Elizabethtown College Carl W. Zeigler Professor of Religious Studies, Dr. Jeffery Long is appearing on national television to discuss Hindu texts and history. Long provided his expertise on the PBS Documentary “America’s First Guru” about the life of Hindu spiritual teacher Swami Vivekananda and also appeared on the History Channel’s new series “Holy Marvels with Dennis Quaid.”
Holy Marvels with Dennis Quaid, episode “Holy Riches | The History Channel | Monday, July 1 at 10 p.m. EST
The new series “Holy Marvels” debuted on June 3, with Long’s episode “Holy Riches” premiering on Monday, July 1 at 10 p.m. EST. In the episode, Long will discuss a legendary jewel called the Syamantaka Gem.
According to ancient Hindu texts, the gem multiplied the prosperity of any good person who possessed it, but anyone who acquired it through greed would be cursed. There is a theory that the gem did exist and is the Kohinoor diamond, which is currently part of the British crown jewels.
Long is one of the experts interviewed on the episode about the ancient gem and its history.
America’s First Guru | Now Streaming on PBS.org
“America’s First Guru” details the life and teachings of Swami Vivekananda, the first Hindu spiritual teacher, or guru, to come to the United States. Vivekananda first visited the U.S. in 1893, speaking at the first Parliament of World Religions in Chicago, Illinois. Long is interviewed in the documentary.
Long has written previously about Vivekananda and is a member of the Vedanta Society, which Vivekananda established in 1894.
An on-campus screening of “America’s First Guru” is being planned for the Fall 2024 semester. The documentary is currently streaming on PBS.org.
