Podcasts about lord vishnu

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Best podcasts about lord vishnu

Latest podcast episodes about lord vishnu

Cosmic Gestures : A Vedic Astrology Podcast
Narasimha Mantra for protection

Cosmic Gestures : A Vedic Astrology Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2025 7:36


Text of the Mantra is:oṃ ugraṃ vīraṃ mahāviṣṇuṃ jvalantaṃ sarvatomukham |nṛsiṃhaṃ bhīṣaṇaṃ bhadraṃ mṛtyumṛtyuṃ namāmyaham ||--------Meaning:I bow to Bhagwan Narashimha ... who is fierce (ugram), heroic (veeram), great Lord Vishnu (maha vishnum), who blazes (jvalantam) with faces in all directions (sarvato mukham). The terrifying yet auspicious (bhishanam bhadram) Narasimha (nrisimham), who is the death of death itself (mrityu mrityum)--------Benefits:Shields from physical, mental, and spiritual dangers; ideal for those facing crises or negativityEnhances courage, dispels fear--------For getting a Vedic Astrology reading from me... you may write to me on my Email.My Email = cosmicbond7@gmail.com

SUSHUMNA SHISHU VANI
Episode 84 – 'Why Lord Vishnu Sleeps and How we Thank Lord Shiva'

SUSHUMNA SHISHU VANI

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2025 8:46


Join us on a journey to learn about Chaturmas, the special four-month time when Lord Vishnu takes a divine rest, and Shravan The holy month dedicated to Lord Shiva. Discover why people pray, fast, meditate and live simply during this season.

INDIA PODCAST
Story of Bhakt DHRUV | Ashish P Mishra

INDIA PODCAST

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2025 30:13


In today's podcast you will hear the first part of the story of the great Hari devotee Dhruva.Bhagat Dhruv, also known as Dhruva, is a revered figure in Hindu scriptures, particularly known for his unwavering devotion to Lord Vishnu. The story of Dhruva, found in the Vishnu Purana and Bhagavata Purana, highlights his journey from neglect to becoming the Pole Star. This amazing story is found in Shrimad Bhagwat. Narad ji preached to Dhruva how to meditate on Lord Vishnu, how to see him in the mind and how the sadhana should be done. After this, when Lord Shri Hari appears, how Dhruva praises him and how pleased Lord Vishnu gives Dhruva such a boon which no one has ever received.

CHINMAYA SHIVAM
Episode 71: Akshay Tritiya Significance & Sadhanas to do

CHINMAYA SHIVAM

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2025 15:09


‘Akshaya' signifies immortality or that which is indestructible. ‘Tritiyaa' is the third lunar day as per the Hindu calendar.We explore the Vedantic Significance of Akshay Tritiya here in this podcast. ● It is believed that all sadhanas like Charity, holy bath in sacred rivers, Havan, Japa, Pooja etc. gives Infinite(Akshay) result and merit(punya).● It is also celebrated as Nara-Narayan Jayanti, Parashuram Jayanti & Hayagriva Jayanti.● Buying gold and silver jewelry is a key tradition of Akshaya Tritiya as Gold & Silver are noble metals and do not oxidize or corrode, indicating Eternity. They also symbolize abundance and good fortune.● In the Mahabharata, the Pandavas in exile were gifted a vessel called Akshay Patra by Lord Surya on the day of Akshaya Tritiya. This Divine Vessel offered inexhaustible supply of food.● The day is also known for the reunion of Lord Krishna and Sudama, who were childhood friends.● The Chota Char Dham (Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri & Yamunotri) open on the Akshaya Tritiyaa after the Winter break.  The deities are brought down from these 4 places after Diwali and again taken back to the temples a few days before Akshaya Tritiyaa.● On this day, devotees offer prayers to Lord Vishnu, Goddess Vaibhav Lakshmi and Lord Krishna by observing a fast and performing puja.● Individuals also donate clothes, ghee, rice, fruits, salt, and vegetables to the needy on this auspicious day.

INDIA PODCAST
The secret of two forms of Shiva in Devi Lok | Devibhagwat katha - Ashish P Mishra

INDIA PODCAST

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2025 56:02


देवी लोक में दो शिव रूप का रहस्य !When Indra is unable to free himself from the sin of killing Dadhichi, Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh take him to the secret Devi Lok. Where everyone is surprised to see one Shiva sitting with the Devi and another Shiva standing with him. You will be able to know this deep secret in this issue and in this issue you will also be able to listen to the mystery and leela of Lord Vishnu's Varaha avatar in Devi Bhagwat Katha.Join Sanatan Sanskriti Podcast to hear more such informative topics. Do subscribe to us. You can also join our YouTube channel, the link of which is: https://www.youtube.com/@sanatansudha#krishnaleela #radha #devibhagwat #storiesofdurga #durgasaptashati #varaha #indra

Krishna's Mercy
Greater Than Or Less Than

Krishna's Mercy

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2025 9:16


“The Supreme Personality of Godhead will appear on the earth very soon along with His supreme powerful potencies, and as long as He remains on the earth planet to execute His mission of annihilating the demons and establishing the devotees, the demigods should also remain there to assist Him.” (Message of Lord Vishnu to Lord Brahma and the demigods, Krishna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vol 1, Ch 1)

Wisdom of the Sages
1562: Where Mystic Power Falls Short

Wisdom of the Sages

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2025 57:59


Despite achieving what many spiritual seekers only dream of— intense renunciation, self control and mystic abilities—some yogi's in the still suffer from fear and emptiness.  In this eye-opening episode, Kaustubha and guest co-host Kishori Gopi explore the downfalls of two great mystic yogis and the deeper message their stories carry: that real transformation lies not in knowledge or austerity, but from the purity of one's heart. Through the stories of Durvāsā, Saubhari, and the unwavering devotion of Ambarīṣa, we uncover how even the most exalted yogic accomplishments are hollow without love, humility, and inner simplicity. Key Highlights: •⁠  ⁠Why mystic power can increase pride—and suffering •⁠  ⁠How Ambarīṣa's humility outshines a yogi's austerity •⁠  ⁠“Simplicity seeks God, purity enjoys Him” — the Thomas à Kempis quote unpacked •⁠  ⁠A Bhāgavatam verse revealing that even Lord Vishnu doesn't enjoy His own opulence without the love of the devotees Tune in to this illuminating episode to understand what truly moves the heart of God—and why it has little to do with how “spiritually accomplished” we appear.

Wisdom of the Sages
1562: Where Mystic Power Falls Short

Wisdom of the Sages

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2025 57:59


Despite achieving what many spiritual seekers only dream of— intense renunciation, self control and mystic abilities—some yogi's in the still suffer from fear and emptiness.  In this eye-opening episode, Kaustubha and guest co-host Kishori Gopi explore the downfalls of two great mystic yogis and the deeper message their stories carry: that real transformation lies not in knowledge or austerity, but from the purity of one's heart. Through the stories of Durvāsā, Saubhari, and the unwavering devotion of Ambarīṣa, we uncover how even the most exalted yogic accomplishments are hollow without love, humility, and inner simplicity. Key Highlights: •⁠  ⁠Why mystic power can increase pride—and suffering •⁠  ⁠How Ambarīṣa's humility outshines a yogi's austerity •⁠  ⁠“Simplicity seeks God, purity enjoys Him” — the Thomas à Kempis quote unpacked •⁠  ⁠A Bhāgavatam verse revealing that even Lord Vishnu doesn't enjoy His own opulence without the love of the devotees Tune in to this illuminating episode to understand what truly moves the heart of God—and why it has little to do with how “spiritually accomplished” we appear.

Malayalam Storybook
Story of Jaya-Vijaya, Gatekeepers of Vishnuloka

Malayalam Storybook

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2025 8:36


Real reason behind Lord Vishnu's avataras

Tamil Short Stories - Under the tree
Temples of India - Thiruneeragam

Tamil Short Stories - Under the tree

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2025 11:24


Thiruneeragam is one of the 108 Divya Desams, the sacred Vishnu temples revered in the hymns of the Alvars. Located within the Ekambareswarar Temple complex in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, this temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, worshipped here as Neeragathan with Goddess Nilamangai Thayar.The temple holds great significance in Vaishnavism, as Thirumangai Alvar has sung its praises in the Divya Prabandham. The name "Thiruneeragam" is derived from "Neer" (water), symbolizing purity and devotion. Though small in structure, the temple's spiritual essence attracts devotees seeking divine blessings and liberation (Moksha).

SUSHUMNA SHISHU VANI
Episode 64 – 'The Story of Lord Balaji'

SUSHUMNA SHISHU VANI

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2025 8:30


Learn how Lord Vishnu, as Srinivasa, came to Tirumala, married Princess Padmavati and revealed his form as Lord Venkateswara, whose temple in Tirumala ( Tirupati) is known as Bhuloka Vaikunta.

INDIA PODCAST
EP 5 / Why did Brahma Ji raise Kartikeya hiding him from Shiv and Parvati? Devi Puran by Ashish P Mishra

INDIA PODCAST

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2025 79:30


इस अंक में हम सुनेंगे कैसे भगवान् शंकर ने देवी पार्वती के समक्षविवाह का प्रस्ताव रखा? देवी पार्वती ने शिव के विवाह प्रस्ताव पर क्या उत्तर दिया ? शिव-पार्वती विवाह के लिए किसने और कौन सामुहूत निश्चित किया? शिव जी के विवाह का निमत्रण देवताओं के पासकौन ले कर गया ? कैसे हर्ष उल्हास से शिव पार्वती का विवाह हुआ? कैसे भगवान् शिव ने ब्रम्हा विष्णु और रति की प्रार्थना पर कामदेव को पुनः जीवित किया? कैसा था भगवान् शिव पार्वती का विवाह के बादका सुख विहार? पृथ्वी गाय का रूप ले कर ब्रम्हा जी के पासक्यों गई ?  कैसे भगवान् कार्तिकेय का अवतरण हुआ और क्योंदेवताओं ने शिव पार्वती से छुपाया कार्तिकेय के साथ उनके सम्बन्ध को ? कैसे भगवान् कार्तिकेय बने देवताओं के सेनापति? भगवान् कार्तिकेय को मयूर वाहन के रूप में किसने प्रदान किया? किन किन देवताओं ने भगवान् कार्तिकेय को दिव्या अस्त्र प्रदान किये? कैसा था भगवान् कार्तिकेय और तारकासुर का भीषण युद्ध?In this episode we will hear How did Lord Shankar propose marriage to Goddess Parvati? What was the reply of Goddess Parvati to Shiva's marriage proposal? Who decided which Muhurta for Shiva-Parvati's marriage? Who took the invitation of Shiva's marriage to the gods? How did Shiva and Parvati get married with great joy? How did Lord Shiva revive Kamadeva on the prayers of Brahma, Vishnu and Rati? How was Lord Shiva and Parvati's happiness after marriage? Why did the Earth take the form of a cow and go to Brahma? How was Lord Kartikeya born and why did the gods hide their relationship with Kartikeya from Shiva and Parvati? How did Lord Kartikeya become the commander of the gods? Who gave Lord Kartikeya the peacock as his vehicle? Which gods gave Lord Kartikeya divine weapons? How was the fierce battle between Lord Kartikeya and Tarakasur?      How did Brahma Ji hand over Kartikeya to Shiv Parvati? Why did Lord Vishnu want to be born as the son of Mother Parvati? How did Mother Parvati fulfill the wish of Lord Vishnu? What is the secret of Ganesha's birth? Why did LordShankar cut off Ganesha's head? To which position did the Gods appoint Ganesha?स्वागत है सनातन संस्कृतिपॉडकास्ट  में, जहां प्राचीन ज्ञान और आधुनिक भक्ति का संगमहोता है। मैं अशीष पी. मिश्रा, आपके साथ प्रस्तुत कर रहा हूं 11 एपिसोड की विशेष श्रृंखला, जो पूरी तरह से देवी भागवतपुराण की दिव्यता को समर्पित है। यह पवित्र ग्रंथ आध्यात्मिक ज्ञान का खजाना है, जो देवी दुर्गा की अनंत महिमा और शक्ति को दर्शाता है।यदि आप माँ दुर्गा के भक्त हैं, नवरात्रि की पवित्रता को मानते हैं,या श्लोकों और मंत्रों की दिव्य ध्वनि से प्रेरणा पाते हैं,तो यह श्रृंखला विशेष रूप से आपके लिए बनाई गई है। महाभागवत देवीपुराण आपको दिव्य माँ से और गहराई से जोड़ने का अवसर प्रदान करेगा।Welcome to Sanatan Sanskriti Podcast, your spiritual sanctuary, where ancient wisdom meetsmodern devotion. I am Ashish P. Mishra, and I am thrilled to present an11-episode series dedicated to the divine glory of Devi Bhagwat Puran.This timeless scripture is a treasure trove of spiritual enlightenment,invoking the sacred presence of Devi Durga and celebrating the eternal power ofShakti.If you are a devotee of Maa Durga, someone who cherishes the essence of Navratri,or a seeker drawn to the rhythmic chants of shloks and mantras,this series is crafted for you. Whether you listen to Bhagwat Katha daily,meditate on divine energies, or simply seek inspiration in Hinduspirituality, Mahabhagwat Devi Puran will deepen yourconnection to the cosmic mother.What is Devi BhagwatPuran?The Devi BhagwatPuran is one of the most revered texts in Hindu scriptures. It is a comprehensive guide to understanding the cosmic energy personified by the Divine Mother, Devi Durga. Through enchanting stories, insightful Kathas,and spiritual philosophies, this scripture unravels the mysteries of creation,preservation, and destruction, all orchestrated by the goddess's infinite energy. It highlights the importance of celebrating Navratri asa pathway to invoke the divine blessings of Maa Durga

Mythlok - The Home of Mythology
The Sudarshana Chakra: Unveiling the Power of Vishnu's Weapon

Mythlok - The Home of Mythology

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2025 8:24


In this episode of Mythlok, we delve into one of the most powerful and iconic weapons in Indian mythology — the Sudarshana Chakra. Known as the "Divine Disc," this radiant weapon, wielded by Lord Vishnu, is not just a tool of destruction but a symbol of cosmic balance and justice. Join us as we explore the origins, powers, and legendary users of the Sudarshana Chakra, from Arjuna in the Mahabharata to Lord Krishna in his divine form. We'll uncover the fascinating folklore, the weapon's importance in Hindu culture, and the deep lessons it offers about righteousness, order, and the wielding of power.Don't miss out on the chance to learn about this celestial weapon's unstoppable might and the incredible stories that surround it. Tune in now to understand how the Sudarshana Chakra shapes the balance of the cosmos and what it teaches us about justice in today's world.Stay Curious, Stay Mythical!

Wisdom of the Sages
1526: The Illusion of Ownership

Wisdom of the Sages

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2025 61:45


The moment we gain a little wealth, power, or beauty, we fall into the illusion of ownership. We think, This is mine. I earned it. I control it. But the reality? Everything we claim as ours is on loan, and the more we cling to it, the more we suffer. In this episode of Wisdom of the Sages, Raghunath and Kaustubha unpack the timeless lesson of Bali Maharaj—the king who had everything, yet willingly gave it all to the Supreme. His story exposes how material opulence blinds us, inflates our ego, and makes us forget our true position. Meanwhile, Lord Vishnu reveals the ultimate mercy: sometimes, losing everything is the only way to gain what truly matters.

Wisdom of the Sages
1526: The Illusion of Ownership

Wisdom of the Sages

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2025 61:45


The moment we gain a little wealth, power, or beauty, we fall into the illusion of ownership. We think, This is mine. I earned it. I control it. But the reality? Everything we claim as ours is on loan, and the more we cling to it, the more we suffer. In this episode of Wisdom of the Sages, Raghunath and Kaustubha unpack the timeless lesson of Bali Maharaj—the king who had everything, yet willingly gave it all to the Supreme. His story exposes how material opulence blinds us, inflates our ego, and makes us forget our true position. Meanwhile, Lord Vishnu reveals the ultimate mercy: sometimes, losing everything is the only way to gain what truly matters.

Wisdom of the Sages
1517: Territorialism & Its Spiritual Solution

Wisdom of the Sages

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2025 56:59


Modern psychology meets ancient wisdom in this thought-provoking episode of Wisdom of the Sages which asks, “Why do we cling to that which was never truly ours?” Join Raghunath and Kaustubha as they dive into intriguing parallels between the Ultimatum Game—a groundbreaking behavioral economics experiment—and the timeless teachings of the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam. Explore how Bali Maharaja's surrender to Lord Vāmanadeva reveals the illusory nature of territorial attachments and provides a new perspective to see a deeper truth: nothing in this world truly belongs to us. ✨ Key Takeaways: •⁠  ⁠What the Ultimatum Game teaches us about fairness, ego, and self-defeating decisions. •⁠  ⁠Bali Maharaja's awe-inspiring vision of Lord Vishnu's universal form. How spiritual wisdom can elevate our thinking and free us from endless conflict. Kaustubha shares about the time he and his wife were turned away at a famous Temple in South India for not being born “Hindu”.

Wisdom of the Sages
1517: Territorialism & Its Spiritual Solution

Wisdom of the Sages

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2025 56:59


Modern psychology meets ancient wisdom in this thought-provoking episode of Wisdom of the Sages which asks, “Why do we cling to that which was never truly ours?” Join Raghunath and Kaustubha as they dive into intriguing parallels between the Ultimatum Game—a groundbreaking behavioral economics experiment—and the timeless teachings of the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam. Explore how Bali Maharaja's surrender to Lord Vāmanadeva reveals the illusory nature of territorial attachments and provides a new perspective to see a deeper truth: nothing in this world truly belongs to us. ✨ Key Takeaways: •⁠  ⁠What the Ultimatum Game teaches us about fairness, ego, and self-defeating decisions. •⁠  ⁠Bali Maharaja's awe-inspiring vision of Lord Vishnu's universal form. How spiritual wisdom can elevate our thinking and free us from endless conflict. Kaustubha shares about the time he and his wife were turned away at a famous Temple in South India for not being born “Hindu”.

Wisdom of the Sages
1495: Finding Your Contribution in Bhakti

Wisdom of the Sages

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2024 53:30


This episode highlights the transformative power of devotional service, the beauty of offering talents in bhakti, and the enduring hope found in spiritual practice. Special guest Jamuna Priti shares her journey as a Krishna-conscious artist, creating murals that inspire devotion worldwide. Hear about how to connect your unique gifts to your spiritual path and cultivate optimism even amidst life's challenges.   Raghunath and Kaustubha explore the inspiring appearance of Lord Vāmana, the dwarf incarnation of Lord Vishnu, from the Srimad Bhagavatam. Discover practical insights into finding meaning through service and fostering a deeper connection to divine wisdom, drawn from the timeless teachings of the Bhagavatam. Plus, hear about the community-building opportunities available through Wisdom of the Sages Sage Groups.   Key Topics: • The spiritual significance of Lord Vāmana's appearance • The importance of offering your talents in service • How spiritual optimism can transform your perspective • Jamuna Priti's Krishna-conscious art and its devotional impact • Sage Groups: Building community through bhakti yoga  

Wisdom of the Sages
1495: Finding Your Contribution in Bhakti

Wisdom of the Sages

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2024 53:30


This episode highlights the transformative power of devotional service, the beauty of offering talents in bhakti, and the enduring hope found in spiritual practice. Special guest Jamuna Priti shares her journey as a Krishna-conscious artist, creating murals that inspire devotion worldwide. Hear about how to connect your unique gifts to your spiritual path and cultivate optimism even amidst life's challenges.   Raghunath and Kaustubha explore the inspiring appearance of Lord Vāmana, the dwarf incarnation of Lord Vishnu, from the Srimad Bhagavatam. Discover practical insights into finding meaning through service and fostering a deeper connection to divine wisdom, drawn from the timeless teachings of the Bhagavatam. Plus, hear about the community-building opportunities available through Wisdom of the Sages Sage Groups.   Key Topics: • The spiritual significance of Lord Vāmana's appearance • The importance of offering your talents in service • How spiritual optimism can transform your perspective • Jamuna Priti's Krishna-conscious art and its devotional impact • Sage Groups: Building community through bhakti yoga  

Wisdom of the Sages
1494: Time Is a River: Bhakti Wisdom

Wisdom of the Sages

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2024 55:25


Join Raghunath and Kaustubha as they explore the profound teachings of Bhakti Yoga through the lens of time, spirituality, and self-awareness. Discover how observing the eternal time factor as a witness can inspire living fully “in the now” while fostering spiritual growth. Drawing from Aditi and Brama's heartfelt prayers to Lord Vishnu in the Srimad Bhagavatam, this episode delves into the power of devotion, the impermanence of the material world, and the enduring hope found in spiritual practice. Whether you're seeking deeper insights into life's fleeting nature or practical wisdom for cultivating mindfulness and devotion, this episode offers transformative perspectives from the Wisdom of the Sages podcast. Key Topics •⁠  ⁠Eternal time factor in spirituality •⁠  ⁠Observing time and its impact on spiritual growth •⁠  ⁠Aditi's prayers to Lord Vishnu and their timeless lessons •⁠  ⁠Srimad Bhagavatam's teachings on devotion and impermanence •⁠  ⁠Shelter and the Punk to Monk Journey

Wisdom of the Sages
1494: Time Is a River: Bhakti Wisdom

Wisdom of the Sages

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2024 55:25


Join Raghunath and Kaustubha as they explore the profound teachings of Bhakti Yoga through the lens of time, spirituality, and self-awareness. Discover how observing the eternal time factor as a witness can inspire living fully “in the now” while fostering spiritual growth. Drawing from Aditi and Brama's heartfelt prayers to Lord Vishnu in the Srimad Bhagavatam, this episode delves into the power of devotion, the impermanence of the material world, and the enduring hope found in spiritual practice. Whether you're seeking deeper insights into life's fleeting nature or practical wisdom for cultivating mindfulness and devotion, this episode offers transformative perspectives from the Wisdom of the Sages podcast. Key Topics •⁠  ⁠Eternal time factor in spirituality •⁠  ⁠Observing time and its impact on spiritual growth •⁠  ⁠Aditi's prayers to Lord Vishnu and their timeless lessons •⁠  ⁠Srimad Bhagavatam's teachings on devotion and impermanence •⁠  ⁠Shelter and the Punk to Monk Journey

SUSHUMNA SHISHU VANI
Episode 54 -Lord Vishnu's Ninth Avatar - Gautama Buddha '

SUSHUMNA SHISHU VANI

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2024 12:06


Join us to learn about the inspiring story of Gautam Buddha. Discover how a young prince, touched by the suffering of the world, found the path to peace and wisdom. Learn about his journey of compassion, mindfulness and the timeless lessons he shared to guide us toward a life of kindness and balance.

SUSHUMNA SHISHU VANI
Episode 53 –‘Lord Vishnu's sixth Avatar – Parashurama'

SUSHUMNA SHISHU VANI

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2024 11:28


Discover the story of Parashurama, Lord Vishnu's sixth avatar. A warrior of unmatched courage and devotion, he fought to bring back justice and met great people like Lord Rama and Krishna. A timeless story of bravery and standing up for what is right!

Sound Bhakti
Experience The Touch of The Divine & Overcome Fear | HG Vaiśeṣika Dāsa | ISV | 24 Nov 2024

Sound Bhakti

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2024 65:23


You can go anywhere: sit in your home, in your garden, you can be at work, and if you sincerely repeat the names of God and listen carefully, then you'll have this sense of direct communion with the Divine, with Kṛṣṇa. One of the teachers from antiquity said, "How focused should we be?" You should imagine yourself going to the ocean with a kuśa straw. It's got a little flat area on it, and you could use that as a tool to empty the ocean, to drain the ocean. How long do you think it would take, Braja Rāsa Bhāvana, to use a little straw, one drop at a time, to drain the entire Pacific Ocean? A long time. And he said, be prepared for that. If you want success, approach the simple process with such focus and determination: "I'm going to sit here with this one straw until I drain the whole ocean." Now there's another story connected with this, and this is what the great teachers talk about. There was a little bird. She lived by the seashore, and she laid her eggs along the sandy beach. And one day, the ocean personified came, and in a mood of being mean, stole her eggs. With a sweep of his hand, a wave, he reached out and grabbed them, pulled them into his waters, and then chuckled as the little bird seemed distressed. Isn't that mean? Say yes. So then the little bird puffed out her chest and walked to the ocean, even though she was such a tiny creature. She said, "You give my eggs back. That's my offspring. My duty is to protect them." And the ocean said, "Good luck, you're not getting them back." A bully. So she said, "I'll show you," and my mother used to say, "Never underestimate the power of 'I'll show you.' So she sat there at the ocean. She began to peck out the water of the ocean, saying, "I'm going to drain you one drop at a time." And what did the ocean say? "Hahaha, good luck, it'll never happen." An audience started to gather around to watch her determination. All the creatures who saw her trying to drain the ocean began to talk amongst themselves, and it spread from one forest to the next. All the birds were talking, and then the mongooses picked up on it. They live under the trees, they passed it on, and they started talking about it, and it spread so far that the very powerful, heroic bird Garuḍa—we saw a license plate on the way here that said "Garuḍa," so I thought I'd tell the story—Garuḍa heard about it. Who is Garuḍa? He is the powerful carrier of Lord Vishnu. He came down to see his sister bird and he landed there and said, "What's going on?" She said, "I'm going to drain this ocean." And he said to the ocean, "You give the eggs back or I'll dry you up myself. With my wingspan, I'll flap so hard that the air will evaporate you now." The ocean then became frightened because Garuḍa is not an ordinary bird, and gave the eggs back. That's a story the ancient teachers tell. In the practice of chanting the mantra, if we approach it like that, willing to peck out every drop— you can imagine it when you're chanting one mantra: "Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare," and if you like, you can use beads. Normally, they have 108 beads on each one. If you hold on to each one, you say each bead is one drop, and I'll keep going till the whole ocean's drained. This is the idea of what Kapiladeva said: be willing to do this for a long time. Not, "I'll try it for a week, and if it works, maybe." You have to get enough knowledge intervention in your mind to see material world is as all risk, no gain, and spiritual life as all gain, no risk. But you have to be all in, to be successful. If you do that, and you practice in that way, then very soon you'll get help that you never imagined you would get. And that's something Kṛṣṇa says throughout the Bhagavad-gītā. "I'm there to help you. As soon as you show your determination, then I'll be there to intervene in your life and help you in ways that you could never imagine." (excerpt from the talk)

SUSHUMNA SHISHU VANI
Episode 52: ‘Lord Vishnu's fourth Avatar – Narsimha Avatar'

SUSHUMNA SHISHU VANI

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 24, 2024 12:09


In this exciting episode of Stories of the Divine, learn how Lord Vishnu, as Narasimha, defeated the evil king Hiranyakashipu to protect his devoted son, Prahlada. A story reminding us that good always wins over evil. Perfect for kids and families—don't miss it!

SUSHUMNA SHISHU VANI
Episode 51 –'Lord Vishnu's third avatar -Varaha Avatar '

SUSHUMNA SHISHU VANI

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2024 8:39


Join us for an exciting journey into the story of Varaha, Lord Vishnu's 3rd avatar, who bravely saved Mother Earth from Hiranyaksha! This story teaches us about courage and caring for our planet. Listen in to discover how we, too, can protect our world!

SUSHUMNA SHISHU VANI
Episode 50- ‘Lord Vishnu's second- Kurma Avatar'

SUSHUMNA SHISHU VANI

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2024 10:13


Join us as we tell the adventurous story of Lord Vishnu's Kurma Avatar, where he becomes a giant tortoise to help the Devas and Asuras churn the ocean for the nectar of immortality. A story of teamwork.

SUSHUMNA SHISHU VANI
Episode 49- ‘Lord Vishnu's first Avatar -Matsya Avatar'

SUSHUMNA SHISHU VANI

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2024 9:08


In this episode, we explore the story of Matsya, Lord Vishnu's first avatar! When a great flood threatens to destroy the Earth, Vishnu transforms into a giant fish to help King Manu to save the Earth. Join us as Matsya guides Manu's boat to safety.

Krishna's Mercy
An Answer To The False God Criticism

Krishna's Mercy

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2024 7:31


“This boy Prahlada is the killer of my brother, for he has given up his family to engage in the devotional service of the enemy, Lord Vishnu, like a menial servant.” (Hiranyakashipu, Shrimad Bhagavatam, 7.5.35)

Wisdom of the Sages
1447: What Will Vishnu Ask of Us?

Wisdom of the Sages

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2024 50:33


The effulgent, beautiful vision of Lord Vishnu melts anxiety / nothing can touch Vishnu's hear, but devotion / Lord Brahma speaks from that higher level / when Vishnu asks you to be patient, take the high road and cooperate with your enemies / with any great service, the first thing to appear from the churning / the demons agree to a truce SB 8.6.1-39 ********************************************************************* LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108 CONNECT ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/wisdom_of_the_sages

Wisdom of the Sages
1447: What Will Vishnu Ask of Us?

Wisdom of the Sages

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2024 50:33


The effulgent, beautiful vision of Lord Vishnu melts anxiety / nothing can touch Vishnu's hear, but devotion / Lord Brahma speaks from that higher level / when Vishnu asks you to be patient, take the high road and cooperate with your enemies / with any great service, the first thing to appear from the churning / the demons agree to a truce SB 8.6.1-39 ********************************************************************* LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108 CONNECT ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/wisdom_of_the_sages

SUSHUMNA SHISHU VANI
Episode 43-' Lord Vishnu's fifth avatar - Vaman Avatar '

SUSHUMNA SHISHU VANI

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2024 12:21


Join us as we explore the story of Lord Vishnu's Vamana avatar! Discover how a tiny Brahmin defeated the mighty King Mahabali, teaching a powerful lesson about humility and devotion.

Mythlok - The Home of Mythology
Sacred Steeds: Exploring the Mythical Mounts of Indian Deities

Mythlok - The Home of Mythology

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2024 8:19


Welcome to another enlightening episode of Mythlok, where we journey into the mystical realms of mythology. In this episode, we're exploring the fascinating concept of vahanas, the celestial vehicles and sacred mounts of Indian gods. These divine beings are often depicted with unique and powerful companions, each symbolizing different aspects of their divine nature and cosmic duties.First, we'll meet Nandi, the revered bull who serves as the loyal and powerful mount of Lord Shiva. Nandi is more than just a vehicle; he's a symbol of strength, virility, and unwavering devotion. We'll delve into the stories that highlight his significance and his special bond with Shiva.Next, we'll soar into the skies with Garuda, the mighty eagle who serves as the vehicle of Lord Vishnu. Garuda's speed and strength are legendary, and his role as the enemy of serpents adds another layer of intrigue. We'll explore Garuda's origins, his adventures, and what he represents in Hindu mythology.Then, we'll turn our attention to Airavata, the magnificent white elephant who carries Lord Indra, the king of the gods. Airavata's immense size and power make him a fitting mount for the god of rain and thunderstorms. We'll discuss the origins of Airavata, his role in mythological battles, and his importance in various rituals.Following that, we'll meet Mushika, the humble yet significant mouse that serves as the vehicle of Lord Ganesha. Despite his small size, Mushika represents agility, resourcefulness, and the idea that even the smallest being can achieve greatness. We'll uncover the tales of how Mushika came to be Ganesha's mount and what he symbolizes in the broader context of Hindu belief.Finally, we'll explore the vibrant and majestic peacock of Lord Karthikeya, the god of war and victory. The peacock, with its dazzling plumage and fierce demeanor, perfectly complements Karthikeya's warrior spirit. We'll delve into the mythology surrounding this divine duo, their adventures, and the symbolic meanings attached to the peacock.Join us as we unravel the rich tapestry of stories, symbolism, and spiritual significance behind these divine mounts. Whether you're a seasoned mythology enthusiast or a curious newcomer, this episode promises to offer a captivating and insightful look into the vahanas of some of the most revered deities in Hindu mythology. Tune in and embark on this mystical journey with us, only on Mythlok!

Sadhguru's Podcast
#1210 - When Will Kalki Avatar Arrive ? | Spirituality

Sadhguru's Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2024 23:21


Sadhguru speaks about Kalki – the tenth and final avatar of Lord Vishnu – and the significance of his arrival for human consciousness. He also looks at yugas, the significance of kalyug and provides a Yogic perspective on human intelligence. Conscious Planet: https://www.consciousplanet.org Sadhguru App (Download): https://onelink.to/sadhguru__app Official Sadhguru Website: https://isha.sadhguru.org Sadhguru Exclusive: https://isha.sadhguru.org/in/en/sadhguru-exclusive Inner Engineering Link: isha.co/ieo-podcast Yogi, mystic and visionary, Sadhguru is a spiritual master with a difference. An arresting blend of profundity and pragmatism, his life and work serves as a reminder that yoga is a contemporary science, vitally relevant to our times. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Sadhguru Podcast - Of Mystics and Mistakes
#1210 - When Will Kalki Avatar Arrive ? | Spirituality

The Sadhguru Podcast - Of Mystics and Mistakes

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2024 23:21


Sadhguru speaks about Kalki – the tenth and final avatar of Lord Vishnu – and the significance of his arrival for human consciousness. He also looks at yugas, the significance of kalyug and provides a Yogic perspective on human intelligence. Conscious Planet: https://www.consciousplanet.org Sadhguru App (Download): https://onelink.to/sadhguru__app Official Sadhguru Website: https://isha.sadhguru.org Sadhguru Exclusive: https://isha.sadhguru.org/in/en/sadhguru-exclusive Inner Engineering Link: isha.co/ieo-podcast Yogi, mystic and visionary, Sadhguru is a spiritual master with a difference. An arresting blend of profundity and pragmatism, his life and work serves as a reminder that yoga is a contemporary science, vitally relevant to our times. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wisdom of the Sages
1322: The Counterintuitive Truth about Happiness

Wisdom of the Sages

Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2024 55:52


Leo Tolstoy - “Joy can only be real if people look upon their life as a service and have a definite object in life outside themselves and their personal happiness.” / figuring  out how to use your gift as an offering / material enjoyment is junk food-  service is nourishment / the unique Bhakti idea of serving the servant / the whole point is to be connected / desires for future happiness are like a mirage in the desert / the counterintuitive truth - true happiness is derived though serving other (not through being served) / Lord Vishnu is impartial SB 7.9.24-27

Wisdom of the Sages
1322: The Counterintuitive Truth about Happiness

Wisdom of the Sages

Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2024 55:52


Leo Tolstoy - “Joy can only be real if people look upon their life as a service and have a definite object in life outside themselves and their personal happiness.” / figuring  out how to use your gift as an offering / material enjoyment is junk food-  service is nourishment / the unique Bhakti idea of serving the servant / the whole point is to be connected / desires for future happiness are like a mirage in the desert / the counterintuitive truth - true happiness is derived though serving other (not through being served) / Lord Vishnu is impartial SB 7.9.24-27

MASH Podcast
MASH EPISODE : TIMLESS TEMPLES EPISODE 5 - A GLIMPSE INTO THE GOLDEN GUPTA ERA PART II

MASH Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2024 16:25


This episode of MASH podcast will focus on the grand legacy and the golden age of the Gupta dynasty, with a special focus on the Dashavatara temple and the iconography of Lord Vishnu. It will delve into what the Trimurti — the collective of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva — symbolises in Hindu cosmology and their functions. We'll also take a look at how Vishnu's reverence gained momentum in Hinduism, and how the Vaishnavism sect of Hinduism rose to prominence in India between the 4th to 6th centuries.If you've ever wondered how historians and archaeologists deduce the main deity of the temple and conduct holistic research of the site? This podcast episode is for you!Tune in to listen and expand your knowledge about the histories behind the temples in India and their architectural wonders. Streaming now on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and Google Podcasts. (Head to our website for more details)Image credits: Bob King, Wikimedia CommonsWritten by Urvi C; Hosted by: Hanima Nawaz; modified by Davangi Pathak 

Swami Mukundananda
The Secret of Ram Avatar in Ramayana You MUST Know - How Lord Vishnu Became Shree Ram?

Swami Mukundananda

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2024 16:13


When Lord Vishnu became Shree Ram - The Secret of Ram Avatar in Ramayana  The Secret of Ram Avatar in Ramayana You MUST Know - How Lord Vishnu Became Shree Ram?  The Incarnations of God have a spiritual significance, and understanding them is critical to our spiritual progress. For example, when it comes to Ram Avatar, questions arise like How did Lord Vishnu become Shree Ram?  How exactly did the Ram Avatar take place? What is the nature of God's Divine Birth? Listen more to learn as Swami Mukundananda relates the story of the appearance of Shree Ram in Ayodhya in this 21st episode of the Srimad Bhagavatam.

Marathi stories by Sudheer Mahajani

Namaskar. Welcome to Marathi stories by Mr. Sudheer Mahajani. In this episode of Ramayan, we get to know the events and reasoning that led to the birth of Shri Ram - the incarnation of Lord Vishnu to end the atrocities of Ravan, and his brothers Lakshman, Bharat, and Shatrughna. Today, 03 March 2024, also happens to be Mr. Sudheer Mahajani's 70th birthday. Jai Shri Ram

Marathi stories by Sudheer Mahajani
Mahabharat - Vainateya - Garudà

Marathi stories by Sudheer Mahajani

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2024 8:03


Namaskar. Welcome to Marathi stories by Sudheer Mahajani. Today we will listen to the unique story of the origin of Garudà - the son of Vinita - Vainateya. We understand the origins of the rivalry between snakes and eagles, and how Garudà was chosen by Lord Vishnu as his vehicle.

StarSound Speaks
EPISODE 282: SJ ANDERSON ON THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE USA

StarSound Speaks

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2023 73:44


Heyo StarSounders! Welcome to Episode 282 of StarSound Speaks. My dear star brother SJ Anderson returns to share the long-term planetary transits at play esp between now and 2026, and how they are fundamentally reshaping the USA. It's a topic he delved deeply into for the SkyScript conference, and we continue it here, with a few surprises and revelations! After sharing about Uranus in Gemini and its historical cycles, we move into Pluto in Aquarius and finally the April 2024 Total Solar Eclipse happening over the USA (which crosses paths with the 2017 Great American Eclipse). Crazy stuff!!! What's crazier is what Chiron is up to, not just for this eclipse, but *especially* for the USA -- and the mind-boggling potentials it is bringing. I made a pretty surprising discovery about the USA and Chiron which I share here. Its implications are enormous (understatement!) and will be sharing more in future episodes, so stay tuned! Finally, we share the story of Matsya Vishnu from the Bhagavad Gita, the sacred scriptures of the Vedic tradition of India. The incarnation of Lord Vishnu as a merman - and what he brings to humanity - is an uncannily accurate metaphor for these times. What is available to us with these transits? What will it take to celebrate life, love and beauty in the face of intense and volatile change? Have a listen! TIMESTAMPS approximate: 00:56 Passion for astrology 03:04 Caveat: How to hold this info 03:55 Astrology as a spiritual practice 05:25 Progressed USA chart 06:25 Dissolution/Resolution 07:15 The primacy of spirituality over astrology 07:54 Uranus in Gemini cycles (trigger warning) 13:35 Inter-dimensional reality butting in? 15:07 AI and nation-states 20:10 Life, love and beauty in the face of war and darkness 22:49. On transcending suffering 25:52 Uranus in Gemini, our media diet and spiritual practices 29:43 Pluto in Aquarius in 2024 37:19 Chiron and the April 2024 Eclipse 40:42 The Christmas Truce of World War I. 47:26. The story of Matsya Vishnu and The Bhagavad Gita: clue for what's ahead? 59:50. Mars, Saturn and the USA Progressed Moon 1:03:08 SJ's favorite tool to open the heart to the Divine. 1:03:44 The other side of long dark night of the soul - what bubbles up 1:06:42 If nothing else, BUILD THAT BOAT! 1:10:10 Saturn, Uranus, Neptune 2025 - 2026- a look ahead To contact SJ: www.sjanderson144.com YouTube  @sjanderson144  The Rebirth of America - his talk for Skyscript https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNkOUzjcTXFyBNrST-SjJsA Please Like Share Subscribe if you find this content useful. Grateful for your comments too! Much love, Irlianna Samsara StarSound Speaks https://www.starsoundastrology.com What's in store for you in 2024? Private sessions here: https://www.starsoundastrology.com/book-a-session-1 #astrology #transformation #healing

Mythlok - The Home of Mythology
Unraveling the Enigma of Sheshnag: The Divine Serpent of Indian Mythology

Mythlok - The Home of Mythology

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2023 6:11


In this captivating episode of the Mythlok podcast, we embark on a mystical journey into the heart of Indian mythology to explore the enigmatic figure of Sheshnag, the cosmic serpent. Known as the eternal companion of Lord Vishnu and the bed upon which the universe rests, Sheshnag holds a unique and profound place in Hindu beliefs.Join our host as he delves deep into the intriguing stories, symbolism, and significance of Sheshnag. Discover the ancient tales that describe Sheshnag's role in the creation and preservation of the cosmos, and how this divine serpent has been an integral part of Indian spiritual and religious traditions for millennia.We unravel the multi-faceted aspects of Sheshnag, from his origin in Hindu scripture to his cultural influence and contemporary interpretations. This episode promises to shed light on the rich tapestry of beliefs and narratives surrounding Sheshnag, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in the fascinating world of Indian mythology.Tune in to Mythlok as we bring to life the timeless legend of Sheshnag and explore the profound symbolism that continues to inspire and mystify generations.Read more at https://mythlok.com/sheshnag/

Hinduism in Modern Times
Episode 74 What Is the Significance of Lord Vishnu's Ten Avatars in Hinduism?

Hinduism in Modern Times

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2023 6:01


In today's episode, we embark on a fascinating journey to explore the significance of Lord Vishnu's ten avatars in Hinduism. Lord Vishnu, often revered as the Preserver in the Holy Trinity of Hindu deities, is known for his role in maintaining the balance and order of the universe. His ten avatars, known as the Dashavatara, hold a profound place in Hindu mythology. But what is the deeper meaning and significance behind these divine incarnations? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nilnia/support

The Vedic Astrology Podcast with Dr. Katy Jane
Moon Muse: Embracing Shravana: Vedic Tales and the Four States of Consciousness

The Vedic Astrology Podcast with Dr. Katy Jane

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2023 19:50


The week begins with the Moon transiting Shravana, "She who listens." These 3 stars are the footsteps of Lord Vishnu bringing deep significance to things happening in 3s. Here are my thoughts... If you haven't gotten your Moon Sign Report yet, you can do so here: www.vedicmoonsigns.com If you are interested in diving into Sanskrit, check out my most suggested courses here: https://www.drkatyjane.com/sanskritcourses

Wisdom of the Sages
1147: Everywhere is a Holy Place

Wisdom of the Sages

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2023 56:23


“It is in men as in soils, where sometimes there is a vein of gold which the owner knows not of.” - Jonathan Swift / the body and mind have faults but the self is pure gold / It's the people that come that make a place holy / see God everywhere and everywhere becomes holy / the inconceivable form of Vishnu / Daksha places the manifestations of the Divine in a hierarchy / harmony is only around Lord Vishnu, not apart from him / Vishnu is always smiling SB 6.4.32-45

The History of Computing
Lotus: From Yoga to Software

The History of Computing

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2023 24:22


Nelumbo nucifera, or the sacred lotus, is a plant that grows in flood plains, rivers, and deltas. Their seeds can remain dormant for years and when floods come along, blossom into a colony of plants and flowers. Some of the oldest seeds can be found in China, where they're known to represent longevity. No surprise, given their level of nitrition and connection to the waters that irrigated crops by then. They also grow in far away lands, all the way to India and out to Australia. The flower is sacred in Hinduism and Buddhism, and further back in ancient Egypt. Padmasana is a Sanskrit term meaning lotus, or Padma, and Asana, or posture. The Pashupati seal from the Indus Valley civilization shows a diety in what's widely considered the first documented yoga pose, from around 2,500 BCE. 2,700 years later (give or take a century), the Hindu author and mystic Patanjali wrote a work referred to as the Yoga Sutras. Here he outlined the original asanas, or sitting yoga poses. The Rig Veda, from around 1,500 BCE, is the oldest currently known Vedic text. It is also the first to use the word “yoga”. It describes songs, rituals, and mantras the Brahmans of the day used - as well as the Padma. Further Vedic texts explore how the lotus grew out of Lord Vishnu with Brahma in the center. He created the Universe out of lotus petals. Lakshmi went on to grow out of a lotus from Vishnu as well. It was only natural that humans would attempt to align their own meditation practices with the beautiful meditatios of the lotus. By the 300s, art and coins showed people in the lotus position. It was described in texts that survive from the 8th century. Over the centuries contradictions in texts were clarified in a period known as Classical Yoga, then Tantra and and Hatha Yoga were developed and codified in the Post-Classical Yoga age, and as empires grew and India became a part of the British empire, Yoga began to travel to the west in the late 1800s. By 1893, Swami Vivekananda gave lectures at the Parliament of Religions in Chicago.  More practicioners meant more systems of yoga. Yogendra brought asanas to the United States in 1919, as more Indians migrated to the United States. Babaji's kriya yoga arrived in Boston in 1920. Then, as we've discussed in previous episodes, the United States tightened immigration in the 1920s and people had to go to India to get more training. Theos Bernard's Hatha Yoga: The Report of a Personal Experience brought some of that knowledge home when he came back in 1947. Indra Devi opened a yoga studio in Hollywood and wrote books for housewives. She brought a whole system, or branch home. Walt and Magana Baptiste opened a studio in San Francisco. Swamis began to come to the US and more schools were opened. Richard Hittleman began to teach yoga in New York and began to teach on television in 1961. He was one of the first to seperate the religious aspect from the health benefits. By 1965, the immigration quotas were removed and a wave of teachers came to the US to teach yoga. The Beatles went to India in 1966 and 1968, and for many Transcendental Meditation took root, which has now grown to over a thousand training centers and over 40,000 teachers. Swamis opened meditation centers, institutes, started magazines, and even magazines. Yoga became so big that Rupert Holmes even poked fun of it in his song “Escape (The Piña Colada Song)” in 1979. Yoga had become part of the counter-culture, and the generation that followed represented a backlash of sorts. A common theme of the rise of personal computers is that the early pioneers were a part of that counter-culture. Mitch Kapor graduated high school in 1967, just in time to be one of the best examples of that. Kapor built his own calculator in as a kid before going to camp to get his first exposure to programming on a Bendix. His high school got one of the 1620 IBM minicomputers and he got the bug. He went off to Yale at 16 and learned to program in APL and then found Computer Lib by Ted Nelson and learned BASIC. Then he discovered the Apple II.  Kapor did some programming for $5 per hour as a consultant, started the first east coast Apple User Group, and did some work around town. There are generations of people who did and do this kind of consulting, although now the rates are far higher. He met a grad student through the user group named Eric Rosenfeld who was working on his dissertation and needed some help programming, so Kapor wrote a little tool that took the idea of statistical analysis from the Time Shared Reactive Online Library, or TROLL, and ported it to the microcomputer, which he called Tiny Troll.  Then he enrolled in the MBA program at MIT. He got a chance to see VisiCalc and meet Bob Frankston and Dan Bricklin, who introduced him to the team at Personal Software. Personal Software was founded by Dan Fylstra and Peter Jennings when they published Microchips for the KIM-1 computer. That led to ports for the 1977 Trinity of the Commodore PET, Apple II, and TRS-80 and by then they had taken Bricklin and Franston's VisiCalc to market. VisiCalc was the killer app for those early PCs and helped make the Apple II successful. Personal Software brought Kapor on, as well as Bill Coleman of BEA Systems and Electronic Arts cofounder Rich Mellon. Today, software developers get around 70 percent royalties to publish software on app stores but at the time, fees were closer to 8 percent, a model pulled from book royalties. Much of the rest went to production of the box and disks, the sales and marketing, and support. Kapor was to write a product that could work with VisiCalc. By then Rosenfeld was off to the world of corporate finance so Kapor moved to Silicon Valley, learned how to run a startup, moved back east in 1979, and released VisiPlot and VisiTrend in 1981. He made over half a million dollars in the first six months in royalties.  By then, he bought out Rosenfeld's shares in what he was doing, hired Jonathan Sachs, who had been at MIT earlier, where he wrote the STOIC programming language, and then went to work at Data General. Sachs worked on spreadsheet ideas at Data General with a manager there, John Henderson, but after they left Data General, and the partnership fell apart, he worked with Kapor instead. They knew that for software to be fast, it needed to be written in a lower level language, so they picked the Intel 8088 assembly language given that C wasn't fast enough yet. The IBM PC came in 1981 and everything changed. Mitch Kapor and Jonathan Sachs started Lotus in 1982. Sachs got to work on what would become Lotus 1-2-3. Kapor turned out to be a great marketer and product manager. He listened to what customers said in focus groups. He pushed to make things simpler and use less jargon. They released a new spreadsheet tool in 1983 and it worked flawlessly on the IBM PC and while Microsoft had Multiplan and VisCalc was the incumbent spreadsheet program, Lotus quickly took market share from then and SuperCalc. Conceptually it looked similar to VisiCalc. They used the letter A for the first column, B for the second, etc. That has now become a standard in spreadsheets. They used the number 1 for the first row, the number 2 for the second. That too is now a standard. They added a split screen, also now a standard. They added macros, with branching if-then logic. They added different video modes, which could give color and bitmapping. They added an underlined letter so users could pull up a menu and quickly select the item they wanted once they had those orders memorized, now a standard in most menuing systems. They added the ability to add bar charts, pie charts, and line charts. One could even spread their sheet across multiple monitors like in a magazine. They refined how fields are calculated and took advantage of the larger amounts of memory to make Lotus far faster than anything else on the market. They went to Comdex towards the end of the year and introduced Lotus 1-2-3 to the world. The software could be used as a spreadsheet, but the 2 and 3 referred to graphics and database management. They did $900,000 in orders there before they went home. They couldn't even keep up with the duplication of disks. Comdex was still invitation only. It became so popular that it was used to test for IBM compatibility by clone makers and where VisiCalc became the app that helped propel the Apple II to success, Lotus 1-2-3 became the app that helped propel the IBM PC to success. Lotus was rewarded with $53 million in sales for 1983 and $156 million in 1984. Mitch Kapor found himself. They quickly scaled from less than 20 to 750 employees. They brought in Freada Klein who got her PhD to be the Head of Employee Relations and charged her with making them the most progressive employer around. After her success at Lotus, she left to start her own company and later married. Sachs left the company in 1985 and moved on to focus solely on graphics software. He still responds to requests on the phpBB forum at dl-c.com. They ran TV commercials. They released a suite of Mac apps they called Lotus Jazz. More television commercials. Jazz didn't go anywhere and only sold 20,000 copies. Meanwhile, Microsoft released Excel for the Mac, which sold ten times as many. Some blamed the lack os sales on the stringent copy protection. Others blamed the lack of memory to do cool stuff. Others blamed the high price. It was the first major setback for the young company.  After a meteoric rise, Kapor left the company in 1986, at about the height of their success. He  replaced himself with Jim Manzi. Manzi pushed the company into network applications. These would become the center of the market but were just catching on and didn't prove to be a profitable venture just yet. A defensive posture rather than expanding into an adjacent market would have made sense, at least if anyone knew how aggressive Microsoft was about to get it would have.  Manzi was far more concerned about the millions of illegal copies of the software in the market than innovation though. As we turned the page to the 1990s, Lotus had moved to a product built in C and introduced the ability to use graphical components in the software but not wouldn't be ported to the new Windows operating system until 1991 for Windows 3. By then there were plenty of competitors, including Quattro Pro and while Microsoft Excel began on the Mac, it had been a showcase of cool new features a windowing operating system could provide an application since released for Windows in 1987. Especially what they called 3d charts and tabbed spreadsheets. There was no catching up to Microsoft by then and sales steadily declined. By then, Lotus released Lotus Agenda, an information manager that could be used for time management, project management, and as a database. Kapor was a great product manager so it stands to reason he would build a great product to manage products. Agenda never found commercial success though, so was later open sourced under a GPL license. Bill Gross wrote Magellan there before he left to found GoTo.com, which was renamed to Overture and pioneered the idea of paid search advertising, which was acquired by Yahoo!. Magellan cataloged the internal drive and so became a search engine for that. It sold half a million copies and should have been profitable but was cancelled in 1990. They also released a word processor called Manuscript in 1986, which never gained traction and that was cancelled in 1989, just when a suite of office automation apps needed to be more cohesive.  Ray Ozzie had been hired at Software Arts to work on VisiCalc and then helped Lotus get Symphony out the door. Symphony shipped in 1984 and expanded from a spreadsheet to add on text with the DOC word processor, and charts with the GRAPH graphics program, FORM for a table management solution, and COM for communications. Ozzie dutifully shipped what he was hired to work on but had a deal that he could build a company when they were done that would design software that Lotus would then sell. A match made in heaven as Ozzie worked on PLATO and borrowed the ideas of PLATO Notes, a collaboration tool developed at the University of Illinois Champagne-Urbana  to build what he called Lotus Notes.  PLATO was more more than productivity. It was a community that spanned decades and Control Data Corporation had failed to take it to the mass corporate market. Ozzie took the best parts for a company and built it in isolation from the rest of Lotus. They finally released it as Lotus Notes in 1989. It was a huge success and Lotus bought Iris in 1994. Yet they never found commercial success with other socket-based client server programs and IBM acquired Lotus in 1995. That product is now known as Domino, the name of the Notes 4 server, released in 1996. Ozzie went on to build a company called Groove Networks, which was acquired by Microsoft, who appointed him one of their Chief Technology Officers. When Bill Gates left Microsoft, Ozzie took the position of Chief Software Architect he vacated. He and Dave Cutler went on to work on a project called Red Dog, which evolved into what we now know as Microsoft Azure.  Few would have guessed that Ozzie and Kapor's handshake agreement on Notes could have become a real product. Not only could people not understand the concept of collaboration and productivity on a network in the late 1980s but the type of deal hadn't been done. But Kapor by then realized that larger companies had a hard time shipping net-new software properly. Sometimes those projects are best done in isolation. And all the better if the parties involved are financially motivated with shares like Kapor wanted in Personal Software in the 1970s before he wrote Lotus 1-2-3. VisiCalc had sold about a million copies but that would cease production the same year Excel was released. Lotus hung on longer than most who competed with Microsoft on any beachhead they blitzkrieged. Microsoft released Exchange Server in 1996 and Notes had a few good years before Exchange moved in to become the standard in that market. Excel began on the Mac but took the market from Lotus eventually, after Charles Simonyi stepped in to help make the product great.  Along the way, the Lotus ecosystem created other companies, just as they were born in the Visi ecosystem. Symantec became what we now call a “portfolio” company in 1985 when they introduced NoteIt, a natural language processing tool used to annotate docs in Lotus 1-2-3. But Bill Gates mentioned Lotus by name multiple times as a competitor in his Internet Tidal Wave memo in 1995. He mentioned specific features, like how they could do secure internet browsing and that they had a web publisher tool - Microsoft's own FrontPage was released in 1995 as well. He mentioned an internet directory project with Novell and AT&T. Active Directory was released a few years later in 1999, after Jim Allchin had come in to help shepherd LAN Manager. Notes itself survived into the modern era, but by 2004 Blackberry released their Exchange connector before they released the Lotus Domino connector. That's never a good sign. Some of the history of Lotus is covered in Scott Rosenberg's 2008 book, Dreaming in Code. Others are documented here and there in other places. Still others are lost to time. Kapor went on to invest in UUNET, which became a huge early internet service provider. He invested in Real Networks, who launched the first streaming media service on the Internet. He invested in the creators of Second Life. He never seemed vindictive with Microsoft but after AOL acquired Netscape and Microsoft won the first browser war, he became the founding chair of the Mozilla Foundation and so helped bring Firefox to market. By 2006, Firefox took 10 percent of the market and went on to be a dominant force in browsers. Kapor has also sat on boards and acted as an angel investor for startups ever since leaving the company he founded. He also flew to Wyoming in 1990 after he read a post on The WELL from John Perry Barlow. Barlow was one of the great thinkers of the early Internet. They worked with Sun Microsystems and GNU Debugging Cypherpunk John Gilmore to found the Electronic Frontier Foundation, or EFF. The EFF has since been the nonprofit who leads the fight for “digital privacy, free speech, and innovation.” So not everything is about business.    

Wisdom of the Sages
1054: The Descent of the River Ganges

Wisdom of the Sages

Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2023 54:02


“If the doors of perception were cleansed every thing would appear to man as it is, Infinite. For man has closed himself up, till he sees all things thro' narrow chinks of his cavern.” ― William Blake / the Ganges originates at the feet of Lord Vishnu / every living being can purify his mind by touching it's water / Dhruva accepts the Ganges on his head and feels devotional ecstasy / the Santa Rishis keep the water on their heads and practice Bhakti / the water flows thru the heavens / Lord Shiva's prayers to Vishnu SB 5.17.1-20

Wisdom of the Sages
907: I Know But One Freedom, Freedom of the Mind

Wisdom of the Sages

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2022 56:48


I know but one freedom and that is the freedom of the mind. – Antoine de Saint-Exupery / thank God I am not my mind! / if our body is forced to age, are we really free? / try a mantra mind experiment / Lord Vishnu appears / Lord Vishnu appreciates the friendship of the Pracetas / the mind can be trained out of lust, greed and envy SB 4.30.1-13 40% of Divya's MasterClass at http://divyas.com/?ref=6799 and 15% off your first purchase with code Wisdomofthesages15 10% off Happy Girl Kitchen at www.happygirlkitchen.com with coupon code WISDOM