Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Ramayana, the ancient Hindu epic which is regarded as one of the greatest works of world literature. Its importance in Indian culture has been compared to that of the Iliad and Odyssey in the West, and it’s still seen as a sacred text by Hindus today. Written in Sanskrit, it tells the story of the legendary prince and princess Rama and Sita, and the many challenges, misfortunes and choices that they face. About 24,000 verses long, the Ramayana is also one of the longest ancient epics. It’s a text that’s been hugely influential and it continues to be popular in India and elsewhere in Asia. With Jessica Frazier Lecturer in the Study of Religion at the University of Oxford and a Fellow of the Oxford Centre for Hindu StudiesChakravarthi Ram-Prasad Distinguished Professor of Comparative Religion and Philosophy at Lancaster Universityand Naomi Appleton Senior Lecturer in Asian Religions at the University of EdinburghThe image above shows Rama, Sita, Hanuman, Lakshmana and devotees, from the Shree Jalaram Prarthana Mandal, Leicester. Producer Luke Mulhall

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the ancient Sanskrit text the Arthashastra, regarded as one of the major works of Indian literature. Written in the style of a scientific treatise, it provides rulers with a guide on how to govern their territory and sets out what the structure, economic policy and foreign affairs of the ideal state should be. According to legend, it was written by Chanakya, a political advisor to the ruler Chandragupta Maurya (reigned 321 – 297 BC) who founded the Mauryan Empire, the first great Empire in the Indian subcontinent. As the Arthashastra asserts that a ruler should pursue his goals ruthlessly by whatever means is required, it has been compared with the 16th-century work The Prince by Machiavelli. Today, it is widely viewed as presenting a sophisticated and refined analysis of the nature, dynamics and challenges of rulership, and scholars value it partly because it undermines colonial stereotypes of what early South Asian society was like. WithJessica Frazier Lecturer in the Study of Religion at the University of Oxford and a Fellow of the Oxford Centre for Hindu StudiesJames Hegarty Professor of Sanskrit and Indian Religions at Cardiff University And Deven Patel Associate Professor of South Asia Studies at the University of PennsylvaniaProducer: Simon Tillotson

The origin of our universe is the greatest mystery of all. Why is there something rather than nothing? Further still, how did we come to exist in a world with such precise laws of nature and complex creatures? As we shall see, how we answer these questions determines everything: from the meaning of our lives to the secrets of our futures. This week Premier Unbelievable presents a two part show event entitled “The Mystery of Existence” opening with the perennial and mind teasing question, “Why is there something rather than nothing?”. We have teamed up with our friends at The Panpsycast Philosophy Podcast to create a riveting two-part show made possible in part thanks to the Global Philosophy of Religion Project at the University of Birmingham. Featuring four of the biggest names in philosophy: Richard Dawkins (representing science and atheism), Jessica Frazier (on Hinduism), Silvia Jonas (speaking on Jewish philosophy), and Richard Swinburne (defending Christianity), the show asks the question, Why is there something rather than nothing?”  The debate is presented by Unbelievable’s Ruth Jackson and hosted by Panpsycast’s Jack Symes. The Global Philosophy of Religion Project: http://global-philosophy.org Philosophers on God (book): http://amzn.to/3K4enjy Talking about Philosophy: http://talkingaboutphilosophy.com Richard Dawkins: http://richarddawkins.com Jessica Frazier: http://bit.ly/jessicafrazier Silvia Jonas: http://silviajonas.com Jack Symes: http://jacksymes.co.uk Richard Swinburne: http://bit.ly/richardswinburne • Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast: https://pod.link/267142101 • More shows, free eBook & newsletter: https://premierunbelievable.com • For live events: http://www.unbelievable.live • For online learning: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/training • Support us in the USA: http://www.premierinsight.org/unbelievableshow • Support us in the rest of the world: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/donate

Featuring four of the biggest names in philosophy and biology Unbelievable presents the second part of “The Mystery of Existence” a riveting debate showcasing the intellectual prowess of four eminent figures in the realm of biology and philosophy: Richard Dawkins (representing science and atheism), Jessica Frazier (on Hinduism), Silvia Jonas (speaking on Jewish philosophy), and Richard Swinburne (defending Christianity). The origin of our universe is the greatest mystery of all. The second part of this special debate discusses what is the origin of life? Why is there something rather than nothing? This remarkable two-part series is a collaboration with The Panpsycast Philosophy Podcast and has been made possible, in part, by the Global Philosophy of Religion Project at the University of Birmingham. Hosted by Ruth Jackson of Unbelievable and presented by Jack Symes of Panpsycast, this Unbelievable special 'The Mystery of Existence' offers profound insights and perspectives on origins and meaning. If you missed the first part of this enthralling debate, titled "Why is there something rather than nothing?" be sure to catch up here {Hyperlink FOR PREVIOUS WEEK's SHOW] The Global Philosophy of Religion Project: http://global-philosophy.org Philosophers on God (book): http://amzn.to/3K4enjy Talking about Philosophy: http://talkingaboutphilosophy.com Richard Dawkins: http://richarddawkins.com  Jessica Frazier: http://bit.ly/jessicafrazier  Silvia Jonas: http://silviajonas.com  Jack Symes: http://jacksymes.co.uk  Richard Swinburne: http://bit.ly/richardswinburne  Philosophers on God (book): http://amzn.to/3K4enjy Talking about Philosophy: http://talkingaboutphilosophy.com  The Global Philosophy of Religion Project: http://global-philosophy.org  Support: http://patreon.com/panpsycast • Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast: https://pod.link/267142101 • More shows, free eBook & newsletter: https://premierunbelievable.com • For live events: http://www.unbelievable.live • For online learning: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/training • Support us in the USA: http://www.premierinsight.org/unbelievableshow • Support us in the rest of the world: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/donate

Exploring creation myths from Hindu, Greek, and Egyptian cultures, the podcast discusses the concept of a divine designer and how different civilizations perceive the origins of the universe. Delving into Daoist beliefs and David Hume's skepticism, the episode explores the mysteries of creation and the impact of science fiction on our understanding of the universe.