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Drama

All Episodes of Upanishad Ganga

Browse all episodes of Upanishad Ganga

All Episodes of Upanishad Ganga

Short stories exploring today's concepts in ancient Indian contexts.
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Season 1

  • The Journey: Introduction to Upanishads
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    The Journey: Introduction to Upanishads

    Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 3/11/2012

    A student reaches Benares to learn Sanskrit texts. The teacher says that this is a journey to know oneself, and truth and happiness. His son holds them irrelevant, but directs a Romeo-Juliet play in the style of the ancient poet, Kalidas.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Think - Who Am I, Ask - Story from Mahabharat
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    Think - Who Am I, Ask - Story from Mahabharat

    Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 3/25/2012

    We are asked to consider if we know who we are, the purpose of our lives, why do we often rebel and who within ourselves wants to express itself. In a play Sri Krishna extols that the entire cosmos is He, the one Atman; we are all one.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Knowledge Transforms
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    Knowledge Transforms

    Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 4/1/2012

    A discerning mind and true wisdom transform a person. Dacoit Ratnakar accosts sage Narada in a lonely forest. Prodded by Narada, he realizes that his family disapproves of his actions. Reformed, he becomes Valmiki, who wrote the Ramayana.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Universal Welfare
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    Universal Welfare

    Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 4/8/2012

    A scripture centered debate between Ashtavakra and Acharya Bandi tells us that violence cannot win over anyone. Incomplete knowledge of our Oneness is why we consider ourselves of this ephemeral world, with its notions of beauty and form.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Veda-The source of Dharma - 1
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    Veda-The source of Dharma - 1

    Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 4/15/2012

    Mughal Dara Shikoh's intense interest in the Hindu scriptures takes him to Kashi. He learns that the Vedas were not composed by humans. India is a holy land where self inquiry and reflection is ingrained, although many invaders ruled it.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Veda-The source of Dharma - 2
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    Veda-The source of Dharma - 2

    Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 4/22/2012

    Dara Shikoh learns the meaning and structure of the Vedas and translates them and related scriptures to Farsi. These are then rendered in French and German. All this takes them global, and piques the interest of the scholar, Max Mueller.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Vedanga - Story of Bhaskaracharya
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    Vedanga - Story of Bhaskaracharya

    Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 4/22/2012

    Renowned mathematician and astronomer Bhaskaracharya wrote the treatise, Karan Kutuhal. Unable to get his daughter Lilawati married, he wrote the treatise on Vedic maths, Lilawati. Maths is considered crucial to the study of the Vedas.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Upaved - Story Of Kach Devyani
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    Upaved - Story Of Kach Devyani

    Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 4/29/2012

    The asuras defeat the devas due to their sanjeevani vidya (lore to trounce death) So, Kaccha goes to Shukracharya, sage of the asuras, to learn this sanjeevani vidya. The four upvedas each are supplementary to the four main vedas.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • The Human Goal: Dharma - Story of Raja Harishchandra
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    The Human Goal: Dharma - Story of Raja Harishchandra

    Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 5/6/2012

    Raja Harishchandra lived according to the rules of dharma, with steadfast effort and never reneging on his words. Once, he mistakenly disturbs Sage Vishwamitra's meditation and has to sell his wife, son and himself to pay the sage's fine.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • The Human Goal: Artha - Story of Chanakya & Chandragupta
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    The Human Goal: Artha - Story of Chanakya & Chandragupta

    Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 5/13/2012

    Vishnugupta (Chanakya) taught Chandragupta, the ruler of Magadh, that a king is just like a paid servant. He has vast responsibilities to keep his subjects happy. And, for that, dharmic economic principles of governing should be employed.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • The Human Goal: Kama - Story of Samrat Bhartrihari
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    The Human Goal: Kama - Story of Samrat Bhartrihari

    Season 1 Episode 11 - Aired 5/20/2012

    The Lord of Desire (Kama devta) is key to all beings. Dharma should rule Desire. King Bhartrihari bestowed a fruit blessed with sexual prowess to his wife. After travelling to four persons, it came back through his clueless, other wife.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • The Human Goal: Moksha - Story of Kotikarna
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    The Human Goal: Moksha - Story of Kotikarna

    Season 1 Episode 12 - Aired 5/27/2012

    Attaining moksha (enlightenment) should be the ultimate aspiration and effort for all. Kotikarna had untold wealth, and was highly egotistic. He sets out to attain moksha, realizing that money cannot buy it. Thief Satyawadi follows him.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Brahmacharya Ashram: Student Life - Story of Satyakama
    N/A/100 votes

    Brahmacharya Ashram: Student Life - Story of Satyakama

    Season 1 Episode 13 - Aired 6/3/2012

    Living in and seeking the truth is enough for a student to be taught by a guru. Young Satyakam, of lower caste, wanted to study. The gurus did not accept him due to his low caste. But, Rishi Gautam agreed because he had spoken the truth.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Gruhasta Ashram: Married Life - Story of Mahakavi Magha
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    Gruhasta Ashram: Married Life - Story of Mahakavi Magha

    Season 1 Episode 14 - Aired 6/10/2012

    After his education as a Brahmacharya (student), a person becomes a Gruhasta (householder). Here he lives according to dharmic principles, helping others as much as possible and not harming anyone. The story of poet Magha illustrates this.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Vanprasth Ashram: Retired Life - Story Of Bheem, Dhritarashtra & Bimbisar, Ajatshatru
    N/A/100 votes

    Vanprasth Ashram: Retired Life - Story Of Bheem, Dhritarashtra & Bimbisar, Ajatshatru

    Season 1 Episode 15 - Aired 6/17/2012

    As you grow old, vanaprashta ashram (retired life) should follow gruhasta ashram (householder life). Sorrow results if it is postponed or ignored. Old Dhritrastra and King Bimbisara clung to their lives of worldly desire, and suffered.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Sanyasa Ashram: Renunciation: 1 - Story of Vidyaranya
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    Sanyasa Ashram: Renunciation: 1 - Story of Vidyaranya

    Season 1 Episode 16 - Aired 6/24/2012

    In the last phase of sanyasa (renunciation), detachment is practiced and moksha (enlightenment) is sought. Having lost his family, Vidyaranya became a monk at the Shringeri Sharda Peetam and lead a revolt against the anti-Hindu Mughals.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Renunciation 2 - Yajnavalkya & Maitreyi
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    Renunciation 2 - Yajnavalkya & Maitreyi

    Season 1 Episode 17 - Aired 7/1/2012

    Unable to answer a question in a contest, Vidagdha commits suicide. Acharya Yajnavalkya realizes that the real victory is to know oneself. Renunciation means no desire for people, things and ourselves. The soul is essentially joyous.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Varna - The Universal Characterisation
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    Varna - The Universal Characterisation

    Season 1 Episode 18 - Aired 7/8/2012

    Magadh's brahmins opposed appointing low caste Chandragupta as their ruler. Chanakya (Vishnugupta) argued that caste is not based on birth. It is based on occupation, effort and present karma. He cited many well known examples in defense.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Shodasha Samskara - The 16 Milestones of Life - 1
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    Shodasha Samskara - The 16 Milestones of Life - 1

    Season 1 Episode 19 - Aired 7/15/2012

    There are 16 milestones (Shodasha Samskaras) in a life's journey from the womb till death. Surdas explains the first 8 of these. These are garbhadana, pumsavana, seemantonayana, jatakarma, namakarna, nishkarma, annaprashana and chudakarma.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Shodasha Samskara - The 16 Milestones of Life - 2
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    Shodasha Samskara - The 16 Milestones of Life - 2

    Season 1 Episode 20 - Aired 7/22/2012

    Blind Surdas recounts that, as a child, he was neglected. Even a group of travelling singers left him behind. Vallabhacharya stops by to hear young Surdas sing. Emperor Akbar and Tansen visit him. He explains the upnayana step to Kanhai.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Shodasha Samskara - The 16 Milestones of Life -3
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    Shodasha Samskara - The 16 Milestones of Life -3

    Season 1 Episode 21 - Aired 7/29/2012

    Vallabhacharya initiates Surdas to vedic knowledge. Surdas explains the remaining milestones to Kanhai. Emperor Akbar is beset by fakes when he decides to compile Surdas' songs and get them translated to Farsi. Birbal solves this problem.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Theory Of Karma & Rebirth: Chitraketu
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    Theory Of Karma & Rebirth: Chitraketu

    Season 1 Episode 22 - Aired 8/5/2012

    Chitraketu experiences the joy and tragedy of a new born son. The son's soul has seen countless rebirths, with countless parents. Unfulfilled desires cause rebirth. Past karma rules our present and present karma dictates our rebirths.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Glory of Human Birth - Tulsidas
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    Glory of Human Birth - Tulsidas

    Season 1 Episode 23 - Aired 8/12/2012

    Orphan Tulsidas sang stories of Lord Rama to earn a living. His wife rebuked him for not loving Rama enough. So, he left home, plunged into the lore of Rama and re-wrote the original Sanskrit language Ramayana of Valmiki in Awadhi.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Adhikari - The Seeker of Knowledge
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    Adhikari - The Seeker of Knowledge

    Season 1 Episode 24 - Aired 8/19/2012

    Nachiketa, son of Vajashravas, meets Lord Yama, the God of Death. Granted 3 boons by Yama, Nachiketa desires to know what is Death, what comes after and what is not impermanent. Yama replies that only the soul (Atman) is indestructible.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Guru - Avadhuta Dattatreya
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    Guru - Avadhuta Dattatreya

    Season 1 Episode 25 - Aired 8/26/2012

    Courtesan Pingala is distraught when a patron does not come. She and Sthulibhadra realize the futility of things impermanent. Yadu, alienated from his princely life, meets Avadhut in his wanderings. Avadhut describes his 24 gurus to Yadu.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Guru Upasadan - Seeking the Guru - Indra & Virochana
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    Guru Upasadan - Seeking the Guru - Indra & Virochana

    Season 1 Episode 26 - Aired 9/2/2012

    The Asuras and the Gods constantly fought. They send one person each to Acharya Prajapati to learn about the secret of existence. Prajapati taught that the Atman is non-material, eternal and in every being. So, we should share everything.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • The Quest - Yaksha Prashna
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    The Quest - Yaksha Prashna

    Season 1 Episode 27 - Aired 9/16/2012

    The five thirsty Pandavas cannot drink water until the Yaksha's questions are answered. The four younger brothers refuse to answer, drink water and die. Yudhisthira first answers these eternal questions. All questions lead to knowledge.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Anatman - Not The Self - Abhimanyu & Savitri
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    Anatman - Not The Self - Abhimanyu & Savitri

    Season 1 Episode 28 - Aired 9/23/2012

    When Abhimanyu is slain in war, Krishna explains that the soul never dies. Savitri pursues her dead husband being taken away by Yamaraja. He grants her many boons but she wants 100 sons. Yamaraja is forced to give her dead husband back.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Atman - The True Self - Arunagirinathar
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    Atman - The True Self - Arunagirinathar

    Season 1 Episode 29 - Aired 9/30/2012

    Arunagiri was a dissolute and became a pauper. His sister berated him and offered herself to him, if he so craved sensual pleasures. Awakened, Arunagiri became a renunciate and seeker. He realized that only the atman is permanent.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • The Existence Principle - Yagyavalkya & Gargi
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    The Existence Principle - Yagyavalkya & Gargi

    Season 1 Episode 30 - Aired 10/7/2012

    King Janak organized a Brahma Sabha (assembly). Yagyavalkya remained undefeated in its Q and A session. He expounded on the all-pervading Brahma when Gargi had 2 questions. He later composed 3 texts used extensively in historical India.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Consciousness: The Life Principle - Balaki, Ajatshatru & Devs
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    Consciousness: The Life Principle - Balaki, Ajatshatru & Devs

    Season 1 Episode 31 - Aired 10/14/2012

    King Ajatshatru renounces his throne in favor of Balaki when the latter wants to learn from him. Indra, Agni and Vayu learn that they are not the real victors. The omniscient force, Brahma, is the origin of everything in the universe.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • The Bliss - Happy Man's Shirt
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    The Bliss - Happy Man's Shirt

    Season 1 Episode 32 - Aired 10/21/2012

    A king is chronically unhappy. He is told to wear a happy man's shirt. They locate Bhura, a happy, shirtless bullock cart owner. Bhura says that we are atman, and it is essentially blissful. We are unhappy when we seek happiness outside.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Bondage - Camel's Rope
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    Bondage - Camel's Rope

    Season 1 Episode 33 - Aired 10/28/2012

    Dulabhagat explains that a camel is habituated to being tethered, even if it is imaginary. We are slaves to our desires. The mind is shackled to the physical world. However, we are truly unchanging and transcend this physical universe.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • The Self And The Not Self: Jada Bharat
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    The Self And The Not Self: Jada Bharat

    Season 1 Episode 34 - Aired 11/4/2012

    Jada Bharata explains that we are not our bodies or our possessions. We are atman which is unchanging and omnipresent. It is the same atman which dwells in all beings and things. So, we are no different from all else in the universe.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • God - The Three Questions
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    God - The Three Questions

    Season 1 Episode 35 - Aired 11/11/2012

    An unbelieving prince wants to know what is God, where is He and what is the proof of His existence. A lady explains that God is invisible, like the cream in milk. He is the cause of everything. He permeates, like the light of a candle.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Maya: The Power Of Bhagwan - Narad & Krishna
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    Maya: The Power Of Bhagwan - Narad & Krishna

    Season 1 Episode 36 - Aired 11/18/2012

    Sage Narada asks Lord Krishna to explain what is Maya, Illusion. Krishna explains that Maya is inexpressible. Only that which was true earlier, is true today and will be true tomorrow, is not Maya. All else is impermanent and changing.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • God's Incarnations: Ved Vyas
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    God's Incarnations: Ved Vyas

    Season 1 Episode 37 - Aired 11/25/2012

    Students felt discouraged since studying the Vedas was arduous. Veda Vyasa simplified matters by dividing the Vedas into 4 parts. He divided the Puranas into 18 main (maha) and 18 secondary (upa) Puranas. He also wrote the Mahabharata.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Devta: The Cosmic Deities
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    Devta: The Cosmic Deities

    Season 1 Episode 38 - Aired 12/2/2012

    The essence of the entire universe is Brahma. Therefore, Brahma, God, is everywhere. Its various functions, like birth, growth, destruction are manifest as devatas, individual divinities.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • OM - The Sacred Symbol - Price of the Gem
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    OM - The Sacred Symbol - Price of the Gem

    Season 1 Episode 39 - Aired 12/9/2012

    No description available

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • The Creation - Varah Mihir
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    The Creation - Varah Mihir

    Season 1 Episode 40 - Aired 12/16/2012

    No description available

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • God, Me & The World - Prahalada & Hiranyakashipu
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    God, Me & The World - Prahalada & Hiranyakashipu

    Season 1 Episode 41 - Aired 12/23/2012

    No description available

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • The Three Realities - Janaka & Ashtavakra
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    The Three Realities - Janaka & Ashtavakra

    Season 1 Episode 42 - Aired 1/6/2013

    No description available

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Three Personality Traits - Meerabai
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    Three Personality Traits - Meerabai

    Season 1 Episode 43 - Aired 1/13/2013

    No description available

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Inborn Traits
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    Inborn Traits

    Season 1 Episode 44 - Aired 1/20/2013

    No description available

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Preparatory Spiritual Practices - Bahirang Sadhana
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    Preparatory Spiritual Practices - Bahirang Sadhana

    Season 1 Episode 45 - Aired 2/3/2013

    No description available

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Advanced Spiritual Practices - Antarang Sadhana
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    Advanced Spiritual Practices - Antarang Sadhana

    Season 1 Episode 46 - Aired 2/10/2013

    No description available

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • The Yoga of Action - Karma Yog
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    The Yoga of Action - Karma Yog

    Season 1 Episode 47 - Aired 2/17/2013

    No description available

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • The Yoga of Devotion - Bhakti Yog
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    The Yoga of Devotion - Bhakti Yog

    Season 1 Episode 48 - Aired 2/24/2013

    No description available

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • The Yoga of Knowledge - Gyan Yog
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    The Yoga of Knowledge - Gyan Yog

    Season 1 Episode 49 - Aired 3/3/2013

    No description available

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • The Ultimate Teaching - Mahavakya
    N/A/100 votes

    The Ultimate Teaching - Mahavakya

    Season 1 Episode 50 - Aired 3/10/2013

    No description available

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Liberation-Mukti
    N/A/100 votes

    Liberation-Mukti

    Season 1 Episode 51 - Aired 3/17/2013

    No description available

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Gratitude
    N/A/100 votes

    Gratitude

    Season 1 Episode 52 - Aired 3/24/2013

    No description available

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown