Wisdom of the Sages

Life has a way of popping our ego bubble exactly when we need it most. In this episode, Raghunath and Mera explore the mercy hidden inside humiliation, using stories from pilgrimage, personal experience, and the Brahmā-vimohana-līlā of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. From the cave at Vashistha Guha to Lord Brahmā bowing before a cowherd boy, the conversation unpacks why pride blocks us from deeper spiritual connection—and why humility opens the heart to grace. Along the way, expect humor, honesty, and reminders that we may be insignificant, but we are never unloved. ******************************************************************** LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108 ********************************************************************* Join the Raghu's Whatsapp channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb704tt9WtC02KPwhc1R

Real spirituality begins the moment you do something for someone who can never repay you. In this solo episode, Raghunath and co-host Prana Priya take John Bunyan's famous line—"You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you"—and hold it up to the light of Bhakti Yoga. From music-industry schmoozing to Vrindavan's envy-free culture, from 12-step wisdom to deathbed courage, this conversation explores what happens when relationships shift from "What can I get?" to "How can I serve?" ******************************************************************** LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108 *********************************************************************

Rage at a racist, a double middle-finger "protest," and a bhakti yogi wondering, "Did I actually help… or just lose it?" From there, this episode dives into how good ethics—when cut loose from wisdom traditions—can quietly mutate into the very hatred they're meant to oppose. Broadcasting this Q&A epeisode from a quiet village in India,  Raghunath and Kaustubha explore how yogi can confront injustice, racism, and toxic ideology without being swallowed by anger, tribalism, or self-righteousness. Then the conversation widens: why do so many cultures have elaborate "Books of the Dead" while the Bhagavad-gītā boils it all down to the essense of "just remember Kṛṣṇa"? ********************************************************************* LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108 ********************************************************************* Join the Gita Collective Whatsapp channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAxNYgJuyAJR8SHhy2j

Depth and play intertwine as Raghunath and Kaustubha riff on Gillian Anderson's reincarnation quote, Krishna's "Grand Theft Butter" pastims in vrindavan, and the modern obsession with empiric evidence. From debates with the "new atheists" to analogies of murder investigations and reasonable doubt, they explore what kinds of proof actually convince the heart. The conversation tracks the soul's journey from jñāna to bhakti—from intellectual knowing to loving understanding—where genuine realization always expresses itself as compassion, never condescension. ********************************************************************* LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108 ********************************************************************* Join the Gita Collective Whatsapp channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAxNYgJuyAJR8SHhy2j

Nature, humility, and spiritual vision can still the spinning of the mind and burn away the karmic illusion that we're the center of it all. From redwood awe to the Annapurna skyline, this episode explores how moments of stillness awaken spiritual clarity—and how the same truth unfolds on a cosmic scale when Lord Brahmā stands dumbstruck before Krishna's countless Viṣṇu forms (Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 10.13). Along the way, Raghunath and Kaustubha unpack some of the philosophical differences between Bhaktivedānta and Advaita Vedānta—divine personality and impersonal oneness. ********************************************************************* LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108 ********************************************************************* Join the Gita Collective Whatsapp channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAxNYgJuyAJR8SHhy2j

Recorded live in Jaipur, this Q&A episode dives into real beginner questions on the path of bhakti—with Raghunath and Kaustubha responding with both insight and humor. What exactly is bhakti? How do you know if you're practicing it right? Can other forms of yoga or breathwork support your devotion? What's the deal with chanting "16 rounds"—and what if you're not there yet? Through conversations with first-time pilgrims and new practitioners, this episode reveals what genuine spiritual growth looks like: personal, flexible, joyful, and deeply human. ********************************************************************* LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108 ********************************************************************* Join the Gita Collective Whatsapp channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAxNYgJuyAJR8SHhy2j

From the sacred city of Jaipur, Raghunath and Kaustubha explore what it means to take the next step in Bhakti—moving from faith to steady practice and learning under a teacher. They discuss how one can deepen Bhakti while still appreciating the devotion and love of Christ, and how to live the principle of yukta-vairāgya—using one's resources and influence in divine service without losing focus on the goal of love for God. ********************************************************************* LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108 ********************************************************************* Join the Gita Collective Whatsapp channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAxNYgJuyAJR8SHhy2j

From the banks of the Ganga in Rishikesh, this pilgrim Q&A with Raghunath and Kaustubha explores how to respond to visible suffering without emotional collapse, how being "more tolerant than a tree" coexists with healthy boundaries, and how to start a simple, welcoming satsang at home. They also respond to questions about balancing the eagerness to advance with patience, perspective, and the value of living and serving in the moment. ********************************************************************* LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108 ********************************************************************* Join the Gita Collective Whatsapp channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAxNYgJuyAJR8SHhy2j

Live from Devprayag, Raghunath and Kaustubha explore how to perceive Paramātmā—the Supersoul within—and how Bhakti transforms the mind's shadows of resentment, fear, and greed into clarity and love. Drawing from the Bhagavad-gītā and Bhāgavatam, they offer tools for re-entry after spiritual retreats, insights for chanting with true attention and intention, and practical ways to carry holy-place consciousness into everyday life. ********************************************************************* LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108 ********************************************************************* Join the Gita Collective Whatsapp channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAxNYgJuyAJR8SHhy2j

Much of modern science, as well as impersonalist Vedānta, drains the universe of relationship—one by reducing consciousness to brain chemistry, the other by dissolving all individuality into a single awareness that fears "the Other." In this episode, Raghunath and Kaustubha unpack Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.13.54 to reveal a living, personal cosmos where consciousness, choice, and grace are real. Along the way they tackle the "no free will" debate, revisit C. S. Lewis's vision of a haunted but living world, and show how seeing personhood behind everything restores meaning, ethics, and wonder to our lives. ********************************************************************* LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108 ********************************************************************* Join the Gita Collective Whatsapp channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAxNYgJuyAJR8SHhy2j

When cramming facts hits a ceiling, yogic practice opens the window. In this conversation, Raghunath and Kaustubha explore how Einstein's relativity and Vedic ideas of time echo a truth from the Bhagavad Gītā—that spiritual realization isn't conquered by intellect but received through receptivity. Drawing on the Gītā, the Yoga Sutras, and insights from Terryl Givens, they unpack the yogic disciplines that transform perception: humility, sattva, service, and devotion. The episode bridges science and spirituality to show how the mind studies, but the heart sees. ********************************************************************* LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108 *********************************************************************  

Diwali is the perfect moment to upgrade your relationship with desire. In this episode, we contrast the material formula—“if the world gives me what I want, I'll be happy”—with the yogic move to become the observer of desire, calm it with clear knowledge, and outgrow it through devotion. As love deepens, the craving mind quiets and new, service-shaped desires appear. Expect festival-of-lights reflections, Bhakti insights on detachment and fulfillment, a Bob-Dylan-approved reminder that we all serve something, and a few laughs about Raghu's gym heroics and MRI adventures—because even on the path of devotion, humor helps the medicine go down. Srimad Bhagavatam 10.13.50-51 ********************************************************************* LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108 *********************************************************************  

When devotion turns into performance, honesty becomes the new yoga. In this powerful conversation with Jiva G, Raghunath explores how 12-Step recovery principles blend seamlessly with bhakti yoga to heal the heart. Together they unpack spiritual bypassing, codependency, trauma, and the courage to drop the mask. It's raw, funny, and deeply transformative—showing that real bhakti isn't about perfection, it's about honesty, humility, and doing the inner work that makes love real. ********************************************************************* LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108 *********************************************************************

Do I Have Glowworms Living in My Heart? / Idols Stop Dazzling as Devotion Dawns When the real sun of devotion rises, all the little stars we once worshiped start to look dim. Drawing from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.13, Raghunath and Kaustubha explore how Brahmā's cosmic humbling reveals a truth we all face: the glowworms of worldly admiration can't compete with divine light. Srimad Bhagavatam 10.13.45-50 ********************************************************************* LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108 *********************************************************************

When we try to “fix” life, sometimes it only breaks further. In this episode, Raghunath and Kaustubha examine how our material solutions—cars, technology, medicine—can backfire when they stem from the impulse to control, not harmonize. Through the lens of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.13.44, Tagore's warning, and a margarine ad that tried to fool Mother Nature, this discussion reveals how true wisdom isn't about domination—it's about surrender, humility, and learning to live in harmony. What you'll take away: * Why control breeds chaos and how we get stuck in whack-a-mole fixes * The folly of “doing better than nature” — margarine vs. butter * Newton's insight: explanation is not origin * The meaning of sattva (contentment) vs. rajas (complication) * How Viṣṇu's all-pervading nature humbles our intellect * Observing the small (even just chickens) to glimpse the cosmos * Practical suggestions for aligning with nature instead of conquering it

The Answer Is Always Love: Understanding Krishna's Ways / Q&A Vol. 286 Bhakti doesn't grow on demand—it unfolds like nature itself: slowly, wisely, beautifully. In this episode, Raghunath and Kaustubha explore the sacred rhythm of spiritual growth through enthusiasm, determination, and patience—the gardener's trinity of devotion. Along the way, they share how wisdom means learning how things grow, and how every confusing or paradoxical Krishna pastime ultimately resolves with one universal key: love. Key Highlights * The bhakti formula: enthusiasm, determination, and patience—the secret to spiritual maturity * Wisdom in waiting: why growth takes time and why rushing ruins devotion * When Krishna's actions confuse you—remember, the answer is always love * Change hearts through joy, not judgment—why inner happiness preaches louder than words And yes—this one ends with a blind maple syrup taste test. Sweet lessons in every sense. ********************************************************************* LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108 *********************************************************************  

You Can't Hurry Love: How Bhakti Matures It's easy to look spiritual — chant loud, dress the part, quote Sanskrit — but bhakti gets real when one starts perceiving divinity everywhere, in everyone. In this live Wisdom of the Sages retreat Q&A, Raghunath and Kaustubha explore how beginner bhakti matures into genuine love — the kind that sees God in every heart and responds with compassion. Episode Highlights: * “Ego is the glass in the soup of our joy” — why even a small shard ruins the whole pot * You can't hurry love: why bhakti grows slow, like a vine * From neophyte to mature devotee — learning to see Krishna in everyone * Preaching without pretense: why sharing joy beats proving philosophy * The charity trap — what King Nṛga's story teaches about giving wisely ********************************************************************* LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108 *********************************************************************

Ever wonder if that “inner voice” you hear during prayer is God in your heart—or just your mind doing impressions again? In this live Q&A from Super Soul Farm, Raghunath and Kaustubha dive deep into two powerful questions: 1️⃣ How to discern whether inspiration comes from the Supersoul (Paramātmā) or from the restless mind and ego. 2️⃣ What truly distinguishes Patañjali's Yoga Sūtras from Bhakti Yoga—the difference between liberation (kaivalya) and divine love (prema). Through stories, laughter, and verses from the Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, they map out how to pray for clear guidance, wait with faith, and let Krishna recalibrate your inner GPS. ********************************************************************* LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108 *********************************************************************

She boarded a flight to India to learn how to die—and found the wisdom to live. Laurel's journey—from childhood loss and addiction to a stage-4 cancer diagnosis—collides with Bhakti-yoga, kīrtan, and the Bhagavad-gītā at the Govardhan Ecovillage, reframing suffering through devotion and community. With Raghunath and Kaustubha, this episode traces the shift from victimhood to spiritual agency: simple practices, steady philosophy, and a flower-festival moment that changes everything. Key Highlights * “I came to die, but I learned to live.” * Raghu bans pity (but allows chapati—not Chowpatty). * Dog therapy for the soul: Who rescued who? * The sliding-tables cruise ship: how to find steadiness when life tilts. * Kīrtan at 5 a.m., a highway near-miss, and the taste of grace. * From validation-seeking to service and sādhana. * “Maintenance meds” vs. maintenance of the heart. * How the Bhāgavatam reframes impermanence and the “why me?” loop. Bhakti Yoga, Kirtan, Bhagavad Gita, Srimad Bhagavatam, Govardhan Ecovillage, Radhanath Swami, Spiritual Transformation, Addiction Recovery, Cancer Journey, Yoga Philosophy, Wisdom of the Sages Subscribe for daily wisdom and join thousands on the transformative path of Bhakti. ********************************************************************* LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108 ********************************************************************* Join 2025 Kartik Algorithm here: https://chat.whatsapp.com/KOUR66ik34T49YWn4y9QsU

What happens when the Stoic emperor of self-control meets the divine cowherd of boundless love? From Brahmā's cosmic prank to the gopīs' fearless devotion, Raghunath and Kaustubha explore the art of giving without keeping score—through Stoic insight, Bhakti wisdom, and the moonlit mystery of Kartik's full moon. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.13.40–43 #BhaktiYoga #MarcusAurelius #SrimadBhagavatam #Stoicism #WisdomOfTheSages ********************************************************************* LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108 ********************************************************************* Join 2025 Kartik Algorithm here: https://chat.whatsapp.com/KOUR66ik34T49YWn4y9QsU

It took 40, then 25, then 30 miles before the mind finally stopped screaming and started praying. Fresh off a solo bike ride through the Adirondacks, Raghunath and Kaustubha dive into practical bhakti: how movement can quiet the mental “algorithm,” how to use Kārtika (Damodara Month) to turn up your practice x1000, and why the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam's Brahma-vimohana lila (Brahma Mohan Leela)—when Kṛṣṇa becomes every cowherd boy and calf—reveals more than wonder; it maps how God and God's energies actually work. Key Highlights * “Metaphysical Amazon Prime”: stop praying for two-day shipping; start praying “What do You want from me today?” * Kārtika math: one round = a thousand (devotion multiplies—calories don't). * Japa that sticks: sit, walk, or pedal—just get past the first “many miles” of mental noise. * Phone in another room = mind in the same room as God. * Acintya-bhedābheda for real life: one energy, different functions—like electricity that can cool your fridge and heat your toast. If you're ready to trade doom-scrolling for mantra-rolling, this episode gives you a simple plan: pick a vow for Kārtika, leave the phone outside the temple of your morning, and let the mind settle mile by mile until prayer gets loud. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.13.36–40

The Bhagavad-gītā is more than philosophy—it's full of feeling. Arjuna's grief and Krishna's compassion remind us that yoga is not about suppressing emotions but purifying and deepening them. In this episode, Raghunath and Kaustubha explore Krishna's pastime of becoming every cowherd boy and calf in Vṛndāvana, where ordinary love becomes unlimited when connected to the Divine. The lesson: to experience the emotions of bhakti, we must keep our hearts soft and respectful toward all beings. Also: Raghunath clears his head on a bike ride, Mara has her “Govardhan Hill moment,” and magnets and rust somehow find their way into yoga philosophy.

Everybody's Looking for Krishna (Even If They Don't Know It): George Harrison's Bhakti Perspective George Harrison once wrote, “Everybody is looking for Kṛṣṇa. Some don't realize that they are, but they are.” In this episode, Raghunath and Kaustubha unpack how this simple insight lines up perfectly with the teachings of the Bhakti tradition. Why is it that every craving—for love, beauty, peace, security, adventure—always points us back to Krishna? Why is there really no turning away from Him? Drawing from the stories of the Bhāgavatam and the wisdom of the sages, this conversation explores how the heart's longings are never wasted—they're all leading us toward the source of everything.

The Upaniṣads say the Divine is hidden like fire in wood, cream in milk, oil in sesame seed—revealed only through truth and discipline. Raghunath and Kaustubha unpack how yoga and the Gītā echo this same teaching: God is everywhere, but without discipline you only pick up static. With truth and practice, the channel clears. Or as our Friend, Matthew Perry, once put it: “God is everywhere—you just have to clear your channel, or you'll miss it.” Srimad Bhagavatam 10.13.15-19 ********************************************************************* LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108 *********************************************************************  

What does John Travolta strutting through Brooklyn with two slices of pizza have to do with the Ṛg Veda's yajña-puruṣa, the divine person behind the cosmos? In this episode, Raghunath and Kaustubha show how Travolta's swagger reflects Krishna's playful personhood in Vṛndāvana. We explore how the Bhāgavatam reveals God “off duty”—laughing, eating with his friends, and personally searching for lost calves—while also guiding us toward fearlessness, community, and deeper spiritual focus. Key themes include: * Travolta's swagger as reflection of Krishna's divine personhood * God Off Duty: yajña-puruṣa as a barefoot boy in Vṛndāvana * Why the devas were stunned by Krishna's picnic * Fearlessness through friendship with Krishna * Sage Groups vs. Netflix rabbit holes * Prabhupāda's final purports from Vrindāvana Subscribe and join us for daily wisdom, Vedic insights, and Bhakti inspiration. Srimad Bhagavatam 10.13.9-14 ********************************************************************* LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108 ********************************************************************* Join the Gita Collective Whatsapp group! https://chat.whatsapp.com/IoClfPirgHXBad5SxjH2i6?mode=ems_copy_t

Rabindranath Tagore wrote that “Love is the only reality… the ultimate truth at the heart of creation.” In this episode, Raghunath and Kaustubha explore why the opposite of love isn't hate but illusion, and how failing to see others as sparks of the divine disconnects us from reality itself. From Krishna's cosmic picnic mandala to Lord Jagannāth's worldwide Ratha Yatra, and even a few Roomba and Nutella detours, discover how Bhakti yoga reveals love as the center of all existence.

Bhakti practices like chanting, kīrtan, rising early, study, and satsang aren't side notes—they're the training ground for reshaping the inner world so the outer world follows. In this episode, Raghunath and Kaustubha reflect on first encounters with sādhana in Vṛndāvana and dive into Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.12, where Krishna liberates the snake demon Aghāsura and reveals how even a moment of remembrance can transform destiny. Key Highlights: * Daily bhakti practices as inner rewiring. * Why moving won't fix the mind—but sādhana will. * Vṛndāvana as a culture of practice. * Krishna's liberation of Aghāsura and its meaning for us. * How the inner world reshapes the outer.

What you hold in your mind shapes you. In this episode, Raghunath and Kaustubha explore Marshall McLuhan's famous line—“We become what we behold”—and connect it with Krishna's teachings in the Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Do we let random media and impulses shape us, or do we consciously adopt tools that align with who we want to become? From the media-is-the-message to Bhāgavatam 10.12, we enter Aghāsura's cavernous “cave,” watch Krishna rescue His friends, liberate the demon, and trigger a celestial celebration. Along the way: fearlessness vs. recklessness, why a morning program beats doom-scrolling, and how bringing Krishna into the heart quietly lowers the temperature on everyday panic. Key Highlights * McLuhan meets the Gītā: how tools and habits carve our destiny * The cowherd boys' fearless joy vs. reckless “No Fear” bravado * Aghāsura decoded: envy, anxiety, and Krishna's liberating touch * Why a crafted morning program beats algorithmic autopilot * Celestial fireworks—demigods, Gandharvas, and Brahmā's astonishment A practical, provocative look at how the tools we choose today determine the lives we live tomorrow.

How is it that we can feel unhappy when we see someone else happy? And what does that reveal about the condition of our mind and heart? In this episode, Raghunath and Kaustubha explore envy through Shakespeare's words, Patrick Henry's warning, and Aghāsura's jealousy in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.12.   They discuss why resentment is a form of spiritual self-sabotage, how bhakti transforms envy into empathy, and why the cowherd boys' simple joy surpasses even the achievements of the greatest yogis.   Highlights include: • Shakespeare on envy: “O, how bitter…” • Patrick Henry's verdict: jealousy = the only vice with no pleasure • Aghāsura as cruelty and violence fueled by envy • Why fame is fickle, and why validation addiction cripples meditation • Snapshots of Vrindavan's joy: bugles, lunch bags, peacock feathers, and even sacred “sadness”   A lively mix of scripture, reflection, and humor—designed to help us see envy for what it is and train the heart toward genuine joy in others' happiness. Srimad Bhagavatam 10.12.1-24 ********************************************************************* LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108 ********************************************************************* Join the Gita Collective Whatsapp group! https://chat.whatsapp.com/IoClfPirgHXBad5SxjH2i6?mode=ems_copy_t

When debate turnsviolent, yogis reach for higher tools—not more gasoline. In this episode, Raghunath and Kaustubha reflect on the rising culture of outrage and political violence, using the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk as a moment to pause and ask: how can we disagree without dehumanizing? Drawing from Śrī Caitanya's example of gentle but powerful debate, and the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam's accounts of Krishna's childhood pastimes, they explore practical bhakti principles that can steady the heart even when the world feels unstable. Key Highlights * The provocateur trap: why inflammatory speech breeds more chaos * Five takeaways for disagreeing without division * Respectful courage vs. performative outrage * Debate as Lord Caitanya modeled it: correction without humiliation * Krishna's butter-boy pastimes as an anchor of joy amid chaos If you're tired of the outrage algorithm but still care deeply about truth, this conversation offers a better toolkit—one rooted in bhakti.

Raghunath and Kaustubha explore how the pinnacle of Vedānta and yoga is revealed in the simplest exchange: Mother Yaśodā calling little Kṛṣṇa home for dinner. They unpack why quality of love matters more than quantity of achievement, and why “do small things with great love” isn't just a sweet saying—it's the key to real growth. Drawing from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.11), Mother Teresa, Lord Rāma's squirrel story, and reflections from Scottie Scheffler, the world's #1-ranked golfer, they reveal how fleeting victories fade while love endures. From cows and calves to the defeat of Bakasura, this episode shows that even the smallest offerings—when infused with devotion—hold infinite meaning. Tune in as Wisdom of the Sages uncovers how unselfish love, not spectacle or complexity, delivers the deepest fulfillment and the truest yoga. Srimad Bhagavatam 10.11.12-53 ********************************************************************* LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108 ********************************************************************* Join the Gita Collective Whatsapp group! https://chat.whatsapp.com/IoClfPirgHXBad5SxjH2i6?mode=ems_copy_t

Anne Frank once wrote, “No one has ever become poor from giving.” In this episode, Raghunath and Kaustubha explore how the universe itself is designed to train us to give—first through external acts of sacrifice and service, and ultimately by offering the heart. Through the lens of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and the Bhagavad-gītā's peace formula (5.29), they unpack why we are born to give, not to possess, and how life's tapas transforms into joy when directed as seva. Key Highlights * Born to Give (not to hoard): generosity as the soul's natural state. * The Peace Formula (BG 5.29): nothing is mine; everything offered; the Divine is your best friend—goodbye anxiety. * Clinging = anxiety: the more we hold, the more we fear losing—until devotion reveals what truly remains. * Life as tapas: work, family, and projects become spiritual practice when consciously offered. Srimad Bhagavatam 10.11.1-11 ********************************************************************* LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108 ********************************************************************* Join the Gita Collective Whatsapp group! https://chat.whatsapp.com/IoClfPirgHXBad5SxjH2i6?mode=ems_copy_t

Hate shrinks the soul, but devotion expands it. This episode weaves together Booker T. Washington's timeless wisdom with the Bhakti-yoga path of love and transformation. From Washington's refusal to let hatred narrow his soul to Nārada's “curse that cures” and Baby Krishna's Dāmodara pastime, Raghunath and Kaustubha explore how bhakti disarms resentment, envy, and bitterness—and replaces them with clarity, compassion, and joy. Discover why contempt is spiritual quicksand, how outrage has become the new addiction, and why love is the only effective recovery plan. With humor, storytelling, and insights from the Bhāgavatam, this episode offers a practical strategy for cutting through outrage and expanding the heart.

Pierre Bezukhov's captivity in War and Peace leads him to a discovery straight out of yogic wisdom: happiness is within, suffering can transform into blessing, and the company of a saintly soul changes everything. Raghunath and Kaustubha unpack Tolstoy's descriptions of Pierre's awakening through Platon Karataev and connect them with the bhakti truths of the Bhagavad-Gītā and the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. From Pierre's realization that “Life is everything. Life is God” to baby Krishna's playful liberation of two fallen demigods, the timeless message shines through—what looks like misery may be the doorway to divine joy. Srimad Bhagavatam 10.10.20-31 ********************************************************************* LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108 ********************************************************************* Join the Gita Collective Whatsapp group! https://chat.whatsapp.com/IoClfPirgHXBad5SxjH2i6?mode=ems_copy_t ********************************************************************* To donate or get a set of Srimad Bhagavatam during this Bhadra Purnima, contact Malini here: +1 (669) 289-5563

The Sage Nārada's tough-love blueprint takes center stage as Raghunath and Kaustubha explore how losing comfort—or choosing austerity—acts like “ointment for the eyes,” restoring humility, compassion, and spiritual clarity. Along the way, a striking line from Benjamin Franklin sheds light on the danger of being possessed by wealth, while the timeless wisdom of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam reveals why voluntary simplicity has always been the yogi's path to deeper vision. Key Highlights * Franklin's insight: wealth often ends up possessing us. * How wealth dulls empathy and blinds spiritual sight. * Nārada's corrective: austerity as medicine for the heart. * Why suffering can deepen compassion. * Simplicity as the yogic path to clear vision. Srimad Bhagavatam 10.10.13-19 ********************************************************************* LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108 ********************************************************************* Join the Gita Collective Whatsapp group! https://chat.whatsapp.com/IoClfPirgHXBad5SxjH2i6?mode=ems_copy_t

Walt Whitman's startling line—“every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you”—meets the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, where Nārada Muni confronts two proud sons of Kubera and forces them to consider: who really owns the body? From Whitman's atoms to the yogic teaching “not me, not mine,” we uncover the liberating truth that the body is a vehicle on loan, entrusted for a higher purpose. Along the way we also explore how sages wield the power to curse—and why those curses are often hidden blessings. Srimad Bhagavatam 10.10.1-12 ********************************************************************* LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108 ********************************************************************* Join the Gita Collective Whatsapp group! https://chat.whatsapp.com/IoClfPirgHXBad5SxjH2i6?mode=ems_copy_t

This episode dives into one of Vedānta's deepest paradoxes: how the all-pervading, unlimited Brahman appears as a child and is bound by a rope. With reflections from physicist Niels Bohr and insights from the Bhāgavatam, Raghunath and Kaustubha unpack how truth, when probed deeply, transcends logic—and how love alone can bind the infinite. Srimad Bhagavatam 10.9.15-23 ********************************************************************* LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108

The Supreme Truth—eternal, formless yet personal, beyond time and space—gets tied up with a rope. In this rich and revealing episode, Raghunath and Kaustubha explore how love alone—not ritual, renunciation, or knowledge—can bind the Absolute. Featuring insights from Jesuit mysticism, Krishna's childhood pastimes, and a few insects with questionable IQs.

In a world that floods the mind with distraction and noise, Bhakti Yoga teaches a sacred alternative: reclaim the inner world through smarana—the practice of intentional, emotionally infused remembrance. In this episode, Raghunath and Kaustubha explore how what we think about—over and over again—shapes who we become. Drawing from the Bhagavad Gita, the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, and a quote from self-help pioneer Earl Nightingale, they examine how the bhakti tradition trains the mind through focused repetition and deep feeling. With reflections on Mother Yaśodā's love for Krishna, and the esoteric path of Rāgānuga Bhakti, this episode opens the door to a meditation practice unlike any other. Whether you're new to yoga philosophy or seeking to deepen your inner life, this conversation offers a clear and powerful invitation: take your inner world seriously—because it becomes your reality. Srimad Bhagavatam 10.9.1-9 ********************************************************************* LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108 ********************************************************************* Join the Gita Collective Whatsapp group! https://chat.whatsapp.com/IoClfPirgHXBad5SxjH2i6?mode=ems_copy_t

What really makes us happy? In this episode, we draw from Yale professor Dr. Laurie Santos' research — featured on the Rich Roll Podcast — to uncover four surprising truths about happiness: the arrival fallacy, the bronze medal effect, how comfort can backfire, and why giving beats self-focus. What's remarkable is how these modern insights echo wisdom preserved in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. The yogic texts long ago revealed that happiness and distress both come to us inevitably, and that wise souls redirect their energy toward devotion. In bhakti, this opens the door to a transcendental joy far beyond worldly ups and downs — most beautifully seen in the eternal love between Krishna and the residents of Vrindavan. Srimad Bhagavatam 10.8.46-52 ********************************************************************* LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108

The genius of the bhakti tradition's sacred texts is how they reveal the loftiest yogic and theological truths through the sweetest intimacy. The Cosmic Source described in the Vedas and the Absolute Truth of the Vedānta Sūtra is revealed in the Bhagavatam as Krishna, a mischievous, playful child—the most adorable boy. When Mother Yaśodā peers into Krishna's mouth, she doesn't just see her son—she sees the entire universe. In this paradox of infinite divinity wrapped in childlike charm, bhakti uncovers a truth both cosmic and deeply personal. Srimad Bhagavatam 10.8.32-45 ********************************************************************* LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108

Rumi spoke of a field beyond right and wrong — and in Krishna's playful pastimes we discover how breaking the rules can reveal the highest good. How can Krishna, the Supreme Good, also be a thief, a liar, a womanizer, and even a killer? Drawing on Rumi's mystical poetry and the Upanishadic vision of fullness, Raghunath and Kaustubha explore how Krishna's so-called immorality reveals truths that transcend all dualities. Join us as we uncover the paradox of divinity, where Krishna's playful rascality leads us to the soul's true resting place: beyond the world's petty dualities, in the harmony of divine love. Srimad Bhagavatam 10.8.25-31 ********************************************************************* LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108

In this intriguing and often hilarious episode, Raghunath and Kaustubha explore a natural pattern in life and spirituality: moving from simplicity to complexity, and then back again. On the spiritual journey, we may wrestle with perplexing questions: Who am I? Is there God? Is the world real? Is it all an illusion? We speak of “the sound of one hand clapping” or “being here now,” and sometimes it can feel as if spiritual guides are muddying the waters just to make them seem deep. But it's possible to emerge on the other side of these tangled spiritual riddles and discover the simplicity of divine love — a simplicity that carries within it the depth and wisdom gained along the way. Key Takeaways: * The recurring life pattern: from simplicity to complexity and back to a refined simplicity. * How the search for truth can lead to ever-deepening — and sometimes overly complex — spiritual riddles. * Why divine love, though simple in expression, contains the deepest wisdom. * ⁠ The Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam's portrayal of pure, selfless love in Yaśodā's relationship with Kṛṣṇa. * The difference between naive, material love and enlightened, spiritual love. Srimad Bhagavatam 10.8.1-9 ********************************************************************* LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108

From ancient yoga texts to modern science, many agree: reality is whole — but our minds chop it into fragments. Feeling incomplete, we try to patch ourselves together with external “pieces” — the right spouse, the perfect home, children, financial security, status. But those fragments never deliver true wholeness. In this episode, Raghunath and Kaustubha explore the illusion of fragmentation and turn to the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, where Nanda Mahārāja welcomes the sage Garga and recognizes a deeper kind of fullness in him — one that can't be bought, lost, or taken away. Srimad Bhagavatam 10.8.1-9 ********************************************************************* LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108

Reality is stranger than we think, and this episode may rewire how you think about what's possible. Raghunath and Kaustubha draw surprising connections between groundbreaking discoveries in quantum physics and the apparently impossible events described in ancient yoga texts like the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Blaise Pascal's “infinite sphere” meets Mother Yaśodā's jaw-dropping vision of the entire universe in little Krishna's mouth — and even the science of quantum superposition and entanglement finds its place in the conversation. The takeaway? The laws of physics you learned in school might only apply to a tiny corner of reality. Srimad Bhagavatam 10.7.26-37 ********************************************************************* LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108

The great sages of ancient India understood the stories of Krishna to be far more than charming children's tales. Through the sophisticated lens of the Sanskrit science of drama, they revealed just how richly structured and deeply meaningful these pastimes are — spiritual dramas designed to awaken devotion and evoke profound yogic experience. This episode explores how spiritual life must be alive and nourished with emotion. As Abraham Joshua Heschel observed, when faith is replaced by creed, worship by discipline, love by habit — and when religion speaks in the name of authority rather than with a voice of compassion — its message becomes meaningless. Krishna's pastimes restore that life and compassion, stirring joy, longing, fear, and relief in the hearts of the residents of Vṛndāvana, and awakening the same divine emotions within us. Srimad Bhagavatam 10.7.20-26 ********************************************************************* LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108

Raghunath and Kaustubha explore a bold truth drawn from the bhakti-yoga tradition and Ralph Waldo Emerson: that real spiritual power isn't loud—it's earned quietly through honesty, humility, and freedom from envy. They discuss how small, virtuous choices—especially when no one is watching—build a subtle force that gives one's words and presence lasting impact. The episode flows from reflections on Vedic brāhmaṇas to personal stories of ethical tension, spiritual parenting, and learning to let go with grace. It's about becoming powerful not by dominating others—but by mastering oneself. Srimad Bhagavatam 10.7.8-19 ********************************************************************* LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108

Even on paths designed for deep transformation, we often resist the very changes that would liberate us. In this episode, Raghunath and Kaustubha explore the symbolic meaning of the cart demon (Śakaṭāsura) from Krishna's pastimes—and how it represents the dead weight we carry in the form of outdated beliefs, mechanical rituals, and spiritual pride. Drawing on insights from Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura and the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, they challenge us to ask: are we actually changing, or just performing? If you've ever felt like you're dragging around a cart full of spiritual dead weight, this one's for you. ********************************************************************* LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108

If your view of God is stuck in an outdated mold—cold, distant, or ready to punish—you might be long overdue for an upgrade. Raghunath and Kaustubha unpack how Krishna's extraordinary affection cuts through both atheistic cynicism and impersonal detachment, replacing them with a vision of divine love. Through the story of Krishna and Pūtana, discover a God who blesses even those who try to harm Him, a spiritual path that goes beyond wave-less liberation into the ocean of bliss, and why adding Krishna to life transforms every season—good or bad.

Beneath all our spiritual searching may lie a hidden fear: the fear of the personal Divine. In this episode, Raghunath and Kaustubha explore how that fear hardens one's hearts—limiting one to the impersonal paths of liberation that feel safe but ultimately empty. Through the texts like the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, we uncover how vulnerability isn't weakness—it's the doorway to the deepest yoga, where love becomes real and the Supreme reveals His infinitely sweet, personal nature. Key Highlights: * “To love is to be vulnerable… and only in risk can we overcome darkness.” – Madeleine L'Engle * How our fear of surrender creates emotional armor that blocks love. * Why impersonal liberation can feel peaceful—but cold, distant, and incomplete. * The Bhāgavatam's powerful call to soften the heart and trust the sweetness of the Divine. * Why true spiritual intimacy can feel risky—and why that risk is everything. Discover how the highest yoga is not about withdrawal, but about opening fully to divine love—and why texts like the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam go to such lengths to show us the beauty, tenderness, and kindness of the personal God. ********************************************************************* LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108

Modern science meets bhakti wisdom: after 75 years of research, Harvard scientists concluded that good relationships—not wealth, fame, or even cholesterol—are the strongest predictor of long-term health and happiness. In this episode, Raghunath and Kaustubha discuss how the bhakti tradition is built on the understanding that life is meant to soften our hearts and train us to live harmoniously with God and every living being. They contrast this meaningful, purpose-driven worldview with the atheist perspective that sees life as random and purposeless—and reveal how bhakti offers a far richer vision of why we're here, how we grow, and how we truly thrive. This theme comes alive as they read about the gopīs' “village science”—washing baby Krishna, chanting mantras, and placing divine names on His body—which illustrates a profound technology of sound and love. Far from superstition, these rituals reflect the healthiest patterns for human life: relationships rooted in service, affection, and divine connection. Key Highlights: * How Vedic “village science” anticipated modern discoveries in vibration and sound. * Why bhakti places relationships—with God, others, and all beings—at the center of spiritual life. * Rituals and mantras as technologies of divine love, not superstition. * And yes, bar-hanging might make you live longer… but bhakti makes life meaningful. Srimad Bhagavatam Texts 10.6.18-30 ********************************************************************* LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108