The Dharma Dispatch

An Ancient Greek Artist Engraves Bharata-Mata on a Silver Dish in Lampsacos Read this thrilling story narrating the little-known history of how a Greek artist of the 2nd Century CE had engraved an image of Bharata Mata on a silver dish in Lampsacos, Turkey. It is still displayed in the Istanbul Archeological Museum. https://www.dharmadispatch.in/history/an-ancient-greek-artist-engraves-bharata-mata-on-a-silver-dish-in-lampsacos

Popular Episodes not Found in Maharshi Valmiki's Ramayana Here are some of the most popular episodes associated with the Ramayana, which do not actually appear in Maharshi Valmiki's original Ramayana at all. This list contains eight such episodes such as Ahalya turning into a stone, Sita-Swayamvara, Lakshmana Rekha, Sabari offering bitten fruits to Rama & Lakshmana, etc. Do read the whole essay. 🕉🛕🪔 https://www.dharmadispatch.in/culture/popular-episodes-not-found-in-maharshi-valmikis-ramayana

The Poisonous Harvest of England’s India Raj Read this truly brilliant essay of Acharya Jadunath Sarkar, filled with great insights about the downfall of British rule in India. Here's an excerpt: "Lord Curzon had sucked Maharajah Sir Madho Singh of Jaipur of several lakhs for his pet scheme, the Victoria Memorial, in Calcutta. And yet he, as a cabinet minister after he returned to England, wrote a personal letter to Sir Madho Singh by name, asking For another donation, when the Maharaja had been dead for two years!" Some of the details are truly disturbing and do not bode well for our future. But let me not spoil the suspense. Do read it in full! 😡📑🪔 https://www.dharmadispatch.in/commentary/the-poisonous-harvest-of-englands-india-raj

Sita-Parityaga – A Profound Analysis Arjun Bharadwaj provides a rather profound and objective analysis of the much-debated episode of Sita Devi's abandonment by Sri Rama. Here is an excerpt. This episode shows how the world never fully trusts the moral uprightness of its ruler and the kind of circumstances an emperor is pushed into to gain the trust of his people. It is evident that neither Sītā nor Rāma was happy being away from each other, but they accepted the harsh, but inevitable reality. We don’t see Sītā ever complaining about Rāma’s deed. -- It's a truly illuminating read! Do share widely. 🕉🛕🪔 Sri Rama Jayam https://www.dharmadispatch.in/culture/sita-parityaga-a-profound-analysis

A Wedding that was Finalised in a Pot of Boiling Ghee Read this rather delightful story contained in an inscription dated 1580 CE which narrates how a potter's wedding was finalised in a pot of boiling ghee. The notable element in this episode is the method of Hindu jurisprudence followed in that period. The system of employing Divyas — or ordeals — to decide legal disputes dates back almost to the dawn of the Hindu civilisation. But let me not spoil the suspense. Do read the whole story! 😀🛕🕉🪔 https://www.dharmadispatch.in/culture/a-wedding-that-was-finalised-in-a-pot-of-boiling-ghee

[PREMIERE] Communism, Kothas and Woke Culture: The Anti-National History of Bollywood. The latest episode of The Dharma Podcast is now LIVE! Do watch! https://youtu.be/_AgNoqj-wc8?si=vFjsRcqI3njn6tnK

Vina Sambayya: The Musician who Reserved his Music for Shiva --- Unlike the pathetic "Carnatic classical musicians" of today who will sell their sacred art for an award or money from the Mlecchas, we have this extraordinary stalwart who gave up royal patronage and dedicated his music for Samba or Shiva. Read and weep. Or take a lesson from the profound conviction of such great artists. 🙏🕉🛕🪔 https://www.dharmadispatch.in/culture/vina-sambayya-the-musician-who-reserved-his-music-for-shiva/

The Kumbha-mela – Savouring Immortality This is one of the best essays that explains the philsophical, spiritual and social dimensions of the Kumbha Mela. Must read! 🛕🕉🪔 https://www.dharmadispatch.in/culture/the-kumbha-mela-savouring-immortality

3500 finely-crafted words. My heartfelt tribute to the iconic D.V. Gundappa or DVG, the Vanasuma or the Forest-Flower who Taught us the Yoga of Life. On his 138th birthday. -- Do read 🙏📑🛕🪔 https://www.dharmadispatch.in/culture/commemorating-rishi-dvg-the-forest-flower-whose-fragrance-teaches-us-the-dharma-and-yoga-of-life