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: @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

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: @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 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: @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 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: @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 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: @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