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 Tāṇḍava dance, and Naṭarāja form of Śiva.

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 does Śiva have a blue throat? It’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 handling life’s toxicity?

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 a dog the vehicle of Bhairava, Śiva’s embodied wrath? Why does Yudhiṣṭhira insist on a dog accompanying him to heaven? Invoking ferocity and friendship alike, learn the wide range of canine associations in Indic thought. Part of these stories are embodied in the yoga poses ūrdhva mukha śvānāsana (upward facing dog) and adho mukha śvānāsana (downward facing dog).

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

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 seeking, daily practice – and more!

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.  Hear how the impossible is made possible by the formidable Mādhavī and her self-directed dalliances with 3 royal figures.

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 

Listen in as Dr. Raj sets the stage for the epic conversation between the master marksman Arjuna and his divine charioteer Kṛṣṇa comprising the Bhagavad Gītā. Learn what this teaches your about ‘meeting your mark’ in your own life.

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 traditional Indian teachers test their students?  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 disciples.

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 

Can wrath be righteous? Can decapitation be divine? Hear the tale of when Śiva decapitates the Creator himself in order to teach him an important lesson.

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 

This episode unpacks the rich symbology in the gods causing Śiva to spill his sacred seed in order to father Kārttikeya, General of the Celestial Army.  What can we learn about sacred masculine, sacred feminine and their divine union? This story is embodied in the yoga posture skandāsana, war god pose.

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 

Gaṇeśa receives his elephant head as a replacement for his original, decapitated head at the hands of Śiva. What insights about the spiritual quest can we glean from this prima facia gruesome tale?

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