Episode 7 of the conversations between Yogita Pant and Anil Chawla discusses the events after Gangaaputr Bheeshm kidnapped three daughters of King of Kaashi and brought them to Hastinapur for King Vichitrveery. As preparations started for marriage of the three girls to Vichitrveery, the eldest daughter Ambaa said that she had already chosen King Shaalv as her husband and her father also knew of it. The matter was put before the learned men who had gathered for the marriage. The learned men...

Episode 6 of the conversations between Yogita Pant and Anil Chawla discusses the events after marriage of Emperor Shantanu and Satyavatee. The couple was blessed with two sons – Chitraangad and Vichitrveery. Shantanu died when the younger son was still a small kid. Chitraangad became king. He was extremely arrogant. One day he was challenged by a gandharv named Chitraangad. The two fought for a long time and King Chitraangad was killed. Even though Vichitrveery was a kid, he was crowned as...

Episode 5 of the conversations between Yogita Pant and Anil Chawla discusses the developments that enabled old Emperor Shantanu to get married to young beautiful Satyavatee. Shantanu was around seventy years old when he saw young and beautiful Satyavatee. Shantanu fell for her and approached her father to ask for her in marriage. Her father, Nishaadraaj, demanded a promise that Satyavatee’s son would become the king after Shantanu. This was a difficult promise for Shantanu since it involved...

Episode 4 of the conversations between Yogita Pant and Anil Chawla starts with some fundamental questions about Ram’s going to forest and mistakes committed by devtaas. Ganga tells King Shantanu about the crime committed by vasu devtas at the ashram of Mahrishi Vasishth. The series of events from the time of Devee Ganga’s departure to return with her thirty-six-year-old son are discussed. King Shantanu crowns Devvrat as yuvraaj (crown prince). (Mahabharat/Aadiparv/Sambhav Parv/Chapters...

Episode 3 of the conversations between Yogita Pant and Anil Chawla describes the events leading to the birth of Devvrat or Gangadutt or Bheeshm. The story starts in heaven with King Mahabhish looking at the body of Devee Ganga. King Mahabhish is cursed to go to earth. He decides to take birth as son of King Prateep. Eight vasus are expelled from heaven. They request Ganga to bear them as her sons. She agrees to kill first seven of her sons as soon as they are born. She tells the vasus that...

Episode 2 of the conversations between Yogita Pant and Anil Chawla describes the series of events leading to the birth of Dwaipayan Krishn who was later called as Ved Vyas. There was a king named Uparichar son of Paurav who was king of Chedidesh. King Uparichar was blessed by Devraaj Indr. Girikaa was the daughter of a mountain named Kolaahal and a river named Shuktimatee. Uparichar had married Girikaa and wanted to mate with her. However, by a strange turn of events the king’s semen fell in...

Episode 1 of the conversations between Yogita Pant and Anil Chawla is the introductory episode of this series. The episode is focussed on understanding the meaning of bharat and mahabharat. The text of Mahabharat is divided into different parvs. A parv usually refers to a festival, but it also means a book or even part of a book. The connection between parv and book is explained in this episode. The episode also explains the nature of the epic Mahabharat and also how it differs from the other...

Episode 111 of the conversations between Yogita Pant and Anil Chawla is the concluding episode of this series. The two discuss arth and kaam. The topics discussed are as follows: (1) Difference between Twentieth Century Economics and Arth Shastr of Ramayan (Ref. Ramayan and Hindu Economics, published 6 March 2011, https://www.samarthbharat.com/files/ramayaneconomics.pdf ) (2) It is said that Raavan’s Lanka was made of gold. Why did Ayodhya never become the same – made of gold? (3) Meaning of...

Episode 110 of the conversations between Yogita Pant and Anil Chawla is a question-answer session on the subject of Ram and Dharm. The questions were sent by viewers and listeners across the world. Some of the topics raised in the questions are as follows: desertion of Seeta by Ram; visiting temples and performing such other religious rituals; benefits of acting as per Dharm; moksh or salvation; casteism in the actions of Ram; protecting the one who has sought protection; non-violence...

राम कही हनुमान से, गया न होवे डोल। प्रिय भरत राजलोभ से, इक बार लो टटोल।।   हनुमन ये शंका लिए, गये भरत के पास। प्रेम भरत का देख के, शंका होई नास।।   सब ओर आनंद भयो, वन से लौटे राम। भरत राज्य दीयो सौंप, ये ना अपनो काम।।   Episode 109 of the conversations between Yogita Pant and Anil Chawla marks the end of the story of Ram. After deciding to spend the night at Muni Bhardwaj, Ram asked Hanuman to visit Ayodhya and inform Bhart about Ram’s victory and planned return to Ayodhya. Ram instructed...

लंकाराज कहिन राम से, का करूँ भेंट नाथ। धन मान उन वानर दो, जिन लड़ा युद्ध तात।।   मुनिवर बोलें राम से, देन चाहूँ इक वर। राघव माँगे फल मधुर, खुश हों सबै वानर।।  Episode 108 of the conversations between Yogita Pant and Anil Chawla describes the events that took place at the time of departure of Ram, Seeta and Lakshman from Lanka for Ayodhya. Everyone had a good night’s sleep. When Ram woke up, he saw Vibheeshan standing with folded hands pointing to the arrangements that had been made...

वानर शव देख राम रोए। सबै देव हाथ जोड़ आए।। मन में का है राघव बोलो। इंद्र कही जो चाहे ले लो।।   वानर रीछ लंगूर जो मरे। जी उठें निरोग होवें खड़े।। चोट अंग-भंग ठीक होएं। देवराज से राघव चाहें।।  Episode 107 of the conversations between Yogita Pant and Anil Chawla starts with Seeta entering the flames of the pyre prepared by Lakshman. There was commotion all around on seeing Seeta enter the flames. All devtas, Brahma (the Creator), Mahadev (Shiv), Yamraaj, and Varun along with all ancestors came...

रीछ वानर शव देखत, सोचत रोवत राम। लाखों पुत्र गवाँय के, कैसे जाऊँ धाम।   राघव से सीता मिली, मन में उठत उमंग। पुत्र शोक भारी भयो, जैसे डसा भुजंग।   भुजंग अर्थात साँप   Episode 106 of the conversations between Yogita Pant and Anil Chawla describes the events after Vibheeshan had been coronated. Hanuman went to meet Seeta and convey the news about Raavan’s defeat and Ram’s victory. Seeta was elated to hear the news and wanted to see Ram. On hearing that Seeta wanted to see him, Ram instructed...

वैर रहयो तब तक, जब तक तन में जान। मरन बाद रावण भयो, राम भाई समान।   Episode 105 of the conversations between Yogita Pant and Anil Chawla describes the events that happened immediately after the death of Raavan. Vibheeshan, who had played an active role in the war, suddenly started crying after seeing his brother Raavan’s dead body. Ram consoled him and asked him to apply his mind to the future course of action. Vibheeshan sought Ram’s permission to carry out the last rites of Raavan. Ram told...

देवराज ने रथ दीयो, महर्षि दीयो ज्ञान। सारथि की राम मानी, हारा रावण जान। Episode 104 of the conversations between Yogita Pant and Anil Chawla describes the last battle of the great war between Ram and Raavan. Raavan had run away to safety after his chariot had been destroyed. When Raavan returned with a new chariot, he started raining arrows on Ram using advantage of height. Devatas who were seeing the war, felt that this was an unequal war since Raavan was on a chariot and Ram was standing...

शरणागत पर आँच न आए। चाहे निज जान चली जाए।। मारक शक्ति लखन ने झेली। और विभीषण जान बचा ली।।   पल भर को राम भावुक भये। फिर सबै भूल काल बन गये।। जान बचा कर राक्षस भागे। उपचार से लखन भी जागे।।   Episode 103 of the conversations between Yogita Pant and Anil Chawla describes the first part of direct battle between Ram and Raavan. After the death of last three generals of Raavan’s army, Raavan decided to fight the war himself and moved forward. Laxman tried to challenge Raavan with his arrows but...

रावण साथ तीन रथी चरे। सुग्रीव अंगद हाथों मरे।। जो थी विश्व विजेता सेना। वा में बचया अब कोई ना।।     Episode 102 of the conversations between Yogita Pant and Anil Chawla describes the war after Ram had massacred the entire army that had come to kill him. Raavan was furious and was also disturbed by the wailing sounds coming from every house of Lanka. Raavan ordered that the three remaining warriors - Mahodar, Mahaapaarshw and Virupaksh – proceed with army to the battlefield. Reserve soldiers...

पुत्र शोक भरमाया ताको। रावण मारन चला सिया को।। पत्नी चारण जय करत चलो। मित्र मंत्रणा से मन बदलो।।   प्रलयकारी रूप राम धरो। रुद्र उमापति सा काम करो।। गज रथ अश्व सब भू पर गिरे। लाखों निशाचर पल में मरे।।     Episode 101 of the conversations between Yogita Pant and Anil Chawla describes the events that followed death of Indrajit (Meghnaad) on the battlefield. Lakshman was injured badly. After returning to the camp, Lakshman was cured by Sushen, father-in-law of Sugreev. Raavan was struck by...

इन्द्र को था उसने हराया। कोई ना उसे हरा पाया।। वाके चाचा राह दिखायो। तो लक्ष्मण सर काट गिरायो।।  Episode 100 of the conversations between Yogita Pant and Anil Chawla describes the battle that led to killing of Meghnaad (also known as Indrajit). Vibheeshan took Lakshman, Hanuman, Jambwaan and others of Vaanar Sena to the temple of Nikumbhila Devi where Indrajit was doing a ceremony with his army standing in guard. Ferocious fighting started between the two armies with Hanuman leading the...

कुटिल निशाचर छिप कर लड़ता। क्योंकि था वो राम से डरता।। झूठी सीता काट दिखाई। चाल यह उसकी चल न पाई।। Episode 99 of the conversations between Yogita Pant and Anil Chawla describes the strange turn of events that took place after Indrajit, son of Raavan, returned to the battlefield. Indrajit used the technique of illusion to create a woman who looked exactly like Seeta. This illusory Seeta was sitting on his chariot. Indrajit came out from Lanka using a gate that was far away from the place...

सुग्रीव के हाथों कुम्भ मरो। पवनपुत्र निकुम्भ को मारो।। खर का पूत भी मारो गयो। मेघनाद डर के भाग गयो।।   Episode 98 of the conversations between Yogita Pant and Anil Chawla describes the battles after killing of Kumbh, son of Kumbhkarn. Nikumbh, Kumbh’s brother was infuriated seeing his brother being killed. Nikumbh moved forward with a deadly parigh. However, Nikumbh was no match for Veer Hanuman’s strength. Hanuman used his hands to pull Nikumbh’s head away from the body. After hearing of the...

धू धू निशाचर नगरी जली। आग चमकी उस रात काली।। भाग उठे राक्षस नर नारी। हुआ संहार उन का भारी।। Episode 97 of the conversations between Yogita Pant and Anil Chawla describes the events that happened after Vaanar Sena as well as Ram and Lakshman became healthy with the help of medicines brought by Hanuman. Vaanar Sena warriors including King Sugreev were angry. Sugreev ordered his warriors to enter Lanka and burn down all that they could. At night, Vaanar warriors took burning torches with them...

राम लखन सेना ढेर भयी। बचन की आशा धूमिल हुयी।। घायल बूढ़ा राह दिखायो। जा से हनुमन सबन बचायो।। Episode 96 of the conversations between Yogita Pant and Anil Chawla describes the most ferocious and dramatic portion of the ongoing war. After the loss of four sons and two step-brothers, Raavan was sad, depressed and full of self-doubt. Raavan’s son, Meghnaad, also called Indrajit, consoled Raavan saying that as long as Indrajit was alive there was no reason for...

शास्त्र शस्त्र अस्त्र ज्ञाता, बली रावण समान। दिव्य रथ कवच वरदान, बचा ना पाए जान।। Episode 95 of the conversations between Yogita Pant and Anil Chawla describes the ongoing long battle when four sons and two step-brothers of Raavan came to fight. Three sons and one step-brother had already been killed by the great warriors of Vaanar army. Raavan’s step-brother Mahaapaarshv stepped forward to avenge the killing of his brother and his nephews. He was faced by Ryshabh. The first blow was...

भाई रावण का मरा, जगा धर्म का भाव। पल भर में भूल खेला, बंधु पुत्र का दाँव॥ Episode 94 of the conversations between Yogita Pant and Anil Chawla describes the events that took place after Raavan’s brother Kumbhkarn died. Raavan was completely devastated. He fell on the ground and started crying. He said that he had all interest in the kingdom and even Seeta. He did not want to live without his brother Kumbhkarn. Trishira, his son, consoled him. Trishira told Raavan about Raavan’s strengths and...