Seeing with the Inner Eye: A Journey into Indian Art and Philosophy

What if art wasn’t just meant to be seen, but experienced through a deeper inner eye?

In this evocative episode, Mohua is joined by Dr. Harsha V. Dehejia, physician, poet, scholar of Indian aesthetics, and author of The Third Eye of Indian Art. With over 30 books and a life devoted to the beauty of Indic traditions, Dr. Dehejia invites us into a world where art is not merely visual, but spiritual.

Their conversation explores how Indian art invites us to look beyond the surface.Dr. Dehejia explains the meaning of the ‘third eye’, a symbol of inner vision and insight. He also reads a section from his book on the Prithvi Sukta, an ancient hymn from the Atharva Veda that describes the Earth as a nurturing, all-encompassing goddess. He also speaks about Ardhanarishvara, the striking half-man, half-woman form of Shiva and Parvati, which expresses the harmony of masculine and feminine energies.

Drawing from the Vedas, Upanishads, and classical Indian philosophy, Dr. Dehejia makes a compelling case for aesthetics as a way of being—rooted in both wonder and wisdom.

If you've ever paused before a sculpture or been moved by the silence in a miniature painting, this episode reflects on what makes Indian art so soulful. And for writers drawn to the cultural and aesthetic legacy of India, Dr. Dehejia offers guidance grounded in both scholarship and soul.

Let the third eye open.

Key Topics Covered:

• Why Dr. Harsha V. Dehejia believes Indian art must be experienced, not just observed.
• The concept of the ‘third eye’ in Indian aesthetics—and how it guides inner perception.
• How the Prithvi Sukta from the Atharva Veda depicts the Earth as a sacred, living goddess.
• The philosophical symbolism behind Ardhanarishvara and the balance of masculine and feminine energies.
• Why beauty in Indian art is inseparable from spiritual insight and emotional resonance.
• The continued relevance of Vedic and Upanishadic ideas in understanding Indian art today.
• How Dr. Dehejia’s dual training in medicine and culture shaped his view of aesthetics as healing.
• His reflections on curating exhibitions, writing over 30 books, and making Indian aesthetics accessible.
• Advice for aspiring writers and aesthetes exploring India’s cultural and philosophical legacy.

Connect with Us

Mohua Chinappa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohua-chinappa/

The Mohua Show: https://www.themohuashow.com/

Connect with Dr. Harsha V. Dehejia

Dr. Harsha V. Dehejia: https://www.alephbookcompany.com/authors/harsha-v-dehejia/

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Chapters:

00:00 Highlights
01:17 Introduction to Harsha V. Dehejia
09:31 Symbolism of the Third Eye in Indian Art
19:45 The Experience of Beauty and the Third Eye
32:33 The Role of the Third Eye in Understanding Art
39:57 Advice for Aspiring Writers on Cultural Themes

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