The Indian Wisdom Podcast Dr. Raj Balkaran

Continuing our look into the "Glory of the Goddess," the story of the Devī Māhātmya, this episode features the birth of terrifying Kālī from the indignant wrath of the Goddess. Kālī is a response to demonic attempts to objectify, commodify, and possess the Goddess. She emerges when the demons make a mad dash to drag the Goddess by her hair! Embodied in this lesson are themes of strength, intensity, and focus in overcome the obstacles we face. This story is embodied in the yoga posture vṛścikāsana, scorpion pose.

The Indian Wisdom Podcast is released weekly and covers traditional Indian wisdom through storytelling, Hindu mythology, jyotiṣa (vedic astrology), yoga, ayurveda, and Sanskrit. This show is 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 

In this episode, Dr. Raj hosts a candid conversation with renowned Sanskritist and online teacher Antonia Ruppel on her love of the language, teaching philosophy, views on academia, and exciting online programming. She’ll be teaching an upcoming course at The Indian Wisdom School on how to pick the best English translation of Sanskrit texts (no Sanskrit background or language learning required!).

👉 You can register for the course, Sanskrit in Translation here: https://www.indianwisdomschool.com/sanskrit-in-translation  ✨ Use code "Sanskrit2024" for 25% OFF. The course begins May 9 and will be available on-demand for anyone unable to make it live to the classes.

The Indian Wisdom Podcast is released weekly and covers traditional Indian wisdom through storytelling, Hindu mythology, jyotiṣa (vedic astrology), yoga, ayurveda, and Sanskrit. This show is 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."

Links for Dr. Raj

Personal Website: https://rajbalkaran.com

Courses: https://indianwisdomschool.com

Podcast: https://indianwisdompodcast.com

Links for Dr. Antonia Ruppel

Personal Website: https://www.antoniaruppel.com

The Cambridge Introduction To Sanskrit: https://www.cambridge-sanskrit.org

An Introductory Sanskrit Reader: https://brill.com/display/title/56844 

Profound insights on the principle of power, personified in Indian myth by the Great Goddess Durgā, specifically from the story of the Devī Māhātmya. Hear of how the gods of heaven collectively summon Her to restore their power after the shapeshifting buffalo demons usurps the throne of heaven. Embodied in this lesson are themes of empowerment, overcoming obstacles, and looking beyond the limitations other impose on us. This story is embodied in the yoga posture bhadrāsana, throne pose.

The Indian Wisdom Podcast is released weekly and covers traditional Indian wisdom through storytelling, Hindu mythology, jyotiṣa (vedic astrology), yoga, ayurveda, and Sanskrit. This show is 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 

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