Sanskrit, Shastras and Society: A Conversation with Dr. Satyan Sharma

Join Mukunda as he speaks with Dr. Satyan Sharma. Dr. Sharma is a Professor of Sanskrit at the Panjab University in Chandigarh. He specializes in Vedanta, Indian Philosophy, and Dharma Shastras. In this episode, we discuss a host of topics including:

00:01:20 Introduction to Dr. Satyan Sharma and his background and educational history

00:9:00 Discussion on Advaita Vedanta, Satkaryavada, Vivartavada, and two truths perspective

00:16:45 Dr. Sharma’s dissertation on Tarka Samgraha by Anandagiri, a 12th-century text that focuses on a complete refutation of the Vaishesika Darshana

00:29:20 Truth, Experience, and Categories

00:33:50 Interaction between Jains and Buddhists with Hindu Schools of Thought in medieval philosophy

00:39.20 How do you pick the texts you want to read and study? For academic pursuit or practice?

00:44:00 Sanskrit Scholars in India versus the West

00:50:45 What are the Dharmshastras? What was it used for?

01:03:50 What is Varna Dharma in Manu Smriti? How do the rules of descent work (Anuloma and Pratiloma)?

01:13:55 Discussion on Rituals, Shraddha, and Bhakti

01:25:00 Modern history of Caste and connection to the Shastras and Indian History (we also discuss who can study the Vedas)

01:45:00 Sudra Dharma text discussion: who is a sudra, were they denied education? what are their duties in the text?

02:01:30 What is the difference between Varna and Jati?

02:10:30 Last Thoughts and Conclusion

You can find Dr. Satyan Sharma at:

https://satyan-sharma.medium.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sharmasatyan

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About Author

Mukunda

Mukunda Raghavan: Mukunda is a jack of all trades but master of none. His educational background is a mix of political science, criminology, psychological and philosophy. He received his Juris Doctorate in Law from Boston University and was simultaneously working on his Masters in Philosophy focusing on continental philosophy (not completed). He has practiced as a prosecutor in New York City, General Counsel and Operating Officer of a healthcare company in Southern California, Head of Business and Operations for a legal tech company in India and is now in Strategy and Development. Much like his career, Mukunda’s intellectual interests and knowledge is varied, he is interested in Indian and Western philosophy, world mythology, Quantum Physics, Consciousness Studies, Psychology and variety of other fields.

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