Portrait of Lord Melvyn Bragg, host of In Our Time

Hindu philosophical concepts

Nirvana ( neer-VAH-nə, -⁠VAN-ə, nur-; Sanskrit: निर्वाण nirvāṇa [nɪrʋaːɳɐ]; Pali: nibbāna; Prakrit: ṇivvāṇa; literally, "blown out", as in an oil lamp) is a concept in Indian religions (Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism), the extinguishing of the passions which is the ultimate state of soteriological release and the liberation from duḥkha ('suffering') and saṃsāra, the cycle of birth and rebirth. In Indian religions, nirvana is synonymous with moksha and mukti.

2 episodes

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  1. Karma

    Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the development of the doctrine of Karma, broadly of reaping what you sow, from the ancient Sanskrit texts of Hinduism down to today.

    20 June 2024

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    Featuring: Monima Chadha, Jessica Frazier, Karen O’Brien-Kop

     
  2. The Upanishads

    Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the Upanishads, the sacred texts of Hinduism. Dating from about 700 BC, their mystical and philosophical nature still resonates today.

    8 November 2012

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    Featuring: Jessica Frazier, Chakravarthi Ram-Prasad, Simon Brodbeck