal roles. With eight bestselling novels, including Karna’s Wife (2013), Sita’s Sister ( ... Show More
56m 35s
Dec 2018
Episode 204: The Bhagavad Gita's Hindu Theology (Part One)
On the classic Hindu text (ca. the 3rd century B.C.E.), part of the Indian Epic poem Mahabharata, attributed to Vyasa, using Keya Maitra's 2018 translation/commentary. What is it to live wisely? What grounds duty? Listen as the supreme God Krishna convinces archer hero Arjuna tha ... Show More
53m 46s
Oct 2021
Wendy Doniger, "Winged Stallions and Wicked Mares: Horses in Indian Myth and History" (U Virginia Press, 2021)
Raj Balkaran speaks with Wendy Doniger about her new book Winged Stallions and Wicked Mares: Horses in Indian Myth and History (University of Virginia Press, 2021), along with her translation of the final four books of the Mahābhārata's Critical Edition translation project, the p ... Show More
1h 3m
Aug 2023
Michael Baltutis, "The Festival of Indra: Innovation, Archaism, and Revival in a South Asian Performance" (SUNY Press, 2023)
Michael Baltutis' book The Festival of Indra: Innovation, Archaism, and Revival in a South Asian Performance (SUNY Press, 2023) details the textual and performative history of an important South Asian festival and its role in the development of classical Hinduism. Drawing on vari ... Show More
48m 23s
Sep 2022
139: The Way of the Goddess
<p>This week I'm chatting with Ananta Ripa Ajmera after reading her amazing book, The Way of the Goddess. In it, she takes us through each chakra and a goddess that represents the aspects of the energy center. She shares the mythology of various goddesses, and how the lessons app ... Show More
42m 57s
Sep 2014
Mahabharata Episode 9: Draupadi’s Swayamvara
Arjuna attempts to hit the target while Krishna, Draupadi and Drupada watch.Listen to another episode of the stories of Mahabharata. In this episode, we go to the city of Kampilya in Panchala, where the Pandavas attend the Swayavara of Draupadi, King Drupada's daughter. There, Ar ... Show More
20m 1s