Best Sanskrit Studies Podcasts (2025)

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Marriott Memories: The life and impact of McKim Marriott 1:01:26

15d ago1:01:26

1:01:26

In this episode, we look back on the work and impact of McKim Marriott, Professor Emeritus at the University of Chicago, who passed earlier this year on July 3, 2024. Initially, we recorded this conversation as a celebration of work and impact, but after his passing this summer, we wanted to share this as a celebration of work and a remembrance. Jo…

1
49. Daniela Bevilacqua | From Tapas to Modern Yoga 1:14:56

2M ago1:14:56

1:14:56

In this episode, we speak with return guest and teacher Dr. Daniela Bevilacqua to discuss the publication of her latest work, From Tapas to Modern Yoga: Sādhus’ Understanding of Embodied Practices (2024). We discuss the origins of the book as part of the research and output of the infamous SOAS Hatha Yoga Project (2015-2020), her methodology as an …

1
172 – Conclusion of Gita | Swami Tattwamayananda 59:12

2M ago59:12

59:12

Gita is the most celebrated spiritual text of Hinduism and Vedanta. Shankaracharya immortalized Gita with his commentary. Many of Buddha’s teachings were taken from Gita. The 26th chapter of Dhammapada is repetition of the characteristics of a “stitha-prajna” (wise man) described in the 2nd chapter of Gita. The concept of moderation discussed in th…

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171 – Fitness to Study Gita | Swami Tattwamayananda 1:07:32

3M ago1:07:32

1:07:32

63rd verse: “You have listened to the great spiritual truth and My instructions. Now, you do whatever you want. Act according to your own conviction and understanding.” There is no compulsion from the teacher, Lord Krishna. He encourages the student to use his own intellect and conviction. This is because everyone in the world is at a different lev…

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170 – Taking Refuge in God | Swami Tattwamayananda 1:02:03

3M ago1:02:03

1:02:03

The 59th and 60th verses take us back to the original narrative of Gita, where Arjuna was facing conflicts as he did not want to do an unpleasant duty. Lord Krishna says: “If instead of practicing karma yoga, you think you can run away from your duty, that is your fantasy. Your own swabhava will compel you to do the duty.” Swabhava is our inherent …

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48. Brian Dana Akers | The Yoga Manifesto and the World of Yoga Publishing 51:42

3M ago51:42

51:42

In this episode we speak with Briana Dana Akers, who is a publisher, editor, and translator, best known for his translation of the Haṭhapradīpikā. We discuss his background discovering yoga at a young age, learning Sanskrit in Michigan and in India, and how he first began publishing Sanskrit works on yoga when he founded YogaVidya at just 23 years …

1
169 – Buddhi Yoga: Art of Working Intelligently | Swami Tattwamayananda 59:33

3M ago59:33

59:33

Title: Buddhi Yoga: Art of Working Intelligently 18th Chapter: verses 57, 58, 59, 60, 61 57th verse: “Mentally offer all actions to Me. Buddhi Yoga is the tool with which you should live and work in this world.” Buddhi Yoga refers to purified intellect. It is the higher faculty of the human mind that enables us to perform our actions without obsess…

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168 – Universal Approach of Gita | Swami Tattwamayananda 1:09:30

3M ago1:09:30

1:09:30

Title: Universal Approach of Gita 18th Chapter: verses 56, 57, 58, 59 Gita offers four paths for spiritual realization: Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Karma Yoga and Dhyana Yoga. 56th verse: “Surrender all your actions and results to Me. Then My grace will take you to the highest spiritual destination.” 57th verse: “Mentally offer all actions to Me. Your…

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167 – Bhakti and Self-Surrender | Swami Tattwamayananda 55:34

4M ago55:34

55:34

Title: Bhakti and Self-Surrender 18th Chapter: verses 54, 55, 56 54th verse: “The one who does his work with sanctity and sacredness, he ultimately become a Prasanna-atma. He becomes identified with Brahman. He has no desires and no reason to worry. He sees everyone as the same. Such a person attains the highest devotion.” A true devotee of God has…

1
47. Zoë Slatoff | Yoga, Vedānta, and Ashtanga Yoga 1:02:05

4M ago1:02:05

1:02:05

In this episode we speak with Zoë Slatoff about her background as an Ashtanga Yoga practitioner and teacher turned academic and Sanskrit professor at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. We discuss how her experiences within the Ashtanga Yoga community led her to the study of Sanskrit, and the eventual writing of her textbook called Yogāvatā…

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46. Kunsang | From Buddhist Nun to Tibetan Translator 1:24:09

5M ago1:24:09

1:24:09

In this episode we speak with Kunsang about her upcoming series of courses in Classical Tibetan. We learn about her fascinating journey growing up in Venezuela and Italy and first encountering Tibetan Buddhism in her youth, studying Buddhist philosophy in Italy, becoming ordained as a Buddhist nun, studying Tibetan language and joining a nunnery in…

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166 – Highest Level of Devotion | Swami Tattwamayananda 1:20:10

7M ago1:20:10

1:20:10

18th Chapter: verse 45, 54, 55. 12th chapter: verse 8, 9, 10, 11. 13th chapter: verse 10 45th verse: “By engaging in one’s own swadharma, man attains perfection and the highest inner fulfillment.” If we dedicate our resources to our appointed duty, and if we do it with a sense of sanctity and sacredness, and with total unselfishness, then that atti…

1
165 – Intellect With Spiritual Wisdom | Swami Tattwamayananda 1:06:48

7M ago1:06:48

1:06:48

Title: Intellect With Spiritual Wisdom 18th Chapter: verse 45, 47, 51, 52, 53 45th verse: “By engaging in one’s own swadharma, man attains perfection and the highest inner fulfillment.” Swadharma, is work that naturally comes to us “unasked” due to our samskaras and natural traits. It is work that we are supposed to do, that we are qualified to do …

1
164 – Following Our Swadharma | Swami Tattwamayananda 1:09:20

7M ago1:09:20

1:09:20

18th Chapter: verse 45, 46, 47, 48, 49 45th verse: “By engaging in one’s own swadharma, man attains perfection and the highest inner fulfillment.” Swadharma, is work that naturally comes to us “unasked”, by virtue of our samskaras and natural traits. We feel such work is our calling/duty. When we do our Swadharma, we find contentment and a sense of…

1
163 – Division of Duties Based on Gunas | Swami Tattwamayananda 1:21:26

7M ago1:21:26

1:21:26

18th Chapter: verse 40, 41, 42, 43, 44 40th verse: “Everyone in this world is dictated by these three gunas.” Lord Krishna divides human traits in three areas – sattvic, rajasik and tamasik. A sattvic person is calm and serene even in difficult situations. A rajasik person is swayed by his circumstances. A tamasik person is lazy, confused and delud…

1
AIIS and Tech: Languages, Code, Design, and Careers with former AIIS language students 1:00:54

8M ago1:00:54

1:00:54

In this episode, we look to the world of tech and the bridges that AIIS students create between Indian and South Asian Studies and successful careers in technology fields of all kinds. The stereotypical careers that stem from the study of Indic languages and South Asian Studies may be in the humanities, but many AIIS language students have made the…

1
162 – The Three Levels of Intellect and Happiness | Swami Tattwamayananda 1:07:37

8M ago1:07:37

1:07:37

Title: The Three Levels of Intellect and Happiness 18th Chapter: verse 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32, 37, 38, 39 Lord Krishna divides human traits in three areas – sattvic, rajasik and tamasik. Jnanam (knowledge), karta (doer), karma (action), buddhi (intellect) and sukham (happiness) – all can be divided into these three traits. We can infer which trait …

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161 – The Three Traits of Karma | Swami Tattwamayananda 1:03:41

8M ago1:03:41

1:03:41

Title: The Three Traits of Karta 18th Chapter: verse 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 Gita is a condensation of the entire vedic literature. The 18th chapter is a condensation of entire Gita. Lord Krishna divides human traits in three areas – sattvic, rajasik and tamasik. Jnanam (knowledge), karta (doer), karma (action) and buddhi (intellect) – all c…

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160 - Daivam – The Three Levels of Knowledge and Action | Swami Tattwamayananda 54:20

9M ago54:20

54:20

Our temperaments are determined by a combination of the three gunas – sattva guna, rajo guna and tamo guna. Sattva guna is the highest and most sublime. It manifests itself as wisdom and serenity. Rajo guna manifests itself as dynamism and ambition. Tamo guna manifests itself as laziness and delusion. Gunas are not visible and cannot be physically …

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45. Lucy May Constantini | Kaḷarippayaṟṟ˘: Martial Art of Kerala 1:16:24

9M ago1:16:24

1:16:24

In this episode we speak with Lucy May Constantini about her fascinating research and practical experience studying the south-Indian martial art tradition of kaḷarippayaṟṟ˘. We discuss Lucy's background of training in Kerala, the history of kaḷari, the role of the gurukkaḷ ("lineage-holder"), the tradition's Śākta Tantra context in Kerala, medi…

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44. Kate Hartmann | Pilgrimage and Buddhism 1:04:53

10M ago1:04:53

1:04:53

In this episode we welcome back Kate Hartmann, former director of Buddhist Studies Online, to discuss all things pilgrimage and Buddhism. We discuss how Kate first got into pilgrimage studies as a grad student at Harvard, whether pilgrimage is a universal concept across cultures, and question what separates a pilgrim from a tourist? We then turn to…

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159 - Daivam – The Unknown Factor in All Actions | Swami Tattwamayananda 1:17:13

11M ago1:17:13

1:17:13

The 13th, 14th and 15th verses discuss the five factors involved in any kind of activity. 14th verse: “In any activity, there are five factors involved. (1) adhiṣhṭhānam – The body-mind-complex, which is the basis of all actions. (2) kartā – the agent of action, which is the jivatma. (3) karaṇam – Different instruments of action, such as the senses…

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158 - Renouncing the Fruits of Actions | Swami Tattwamayananda 1:15:03

12M ago1:15:03

1:15:03

5th verse: “The three virtues of Yajna, dana and tapah should not be given up. These three virtues become natural to the enlightened and become the means to those aspiring to be enlightened.” 6th verse: “Yajna, dana and tapah should be performed giving up our attachment to the results and our selfish desire to enjoy the results of the work.” Yajna …

1
157 - Yajna, Dana and Tapah Should Not be Given Up | Swami Tattwamayananda 53:58

12M ago53:58

53:58

Title: Yajna, Dana and Tapah Should Not be Given Up 18th Chapter: verse 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 3rd verse: “According to Samkhya philosophy, all actions should be given up. According to Mimamsa philosophy, performance of Yajna, dana and tapah should not be given up.” According to Kapila and Samkhya philosophy, every action is mixed with some imperfection and…

1
156 - The Four Values: Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha | Swami Tattwamayananda 1:09:46

12M ago1:09:46

1:09:46

The 18th chapter is the longest and is about moksha-sannyasa-yoga. It is also considered as a condensation of the previous 17 chapters. Moksha represents the highest value in human existence and means liberation from the bondage of samsara. Sannyasa means giving up the feeling up doer-ship and the renouncement of ego. According to Hindu tradition, …

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155 - What is Sannyasa? | Swami Tattwamayananda 1:04:46

1y ago1:04:46

1:04:46

The 18th chapter is the longest and is about moksha-sannyasa-yoga. It is also considered as a summary of the previous 17 chapters. Moksha means liberation from the bondage of samsara. In modern times, it can be interpreted as liberation from utilitarian values, ultimately reaching a state where we stop searching for continuous happiness, and where …

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154 - Performing Actions with Sattvic Shraddha | Swami Tattwamayananda 1:14:03

1y ago1:14:03

1:14:03

Title: Performing Actions with Sattvic Shraddha 17th Chapter: verses 26, 27, 28; recapitulation of 17th chapter It is difficult for normal human beings to perform their spiritual practices with perfection. With the utterance of “Om Tat Sat”, when we perform any act - Yajna, dana and tapah – they become purified. When we offer our activity to the al…

1
153 - Purifying Spiritual Practices with Om Tat Sat | Swami Tattwamayananda 56:58

1y ago56:58

56:58

Title: Purifying Spiritual Practices with Om Tat Sat 17th Chapter: verses 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 23rd verse: “In the Vedic literature, specifically the Upanishads, it is stated that “Om Tat Sat” constitutes the essence of all vedic literature. It represents the triple designation of Brahman. These three words are behind the origin and creation of the B…

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43. Christopher Jain Miller | Embodying Transnational Yoga 1:04:07

1y ago1:04:07

1:04:07

In this episode we speak with Christopher Miller about his recent monograph, Embodying Transnational Yoga: Eating, Singing, and Breathing in Transformation (Routledge 2023) and his upcoming online course at Yogic Studies. We begin by discussing his academic background and how he first got into critical Yoga and later Jain Studies, his experiences a…

1
Creating and collaborating through digital projects with the AIIS Digital Sonic and Visual Projects fellowships 1:04:06

1y ago1:04:06

1:04:06

In this episode, we explore what it’s like to create born digital projects in India with support from the two AIIS research centers: the Center for Art and Archeology (CA&A) and the Archives and Research Centers for Ethnomusicology (ARCE). Both units share an online archive and digital exhibit space, the Virtual Museum of Images and Sounds, that yo…

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152 - Meaning of Om Tat Sat | Swami Tattwamayananda 1:00:27

1y ago1:00:27

1:00:27

Title: Meaning of Om Tat Sat 17th Chapter: verses 20, 21, 22, 23 Yajna, Dana, and Tapah – these spiritual principles have the triple dimensions of Sattvika, Rajasika and Tamasika. Yajna refers to any noble, unselfish deed that is done with a sense of sanctity and sacredness and as an offering to God. Our everyday activities can be spiritualized whe…

1
151 - The Three Levels of Austerities | Swami Tattwamayananda 1:02:42

1y ago1:02:42

1:02:42

Our temperaments are determined by a combination of the three gunas – sattva guna, rajo guna and tamo guna. Sattva guna is the highest and most sublime. It manifests itself as wisdom and serenity. Rajo guna manifests itself as dynamism and ambition. Tamo guna manifests itself as laziness and delusion. The three gunas reflect in different areas of h…

1
150 - Austerity of Body, Speech and Mind | Swami Tattwamayananda 1:16:32

1y ago1:16:32

1:16:32

Our temperaments are determined by a combination of the three gunas – sattva guna, rajo guna and tamo guna. Sattva guna is the highest and most sublime. It manifests itself as wisdom and serenity. Rajo guna manifests itself as dynamism and ambition. Tamo guna manifests itself as laziness and delusion. These three temperaments are based on our samsk…

1
149 - Spiritual Meaning of Food | Swami Tattwamayananda 1:03:02

1y ago1:03:02

1:03:02

Our temperaments are determined by a combination of the three gunas – sattva guna, rajo guna and tamo guna. Sattva guna is the highest and most sublime. It manifests itself as wisdom and serenity. Rajo guna manifests itself as dynamism and ambition. Tamo guna manifests itself as laziness and delusion. 7th verse: “The food that we eat is linked to t…

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42. Samuel M. Grimes | Newar Buddhism, Nepal, and Yoga 46:32

1y ago46:32

46:32

In this episode we speak with Samuel Grimes about his research and experience with the tradition of Newar Buddhism in Nepal. We discuss the unique history of Buddhism in Nepal, the decline of Buddhism in India, and what it means to be the only living "Sanskritic Buddhist" tradition in South Asia. We then discuss the meaning and role of yoga within …

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148 - Samskaras Determine Our Level of Shraddha | Swami Tattwamayananda 1:04:17

1y ago1:04:17

1:04:17

Shraddha cannot be properly translated in English. Shraddha refers to a sense of sanctity and sacredness that helps us preserve higher values. It can also mean faith in scriptures, God, teacher, and a sense of integrity. One of the verses says: “A man is only as much as the shraddha he has.” 2nd verse: “The shraddha of human beings is three-fold – …

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147 - What is Shastram? | Swami Tattwamayananda 1:04:18

1y ago1:04:18

1:04:18

21st verse: “There are three gates to a hellish life – hellish conditions created from our own actions. These three gates are lust, anger and greed (kamah, krodhah, lobhah). These three should be abandoned.” Every wrong action has desire or lust as its source. Once we have a desire, we direct our senses and energy to fulfill that desire. Not all de…

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146 - We Build Our Own Spiritual Destiny | Swami Tattwamayananda 1:05:55

1+ y ago1:05:55

1:05:55

17th verse: “Extremely conceited, haughty, filled with pride and intoxication of wealth, they perform all sacrifices with great ostentation disregarding all ordinances.” This is the literal translation. The meaning of the verse is that such people do things in an improper manner without any consideration for propriety. Kama refers to desire – the m…

1
Sitar, Dhrupad, and breathing into the space of South Asian classical music 54:58

1+ y ago54:58

54:58

In this episode, we highlight new forms of innovative research being done on South Asian classical music through the AIIS performing and creative arts fellowship. Sitarist and ethnomusicologist Brian Q. Silver interviews sitarist and AIIS fellow Paul Livingstone. Through their knowledgeable experiences as international performers and dedicated musi…

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145 - Blind Pursuit of Desires | Swami Tattwamayananda 1:08:40

1+ y ago1:08:40

1:08:40

The 16th chapter is an analytic study on the basic elements of human personality. Its purpose is to help people understand fundamental values that have enriched human civilization. It reminds us that we should not forget those values in our pursuit of wealth, power and comfort. 11th verse: “There is continuous thought in the mind – no control, no r…

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41. Keith Edward Cantú | The History of Theosophy and Yoga 1:02:37

1+ y ago1:02:37

1:02:37

In this episode we welcome back Keith Cantú for a wide ranging conversation on the history of the Theosophical Society and in particular its unique relationship with the modern history of yoga. We discuss the influence of figures like Helena Blavatsky and Henry Steel Olcott, as well as lesser-known South Asian Theosophists and Theosophy-adjacent au…

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144 - The Danger of Materialism | Swami Tattwamayananda 54:18

1+ y ago54:18

54:18

The 16th chapter does not just give a list of dos and don’ts. It makes us understand the subtle differences between the characteristics. For example, one of the Asuri traits that is described is Dambhah, big show of one’s status. In relation to it, it describes Darpah as another Asuri trait. Someone who may be humble and calm, may assure himself of…

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143 - Guiding Ourselves Towards Divine Qualities| Swami Tattwamayananda 1:14:20

1+ y ago1:14:20

1:14:20

16th Chapter: Verses 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Gita’s conclusion is that the essence of spirituality is about becoming a good human being. This is emphasized in the 9th chapter, in the 12th chapter and in the 16th chapter. The qualities described in these chapters should be imbibed and should express themselves in our everyday interaction with fellow beings…

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142 - Daivi and Asuri Sampat | Swami Tattwamayananda 1:09:53

1+ y ago1:09:53

1:09:53

The 16th chapter discusses human characteristics by dividing them into two groups. The first group is called Daivi Sampat – those who have divine spiritual characteristics and are naturally inclined to do good. The second group is called Asuri Sampat – those who have a natural instinct for the opposite qualities. For example, there are some who liv…

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40. Caley Smith | The World of Vedic Sanskrit 1:15:20

1+ y ago1:15:20

1:15:20

In this episode we speak with Caley Smith about the ancient and fascinating world of Vedic Sanskrit. We discuss some theories and debates about the origins of Sanskrit, its relationship with other Indo-European languages, the nature and scope of the Vedas, Vedic notions of authorship, comparisons between Classical Sanskrit and Vedic, the importance…

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141 - Purushottama – The Supreme Divine Truth| Swami Tattwamayananda 56:53

1+ y ago56:53

56:53

15th Chapter: Verses 8, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 The 15th chapter discusses the idea of immanence, transcendence and omnipresence of the Absolute Reality. The Absolute Reality is beyond verbalization and description – it can only be experienced. 15th verse: “This divine principle is present as the indweller in every living being in this world. It man…

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140 - Expressions of the Divine | Swami Tattwamayananda 1:03:59

1+ y ago1:03:59

1:03:59

Title: Expressions of the Divine 15th Chapter: Verses 12, 13, 14, 1512th 12th verse: “There is one all-pervading, immanent, omnipresent, and supreme divine reality which is the Atman. This Atman is the divine light that is present in every being. The light that is in the sun, in the moon and in the fire – that light is nothing but the light of the …

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139 - Atman – The Light of all Lights| Swami Tattwamayananda 1:01:02

1+ y ago1:01:02

1:01:02

Title: Atman – The Light of all Lights 15th Chapter: Verses 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 10th verse: “In this body, there are physical senses. There is a perceiver who uses these senses to perceive sense objects. Those who are deluded equate that perceiver to the body-mind complex. Those who are enlightened see him as separate and as the real perceiver.”…

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39. Lubomír Ondračka | Yogic and Tantric Bodies 1:03:27

1+ y ago1:03:27

1:03:27

In this episode we speak with Lubomír Ondračka about his research on conceptions of the body within yogic and tantric traditions. We first discuss his background in chemical engineering and studying Indology in the Czech Republic, and how his interest in alchemy led him to India and the study of the Nāth yogis. We discuss the various scholarly cate…

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138 - Evolution of the Karma Ideal in Gita | Swami Tattwamayananda 1:02:51

1+ y ago1:02:51

1:02:51

15th Chapter: Verses 8, 9, 10 In the 15th chapter, the whole world is compared to the Ashvattha tree – the tree of life. Its roots are above and the branches are below. Roots represent the origin or the source which is the Atman. From this Atman, the empirical world, which is represented by the branches and leaves, evolves and moves downward. Only …

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