In this women’s day special episode, mother & daughter, radhika and lavanya sit down to discuss the portrayal and role of women in Mahabharata. They discuss how the experiences of these women are still reflected in our experiences as women today.

Bhakti Rasa refers to the different states of ecstasy which a bhakta or devotee experiences in his height of devotion to the Lord. The bhakta’s ego merges with the soul enabling him or her to enjoy the eternal, indivisible, Supreme transcendental bliss of the divine.

Marked by the feeling of calm, quiet and peace, the Shanta Rasa, is the state of tranquillity. It is known as the state of freedom from everything be it thoughts, desires or actions. It is based on the foundation of patience or dhairya, ahimsa or non-violence, gyan or knowledge, sanyam or self- control and pavitrata or purity of spirit.

Dhritarashtra is a torn character between the good and bad in the epic of Mahabharata, that talks about how Dharma must be upheld come what may! Born blind to Ambika from an union with sage Ved Vyasa, Dhirtarashtra was also equally blinded by the love for his son Duryodhana who caused the Great War of Kurukshetra, which ultimately became the reason for the fall of the great Kuru empire.

Bhayanaka is the feeling of panic and dread brought on by the anticipation of danger. It denotes a weak heart and a lack in the strength of character often caused by ignorance. Dussasana’s death by Bheema in the battle of Kurukshetra is a grim reminder of what suppressed anger and an inflated ego can do.

Bibhatsa Rasa arises through many things causing antipathy such as seeing what is not desirable, smelling that which unbearable and touching that which is disgusting. This story of the Bhibtsa Rasa explains this feeling of juguptsa stemming from such a feeling. This is the story of Ambika and Ambalika and their experiences of revulsion arising from a conjugation with Maharishi Ved Vyas to beget the next generation of the Kuru dynasty.

This story on the Karunya Rasa from the Mahabharata unravels the layers of such emotions. This rasa is the manifestation of the sorrow, pain, sadness and bitterness that surges within each of us.

This story on the Raudra Rasa unravels the agony of such emotions. This is the story of the desolate and increasingly desperate Amba who is driven by revenge for the way she was treated, kidnapped and then discarded until she finally became Shikhandi to avenge that which scarred her forever.