A Transformative Encounter with Buddhism

In this episode, filmed on location in Kathmandu, I am joined by Radha Krishna Upadhyaya, an astrologer, clairvoyant, Kriya Yogi, & disciple of Tibetan Buddhist master Sakya Trizin. Radha Krishna recalls his birth and childhood in Western Nepal, his traditional Brahmanical education & service to great saints, & initiation into his family’s Kuladevata lineage devoted to Mashta Devata. Radha Krishna recounts details of his years in forest retreat, his practice of Kriya Yoga and Advaita Vedanta & the process of purifying the energy channels, & why an encounter with Sakya Trizin radically reoriented his life towards Buddhist practice. Radha Krishna also discusses his own & his family’s history of siddhi powers, his encounters with spiritual beings & mysterious forest creatures, describes his unique astrological method, & shares five observations about the Westerners for whom he has provided divination services. For an explanation of the timestamps, visit episode page at guruviking.com. 01:04 - Benefits of Kora 02:27 - Why make offerings 03:31 - Power of blessed places 05:07 - 4 types of liberation 05:56 - Brahmin birth & upbringing (Q) 06:33 - N 07:31 - E 09:26 - Astrological significance of Panditji’s birth (Q) 09:36 - N 11:05 - E 12:49 - Unusual childhood traits (Q) 13:10 - N 15:02 - E 16:49 - Coming of age & Brahmanical education (N) 17:20 - E 18:40 - Why was Panditji sent? 19:25 - Serving great saints (Q) 19:42 - N 21:55 - E 23:43 - Brahmanical curriculum (Q) 23:47 - N 25:09 - E 25:52 - Initiation into the family Kuladevata lineage (E) 26:59 - Details about the family Kuladevata lineage (Q) 27:23 - N 29:28 - E 30:18 - Receiving guidance from the deity (E) 31:18 - Rites of propitiation of Mashta Devata and the deity as source of knowledge (N) 32:41 - E 34:01 - The deity enters a devotee’s body as a chosen vessel (N) 35:26 - E 36:43 - Panditji’s siddha grandfather (N) 39:23 - E 41:16 - Stories of the power of Mashta Devata (E,N) 46:17 - A story of Śaṅkarācārya’s encounter with Panditji’s grandfather (N,E) 51:23 - Has Mashta Devata ever entered into Panditji? (Q) 51:35 - N 52:31 - E 53:29 - The desire for deeper spiritual practice & retreat (Q) 53:53 - N 57:37 - E 01:00:23 - Encounter with a mysterious forest creature (E) 01:01:31 - Living in the forest, family intervention, & fleeing marriage (N) 01:03:06 - E 01:05:10 - Who was the mysterious forest creature? 01:09:09 - 7 years wandering in India; study of Advaita Vedanta & Kriya Yoga (Q) 01:09:26 - N 01:12:51 - E 01:16:50 - Effects of this period of yogic practice (Q) 01:17:17 - N 01:20:05 - E 01:22:11 - Panditji’s unusual astrology method (Q) 01:22:17 - N 01:23:46 - E 01:26:23 - Sadhana-based astrology lineage (Q) 01:26:29 - N 01:27:26 - E 01:28:24 - Responsibilities & requirements for the siddha practitioner (Q) 01:28:39 - N 01:31:23 - E 01:34:13 - Miraculous siddhi powers of Kriya Yoga & meditation (Q) 01:34:57 - N 01:36:39 - E 01:39:51 - Therapist’s intuition vs perception of karma (N,E) 01:41:04 - Liberating a patient’s karma (Q) 01:41:09 - N 01:41:42 - E 01:42:09 - Meeting Sakya Trizin & a profound turn towards Buddhism (Q) 01:42:34 - N 01:44:13 - E 01:46:51 - Physical pain & other obstacles during inner yoga (Q) 01:47:24 - N 01:48:23 - E 01:49:13 - Why was Panditji open to Sakya Trizen & Buddhism? (Q) 01:49:50 - N 01:51:54 - E 01:53:52 - Gradual opening, despite social cost (N) 01:54:33 - E 01:56:23 - Impressed by Sakya Trizen (Q) 01:56:34 - N 01:57:08 - E 01:58:18 - Did Panditji stop being a Brahmin priest? (Q) 01:58:29 - N 01:59:35 - E 02:00:28 - Dramatic loss of social position (Q) 02:00:42 - N 02:01:40 - E 02:02:18 - Accomplishment in Buddhadharma (Q) 02:02:30 - N 02:02:59 - E 02:03:14 - Explanation of Panditji’s current astrology practice (Q) 02:03:53 - N 02:07:23 - E 02:14:37 - 5 observations about Westerners & Western culture (Q) 02:15:05 - N 02:18:19 - E 02:20:52 - Advice for Steve (Q) 02:21:08 - N 02:22:59 - E