Shadow Realm
81 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 months ago - ★★★★★ - 115 ratingsA San Francisco teenager finds out he has magical powers after falling through a fault in the earth and into the lands of Vedic mythology, and in Season 2, he learns his journey is far from over. Can Arya save his friends, or will his power plunge them deeper into danger?
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Episodes
The Natural World of the Ramayana
January 12, 2024 11:00 - 45 minutesEnjoy the full conversation with the creator of Shadow Realm and the Arya Chronicle series, Reenita Malhotra, and the editor of Sanctuary Magazine and founder of the Sanctuary Nature Foundation, Bittu Sahgal, about the nature of the Ramayana, and what it has to teach us about the world and ourselves.
S2E19: The Deep End
January 11, 2024 11:00 - 15 minutesArya, Saara, and Kamaal stumble upon a mysterious fruit tree, but can they trust it? What seem like small choices propel Arya into chaos and his past. Will Arya escape the depths of his fear to save his friends or be consumed by the weight of the unknown?
S2E18: The Illusion Falls
January 09, 2024 11:00 - 6 minutesArya reunites with Saara, and he sees her and the journey in a whole new light.
S2E17: The Wrong Way
January 04, 2024 11:00 - 6 minutesMo's magnetic pull leads Arya down a dark path, where reality blurs and trust wavers. Where will Arya's choices lead him?
S2E16: The Ones Left Behind
January 02, 2024 11:00 - 6 minutesSomething dark still haunts Saara and Pa; without Arya's protection, there's still more chaos yet to come.
The Natural World of the Ramayana (Teaser)
December 21, 2023 11:00 - 9 minutesEnjoy the first part of this conversation with the creator of Shadow Realm and the Arya Chronicle series, Reenita Malhotra, and the editor of Sanctuary Magazine and founder of the Sanctuary Nature Foundation, Bittu Sahgal, about the nature of the Ramayana, and what it has to teach us about the world and ourselves.
S2E15: The Choice
December 19, 2023 11:00 - 9 minutesArya protects Kaamal from Pataal Lok's many dangers, but can he save himself?
The Mythology Behind Shadow Realm: Vedic Martial Arts
December 14, 2023 11:00 - 4 minutesGet a dive deep into the rich mythology that inspired 'Shadow Realm.
S2E14: The Journey
December 12, 2023 11:00 - 8 minutesLoyalty is strong enough to bring a familiar face to Arya in Pataal Lok, but can it help them understand his destiny?
The Mythology Behind Shadow Realm: Brahman Shakti
December 07, 2023 11:00 - 5 minutesGet a dive deep into the rich mythology that inspired 'Shadow Realm.
S2E13: The Sunless Sky
December 05, 2023 11:00 - 8 minutesArya follows Mahabali straight into a different plane of existence. Can he trust the path ahead?
The Mythology Behind Shadow Realm: Banyan Tree
November 30, 2023 11:00 - 4 minutesGet a dive deep into the rich mythology that inspired 'Shadow Realm.
S2E12: The Storyteller
November 28, 2023 11:00 - 12 minutesArya returns to Onam. He finds out how much is at stake if the story of Onam changes. If the line between villain and hero blurs, then who can say what is order and what is chaos?
The Mythology Behind Shadow Realm: Rakshasa
November 23, 2023 11:00 - 5 minutesGet a dive deep into the rich mythology that inspired 'Shadow Realm.
S2E11: The Answers
November 21, 2023 11:00 - 13 minutesNature leads Arya right to the Medicine Woman, but Arya learns that his journey and obstacles are his own to decipher.
The Mythology Behind Shadow Realm: Wildwoods
November 17, 2023 12:00 - 3 minutesGet a dive deep into the rich mythology that inspired 'Shadow Realm.
S2E10: The Parade
November 14, 2023 11:00 - 10 minutesArya finds himself in the middle of a vibrant celebration. Will he find his anarchist in the crowds?
The Mythology Behind Shadow Realm: Rishiji
November 09, 2023 11:00 - 6 minutesOn this bonus, get a dive deep into the rich mythology that inspired 'Shadow Realm.
S2E9: The Council
November 07, 2023 11:00 - 8 minutesArya picks his anarchist and follows their trail to a whole new plane. Will he find what he's looking for?
The Mythology Behind Shadow Realm: Thread Ceremony
November 02, 2023 10:00 - 6 minutesGet a dive deep into the rich mythology that inspired 'Shadow Realm.
S2E8: The Treta Yug
October 31, 2023 10:00 - 10 minutesArya can't escape the visions of that angry, ax-wielding man. He needs to know this man's story and why it felt so tethered to his own.
The Mythology Behind Shadow Realm: Hanuman
October 26, 2023 10:00 - 7 minutesIn this bonus, get a dive deep into the rich mythology that inspired 'Shadow Realm.
S2E7: The Preserver
October 24, 2023 10:00 - 12 minutesRishi-ji takes Arya on the wave of time to show him the way. Can Arya find answers between the order and chaos?
The Mythology Behind Shadow Realm: Ravana
October 19, 2023 14:59 - 7 minutesIn this bonus episode, get a dive deep into the rich mythology that inspired 'Shadow Realm.
S2E6: The Wave of Time
October 17, 2023 10:00 - 9 minutesArya tries to find space to think in the Marin Headlands, but he can't seem to stay in the moment. Who will show him the way?
The Mythology Behind Shadow Realm: Ramayana
October 12, 2023 10:00 - 7 minutesIn this bonus episode, get a dive deep into the rich mythology that inspired 'Shadow Realm.
S2E5: The Wronged
October 10, 2023 10:00 - 10 minutesArya visits Hamid in the police station to see if he holds the key to understanding the ominous black flowers, but will he figure it out in time to protect Saara?
S2E4: The Dwarf
October 05, 2023 10:00 - 7 minutesArya and Saara try to take a tranquil row boat ride in Golden State Park, but Arya can’t get the mark of Vishnu out of his mind, and it turns out danger isn’t far behind them.
S2E3: The Mark of Vishnu
October 03, 2023 10:00 - 11 minutesArya's desperate search for answers pushes him to break the rules of his power. Will it be worth it?
S2E2: The Right Moment
September 28, 2023 10:00 - 7 minutesArya comforts Saara at the hospital while they wait to hear about Taa's condition. Overcome with guilt, Saara confides in Arya that what happened today wasn't the first sign of danger.
S2E1: The Finish Line
September 26, 2023 10:00 - 11 minutesArya cheers Saara on as she runs Bay to Breakers, but with every mile she runs, Arya gets closer to the start of a dangerous journey.
Season 1 Recap
September 25, 2023 09:00 - 3 minutesWant a refresher on Season 1 of Shadow Realm before jumping into Arya's newest journey? Listen to this quick recap of the last season from the show's creator Reenita Malhotra.
Season 2: Coming Soon
September 14, 2023 04:00 - 59 secondsArya's journey continues on 9/26. Will he overcome the divine's challenges or lose himself and his loved ones to the space between order and chaos?
S1E21: A New Normal
April 14, 2022 10:00 - 10 minutesArya has changed, seemingly overnight, as he returns to school the next day. He stands up to his bullies, no longer afraid or affected by their taunting. Pa is astounded at his son’s maturity, especially as they prepare to remove Ma from life support. Arya knows she is at peace in the backwaters, but Pa feels only emptiness and sadness. Arya knows what his father needs – deep medicine that lives in the pages of the Ramayana. Together, they begin a journey through the stories that Ma once told...
21 - A New Normal
April 14, 2022 10:00 - 10 minutesArya has changed, seemingly overnight, as he returns to school the next day. He stands up to his bullies, no longer afraid or affected by their taunting. Pa is astounded at his son’s maturity, especially as they prepare to remove Ma from life support. Arya knows she is at peace in the backwaters, but Pa feels only emptiness and sadness. Arya knows what his father needs – deep medicine that lives in the pages of the Ramayana. Together, they begin a journey through the stories that Ma once told...
20 - Journeying Home
April 07, 2022 10:00 - 10 minutesWith a new understanding of the power of the Ramayana, Arya finds closure as he says goodbye to his new friends in the Wild Woods and prepares to go home. He finds himself back in his home in San Francisco where he returns the Ramayana to its rightful place in Ma’s prayer room. As he lays in bed that night, he is at peace with whatever the next day will bring, knowing that the Ramayana will guide him forward. IN THIS EPISODE: [00:01] Previously on Shadow Realm [00:59] Chimpu is healed by...
S1E20: Journeying Home
April 07, 2022 10:00 - 10 minutesWith a new understanding of the power of the Ramayana, Arya finds closure as he says goodbye to his new friends in the Wild Woods and prepares to go home. He finds himself back in his home in San Francisco where he returns the Ramayana to its rightful place in Ma’s prayer room. As he lays in bed that night, he is at peace with whatever the next day will bring, knowing that the Ramayana will guide him forward. IN THIS EPISODE: [00:01] Previously on Shadow Realm [00:59] Chimpu is healed by t...
19 - The Backwaters - Again
March 31, 2022 11:00 - 7 minutesWith Ravana defeated, Arya goes to visit the Medicine Woman one last time. He realizes it is Ma as her True Self. As they talk, many things become clear. The reason for his journey to the backwaters wasn’t to find Deep Medicine but to see his Ma, not as a helpless woman on life support, but here guiding him. The Deep Medicine he sought, was in the Ramayana the whole time. Just as Arya was key to the epic’s survival, the epic was also key to his survival. Its stories were real and powerful. W...
S1E19: The Backwaters—Again
March 31, 2022 11:00 - 7 minutesWith Ravana defeated, Arya goes to visit the Medicine Woman one last time. He realizes it is Ma as her True Self. As they talk, many things become clear. The reason for his journey to the backwaters wasn’t to find Deep Medicine but to see his Ma, not as a helpless woman on life support, but here guiding him. The Deep Medicine he sought, was in the Ramayana the whole time. Just as Arya was key to the epic’s survival, the epic was also key to his survival. Its stories were real and powerful. Wi...
18 - Shadow Realm: Arya of Ravana's Passion
March 17, 2022 11:00 - 14 minutesIn a final fight, Arya comes face to face with the demon king, Ravana. Its’ 10 menacing heads manifest as demons from Arya’s life, and one appears as a mirror image of Arya himself. Shocked and confused, Arya is momentarily stunned. The demon continues to terrorize Arya as he stares at the Rakshasas-filled reflection of himself. But for the first time, the voices don’t phase him. Arya finally understands Rishiji’s many riddles and instructions. Arya knows who he is. He knows his true self and...
S1E18: Shadow Realm: Arya of Ravana's Passion
March 17, 2022 11:00 - 14 minutesIn a final fight, Arya comes face to face with the demon king, Ravana. Its’ 10 menacing heads manifest as demons from Arya’s life, and one appears as a mirror image of Arya himself. Shocked and confused, Arya is momentarily stunned. The demon continues to terrorize Arya as he stares at the Rakshasas-filled reflection of himself. But for the first time, the voices don’t phase him. Arya finally understands Rishiji’s many riddles and instructions. Arya knows who he is. He knows his true self and...
S1E17: Hanumana!
March 03, 2022 11:00 - 15 minutesAt first light, Arya and the vanaras begin their descent to the dark side. They reach the place where Arya has to plavang — jump, leap and fly, to get to the Ramayana. He is terrified but with the Rakshasas closing in he doesn’t have a choice. He digs deep into his being, seeking energy from Brahman Shakti, and before his own eyes, he is transformed into a powerful warrior. He leaps and soars from island to island, getting closer to the funeral pyre where the Ramayana is poised to burn. The v...
17 - Hanumana!
March 03, 2022 11:00 - 15 minutesAt first light, Arya and the vanaras begin their descent to the dark side. They reach the place where Arya has to plavang — jump, leap and fly, to get to the Ramayana. He is terrified but with the Rakshasas closing in he doesn’t have a choice. He digs deep into his being, seeking energy from Brahman Shakti, and before his own eyes, he is transformed into a powerful warrior. He leaps and soars from island to island, getting closer to the funeral pyre where the Ramayana is poised to burn. The v...
True Fiction Project - Shadow Realm with Dr. Kanniks Kannikeswaran
February 24, 2022 11:00 - 43 minutesWe interrupt our regularly scheduled Shadow Realm podcast to introduce you to my other podcast, True Fiction Project which is a podcast that explores the origins of fiction. This episode interview is with Dr. Kanniks Kannikeswaran, the composer and conductor of the Shadow Realm soundtrack. He is an internationally renowned music composer, educator, and scholar known for his sustained contribution to music and community for the past 25 years. We talk about his incredible work on the soundtrack...
S1E16: The Dark Side
February 17, 2022 11:00 - 7 minutesArya wakes to find his friends, the vanaras, surrounding him. There is an army of monkeys with them, ready to fight the Rakshasas and save the Ramayana before it is destroyed, erasing the history that good ever existed. Arya and Chimpu form a Shakespearean plan inspired by Macbeth to distract the Rakshasas while Arya sneaks into the canyon to retrieve the book. Knowing the Rakshasas are blinded by the sunlight, Arya and his friends anxiously wait for the first signs of light to enact their pl...
16 - The Dark Side
February 17, 2022 11:00 - 7 minutesArya wakes to find his friends, the vanaras, surrounding him. There is an army of monkeys with them, ready to fight the Rakshasas and save the Ramayana before it is destroyed, erasing the history that good ever existed. Arya and Chimpu form a Shakespearean plan inspired by Macbeth to distract the Rakshasas while Arya sneaks into the canyon to retrieve the book. Knowing the Rakshasas are blinded by the sunlight, Arya and his friends anxiously wait for the first signs of light to enact their pl...
15 - Levitating Over Lanka
February 10, 2022 11:00 - 9 minutesArya was sure that he had failed his quest when he watched the Ramayana fall into the vast darkness. However, when Rishiji appears, Arya learns that all hope is not lost. Rishiji leads Arya into the sky and shows him a deep canyon filled with Rakshasas and much to Arya’s surprise, he sees the Ramayana intact perched on Ravana’s throne. With Rishiji’s instructions and the vanaras help, Arya may still have a chance to save the Ramayana. IN THIS EPISODE: [00:01] Previously on Shadow Realm ...
S1E15: Levitating Over Lanka
February 10, 2022 11:00 - 9 minutesArya was sure that he had failed his quest when he watched the Ramayana fall into the vast darkness. However, when Rishiji appears, Arya learns that all hope is not lost. Rishiji leads Arya into the sky and shows him a deep canyon filled with Rakshasas and much to Arya’s surprise, he sees the Ramayana intact perched on Ravana’s throne. With Rishiji’s instructions and the vanaras help, Arya may still have a chance to save the Ramayana. IN THIS EPISODE: [00:01] Previously on Shadow Realm [0...
S1E14: The Avalanche of Rakshasas
February 03, 2022 16:00 - 9 minutesArya is stumbling through the dark forest trying to find his friends, having just escaped the sinister vines that threatened to silence him. The moonlight reveals a silhouetted image of the Medicine Woman but her words are interrupted by an avalanche of rakshasas barrelling down a hillside towards Arya. He is outnumbered. With only a single arrow left, Arya aims and fires the asthra. The rakshasas are hit and scattered. Another narrow escape but then suddenly, the ground shifts and in an inst...
14 - The Avalanche of Rakshasas
February 03, 2022 16:00 - 9 minutesArya is stumbling through the dark forest trying to find his friends, having just escaped the sinister vines that threatened to silence him. The moonlight reveals a silhouetted image of the Medicine Woman but her words are interrupted by an avalanche of rakshasas barrelling down a hillside towards Arya. He is outnumbered. With only a single arrow left, Arya aims and fires the asthra. The rakshasas are hit and scattered. Another narrow escape but then suddenly, the ground shifts and in an inst...