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

Play is no mundane thing. It elicits joy (ānanda), which, according to the ancients is part and parcel of the divine presence. Indeed, all the world is even understood as the play of the divine (līlā). Hear what happens when Yaśoda looks into baby Kṛṣṇa’s mouth!

The Indian Wisdom Podcast is released weekly and covers traditional Indian wisdom through storytelling, Hindu mythology, yoga, philosophy, 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 (currently offering a 14-day free trial): https://indianwisdomschool.com

Podcast: https://indianwisdompodcast.com

We have a special episode for you this week in celebration for the upcoming holiday associated with Sunday's full moon, Gur Pūrṇimā. Learn the story of a sage who mastered Vedic texts but needed to learn something much more important for his training to be complete: the power of sharing what he learned.

The Indian Wisdom Podcast is released weekly and covers traditional Indian wisdom through storytelling, Hindu mythology, yoga, philosophy, 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 (currently offering a 14-day free trial): 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

Hear the tale of how Indra, King of Gods, defeats the serpent demon Vṛtra with the help of the great Sage Dadīchi, and his energized bones! This story is embodied in the yoga posture Vajrāsana (thunderbolt 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 (currently offering a 14-day free trial): 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

Hear of the epic feud between Vasiṣṭha, best of sages, and king Viśvāmitra over the wish-fulfilling cow, and learn what it teaches about integrate social and spiritual selves.

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