Radha Krishna Upadhyaya, a clairvoyant astrologer and Kriya Yogi, shares his profound spiritual journey rooted in Nepal's Brahmin traditions. He discusses the intriguing blend of astrology and spirituality, recounts mystical encounters that shaped his path, and reveals his unique astrological methods. Radha also reflects on his years of practice in Kriya Yoga and how these have fostered profound insights. He offers five observations about Western seekers, emphasizing the balance between worldly success and spiritual growth.
Radha Krishna Upadhyaya's upbringing in a Brahmin family instilled a profound spiritual foundation, emphasizing rituals and connections to local deities.
His transformative journey in Kriya Yoga and Advaita Vedanta revealed the necessity of internal purification for achieving higher consciousness.
Radhakrishna's unique astrological method integrates spiritual practices and karma understanding, demonstrating that astrology should guide practitioners towards liberation.
Deep dives
Key Insights from Radhakrishna's Early Life
Radhakrishna Upadhyaya reflects on his formative years in a Brahmin family in western Nepal, highlighting a strong spiritual foundation. He shares that his upbringing involved serving local deities and participating in rituals, which nurtured a profound connection to his family’s Kula Devata. His early encounters with spirituality fostered an innate interest in astrology and religious practices, distinguishing him as a naturally gifted child in his community. Notably, he mentions that his family lineage is rich with spiritual history, connecting his personal experiences to significant figures in Hindu mythology.
The Influence of Kriya Yoga and Advaita Vedanta
Radhakrishna's spiritual journey took a transformative turn during his studies in Kriya Yoga and Advaita Vedanta in India, where he sought deeper insights into his spiritual practice. Through rigorous study and dedicated retreat periods, he purged his energy channels, fostering both mental clarity and spiritual awakening. The teachings he absorbed emphasized the importance of internal purification as a prerequisite for achieving higher states of consciousness. Radhakrishna recounts that this period of intense learning deeply refined his understanding of both disciplines, setting the stage for his future endeavors.
The Role of Meritorious Acts in Spirituality
The concept of Korra, or circumambulation around sacred sites, is emphasized as a significant practice for accumulating merit and wisdom. Radhakrishna explains that even non-humans participating in this practice can cultivate the causes for liberation, underscoring the universal benefits of such acts. He recounts personal experiences of performing Korra and the meditative state it induces, which not only fosters spiritual growth but also connects practitioners to the divine. Such practices reinforce an understanding that spiritual contrivance transcends human limitations, affecting all sentient beings.
Astrology as a Spiritual Tool
The podcast discusses Radhakrishna's unique astrological approach, which is deeply intertwined with his spiritual practices and family lineage. His family tradition emphasizes that astrology should serve as a guiding tool for spiritual practitioners, helping them navigate life’s obstacles and karmic patterns. Radhakrishna highlights that the true essence of astrology transcends mere prediction and is rooted in the powerful understanding of karma. In his experience, authentic astrological insights come forth only when the practitioner maintains a purifying sadhana, thus aligning their spiritual intentions with their astrological work.
Encounters with Spiritual Beings
Radhakrishna shares accounts of his extraordinary encounters with spiritual beings during his forest retreats, which significantly shaped his understanding of the ethereal dimensions of consciousness. He recounts interactions with both divine entities and mystical creatures, describing a pivotal moment where he experienced a profound blessing from a strikingly tall spiritual figure. These experiences served to deepen his yearning for spiritual development, leading to an intensified commitment to meditation and retreat practices. Such profound moments showcase the intertwining of physical and spiritual realities in Radhakrishna's life.
Journey Towards Buddhism and Broader Teachings
Shifting towards Buddhism, Radhakrishna expressed a distinct curiosity about the teachings of Sakya Trizin, which expanded his spiritual perspective. His engagement with Buddhist principles focused on the concepts of non-self, suffering, and emptiness, contrasting with his previous Vedantic learnings. This duality in spiritual exploration enriched his practice, merging insights from both traditions into a cohesive understanding of enlightenment. Radhakrishna emphasizes that the teachings from Buddhism provided new frameworks and methodologies for his ongoing spiritual journey, fostering a more comprehensive path of liberation.
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
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