Podcasts about indian religions

This week we're sharing an exciting crosspost and conversation with Bernardo Kastrup, PhD from the New Books Network: New Books in Indian Religions podcast. At the vanguard of the modern renaissance of metaphysical idealism, Bernardo presents cogent argumentation that reality is essentially mental, and examines the proper place of the scientific method in this deliberation. Bernardo's research exhibits some astonishing parallels with ancient Indic thought.You can find Bernardo's vast amount of fascinating work at https://www.bernardokastrup.com. 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

Raj Balkaran is a scholar, seeker, and librarian of wisdom. He is the author of The Stories Behind the Poses, an amazing book about the mythology connected to the asanas. Raj is a Chaplain at McMaster University, a teacher with the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies, a podcast host for the Indian Religions show, and the director of The Indian Wisdom School. He is graciously offering this community a free course. Use the code “GRACE”. ... https://rajbalkaran.com/ https://www.indianwisdomschool.com/  (GRACE) ... https://newbooksnetwork.com/hosts/profile/35dc4556-5592-4211-96c1-db8fdb52be50 ... https://www.spiralverse.com/products/9780711271883 ... https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/international-review-of-the-red-cross/article/abs/exploring-hindu-ethics-of-warfare-the-puranas/9B7ED58D8DC122F00D56D371F9EDC3DC ... https://capitalinstitute.org/course-introduction-regenerative-economics/ (promo code: COSMIC10) ... https://aftontickets.com/event/buyticket/68x24z4jg2 (promo code: COSMIC) ... https://www.cosmiclabyrinth.world/    

In honour of his 300th New Books Network podcast, a flip interview featuring a candid conversation with NBN host Raj Balkaran ranging from scholarship, to teaching, to entrepreneurship, and beyond. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/indian-religions

In honour of his 300th New Books Network podcast, a flip interview featuring a candid conversation with NBN host Raj Balkaran ranging from scholarship, to teaching, to entrepreneurship, and beyond. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Ruth Westoby Baking the Body in the Fire of Yoga (www.enigmatic.yoga | @ruthwestoby )  The Relationship Between Academic Study & Practice | Learning Ashtanga Yoga | Entering into the academic study of yoga | Reading the Bhagavad Gita | Getting obsessed with details | Mark Singleton's & Norman Sjoman's books | Are the myths being busted? | The Sritattvanidhi | The transformation of practice enriches interest in the texts | Practising to techno | Cultural appropriation | Can we separate mind & body? | Use of critical theory in yoga | Yoga necessary for doing the contemplation elements *************************************************** This episode is sponsored by Momence, the booking system we use and highly recommend. Momence facilitates online, in-person and hybrid classes and events, and there are packages to fit self-employed teachers to multi-site studios. With Momence, you can: ·  ·       Manage your class and workshop schedule ·       Organize your appointment types and availability ·       Create marketing and win-back campaigns ·       Organize your on-demand videos and courses ·       See exactly how your business is doing through insightful reporting. ·       Have customers self-check-in via kiosks ·       Sell products and services with a fully integrated point of sale With live support by chat, phone and email Momence is easy to use for yourself and your customers. 2 MONTHS FREE TRAIL: for more information click on the link https://www.keenonyoga.com/momence/ or book a demo and quote “Keen on Yoga”  Support Us Subscribe, like, comment and share with your friends Donate: https://keenonyoga.com/donate/ Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/infoRf Become a Patron:  https://keenonyoga.com/membership/  Exclusive content, yoga & lifestyle tips, live Zoom meet-ups & more.  €10 per month, cancel at any time. Connect With Keen On Yoga Instagram Keen on Yoga: https://www.instagram.com/keen_on_yoga/ Instagram Adam Keen: https://www.instagram.com/adam_keen_ashtanga/ Website: https://keenonyoga.com/ *************************************** Ruth Westoby is a doctoral researcher in yoga and an Ashtanga practitioner. As well as offering workshops and lectures at studios and conferences, Ruth teaches on some of the principal teacher training programmes in the UK and beyond. Ruth is on the steering committee for the SOAS Centre of Yoga Studies. Ruth collaborated with the Haṭha Yoga Project's ‘embodied philology', interpreting postures from an 18th-century text teaching a precursor of modern yoga, the Haṭhābhyāsapaddhati, in 2016 and 2017. Ruth began to explore yoga practices in 1996 and started teaching postural yoga in 2004. In 2010 she received an MA in Indian Religions from SOAS, University of London, with Distinction.   Ruth has studied closely with Hamish Hendry and Richard Freeman. In 2015 she was authorized by Sharath to teach Ashtanga level 2. Ruth does not practice at studios which display images of Pattabhi Jois on altars in solidarity with those who were sexually abused by him. For resources and dialogue on this please contact Ruth directly.   Ruth is researching for a doctoral thesis on ‘Bodies in Haṭhayoga: Gender, Materiality and Power' at SOAS under the supervision of James Mallinson.  

Professor Pankaj Jain shares examples from key Dharmic and Yogic texts and contexts from which Hindus, Jains, and Buddhists continue to derive their inspiration. Evidently, in Yogic and Dharmic contexts, religion, ethics, and environmentalism are intertwined with each other instead of distinctly evolved theories. About the Theme: In the West, the current paradigm of wishing to establish ecological balance via education, public policy, advocacy, and law enforcement has a serious deficit, i.e., how to do it. The Indic way is to provide the HOWTOs to accomplish an environment-friendly society. Yoga practice can go a long way for the benefit of ecology. Thus, a paradigm shift is needed from a top-down enforcement approach to bottom-up individual practice where Yoga can facilitate the praxis necessary for establishing ecological balance. About the Author: Pankaj Jain is a Philosophy, Religious Studies, Film Studies, Sustainability, and Diaspora Studies, Professor. He has authored three books and has co-edited the Hinduism Section of the Encyclopedia of Indian Religions. His articles have appeared in multiple academic journals and popular websites. Academic Works: Dharma and Ecology of Hindu Communities: Sustenance and Sustainability Science and Socio-Religious Revolution in India: Moving the Mountains Dharma in America: A Short History of Hindu-Jain Diaspora Edited volume: Encyclopedia of Indian Religions- Hinduism and Tribal Religions. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/pankaj-jain/support

नमस्ते दोस्तों! The Ranveer Show हिंदी के 114th Episode में आप सभी का स्वागत है. आज के Podcast में हमारे साथ जुड़ चुके हैं Astras के Expert Akshat Gupta जो एक Author है। ये कई Bollywood Production Houses के लिए Scripts लिख रहे हैं। Hinduism और Indian History पर इनकी Knowledge वाकई सराहनीय है। इस Podcast में हम बात करेंगे ढ़ेर सारी बातें Lord Parshuram कौन थे, Rishi Jamdagini और Renuka, Vishnu के Dashavtar, 7 Immortals यानि Chiranjeevi, Saptarishi कौन थे, Satyug, Tretayug, Dwaparyug और Kalyug में Negativity का Percentage, Number 9 का रहस्य, Numerology In Hinduism और 9 अंक से जुड़े कहानियाँ के बारे में। साथ ही साथ हम बात करेंगे कैसे कुछ लोग Early Age में Mature हो जाते है, Souls की Real Age, Gods कहाँ से आए है, Swarg कहाँ है, Heaven का Concept, Hanuman Chalisa की शक्ति, Hanuman का बल, Mahabharat में Hanuman का Role और Ancient Indian Scriptures के बारे में और भी ढ़ेर सारी बातें। मैं आशा करता हूँ कि ये Video आप सभी Viewers को पसंद आएगा। खास तौर पर उन सभी को जिन्हें Ancient Indian Mysteries के बारे में जानने में Interest है। क्या Multiverse सच में है, Hinduism में इसका Proof और Shaktipith की Shaktiyan जैसी चीज़ों के बारे में हम Discuss करेंगे इस Hindi Podcast में सिर्फ और सिर्फ आपके Favourite BeerBiceps Hindi Channel Ranveer Allahbadia पर

Luke Jordan is a Certified Teacher in the Ashtanga Yoga tradition and holds a Masters in Indian Religions. He is a writer, story-teller, vedic-chanter, sanskritist and consummate student of yogic and spiritual culture. Always feeling that there was something more to life, Luke first began formal study of Eastern mysticism in the 1990s while at University and plunged headlong into the practice of Ashtanga Yoga in the year 2000. This began an on-going journey that would take him around the world seeking out experts, gurus and teachers in the field of Yoga and spirituality. Luke first made his way to Mysore, India in 2001 to study with Sri Pattabhi Jois and his grandson Sharath and is one of a very small number of teachers worldwide to have been granted the honour of Certification within the Ashtanga tradition. Drawn to the deeper philosophical dimensions of Yoga, Luke loves to share the inquiry that springs from the chants, myths and conceptual underpinnings which form Yoga's wider tradition. He now lives in Portugal where he is the founder of the Colares Yoga Club and each year gives the intensive Ashtanga Yoga Summer School. In this episode Luke talks to Adam about: Samkhya & yoga Yoga as a form of experiential enquiry Moving from gross level of experience to subtle levels of experience Spiritual seeking Tattvas Karma Purusha Do we have freewill? Connect with Luke: Website: https://lukejordanyoga.com/luke-jordan Instagram: @lukejordanyoga  

What is the Spalding Symposium on Indian Religions all about? Who is it for? What is it's past, present, and future? Find out as Raj Balkaran speaks with Symposium organizers Karen O'Brien-Kop (University of Roehampton), Brian Black (Lancaster University), Avni Chag (British Library) and Kush Depala (Heidelberg University). On YouTube.  Raj Balkaran is a scholar, online educator, and life coach. For information see rajbalkaran.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/indian-religions

What is the Spalding Symposium on Indian Religions all about? Who is it for? What is it's past, present, and future? Find out as Raj Balkaran speaks with Symposium organizers Karen O'Brien-Kop (University of Roehampton), Brian Black (Lancaster University), Avni Chag (British Library) and Kush Depala (Heidelberg University). On YouTube.  Raj Balkaran is a scholar, online educator, and life coach. For information see rajbalkaran.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/south-asian-studies

What is the Spalding Symposium on Indian Religions all about? Who is it for? What is it's past, present, and future? Find out as Raj Balkaran speaks with Symposium organizers Karen O'Brien-Kop (University of Roehampton), Brian Black (Lancaster University), Avni Chag (British Library) and Kush Depala (Heidelberg University). On YouTube.  Raj Balkaran is a scholar, online educator, and life coach. For information see rajbalkaran.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the ancient Sanskrit text the Arthashastra, regarded as one of the major works of Indian literature. Written in the style of a scientific treatise, it provides rulers with a guide on how to govern their territory and sets out what the structure, economic policy and foreign affairs of the ideal state should be. According to legend, it was written by Chanakya, a political advisor to the ruler Chandragupta Maurya (reigned 321 – 297 BC) who founded the Mauryan Empire, the first great Empire in the Indian subcontinent. As the Arthashastra asserts that a ruler should pursue his goals ruthlessly by whatever means is required, it has been compared with the 16th-century work The Prince by Machiavelli. Today, it is widely viewed as presenting a sophisticated and refined analysis of the nature, dynamics and challenges of rulership, and scholars value it partly because it undermines colonial stereotypes of what early South Asian society was like. With Jessica Frazier Lecturer in the Study of Religion at the University of Oxford and a Fellow of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies James Hegarty Professor of Sanskrit and Indian Religions at Cardiff University And Deven Patel Associate Professor of South Asia Studies at the University of Pennsylvania Producer: Simon Tillotson

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the ancient Sanskrit text the Arthashastra, regarded as one of the major works of Indian literature. Written in the style of a scientific treatise, it provides rulers with a guide on how to govern their territory and sets out what the structure, economic policy and foreign affairs of the ideal state should be. According to legend, it was written by Chanakya, a political advisor to the ruler Chandragupta Maurya (reigned 321 – 297 BC) who founded the Mauryan Empire, the first great Empire in the Indian subcontinent. As the Arthashastra asserts that a ruler should pursue his goals ruthlessly by whatever means is required, it has been compared with the 16th-century work The Prince by Machiavelli. Today, it is widely viewed as presenting a sophisticated and refined analysis of the nature, dynamics and challenges of rulership, and scholars value it partly because it undermines colonial stereotypes of what early South Asian society was like. With Jessica Frazier Lecturer in the Study of Religion at the University of Oxford and a Fellow of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies James Hegarty Professor of Sanskrit and Indian Religions at Cardiff University And Deven Patel Associate Professor of South Asia Studies at the University of Pennsylvania Producer: Simon Tillotson

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the ancient Sanskrit text the Arthashastra, regarded as one of the major works of Indian literature. Written in the style of a scientific treatise, it provides rulers with a guide on how to govern their territory and sets out what the structure, economic policy and foreign affairs of the ideal state should be. According to legend, it was written by Chanakya, a political advisor to the ruler Chandragupta Maurya (reigned 321 – 297 BC) who founded the Mauryan Empire, the first great Empire in the Indian subcontinent. As the Arthashastra asserts that a ruler should pursue his goals ruthlessly by whatever means is required, it has been compared with the 16th-century work The Prince by Machiavelli. Today, it is widely viewed as presenting a sophisticated and refined analysis of the nature, dynamics and challenges of rulership, and scholars value it partly because it undermines colonial stereotypes of what early South Asian society was like. With Jessica Frazier Lecturer in the Study of Religion at the University of Oxford and a Fellow of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies James Hegarty Professor of Sanskrit and Indian Religions at Cardiff University And Deven Patel Associate Professor of South Asia Studies at the University of Pennsylvania Producer: Simon Tillotson

In this episode we sit down with return guest Raj Balkaran to catch up and dive deep into the world of the Devīmāhātmya. Raj shares with us about the publication of his latest book, The Stories Behind the Poses (2022) and how it grew out of the teaching of his previous YS course. We discuss the academic field of Purāṇa study, and how the Devīmāhātmya fits within this larger world of Sanskrit narrative and religious texts. We then discuss the "Greatness of the Goddess," Śākta traditions, the nature of Devī, her theology and nature, and the power of story and narrative to codify and express her divinity. We end with a preview of Raj's upcoming course, YS 208 | Devīmāhātmya: Greatness of the Goddess. Speaker BioDr. Raj Balkaran is a scholar of Indian mythology and a spiritual adept. A seasoned online educator, he is also the Founder of the online School of Indian Wisdom where he creates and delivers original online courses integrating scholarship, storytelling and spirituality to apply Indian wisdom teachings to modern life. Beyond teaching and research, Dr. Raj runs a thriving life coaching practice, delivers public talks, and hosts the Indian Religions podcast. LinksYS 208 | Devīmāhātmya: Greatness of the GoddessThe Stories Behind the Poseshttps://rajbalkaran.com

Today's guest is Dr. Raj Balkaran; he is an Independent Scholar of ancient Indian Sanskrit narrative texts, author of two academic books, host of the “Indian Religions” podcast, and founder of the School of Indian Wisdom. Raj has been initiated into Indian Wisdom Traditions from multiple lineal teachers and apprenticed with an Indian spiritual master for twelve years, as well as engaged with daily spiritual practice and study for twenty years. Learn more about Dr. Raj Balkaran below: WebsiteTwitterInstagramFacebookLinkedInAcademia.Edu ∗∗∗∗∗∗ Interested in signing up for Kajabi? Get a BONUS ACTIVATION CALL for being a podcast listener. If you enjoyed the podcast please leave a review and rating to help inspire more online entrepreneurs to take their business to the next level. Your review will help create more Kajabi Heroes. Share this episode on social media & tag us to get a shoutout on the show: Facebook Instagram Twitter LinkedIn Interested in being a guest on the podcast to share your Kajabi journey with the world? SIGN UP FOR OUR GUEST LIST!

Dr. Raj Balkaran is a scholar of Sanskrit narrative texts and the author of The Goddess and the King in Indian Myth (Routledge 2018), The Goddess and the Sun in Indian Myth (Routledge 2020), and several academic articles and book chapters since completing his doctorate in 2015. He is also an avid spiritual practitioner, having been initiated into ancient Indian wisdom traditions by multiple masters, and having been engaged in daily practice for two decades. Also a seasoned online educator, he teaches at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies where he also serves on their Course Development Board. He is the Founder of the School of Indian Wisdom where he teaches original online courses combining scholarship, storytelling and spirituality to apply ancient wisdom teachings to modern life. Beyond teaching, research and administration, Dr. Balkaran runs a thriving life coaching practice and hosts the New Books in Indian Religions podcast. As a boon to Chitheads listeners, visit https://courses.rajbalkaran.com/ and use the code 50OFF to get half off anything at the School for Indian Wisdom. In this episode we discuss: The intersection of scholarship and practice. The self-employed scholar and the un-university. Yogic philosophy in Puranic and other Hindu narratives. Making sense of the human experience through narratives and storytelling. Story as the fabric of our culture. Breaking behaviors or patterns by becoming conscious of limiting stories. Dismantling unconscious bias in the mythological strata of Western consciousness. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to The Academic Life. You are smart and capable, but you aren't an island, and neither are we. So we reached across our mentor network to bring you podcasts on everything from how to finish that project, to how to take care of your beautiful mind. Wish we'd bring in an expert about something? Email us at cgessler@gmail.com or dr.danamalone@gmail.com. Find us on Twitter: The Academic Life @AcademicLifeNBN. In this episode you'll hear about: the benefits and challenges of working remotely, being alt-ac, Hindu Studies, founding an online school, and the pandemic shutdowns in Canada. Our guest is: Dr. Raj Balkaran is a prolific independent scholar of Sanskrit narrative texts. He is the author of The Goddess and the King in Indian Myth (Routledge 2018), The Goddess and the Sun in Indian Myth (Routledge 2020) along with a number of articles and book chapters. Having taught comparative religion and mythology at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies for a decade, he now Tutors at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies where he also serves on the Centre's Curriculum Development Board. Alongside his academic training, he has received extensive spiritual training as part of an oral tradition dedicated to the transmission of Indian wisdom teachings. Integrating his academic and spiritual training, he has founded the online School of Indian Wisdom where he designs and delivers original online courses centered on the practical life wisdom to be found in the philosophical, mythological and spiritual traditions of ancient India. Beyond teaching and research, Dr. Balkaran runs a thriving life consulting practice and hosts the New Books in Indian Religions podcast. Our host is: Dr. Christina Gessler, a historian of women and gender. Christina recently met Raj at a Zoom meeting for New Books Network channel hosts, and invited him to come on the Academic Life to share his pandemic perspective. Listeners to this episode might be interested in: School of Indian Wisdom Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies The New Books in Indian Religion podcast The Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmīki: An Epic of Ancient India, Volume I: Balakāṇḍa The Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmīki: An Epic of Ancient India, Volume II: Ayodhyakāṇḍa The Mahabharata, Volume 1: Book 1: The Book of the Beginning The Mahabharata, Volume 2: Book 2: The Book of Assembly In Praise of the Goddess: The Devimahatmya and Its Meaning Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/academic-life

Welcome to The Academic Life. You are smart and capable, but you aren’t an island, and neither are we. So we reached across our mentor network to bring you podcasts on everything from how to finish that project, to how to take care of your beautiful mind. Wish we’d bring in an expert about something? Email us at cgessler@gmail.com or dr.danamalone@gmail.com. Find us on Twitter: The Academic Life @AcademicLifeNBN. In this episode you’ll hear about: the benefits and challenges of working remotely, being alt-ac, Hindu Studies, founding an online school, and the pandemic shutdowns in Canada. Our guest is: Dr. Raj Balkaran is a prolific independent scholar of Sanskrit narrative texts. He is the author of The Goddess and the King in Indian Myth (Routledge 2018), The Goddess and the Sun in Indian Myth (Routledge 2020) along with a number of articles and book chapters. Having taught comparative religion and mythology at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies for a decade, he now Tutors at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies where he also serves on the Centre’s Curriculum Development Board. Alongside his academic training, he has received extensive spiritual training as part of an oral tradition dedicated to the transmission of Indian wisdom teachings. Integrating his academic and spiritual training, he has founded the online School of Indian Wisdom where he designs and delivers original online courses centered on the practical life wisdom to be found in the philosophical, mythological and spiritual traditions of ancient India. Beyond teaching and research, Dr. Balkaran runs a thriving life consulting practice and hosts the New Books in Indian Religions podcast. Our host is: Dr. Christina Gessler, a historian of women and gender. Christina recently met Raj at a Zoom meeting for New Books Network channel hosts, and invited him to come on the Academic Life to share his pandemic perspective. Listeners to this episode might be interested in: School of Indian Wisdom Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies The New Books in Indian Religion podcast The Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmīki: An Epic of Ancient India, Volume I: Balakāṇḍa The Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmīki: An Epic of Ancient India, Volume II: Ayodhyakāṇḍa The Mahabharata, Volume 1: Book 1: The Book of the Beginning The Mahabharata, Volume 2: Book 2: The Book of Assembly In Praise of the Goddess: The Devimahatmya and Its Meaning Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/indian-religions

Welcome to The Academic Life. You are smart and capable, but you aren’t an island, and neither are we. So we reached across our mentor network to bring you podcasts on everything from how to finish that project, to how to take care of your beautiful mind. Wish we’d bring in an expert about something? Email us at cgessler@gmail.com or dr.danamalone@gmail.com. Find us on Twitter: The Academic Life @AcademicLifeNBN. In this episode you’ll hear about: the benefits and challenges of working remotely, being alt-ac, Hindu Studies, founding an online school, and the pandemic shutdowns in Canada. Our guest is: Dr. Raj Balkaran is a prolific independent scholar of Sanskrit narrative texts. He is the author of The Goddess and the King in Indian Myth (Routledge 2018), The Goddess and the Sun in Indian Myth (Routledge 2020) along with a number of articles and book chapters. Having taught comparative religion and mythology at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies for a decade, he now Tutors at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies where he also serves on the Centre’s Curriculum Development Board. Alongside his academic training, he has received extensive spiritual training as part of an oral tradition dedicated to the transmission of Indian wisdom teachings. Integrating his academic and spiritual training, he has founded the online School of Indian Wisdom where he designs and delivers original online courses centered on the practical life wisdom to be found in the philosophical, mythological and spiritual traditions of ancient India. Beyond teaching and research, Dr. Balkaran runs a thriving life consulting practice and hosts the New Books in Indian Religions podcast. Our host is: Dr. Christina Gessler, a historian of women and gender. Christina recently met Raj at a Zoom meeting for New Books Network channel hosts, and invited him to come on the Academic Life to share his pandemic perspective. Listeners to this episode might be interested in: School of Indian Wisdom Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies The New Books in Indian Religion podcast The Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmīki: An Epic of Ancient India, Volume I: Balakāṇḍa The Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmīki: An Epic of Ancient India, Volume II: Ayodhyakāṇḍa The Mahabharata, Volume 1: Book 1: The Book of the Beginning The Mahabharata, Volume 2: Book 2: The Book of Assembly In Praise of the Goddess: The Devimahatmya and Its Meaning Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Join Mukunda as he speaks to Professor Raj Balkaran, Oxford Centre of Hindu Studies. He is a scholar of the Puranas and Narratives and the author of The Goddess and the King in Indian Myth. He is also the host of an amazing podcast called New Books in Indian Religions. In this episode, we discuss a host of topics including: 00:01:10 Introduction to Professor Balkaran and his background, unique journey into Hinduism and academia 00:20:00 The experience of being Hindu and Brown in the West 00:23:30 The difficultly of defining and teaching Hinduism, A profound diversity and ecosystem 00:34:30 The tapestry of the Shastras, in particular the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, and the nature of violence 00:45:50 The paradox of Dharma, the Dharmic double helix 00:55:40 Narrative and Framing of Shastras, particularly the Puranas 01:00:30 Prof. Balkaran’s spiritual journey 01:12:30 Academia and the Shastras 01:19:00 Discussion on the Devi Mahatmya and the ring narrative 01:30:10 What is Markendaya’s role in the Puranas and Privritti and Nivritti Dharma 01:31:35 The importance of the Azhwars and how the pasurams become the Divya Prabandam 01:41:40 What role do the King and Merchant have in the Devi Mahatmya 01:48:50 Karma, Vasanas, Moksha and living in the world 01:54:40 Back and forth discussion on Free Will vs Karma 02:10:40 The Narrative power of the Shastras 02:16:10 Prof. Balkaran’s upcoming works and courses along with online education 02:21:00 Prof. Balkaran’s closing thoughts 02:23:10 Why the podcast is called Meru Media

In this episode, we speak with Ruth Westoby (PhD Candidate, SOAS) about her background in Ashtanga, her doctoral research on women and gender in the history of yoga, female practitioners of Haṭha yoga and asceticism, frameworks for understanding the yogic body, rajas and bindu, as well as a preview of her upcoming online course, YS 111 | Women and Yoga: A History of Female Practitioners.Speaker BioRuth Westoby is a doctoral candidate at SOAS, University of London, researching for a doctoral thesis on the yogic body in premodern Sanskrit texts on haṭhayoga, under the supervision of Dr. James Mallinson. As well as offering workshops and lectures at studios and conferences, Ruth teaches on some of the principal teacher training programmes in the UK and beyond. She facilitates Yogacampus' online History of Yoga course and serves on the steering committee for the SOAS Centre of Yoga Studies.Ruth is also a longtime Ashtanga practitioner. She began to explore yoga practices in 1996 and started teaching postural yoga in 2004. In 2010 she received an MA in Indian Religions from SOAS with Distinction. In 2016-17 Ruth collaborated with the Haṭha Yoga Project's ‘embodied philology', interpreting postures from the 18th-century Haṭhābhyāsapaddhati, an important textual precursor of modern yoga. The film has been showed as part of the Haṭha Yoga Project's Embodied Liberation exhibition in 2020.Linkshttps://soas.academia.edu/RuthWestoby http://www.enigmatic.yogaYS 111 | Women and Yoga: A History of Female Practitioners

In this episode I am speaking with Ruth Westoby. Ruth is a doctoral researcher in yoga and an Ashtanga practitioner. As well as offering workshops and lectures at studios and conferences, Ruth teaches on some of the principal Yoga teacher training programmes in the UK and beyond. Ruth received an MA in Indian Religions from SOAS in 2010.Her website is enigmatic.yogaYou can listen to her Wise Studies course Women In Yoga here. The topics we discuss are:Common polarities in yogic textsFemale representations or lack thereof in Hatha YogaIf female voices were more predominant in the past would that have changed the goal of yoga?The predominance of female hatha yoga practitioners todayGender essentialismAre historical practices relevant today?Evaluating historical time periods on their own terms 

Real purpose of Indian Religions, Rituals, Statues & Temples? | Why are we अस्वस्थ & in Epidemics? • Why are we facing issues of Addictions, Disturbances, Conflicts, War & Epidemics like Corona Virus (COVID-19)? Advait Danke | Wellness Vibe | BodhMarga Foundation In this video, understand - • What is the real purpose of Indian Religions, Rituals, Statues & Temples? • Why are we facing issues of Addictions, Disturbances, Conflicts, War & Epidemics like Corona Virus (COVID-19)? • Why our Prakriti, Nature & Mother Earth are in imbalance? • What is the real meaning of Aswastha (अस्वस्थ) and Dharma (धर्म) ----- About Siddha Nada Yogi Shri Rivesh Vade - • Empowered by Nada Yoga and immersed in devotion, Nada Yogi Rivesh Vade has carved his path to the Inner Self and continues to help people in their spiritual well-being. He is a pioneer in sharing the ancient art of Sound Therapy in India. Rivesh has helped many people recuperate from their physical, mental, and emotional turmoil by harnessing the power of sound therapy. About Advait Danke - • Advait Danke is an internationally certified Sound Therapist and Music Therapist (Raga-Chikitsa) with Ayurveda as his major subject. Interestingly, his journey is an entrepreneurial step that involves connecting the world through the vibrational power of Sound and Music. About BodhMarga Foundation - • BodhMarga Foundation is committed to achieving human well-being, by sharing tools and methods to enable them to reclaim their basic nature of Love & Bliss. Realization of Dnyaneshwari & Gita through Nada Yoga, Siddha Yoga, Kundalini Yoga & Bhakti Movement. • At BodhMarga, our main aim is to free people from the trap of ignorance and bring them on the path of Devotion, Awareness & Enlightenment. About Wellness Vibe - • Wellness Vibe hosts life-transformational seminars based on ancient esoteric & scientific practices. We provide meditation soundtracks for transforming people's health & well-being through sound, frequencies & vibrations. Nada Yoga & Sound Bath featured on Zee News - • http://bit.ly/soundbathzeenews Sound Bath featured on Times Of India - • http://bit.ly/soundbathtoi GitaBodh Press Release - • http://bit.ly/gitabodhpressrelease ---------- What is Nada Yoga? (Yoga of Sound) • http://bit.ly/whatisnadayoga What is Sound Therapy or Sound Healing? • http://bit.ly/whatissoundtherapy What is Music Therapy (Raga Chikitsa)? • http://bit.ly/whatismusictherapy Ayurveda & Sound Therapy • http://bit.ly/ayurvedasoundtherapy Sound Healing & Disease Management • http://bit.ly/soundhealinganddisease Some Words about Advait Danke • http://bit.ly/wordsaboutadvaitdanke ----------- Connect with Advait - Contact: advaitdanke@gmail.com Linktree: https://linktr.ee/advaitdanke Website: http://bit.ly/advaitdanke Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/soundscapejourney/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/advait_soundworks/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/advaitdanke Audio Podcast : https://anchor.fm/advait-danke LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/advait-danke/ Medium: https://medium.com/@advaitdanke Connect with Wellness Vibe - Contact: info@wellnessvibe.com Website: https://www.wellnessvibe.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wellnessviberiveshvade/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wellnessvibe_riveshvade/ YouTube: https://yt.vu/+shreeriveshvade Audio Podcast: https://anchor.fm/wellness-vibe-by-rivesh-vade LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wellness-vibe/ Connect with BodhMarga Foundation - Contact: info@bodhmarga.org Website: http://www.bodhmarga.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bodhmargafoundation/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bodhmargafoundation/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/bodhmargafoundation Audio Podcast: https://anchor.fm/bodhmargafoundation LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bodhmarga-foundation Lots of love and success to you. Thank you :)

Real purpose of Indian Religions, Rituals, Statues & Temples? | Why are we अस्वस्थ & in Epidemics? • Why are we facing issues of Addictions, Disturbances, Conflicts, War & Epidemics like Corona Virus (COVID-19)? Advait Danke | Wellness Vibe | BodhMarga Foundation In this video, understand - • What is the real purpose of Indian Religions, Rituals, Statues & Temples? • Why are we facing issues of Addictions, Disturbances, Conflicts, War & Epidemics like Corona Virus (COVID-19)? • Why our Prakriti, Nature & Mother Earth are in imbalance? • What is the real meaning of Aswastha (अस्वस्थ) and Dharma (धर्म) ----- About Siddha Nada Yogi Shri Rivesh Vade - • Empowered by Nada Yoga and immersed in devotion, Nada Yogi Rivesh Vade has carved his path to the Inner Self and continues to help people in their spiritual well-being. He is a pioneer in sharing the ancient art of Sound Therapy in India. Rivesh has helped many people recuperate from their physical, mental, and emotional turmoil by harnessing the power of sound therapy. About Advait Danke - • Advait Danke is an internationally certified Sound Therapist and Music Therapist (Raga-Chikitsa) with Ayurveda as his major subject. Interestingly, his journey is an entrepreneurial step that involves connecting the world through the vibrational power of Sound and Music. About BodhMarga Foundation - • BodhMarga Foundation is committed to achieving human well-being, by sharing tools and methods to enable them to reclaim their basic nature of Love & Bliss. Realization of Dnyaneshwari & Gita through Nada Yoga, Siddha Yoga, Kundalini Yoga & Bhakti Movement. • At BodhMarga, our main aim is to free people from the trap of ignorance and bring them on the path of Devotion, Awareness & Enlightenment. About Wellness Vibe - • Wellness Vibe hosts life-transformational seminars based on ancient esoteric & scientific practices. We provide meditation soundtracks for transforming people's health & well-being through sound, frequencies & vibrations. Nada Yoga & Sound Bath featured on Zee News - • http://bit.ly/soundbathzeenews Sound Bath featured on Times Of India - • http://bit.ly/soundbathtoi GitaBodh Press Release - • http://bit.ly/gitabodhpressrelease ---------- What is Nada Yoga? (Yoga of Sound) • http://bit.ly/whatisnadayoga What is Sound Therapy or Sound Healing? • http://bit.ly/whatissoundtherapy What is Music Therapy (Raga Chikitsa)? • http://bit.ly/whatismusictherapy Ayurveda & Sound Therapy • http://bit.ly/ayurvedasoundtherapy Sound Healing & Disease Management • http://bit.ly/soundhealinganddisease Some Words about Advait Danke • http://bit.ly/wordsaboutadvaitdanke ----------- Connect with Advait - Contact: advaitdanke@gmail.com Linktree: https://linktr.ee/advaitdanke Website: http://bit.ly/advaitdanke Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/soundscapejourney/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/advait_soundworks/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/advaitdanke Audio Podcast : https://anchor.fm/advait-danke LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/advait-danke/ Medium: https://medium.com/@advaitdanke Connect with Wellness Vibe - Contact: info@wellnessvibe.com Website: https://www.wellnessvibe.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wellnessviberiveshvade/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wellnessvibe_riveshvade/ YouTube: https://yt.vu/+shreeriveshvade Audio Podcast: https://anchor.fm/wellness-vibe-by-rivesh-vade LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wellness-vibe/ Connect with BodhMarga Foundation - Contact: info@bodhmarga.org Website: http://www.bodhmarga.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bodhmargafoundation/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bodhmargafoundation/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/bodhmargafoundation Audio Podcast: https://anchor.fm/bodhmargafoundation LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bodhmarga-foundation Lots of love and success to you. Thank you :)

Jeffery D. Long is Professor of Religion and Asian Studies at Elizabethtown College, in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, where he has taught since receiving his PhD from the University of Chicago Divinity School in 2000. He is the editor, most recently, of the volume Perspectives on Reincarnation: Hindu, Christian, and Scientific, as well as the co-editor of the Buddhism and Jainism volumes of the Encyclopedia of Indian Religions. He is also the author of numerous scholarly articles and three books, A Vision for Hinduism; Jainism: An Introduction; and the Historical Dictionary of Hinduism (which will soon be published in a second edition). He is in the process of publishing two more books, Hinduism in America: A Convergence of Worlds and Indian Philosophy: An Introduction. Last summer, he received the Hindu American Foundation’s Dharma Seva Award for his efforts to ensure more accurate and culturally sensitive presentations of Hindu traditions in the American education system. In this, our second interview with Jeffery, we spoke almost exclusively about reincarnation. Learn more about Jeffery Long here: https://www.etown.edu/depts/religious-studies/faculty.aspx

Bhakti seeks unconditional acceptance of everyone, without any conditions. Bhranti seeks conditional submission. Bhakti gives love; Bhranti often confuses one’s lust for love. Bhakti helps in sustenance – within and without; Bhranti destroys within. Bhakti stems from within in the absence of fear; Bhranti arises and harps on suspicion of the self as well as others. Bhakti seeks solitude; Bhranti yearns for adoration.

Shivdasani lecture Prof. G. C. Tripathi 3 Nov 2016 The lecture would shed light on the Indian phenomenon of monasticism (shrama, shramana) and asceticism (tapas,tapasvin). Buddhist monks are referred to as shramanas, the toilers. The concept of shrama (labour) has a spiritual connotation in the Vedic literature. Monastic way of life, according to me, was not a protest or revolution against the established religious order. Its tradition seems to be as old that of Vedic ritual, although it was formalised and given a well structured form by Mahavira and especially by Buddha. However they were not the inventors of this tradition. Many Rishis and Aranyakas (Vaikhanasas!) lead a life very akin to that of a monk. Tapas etymologically means ‘heat’ and tapasya is ‘accumulation of heat’ where the expression ‘heat’ is understood in the sense of spiritual energy. Performance of austerities is believed to endow a person with extra-ordinary capabilities which could be of many use, besides , of course, spiritual enlightenment. Tapas is usually associated with the concept of a Rsi who can see beyond time and space. We shall deal with these concepts and trace the history of the spread of monasticism in the west from India in short. Prof. Gaya Charan Tripathi was born at Agra (India). He went to school and pursued higher studies at Agra, Pune, and Benares. He has a Masters in Sanskrit (1959) from the University of Agra with a Gold Medal and first position in the University. He received his Ph.D. from the same University in 1962 on Vedic Deities and their subsequent development in the Epics and the Puranas supported by a Fellowship of the Ministry of Education. He is a Fellow of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) for Higher Studies in Germany. He has a Dr.Phil. from the University of Freiburg/Br (1966) in History of Religions, Comparative Indo-European Philology, and Latin (besides Indology) as elective subjects in the grade Summa cum Laude. D.Litt. in Ancient Indian History and Culture from the University of Allahabad on ‘A critical Study of the daily Puja Ceremony of the Jagannatha Temple in Puri’ (published under the title Communication with God). He has taught at the Universities of Aligarh, Udaipur, Freiburg (twice), Tuebingen (twice), Heidelberg, Berlin, Leipzig, Philipps-Universität Marburg, and British Columbia (Vancouver). He is Chief Indologist and Field Director of the Orissa Research Project (1970–5) of the German Research Council (DFG), and has been Principal of the Ganganatha Jha Research Institute, Allahabad, for over twenty years. He was Professor and Head of the Research and Publication wing of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, Delhi, and is presently Director of the Bhogilal Leherchand Institute of Indology in New Delhi. He has published 22 books on subjects mostly pertaining to religions and literature of India. His specialisations are: Indian Religions and Philosophy, Vishnuism (especially Pancharatra school), Vedic studies, Sanskrit Literature, Grammar, and Philology, Cult practices of Orissa, and Gaudiya Vishnuism.

Shivdasani lecture Prof. G. C. Tripathi 24 Nov 2016 The paper shall try to trace the close relationship of the Orissan Tantrism and also Vishnuism to Kashmir of the 10th-12th Century. It were most probably the Orissan students learning in the Pathashalas of Kashmir, mentioned (sarcastically) by Kshemendra who brought the philosophy and ritual of Kashmir along with manuscripts from there to Orissa which enriched Orissan Vishnuism overlaid by Tantric practices. The paper would also shed light on the historical aspect of this relationship. Prof. Gaya Charan Tripathi was born at Agra (India). He went to school and pursued higher studies at Agra, Pune, and Benares. He has a Masters in Sanskrit (1959) from the University of Agra with a Gold Medal and first position in the University. He received his Ph.D. from the same University in 1962 on Vedic Deities and their subsequent development in the Epics and the Puranas supported by a Fellowship of the Ministry of Education. He is a Fellow of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) for Higher Studies in Germany. He has a Dr.Phil. from the University of Freiburg/Br (1966) in History of Religions, Comparative Indo-European Philology, and Latin (besides Indology) as elective subjects in the grade Summa cum Laude. D.Litt. in Ancient Indian History and Culture from the University of Allahabad on ‘A critical Study of the daily Puja Ceremony of the Jagannatha Temple in Puri’ (published under the title Communication with God). He has taught at the Universities of Aligarh, Udaipur, Freiburg (twice), Tuebingen (twice), Heidelberg, Berlin, Leipzig, Philipps-Universität Marburg, and British Columbia (Vancouver). He is Chief Indologist and Field Director of the Orissa Research Project (1970–5) of the German Research Council (DFG), and has been Principal of the Ganganatha Jha Research Institute, Allahabad, for over twenty years. He was Professor and Head of the Research and Publication wing of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, Delhi, and is presently Director of the Bhogilal Leherchand Institute of Indology in New Delhi. He has published 22 books on subjects mostly pertaining to religions and literature of India. His specialisations are: Indian Religions and Philosophy, Vishnuism (especially Pancharatra school), Vedic studies, Sanskrit Literature, Grammar, and Philology, Cult practices of Orissa, and Gaudiya Vishnuism.

Ingo STRAUCH, UNIL