Long-form conversations with the scholars of Jain Darshan.
A video podcast series featuring senior scholars in unhurried, in-depth conversation on Jain Darshan, Prakrit, Sanskrit, manuscript study, and the living tradition. Hosted, recorded, and free to watch — wherever you listen.
Karma in Digambar Tradition: Unanswered Questions
What Talk With Scholar is.
Talk With Scholar is the trust's flagship video podcast — long, unhurried, in-depth conversations with senior scholars of Jain Darshan, Prakrit, Sanskrit, traditional logic (न्यायशास्त्र), and the manuscript tradition.
The host, a trust representative, brings carefully prepared questions and student doubts to each conversation. Scholars are invited only — most have decades of scholarship behind them, and many are appearing in long-form on camera for the first time. Episodes range from 45 minutes to 2 hours. There is no script, no fixed agenda — only thoughtful preparation and the willingness to follow the conversation where it goes.
Hours of scholarship, on demand.
Each episode is a fresh, in-depth conversation. Filter by topic to find what speaks to your study — or simply watch them in order.
Ep 24
1:24:18
Karma in Digambar Tradition: Unanswered Questions
Ep 23
52:07
What does Naya really mean? A close reading
Ep 22
1:08:42
Reading a 17th-century Prakrit pandulipi together
Ep 21
47:33
Tattvarth Sutra Chapter 5: A Dialogue
Ep 20
1:12:50
Why Prakrit matters today: A scholar's view
Ep 19
58:24
The Twelve Bhavanas in Daily Practice
Voices from the tradition.
Each scholar featured on Talk With Scholar brings decades of rigorous study. Most are appearing in long-form on camera for the first time. All are invited; none seek the platform.
Senior pandit with four decades of teaching at major Mahavidyalayas. Authority on the karma siddhanta.
View Episodes →Authority on Jain logic and epistemology, with extensive published work on Naya theory.
View Episodes →Manuscript specialist with field experience across major Indian Jain bhandaras.
View Episodes →University professor specializing in scriptural commentary and traditional pedagogy.
View Episodes →Specialist in Prakrit grammar and Apabhramsa literature; long career in language preservation.
View Episodes →Senior teacher whose conversations focus on integrating shastric study with daily practice.
View Episodes →Historian of Jain institutions with notable contributions to bhandara documentation.
View Episodes →Senior teacher of Acharya-level texts with emphasis on traditional pedagogical methods.
View Episodes →Watch by topic.
Multiple episodes are organized into thematic series for deeper study. Begin where your interest lies — the conversations build on each other within each series.
Karma Theory
Foundational and advanced discussions on the Jain doctrine of karma — its mechanisms, classifications, and lived implications.
Tattvarth Sutra
Chapter-by-chapter dialogue on the Tattvarth Sutra — its philosophical depth and contemporary relevance.
Pramanshastra & Nyaya
Jain epistemology and logic — the seven-fold predication, naya theory, and methods of valid knowledge.
Manuscripts & Paleography
Live readings of historical manuscripts, paleographic technique, and the contemporary work of preservation.
Prakrit & Sanskrit
The languages of the tradition — their grammar, literature, and the case for their continued study today.
Self-Study & Practice
Conversations on integrating shastric learning with daily practice — for the householder and the scholar alike.
The conversation is prepared, not improvised.
Each Talk With Scholar episode is preceded by weeks of preparation. The host studies the scholar's published work, gathers the genuine doubts of advanced students, and structures questions that demand thought rather than soundbite. The result is what you watch — not a casual chat, but a serious conversation that respects both the scholar's depth and the student's curiosity.
The host does not perform; he asks. He does not interrupt; he listens. And he stays out of the way when the answer is more important than the next question. This discipline is what allows scholars to speak freely on camera — often for the first time.
Subscribe on YouTube.
New episodes are published every two weeks. Subscribing ensures you never miss an episode — and supports the trust's mission to make this scholarship freely available.
New episode alerts.
Prefer email over notifications? We send a thoughtful note when each new episode is published — with episode notes, scholar background, and suggested readings.
Are you a scholar with something essential to say?
Talk With Scholar is, by design, an invite-only program. Every episode is the result of careful selection by the trust. However, if you are a senior scholar in the relevant fields whose work has not yet found its long-form audience — we would be honoured to hear from you.
Please write to scholars@sgpt.in with a brief introduction of your work and the topics you would feel called to discuss. We respond personally to every message.
Common questions.
Yes — fully free, on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Talk With Scholar is offered as a free service of the trust, supported by donors and trustees. No paywalls, no premium tiers, no advertisements.
New episodes are typically published every two weeks. Production schedules around festivals, scholar availability, and major workshops may shift this slightly — but the rhythm is consistent enough to follow.
Most episodes are recorded primarily in Hindi, with Sanskrit and Prakrit terms used naturally throughout. A few episodes have been in English when the scholar prefers that language. Closed captions and transcripts are being prepared progressively for older episodes.
Talk With Scholar is invite-only and curated by the trust. Senior scholars whose work aligns with the program's depth are welcome to write to scholars@sgpt.in — see the section above for more.
Yes — although a formal submission system is in development, you can currently write to tws@sgpt.in with serious questions or topic suggestions. The host genuinely reads every message, and many episode questions have come from viewers like you.
Episode notes — including discussed verses, scholar bio, and suggested readings — are linked in the description of every YouTube video. We are progressively building a more permanent archive on this site.