16 episodes
The Indian Wisdom Podcast Dr. Raj Balkaran
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- Religion & Spirituality
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5.0 • 4 Ratings
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Authentic ancient Indian wisdom teachings artfully applied to modern Western life. Grounded in scholarship and infused with live storytelling, this content is informative, entertaining, inspiring.
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
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Ep. 16 Mārkaṇḍeya’s Metamorphosis: The Story of Staying Forever Young
Hear Dr. Raj tell the story of Sage Mārkaṇḍeya, the boon that brought him into the world, and the boon that grants him immortal life, forever young, ever sixteen. How do we know when we are making the right decision, and are we truly able to know the consequences of our actions?
This story is also embodied in the yoga posture pāśāsana, noose pose: "Configured to emulate the knot and the function of the noose, this pose requires a great deal of rotation, as if one is rung out by the knots of karma. Surrender to the power of karma as destiny and embrace the power of dharma as free will. And summon grace to make the impossible, possible."
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 -
Ep. 15 The Triumph of the Goddess
Tales of Durga from the Devī Māhātmya (The Greatness of the Goddess) continued: the creation of Kālī, the Seven Mothers, and the Goddess’ ultimate triumph over demonic foe. What would the world look like if we took seriously the idea of an indwelling feminine power pervading the earth, its creatures, and our fellow humans?
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 -
Episode 14: The Birth of Kālī
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 -
Episode 13: Sanskrit Study - A Candid Conversation with Antonia Ruppel
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 -
Episode 12: Power's Purpose
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 -
Episode 11: The Wisdom of Eclipses
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
Customer Reviews
Just what I was looking for…
The Indian Wisdom Podcast is just what I was looking for. Ancient wisdom that helps for daily life.
Eye opening, masterful, wise —- and entertaining!
All these words describe Dr Balkaran and the debut of this podcast. He opens up the wisdom world of ancient India for listeners with a magical mix of deep understanding, masterful storytelling, and gentle humor. Even if you’ve heard this story of Ganesha 100 times, you’ve never heard it quite like this, and it’s likely that the story will resonate for you in a new and marvelous way.
If you normally take in podcasts while doing this or that, be warned: you may need to stop what you’re doing to take it in fully; not because of its complexity, but because of its richness.