The Indian Wisdom Podcast

This episode explores the profound interplay between shadow and light, particularly in vogue during eclipses. Hear the tale of the demon Rāhu who snuck into the celestial assembly donning the garb of the gods in an attempt to covet the nectar of immortality. Hear also of his fascinating fate, as bringer of eclipses, ever at odds with Sun and Moon. This story is embodied in the wheel yoga pose, cakrāsana. Hosted by Dr. Raj Balkaran, a Sanskrit scholar, storyteller and online educator. In addition to academic training, he was lineally trained by Mantriji, our sangha's parama-guru. He teaches at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies and at The Indian Wisdom School where he applies ancient Indian wisdom to modern Western life. He is also the author of "The Stories Behind the Poses: The Indian Mythology that Inspired 50 Yoga Postures." Personal Website: https://rajbalkaran.com Courses: https://indianwisdomschool.com Podcast: https://indianwisdompodcast.com Interested in studying with me? Check out my free course Goddess Stories: Telling Tales of the Sacred Feminine: https://www.indianwisdomschool.com/goddess-stories-1 

Why is the moon so captivating? What does it represent in Indic thought? What’s the difference between full and new moon? Hear the tale of the Moon god’s marriage to 27 wives and the wisdom of his waxing and waning contained within. This story is embodied in the half moon yoga pose, ardhacandrāsana. Hosted by Dr. Raj Balkaran, a Sanskrit scholar, storyteller and online educator. In addition to academic training, he was lineally trained by Mantriji, our sangha's parama-guru. He teaches at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies and at The Indian Wisdom School where he applies ancient Indian wisdom to modern Western life. He is also the author of "The Stories Behind the Poses: The Indian Mythology that Inspired 50 Yoga Postures." Instagram: @IndianWisdomSchool YouTube: https://youtube.com/@IndianWisdomPodcast Podcast: https://indianwisdompodcast.com Courses: https://indianwisdomschool.com Personal Website: https://rajbalkaran.com Interested in studying with me? Check out my free course Goddess Stories: Telling Tales of the Sacred Feminine: https://www.indianwisdomschool.com/goddess-stories-1 

In this episode, Dr. Raj tells the tale of the majestic Kālī looming over the inert corpse-like body of Śiva in order to illumine the wisdom of witnessing. He dives into how this story is embodied in śavāsana, known as corpse pose, commonly practiced at the end of yoga lessons. Practicing this pose invites yogis a chance to pause and simply witness before moving along with their day. Hosted by Dr. Raj Balkaran, a Sanskrit scholar, storyteller and online educator. In addition to academic training, he was lineally trained by Mantriji, our sangha's parama-guru. He teaches at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies and at The Indian Wisdom School where he applies ancient Indian wisdom to modern Western life. He is also the author of "The Stories Behind the Poses: The Indian Mythology that Inspired 50 Yoga Postures." Instagram: @IndianWisdomSchool YouTube: https://youtube.com/@IndianWisdomPodcast Podcast: https://indianwisdompodcast.com Courses: https://indianwisdomschool.com Personal Website: https://rajbalkaran.com Interested in studying with me? Check out my free course Goddess Stories: Telling Tales of the Sacred Feminine: https://www.indianwisdomschool.com/goddess-stories-1  

How do you remain grounded in these tumultuous times? In this episode, Dr. Raj reflects on the power of breath and on the wisdom of trees, ever upright, abiding in the plane between heaven and earth. He tells the story the great sage Mārkaṇḍeya and applies the wisdom of trees to modern Western living. Hosted by Dr. Raj Balkaran, a Sanskrit scholar, storyteller and online educator. In addition to academic training, he was lineally trained by Mantriji, our sangha's parama-guru. He teaches at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies and at The Indian Wisdom School where he applies ancient Indian wisdom to modern Western life. He is also the author of "The Stories Behind the Poses: The Indian Mythology that Inspired 50 Yoga Postures." Instagram: @IndianWisdomSchool YouTube: https://youtube.com/@IndianWisdomPodcast Podcast: https://indianwisdompodcast.com Courses: https://indianwisdomschool.com Personal Website: https://rajbalkaran.com Interested in studying with me? Check out my free course Goddess Stories: Telling Tales of the Sacred Feminine: https://www.indianwisdomschool.com/goddess-stories-1

This episode dives into the rich mythology of the great god Śiva, lord of yoga, emblematic of spiritual striving. Dr. Raj tells the tale of the descent of the Ganges from celestial sphere to become an earthly river, and how her colossal might was as if a single drop of dew amid the matted locks of the ever-grounding Śiva. Hosted by Dr. Raj Balkaran, a Sanskrit scholar, storyteller and online educator. In addition to academic training, he was lineally trained by Mantriji, our sangha's parama-guru. He teaches at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies and at The Indian Wisdom School where he applies ancient Indian wisdom to modern Western life. He is also the author of "The Stories Behind the Poses: The Indian Mythology that Inspired 50 Yoga Postures." Instagram: @IndianWisdomSchoolYouTube: https://youtube.com/@IndianWisdomPodcastPodcast: https://indianwisdompodcast.comCourses: https://indianwisdomschool.comPersonal Website: https://rajbalkaran.com Interested in studying with me? Check out my free course Goddess Stories: Telling Tales of the Sacred Feminine: https://www.indianwisdomschool.com/goddess-stories-1

In this episode, Dr. Raj discusses the interplay between masculine and feminine principles. After deconstructing the masculine ethos of the Garden of Eden story, Dr. Raj inverts that rather than being cursed by God, Adam and Eve are blessed by the Goddess. Hosted by Dr. Raj Balkaran, a Sanskrit scholar, storyteller and online educator. In addition to academic training, he was lineally trained by Mantriji, our sangha's parama-guru. He teaches at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies and at The Indian Wisdom School where he applies ancient Indian wisdom to modern Western life. He is also the author of "The Stories Behind the Poses: The Indian Mythology that Inspired 50 Yoga Postures." Instagram: @IndianWisdomSchoolYouTube: https://youtube.com/@IndianWisdomPodcastPodcast: https://indianwisdompodcast.comCourses: https://indianwisdomschool.comPersonal Website: https://rajbalkaran.com Interested in studying with me? Check out my free course Goddess Stories: Telling Tales of the Sacred Feminine: https://www.indianwisdomschool.com/goddess-stories-1 If you liked this episode, you can dive in deeper to this subject in the course "Glory to Goddess, Glory to God: Integrating Insights from Ancient India and Israel" available here: https://www.indianwisdomschool.com/goddess-god

Is your life a result of nurture or nature? Destiny or free will? Listen in as Dr. Raj broaches the mysteries of life through the lens of karmic theory, sharing the tale of the great sage Matsyendra and his fascinating training. Hosted by Dr. Raj Balkaran, a Sanskrit scholar, storyteller and online educator. In addition to academic training, he was lineally trained by Mantriji, our sangha's parama-guru. He teaches at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies and at The Indian Wisdom School where he applies ancient Indian wisdom to modern Western life. He is also the author of "The Stories Behind the Poses: The Indian Mythology that Inspired 50 Yoga Postures." Instagram: @IndianWisdomSchoolYouTube: https://youtube.com/@IndianWisdomPodcastPodcast: https://indianwisdompodcast.comCourses: https://indianwisdomschool.comPersonal Website: https://rajbalkaran.com Interested in studying with me? Check out my free course Goddess Stories: Telling Tales of the Sacred Feminine: https://www.indianwisdomschool.com/goddess-stories-1

Above and beyond our specific beliefs, this episode unpacks the power of belief itself, especially belief in our self. It draws on the tale of Hanumān and his monumental flying leap over the sea from the Southern tip of India to the island citadel of Laṅkā. While at first stymied be the task at head, Hanumān summoned his strength and every iota of faith to render the impossible possible. What seemingly insurmountable task ahead? Perhaps it may be bridged by the power of belief…  Instagram: @IndianWisdomSchoolYouTube: https://youtube.com/@IndianWisdomPodcastPodcast: https://indianwisdompodcast.comCourses: https://indianwisdomschool.comPersonal Website: https://rajbalkaran.com Interested in studying with me? Check out my free course Goddess Stories: Telling Tales of the Sacred Feminine: https://www.indianwisdomschool.com/goddess-stories-1

How do we engage the world without become enmeshed within it? The Bhagadvad Gītā says this has very little to do with what we do, and everything to do with the spirit in which we do it. And so, this episode features a reversal of roles where an earnest so-called ‘harlot’ serves as a moral exemplar for a so-called holy man, humbling him to abandoning his self-righteous pride.  Instagram: @IndianWisdomSchoolYouTube: https://youtube.com/@IndianWisdomPodcastPodcast: https://indianwisdompodcast.comCourses: https://indianwisdomschool.comPersonal Website: https://rajbalkaran.com Interested in studying with me? Check out my free course Goddess Stories: Telling Tales of the Sacred Feminine: https://www.indianwisdomschool.com/goddess-stories-1

In this episode, Dr. Raj discusses the world-affirming aspect of Indian wisdom teachings. He discusses the extent to which these teachings, though originating in ascetic contexts, are geared towards improving life in the world. He touches on Arjuna’s impulse to renounce the world in the Bhagavad Gītā and also tells the tale of a great sage who, despite his all of his efforts in Vedic learning, was called to embrace the world, and share what he learned, in order to complete his journey towards enlightenment. Instagram: @IndianWisdomSchoolYouTube: https://youtube.com/@IndianWisdomPodcastPodcast: https://indianwisdompodcast.comCourses: https://indianwisdomschool.comPersonal Website: https://rajbalkaran.com Interested in studying with me? Check out my free course Goddess Stories: Telling Tales of the Sacred Feminine: https://www.indianwisdomschool.com/goddess-stories-1

In this episode, Dr. Raj introduces the podcast and gives a little background on his academic and spiritual journeys. He also tells the story of Gaṇeśa and Kārttikeya, brothers and sons of the god Śiva, competing for the honour to be foremost of gods. The story explores key wisdom teachings we can apply to bring peace to our modern, busy lives. Hosted by Dr. Raj Balkaran, a Sanskrit scholar, storyteller and online educator. In addition to academic training, he was lineally trained by Mantriji, our sangha's parama-guru. He teaches at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies and at The Indian Wisdom School where he applies ancient Indian wisdom to modern Western life. He is also the author of "The Stories Behind the Poses: The Indian Mythology that Inspired 50 Yoga Postures." Instagram: @IndianWisdomSchoolYouTube: https://youtube.com/@IndianWisdomPodcastPodcast: https://indianwisdompodcast.comCourses: https://indianwisdomschool.comPersonal Website: https://rajbalkaran.comInterested in studying with me? Check out my free course Goddess Stories: Telling Tales of the Sacred Feminine: https://www.indianwisdomschool.com/goddess-stories-1