The Indian Wisdom Podcast

Shantala Sriramaiah is the founder of Veda Studies and a Veda recitation teacher in the Mysore lineage, trained under Sri M.S. Sreenivasan and mentored by the Challakere Brothers. Born in Bangalore into a family of chanting — her mother taught for over thirty years — Shantala now leads a global community of thousands of students through rigorous online instruction grounded in Śīkṣā, the vedāṅga governing Vedic phonetics. Her courses range from foundational chanting to the full Śrī Rudram, and a Teacher Training Programme developed in partnership with INDICA. In this conversation, we explore what it means to carry a living oral tradition into the digital age, the place of women in Vedic transmission, and the pedagogy of a practice that demands nothing less than complete attention. Here are some links to learn more about Shantala’s work: Website: https://www.vedastudies.com Spotify Artist Page: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2c2XaZTIfbryunWLcUVSo7 The Indian Wisdom Podcast is hosted by Dr. Raj Balkaran, a Sanskrit scholar, seasoned storyteller and spiritual lineage holder. He teaches at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies and at The Indian Wisdom School. He is also the author of "The Stories Behind the Poses: The Indian Mythology that Inspired 50 Yoga Postures” and runs a thriving one-on-one spiritual guidance practice. Personal Website: https://rajbalkaran.com Courses: https://indianwisdomschool.com Podcast: https://indianwisdompodcast.com

Dr. Raj speaks with Vedic chanting teacher Shantala Sriramaiah about life at the intersection of ancient lineage and modern online learning. In addition to Shantala’s journey, we discuss her platform Veda Studies and her newly published teaching resources. Here are some links to learn more about Shantala’s work: Website: https://www.vedastudies.com Spotify Artist Page: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2c2Xa... Nitya Prārthanā and Nitya Dhyāna: https://www.vedastudies.com/books/ Free Veda chanting essentials course (on demand): https://www.vedastudies.com/student-r... The Indian Wisdom Podcast is hosted by Dr. Raj Balkaran, a Sanskrit scholar, seasoned storyteller and spiritual lineage holder. He teaches at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies and at The Indian Wisdom School. He is also the author of "The Stories Behind the Poses: The Indian Mythology that Inspired 50 Yoga Postures” and runs a thriving one-on-one spiritual guidance practice. Personal Website: https://rajbalkaran.com Courses: https://indianwisdomschool.com Podcast: https://indianwisdompodcast.com

Sanskritist and seasoned teacher Dr. Antonia Ruppel shares her views on the merits and pitfalls of academic enterprise, the brave new world of self-employed scholarship and the teaching of ancient languages. Here are some links to learn more about Antonia’s work: https://www.antoniaruppel.com https://www.amazon.ca/Sanskrit-Band-Lehrbuch-Antonia-Ruppel/dp/B0FH2VS32K/ https://www.amazon.ca/Sanskrit-Band-Arbeitsbuch-Antonia-Ruppel/dp/B0FH5143SY https://www.yogicstudies.com/greek-s-101 The Indian Wisdom Podcast is hosted by Dr. Raj Balkaran, a Sanskrit scholar, seasoned storyteller and spiritual lineage holder. He teaches at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies and at The Indian Wisdom School. He is also the author of "The Stories Behind the Poses: The Indian Mythology that Inspired 50 Yoga Postures” and runs a thriving one-on-one spiritual guidance practice. Personal Website: https://rajbalkaran.com Courses: https://indianwisdomschool.com Podcast: https://indianwisdompodcast.com

Wendy Doniger’s An American Girl in India: Letters and Recollections, 1963–64 (2022) is a memoir-style collection of letters and reflections from her first trip to India as a young scholar. It offers a rare glimpse into the formative experiences that shaped her future career in Indology. The personal letters of her younger self are in conversation with reflections of her older self. Using this work as a launchpad, this interview broaches Doniger's personal and professional life learning through the course of her prominent career, spanning over five decades. This conversation commemorates Dr. Raj’s 400th New Books Network podcast interview. As it is laden with life wisdom and live learning for both participants, it is reposted here for your enjoyment.  The Indian Wisdom Podcast is hosted by Dr. Raj Balkaran, a Sanskrit scholar, seasoned storyteller and spiritual lineage holder. He teaches at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies and at The Indian Wisdom School. He is also the author of "The Stories Behind the Poses: The Indian Mythology that Inspired 50 Yoga Postures” and runs a thriving one-on-one spiritual guidance practice. Personal Website: https://rajbalkaran.com Courses: https://indianwisdomschool.com Podcast: https://indianwisdompodcast.com

Meet Anya Golovkova who is soon teaching an online 9-week Sanskrit Devī Māhātmya reading course at Yogic Studies – starts May 5!   SKT 206 | Reading the Devīmāhātmya: https://www.yogicstudies.com/skt-206   The Indian Wisdom Podcast is hosted by Dr. Raj Balkaran, a Sanskrit scholar, seasoned storyteller and spiritual lineage holder. He teaches at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies and at The Indian Wisdom School. He is also the author of "The Stories Behind the Poses: The Indian Mythology that Inspired 50 Yoga Postures” and runs a thriving one-on-one spiritual guidance practice. Personal Website: https://rajbalkaran.com Courses: https://indianwisdomschool.com Podcast: https://indianwisdompodcast.com

Have a listen to this longform podcast episode where Dr. Raj is interviewed on connections across mythology, yoga postures, tantra, powers, consciousness – and more! The interviewer is Raghav Sharma from Discovery of an Author Podcast, who took a keen interest in Dr. Raj’s new book “The Stories Behind the Poses”. Discovery of an Author Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@DiscoveryofanAuthor The Indian Wisdom Podcast is hosted by Dr. Raj Balkaran, a Sanskrit scholar, seasoned storyteller and spiritual lineage holder. He teaches at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies and at The Indian Wisdom School. He is also the author of "The Stories Behind the Poses: The Indian Mythology that Inspired 50 Yoga Postures” and runs a thriving one-on-one spiritual guidance practice. Personal Website: https://rajbalkaran.com Courses: https://indianwisdomschool.com Podcast: https://indianwisdompodcast.com

What time is it when it is neither night not day? What space is neither indoors nor outdoors? Why would we even want to entertain such considerations? Hear the story of how Viṣṇu outsmarted a demon leveraging the power of paradox. The Indian Wisdom Podcast is hosted by Dr. Raj Balkaran, a Sanskrit scholar, seasoned storyteller and spiritual lineage holder. He teaches at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies and at The Indian Wisdom School. He is also the author of "The Stories Behind the Poses: The Indian Mythology that Inspired 50 Yoga Postures” and runs a thriving one-on-one spiritual guidance practice. Personal Website: https://rajbalkaran.com Courses: https://indianwisdomschool.com Podcast: https://indianwisdompodcast.com

Why does Viṣṇu slumber at the end of the age? Is ‘being asleep’ not the opposite of being awakened, i.e., consciousness? Or does this sleep represent a different state of consciousness altogether? Listen in as Dr. Raj addresses these questions and more. The Indian Wisdom Podcast is hosted by Dr. Raj Balkaran, a Sanskrit scholar, seasoned storyteller and spiritual lineage holder. He teaches at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies and at The Indian Wisdom School. He is also the author of "The Stories Behind the Poses: The Indian Mythology that Inspired 50 Yoga Postures” and runs a thriving one-on-one spiritual guidance practice. Personal Website: https://rajbalkaran.com Courses: https://indianwisdomschool.com Podcast: https://indianwisdompodcast.com

Today marks the one-year anniversary of The Indian Wisdom Podcast! As such we’re sharing a fascinating recent interview Dr. Raj gave on the Living in Alignment podcast with Amy Landry. The interview features elements of his life path, the pedagogical power of story, the creation of The Stories Behind the Poses, a very special tale from the Upaniṣads – and much more! Amy's Personal Website: https://amyelandry.com/ Living In Alignment Podcast: https://amyelandry.com/podcast/ The Indian Wisdom Podcast is hosted by Dr. Raj Balkaran, a Sanskrit scholar, seasoned storyteller and spiritual lineage holder. He teaches at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies and at The Indian Wisdom School. He is also the author of "The Stories Behind the Poses: The Indian Mythology that Inspired 50 Yoga Postures” and runs a thriving one-on-one spiritual guidance practice. Personal Website: https://rajbalkaran.com Courses: https://indianwisdomschool.com Podcast: https://indianwisdompodcast.com

Why does Sarasvatī represent eloquence, artistry and sound itself? And what does she have to do with Vedic revelation? Learn about the interplay between Creator and Creativity (Brahmā and Sarasvatī) and what this has to do with divine revelation. The Indian Wisdom Podcast is hosted by Dr. Raj Balkaran, a Sanskrit scholar, seasoned storyteller and spiritual lineage holder. He teaches at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies and at The Indian Wisdom School. He is also the author of "The Stories Behind the Poses: The Indian Mythology that Inspired 50 Yoga Postures” and runs a thriving one-on-one spiritual guidance practice. Personal Website: https://rajbalkaran.com Courses: https://indianwisdomschool.com Podcast: https://indianwisdompodcast.com

Gādhī wants to become a Daddy and requests that his son-in-law Sage Ṛcīka to prepare a porridge for his wife to conceive a royal son. The sage prepares two brews: a royal brew for his mother-in-law and a sage sauce for his own wife (Gādhī’s daughter). But the two brews get switched! This results in two famous convergences of sages and kings: Viśvāmitra and Paraśurāma. The Indian Wisdom Podcast is hosted by Dr. Raj Balkaran, a Sanskrit scholar, seasoned storyteller and spiritual lineage holder. He teaches at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies and at The Indian Wisdom School. He is also the author of "The Stories Behind the Poses: The Indian Mythology that Inspired 50 Yoga Postures” and runs a thriving one-on-one spiritual guidance practice. Personal Website: https://rajbalkaran.com Courses: https://indianwisdomschool.com Podcast: https://indianwisdompodcast.com

The great sage Uddālaka sends his son Śvetaketu away for a proper education spanning 12 years from the ages of 12 to 24. Yet upon return, though learned, Śvetaketu still hasn’t learned the most important spiritual teachings. Listen in as Uddālaka schools his son. The Indian Wisdom Podcast is hosted by Dr. Raj Balkaran, a Sanskrit scholar, seasoned storyteller and spiritual lineage holder. He teaches at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies and at The Indian Wisdom School. He is also the author of "The Stories Behind the Poses: The Indian Mythology that Inspired 50 Yoga Postures” and runs a thriving one-on-one spiritual guidance practice. Personal Website: https://rajbalkaran.com Courses: https://indianwisdomschool.com Podcast: https://indianwisdompodcast.com

Manu agrees to protect a tiny fish – why? This fish grows to mammoth proportions and reveals himself to be Viṣṇu himself. What does this tale teach about the function of protection? The Indian Wisdom Podcast is hosted by Dr. Raj Balkaran, a Sanskrit scholar, seasoned storyteller and spiritual lineage holder. He teaches at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies and at The Indian Wisdom School. He is also the author of "The Stories Behind the Poses: The Indian Mythology that Inspired 50 Yoga Postures” and runs a thriving one-on-one spiritual guidance practice. Personal Website: https://rajbalkaran.com Courses: https://indianwisdomschool.com Podcast: https://indianwisdompodcast.com 

Why does Viṣṇu recline upon a serpent couch between cycles of creation? What does this represent? Learn the symbology of the serpent couch and its connection to ‘serpent power’. The Indian Wisdom Podcast is hosted by Dr. Raj Balkaran, a Sanskrit scholar, seasoned storyteller and spiritual lineage holder. He teaches at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies and at The Indian Wisdom School. He is also the author of "The Stories Behind the Poses: The Indian Mythology that Inspired 50 Yoga Postures” and runs a thriving one-on-one spiritual guidance practice. Personal Website: https://rajbalkaran.com Courses (Get a 14-day free trial): https://indianwisdomschool.com Podcast: https://indianwisdompodcast.com 

Hear of how both Śiva and Viṣṇu incarnate as beasts and forget their divinity in this tale about the interplay between preservation and destruction. The answer of which of the two is more powerful might most fruitfully be answered by the two-headed eagle capable of multiple perspectives. The Indian Wisdom Podcast is hosted by Dr. Raj Balkaran, a Sanskrit scholar, seasoned storyteller and spiritual lineage holder. He teaches at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies and at The Indian Wisdom School. He is also the author of "The Stories Behind the Poses: The Indian Mythology that Inspired 50 Yoga Postures” and runs a thriving one-on-one spiritual guidance practice. Personal Website: https://rajbalkaran.com Courses (Get a 14-day free trial): https://indianwisdomschool.com Podcast: https://indianwisdompodcast.com 

Why is Durvāsas always throwing curses? Hear of three mythic moments where he issues curses and blessings alike as instruments if destiny. Learn to find the comfort within discomfort. The Indian Wisdom Podcast is hosted by Dr. Raj Balkaran, a Sanskrit scholar, seasoned storyteller and spiritual lineage holder. He teaches at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies and at The Indian Wisdom School. He is also the author of "The Stories Behind the Poses: The Indian Mythology that Inspired 50 Yoga Postures” and runs a thriving one-on-one spiritual guidance practice. Personal Website: https://rajbalkaran.com Courses (Get a 14-day free trial): https://indianwisdomschool.com Podcast: https://indianwisdompodcast.com 

Why do people discriminate against the disabled, or in general? Hear the tale of the sage who through physically debilitated ran laps around the luminaries of his day in terms of his spiritual attainment. Hear too of mutual learning and healing between father and son. The Indian Wisdom Podcast is hosted by Dr. Raj Balkaran, a Sanskrit scholar, seasoned storyteller and spiritual lineage holder. He teaches at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies and at The Indian Wisdom School. He is also the author of "The Stories Behind the Poses: The Indian Mythology that Inspired 50 Yoga Postures” and runs a thriving one-on-one spiritual guidance practice. Personal Website: https://rajbalkaran.com Courses (Get a 14-day free trial): https://indianwisdomschool.com Podcast: https://indianwisdompodcast.com 

What is the difference between healthy pride and toxic pride? How do we navigate the two? Hear the tale of how Viṣṇu’s dwarf incarnation humbles the demon Bali. The Indian Wisdom Podcast is hosted by Dr. Raj Balkaran, a Sanskrit scholar, seasoned storyteller and spiritual lineage holder. He teaches at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies and at The Indian Wisdom School. He is also the author of "The Stories Behind the Poses: The Indian Mythology that Inspired 50 Yoga Postures” and runs a thriving one-on-one spiritual guidance practice. Personal Website: https://rajbalkaran.com Courses (Get a 14-day free trial): https://indianwisdomschool.com Podcast: https://indianwisdompodcast.com 

Dr. Raj interviews Jen Goetchius about her rich yoga teacher training manual and programme in the Cleveland, Ohio area. They discuss and the need and applicability of Indian wisdom in the modern Western world. Resources mentioned in the episode: Hanuman Chalisa pocketbook - https://www.amazon.com/Hanuman-Chalisa-Pocketbook-Jen-Goetchius/dp/B0D9HP5KD4/ 200-hour Training Manual: https://www.amazon.com/Ashtanga-Hour-Teacher-Training-Manuals/dp/B0DB8X9C4P 300 YTT Course Details: https://ashtangahub.com/yoga-teacher-training/300-hour-course

Profound and practical wisdom from ancient India, China, and the Modern West alike, on meeting tumultuous times. The Indian Wisdom Podcast is hosted by Dr. Raj Balkaran, a Sanskrit scholar, seasoned storyteller and spiritual lineage holder. He teaches at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies and at The Indian Wisdom School. He is also the author of "The Stories Behind the Poses: The Indian Mythology that Inspired 50 Yoga Postures” and runs a thriving one-on-one spiritual guidance practice. Personal Website: https://rajbalkaran.com Courses (Get a 14-day free trial): https://indianwisdomschool.com Podcast: https://indianwisdompodcast.com