Join Mukunda as he speaks to Professor Raj Balkaran, Oxford Centre of Hindu Studies. He is a scholar of the Puranas and Narratives and the author of The Goddess and the King in Indian Myth. He is also the host of an amazing podcast called New Books in Indian Religions. In this episode, we discuss a host of topics including:

00:01:10 Introduction to Professor Balkaran and his background, unique journey into Hinduism and academia
00:20:00 The experience of being Hindu and Brown in the West
00:23:30 The difficultly of defining and teaching Hinduism, A profound diversity and ecosystem
00:34:30 The tapestry of the Shastras, in particular the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, and the nature of violence
00:45:50 The paradox of Dharma, the Dharmic double helix
00:55:40 Narrative and Framing of Shastras, particularly the Puranas
01:00:30 Prof. Balkaran’s spiritual journey
01:12:30 Academia and the Shastras
01:19:00 Discussion on the Devi Mahatmya and the ring narrative
01:30:10 What is Markendaya’s role in the Puranas and Privritti and Nivritti Dharma
01:31:35 The importance of the Azhwars and how the pasurams become the Divya Prabandam
01:41:40 What role do the King and Merchant have in the Devi Mahatmya
01:48:50 Karma, Vasanas, Moksha and living in the world
01:54:40 Back and forth discussion on Free Will vs Karma
02:10:40 The Narrative power of the Shastras
02:16:10 Prof. Balkaran’s upcoming works and courses along with online education
02:21:00 Prof. Balkaran’s closing thoughts
02:23:10 Why the podcast is called Meru Media