HWN Organizes Online Webinar on “Symbolism Behind Timeless Hindu Stories”

Hindu Women’s Network held an online Webinar on Nov 15, 2025, from 2 to 4 PM. The topic of the webinar was “Symbolism Behind Timeless Hindu Stories”. This was a unique webinar, because all the panelists were High School students, and the moderator was a Junior in college.

The Webinar started with a shloka recitation by the students of Bal Vidya Mandir in Ashland, MA. Twenty children from ages 7 to 10 recited the Ganesh and Saraswati Stutis in one voice. Next came a bhajan on Sri Krishna, sung melodiously in Carnatic music style by an 11-year-old girl.

Sarayu was the moderator of the program.  She introduced the panelists and mentors, summarized the discussions after each presentation, and seamlessly wove them all together. The panelists presented stories from the Itihasas, Puranas, and other sacred Hindu texts. There were a vast variety of stories, from the Ramayan, Mahabharat, Bhagwat Purana, Shiva Purana and other sources. Stories like Ganesh and Kartikeya Janam, Samudra Manthan, Prahlad, Sanjeevani Parvat, Ram Ravan Yudh, Ganga and Abhimanyu. With each story, the panelists expertly wove their interpretations and symbolism into the story, making it interesting not only for children but also for the adults in the audience. Some of their insights were incredible. Viewers commented that they had learned a lot from the stories, and many said they were hearing about the symbolism for the first time. One viewer said, “you managed to engage us and teach us at the same time, without being preachy or boring.” Another commented, “even though I knew the story of the Ram-Ravan Yudh, the way you explained it made it come alive. I learned a lot from the symbolism of the story.”

The panel discussions followed by a lively question and answer session, in which panelists and mentors both answered difficult questions put to them by the viewers.

The webinar ended with a vote of thanks and the closing prayer.

Hindu Women’s Network (HWN) gives a voice to the Hindu women’s perspective on contemporary issues affecting all women.  HWN develops programs for holistic physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual development. HWN’s goal is to form a vibrant network of Hindu women to promote collaboration and communication at local, national, and international levels.

For more information or to start a chapter of Hindu Women’s Network in your area, please visit https://hinduwomennetwork.org/