The Indian Wisdom Podcast

The Indian Wisdom Podcast

Hosted by: Dr. Raj Balkaran

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....

All Episodes

Episodes

Ep 42 Meeting Tumultuous Times: Wisdom for the Present Moment

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...
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Ep 41 Decoding Diwali: Lakį¹£mÄ«, Abundance Incarnate

What is the spiritual significance of Diwali, the Indic festival of lights?Ā  Learn about the inner light through Dr. Rajā€™s decoding of Lakį¹£mÄ«, and the various blessings she bestows. Learn all about Diwali in this 90...
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Ep 40 Mental Health Aware Yoga: A Conversation with Dr. Lauren Tober

Join Dr. Raj in conversation with Dr. Lauren Tober, Clinical Psychologist, Life Coach and Yoga Teacher, about her new book, "Mental Health Aware Yoga: A Guide for Yoga Teachers." In her book and our conversation, Dr....
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Ep 39 Goddess Glories in Ukrainian: An Interview with Alisa Lozhkina

Fascinating and far-reaching conversation with art historian and illustrator Alisa Lozhkina on her new translation of the DevÄ« Māhātmya into Ukrainian ā€“ a global first. Hosted by Dr. Raj Balkaran, a Sanskrit scholar,...
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Ep 38 Saving the Earth

Why did the ancients revere nature? Who did Western traditions demonize that very nature veneration as ā€˜paganā€™? Hear an ancient Indian tale which parallels our modern ecological crisis, and insights on the path...
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Ep 37 Śiva's Cosmic Dance of Bliss

Why does Shiva dance destruction at the end of the age? Why does he do so in a state of bliss? Learn about the cyclical vision of the universe transformed by the union of Śiva and Śakti, the divine Tāį¹‡įøava dance, and...
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Ep 36 Śivaā€™s Blue Throat: Neutralizing Lifeā€™s Poisons

Why does Śiva have a blue throat? Itā€™s because of the venom which emerged from churning the cosmic ocean, venom which he neither spit out nor swallowed. What did he do with it, and what can this teach us about...
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Ep 35 Dog Dharma: Canine Symbology in Indic Thought

Why is a dog the vehicle of Bhairava, Śivaā€™s embodied wrath? Why does Yudhiį¹£į¹­hira insist on a dog accompanying him to heaven? Invoking ferocity and friendship alike, learn the wide range of canine associations in...
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Ep 34 An Interview with Dr. Christopher Jain Miller

Join me for a candid interview with Dr. Christopher Jain Miller, VP of Academic Affairs and Professor of Jain and Yoga Studies at Arihanta Institute, about studying and teaching religion, Jain values, spiritual...
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Ep 33 Gālavaā€™s Gift: An Ode to the Mighty MādhavÄ«

Because of stubbornness, Gālava is tasked with the impossible: procuring 800 white horses each with a single black ear as a gift to his guru Viśvāmitra.Ā  Hear how the impossible is made possible by the formidable...
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Ep 32 Arjuna's Aim: Meeting your Mark in the Mahābhārata and Beyond

Listen in as Dr. Raj sets the stage for the epic conversation between the master marksman Arjuna and his divine charioteer Kį¹›į¹£į¹‡a comprising the Bhagavad GÄ«tā. Learn what this teaches your about ā€˜meeting your markā€™ in...
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Ep 31 The Teacherā€™s Tests: Dhaumya and his Disciples

Why do traditional Indian teachers test their students?Ā  Is this about power, or something else? What is gained by jumping through such hoops? Hear the tale of Dhaumya and the tests he issues to three of his...
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