Uploaded August 2024 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Is there really a meaning to mantra? Acharya Dr. Sthaneshwar Timalsina answers giving a comparison on how meaning is valued in the eastern and western traditions.
***** Thank you for watching *****
Remember to like this video and subscribe to our channel.
**** Follow us *****
X-Twitter: twitter.com/vimarshafdn
Facebook: facebook.com/vimarshafoundation
Instagram:instagram.com/vimarshafoundation
**** Courses *****
Courses offered by Acharya Dr. Sthaneshwar Timalsina
Introduction to Sarvāmnāya Tantra
vimarshafoundation.org/challenge-page/introtosarvamnaya
Yoga Vāsiṣṭha
vimarshafoundation.org/challenge-page/yogavasistha
Foundational Śaivism
vimarshafoundation.org/challenge-page/foundationalsaivism
See more: vimarshafoundation.org/courses
**** Help us grow our foundation ******
vimarshafoundation.org/supportus
**** About Vimarsha Foundation *****
Vimarsha Foundation is a modern school (gurukula) for teaching and reflecting on the ancient wisdom of r̥ṣis and siddhas. Through Vimarsha Foundation, a non-profit organization, Acharya Sthaneshwar teaches shastra and sādhanā to students of all backgrounds. The Vimarsha Foundation hosts free semester length courses on classic texts of the Tantric Tradition and offers many more free video and written teachings. Visit our website to learn more: vimarshafoundation.org
**** Acharya Dr. Sthaneshwar Timalsina ****
Acharya Dr. Sthaneshwar Timalsina is an esteemed traditionally consecrated teacher of Shaiva-Shakta Hindu Tantra. He is also the Endowed Chair of Indic Studies in New York, U.S.A. at Stony Brook University's College of Arts & Sciences in the Department of Asian & Asian-American Studies. Acharya Sthaneshwar founded Vimarsha Foundation as a modern school (gurukula) for teaching and reflecting on the ancient wisdom of r̥ṣis and siddhas. Through Vimarsha Foundation, a non-profit organization, Acharya Sthaneshwar teaches shastra and sādhanā to students of all backgrounds. The Vimarsha Foundation hosts free semester length courses on classic texts of the Tantric Tradition and offers many more free video and written teachings.
Is there really a meaning to mantra? Acharya Dr. Sthaneshwar Timalsina answers giving a comparison on how meaning is valued in the eastern and western traditions.
***** Thank you for watching *****
Remember to like this video and subscribe to our channel.
**** Follow us *****
X-Twitter: twitter.com/vimarshafdn
Facebook: facebook.com/vimarshafoundation
Instagram:instagram.com/vimarshafoundation
**** Courses *****
Courses offered by Acharya Dr. Sthaneshwar Timalsina
Introduction to Sarvāmnāya Tantra
vimarshafoundation.org/challenge-page/introtosarvamnaya
Yoga Vāsiṣṭha
vimarshafoundation.org/challenge-page/yogavasistha
Foundational Śaivism
vimarshafoundation.org/challenge-page/foundationalsaivism
See more: vimarshafoundation.org/courses
**** Help us grow our foundation ******
vimarshafoundation.org/supportus
**** About Vimarsha Foundation *****
Vimarsha Foundation is a modern school (gurukula) for teaching and reflecting on the ancient wisdom of r̥ṣis and siddhas. Through Vimarsha Foundation, a non-profit organization, Acharya Sthaneshwar teaches shastra and sādhanā to students of all backgrounds. The Vimarsha Foundation hosts free semester length courses on classic texts of the Tantric Tradition and offers many more free video and written teachings. Visit our website to learn more: vimarshafoundation.org
**** Acharya Dr. Sthaneshwar Timalsina ****
Acharya Dr. Sthaneshwar Timalsina is an esteemed traditionally consecrated teacher of Shaiva-Shakta Hindu Tantra. He is also the Endowed Chair of Indic Studies in New York, U.S.A. at Stony Brook University's College of Arts & Sciences in the Department of Asian & Asian-American Studies. Acharya Sthaneshwar founded Vimarsha Foundation as a modern school (gurukula) for teaching and reflecting on the ancient wisdom of r̥ṣis and siddhas. Through Vimarsha Foundation, a non-profit organization, Acharya Sthaneshwar teaches shastra and sādhanā to students of all backgrounds. The Vimarsha Foundation hosts free semester length courses on classic texts of the Tantric Tradition and offers many more free video and written teachings.



![Indic Podcasts || Featuring Acharya Dr. Sthaneshwar Timalsina & Sivasri Skandaprasad
Presenting the official trailer of Indic Podcasts, a five-episode intellectual journey jointly streamed by the Centre for Indic Studies and Sangam Talks, in partnership with Vimarsha Foundation and Ahuti Foundation. This series brings together the profound insights of Sthanehswar Timalsina (Tantra Ācārya and Professor, Stony Brook University) and Sivasri Skandaprasad (Singer and Public Figure), exploring the depth, diversity, and enduring relevance of Tantra within the Indic knowledge systems.
The conversations are hosted by Tirtha (Poet | Author | Researcher; Assistant Professor, Centre for Indic Studies, Indus University), Abhinav (Assistant Professor, GLA University), Prantik (Independent Scholar), and Ankur (Assistant Professor, Centre for Indic Studies, Indus University). The trailer is produced by the Centre for Indic Studies, designed by Tirtha, and edited by Nehul Sharma. Embark on this contemplative and creative exploration of Indias philosophical, aesthetic, and esoteric traditions.
(a) Episode 1 — Tantra and Indian Philosophical Heritage (Host: Abhinav)
A deep introduction to tantra’s philosophical roots, tracing its continuity within India’s intellectual traditions. Abhinav engages Prof. Timalsina and Sivasri in exploring metaphysics, practice, and civilizational significance.
(b) Episode 2 — Tantra, Bhakti, and Aesthetics (Host: Tirtha)
Tirtha leads a nuanced dialogue on how tantra intertwines with bhakti, art, and aesthetic experience, revealing its transformative power through devotion, embodiment, music, and the lived beauty of practice.
(c) Episode 3 — Tantra and Its Esoteric Traditions (Host: Prantik)
An explorative conversation uncovering tantra’s hidden lineages, symbolic systems, ritual frameworks, and subtle-body philosophies. Prantik guides a rich discussion on lesser-known currents within esoteric Indic traditions.
(d) Episode 4 — Tantra and Consciousness (Host: Ankur)
Ankur hosts a profound inquiry into consciousness through tantric lenses—unpacking mind, awareness, embodiment, and liberation. The dialogue bridges philosophy, experiential insights, and contemporary relevance.
(e) Episode 5 — Tantra and Its Esoteric Traditions — Part II (Host: Prantik)
Continuing the esoteric exploration, this episode delves further into tantric symbolisms, transmissions, subtle practices, and metaphysical frameworks. Prantik deepens the inquiry into hidden dimensions of Indic knowledge.
Music provided by Vivek Abhishek
/ vivekhsihba
Music used : Trailer Music originally composed and produced by Vivek Abhishek
• [No Copyright Music] Epic and Dramatic Tra...
Follow on Facebook:
/ vivekekhsihba
Follow on Instagram:
/ vivek.abhishek.music
LYRICS : VIVEK SHARMA , ABHISHEK SHARMA Indic Podcasts || Featuring Acharya Dr. Sthaneshwar Timalsina & Sivasri Skandaprasad](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/usmW0iCxQRw/mqdefault.jpg)




![Types of Being: A Śaiva Pluralist Ontology as Contemporary Resource | Dr. Gavin Flood
Dr. Gavin Flood is a Professor of Hindu Studies and Comparative Religion in the Theology and Religion Faculty at the University of Oxford and academic director of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies. Gavin read Religious Studies and Social Anthropology at Lancaster University and taught at the universities of Wales (Lampeter) and Stirling before coming to Oxford. He was elected to membership of the British Academy in 2014. His research interests are in medieval Hindu texts (especially from the traditions of Shiva), comparative religion, and phenomenology. Developing from the comparative interests of these books, he is currently working on a project on holiness as well as developing closer textual work on a Sanskrit text called the Netra Tantra. He is general series editor of the Oxford History of Hinduism.
]A Śaiva scripture popular in Kashmir and Nepal from around the ninth to the thirteenth century was the Netratantra, commented on by the Pratyabhijñā philosopher, Kṣemarāja (c. 1000-1050). A frequently occurring term in this text is bhāvabheda, division or distinction according to being and, perhaps, according to personal proclivity. This term is used to indicate how different deity systems are ways of visualizing the main focus of the text, Amṛteśa or Netranātha. This term could be interpreted in terms of an ontological pluralism (perhaps contra Kṣemarāja), that we live in multiple worlds. This lecture will examine this term in the Netratantra and consider contemporary application.
Vimarsha Academia
Hindu Studies Lecture Series
For more information visit our website:
https://www.vimarshafoundation.org/talkseries-registration Types of Being: A Śaiva Pluralist Ontology as Contemporary Resource | Dr. Gavin Flood](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/wBMWYbJYSwU/mqdefault.jpg)

