Wisdom of the Sages

What is Evil? Different tradition have different ideas. In this compelling Q & A episode of Wisdom of the Sages, Raghunath and Kaustubha explore how the Bhakti tradition understands darkness, Satan, and the concept of evil. Is it a cosmic force? A personal being? Or simply the absence of divine light? Other questions include how to navigate workplace obligations at bars while maintaining spiritual sobriety, and what pure devotional service looks like in today's world. Key Highlights: •⁠ ⁠Evil explained Bhakti-style: darkness isn't a rival force—it's what happens when we turn away from the light •⁠ ⁠What to do when your boss schedules meetings in a bar (spoiler: garlic-soaked pizza may also be involved) •⁠ ⁠Pure devotion demystified: how love shows up in kirtan, service, and yes, even chicken coop assignments •⁠ ⁠Lessons from Mussolini to CBGB's: the slippery slope of bad choices and the art of guarding your inner light •⁠ ⁠It's not about being judgmental—but about choosing clarity over compromise 🎧 Tune in now and subscribe for daily wisdom rooted in the timeless teachings of the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam. #BhaktiAndEvil #DarknessVsLight #BhaktiYoga #WisdomOfTheSages #SpiritualSobriety #SelflessService #KrishnaConsciousness #SpiritualPodcast #QandAEpisode ********************************************************************* 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 CONNECT ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/wisdom_of_the_sages

Indian hospitality, the soft heart of a mother, and the Dog-Man of Tompkins Square Park all intersect in this powerful exploration of yoga. Drawing from the Maha Upanishad and the insight of Albert Schweitzer, Raghunath and Kaustubha unpack a central bhakti truth: that genuine love of God expresses itself as compassion for all living beings—not just the ones who vote like you, think like you, or smell like you. At the heart of this episode is the unforgettable tale of King Rantideva from the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam—a king whose radical acts of generosity and deep spiritual faith push us to reconsider what it really means to live a spiritual life. 🌀 Key Highlights: •⁠ ⁠"Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" — The Maha Upanishad's timeless call to expand the borders of your compassion •⁠ ⁠How great spiritualists experience suffering—and transform it into compassion •⁠ ⁠The real yoga test: when your food is hot, your stomach is empty, and a stranger knocks on the door (with dogs) •⁠ ⁠Why bhakti doesn't exist without compassion 👁️‍🗨️ Real peace begins when we expand the circle. If your yoga isn't transforming how you see others, it's time to go deeper. 🎧 Tap in and get transrational. #KingRantideva #BhaktiWisdom #YogaOfCompassion #MahaUpanishad #SrimadBhagavatam #InterfaithWisdom #LoveBeyondBoundaries #VasudhaivaKutumbakam #WisdomOfTheSages SB 9.21.1-18 ********************************************************************* 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 CONNECT ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/wisdom_of_the_sages

Your mind is like an algorithm. Click on lust, fear, or resentment—and guess what shows up on your mental feed? In this episode, Raghunath and Kaustubha explore Yoga is a way to reset the algorithm, and explore the mind as both a garden and a walled city with guarded gates. Drawing from James Allen's classic As a Man Thinketh and the final verses of King Yayāti's transformation in the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, they unpack how thought is causal, attention is destiny, and bhakti is the ultimate reprogramming of the heart. 🔑 Key Highlights: •⁠ ⁠James Allen meets the Bhagavatam: "Plant good seeds or get weeds. Period." •⁠ ⁠Guard the gates of the senses like your mental Wi-Fi password •⁠ ⁠Why you should probably skip that luxury cruise and chant instead •⁠ ⁠When kitchen gossip gets karmic—Mara's chef-side sādhanā •⁠ ⁠"Shoot the messenger," "Relinquish your imaginary positions," and other questionable t-shirt ideas Whether you're dealing with asparagus beds or mental breakdowns, this episode brings it all back to one thing: where your mind goes, you go. 🌱 Subscribe and reset the algorithm of your mind. 🎧 Tune in now! #BhaktiYoga #MindTraining #SrimadBhagavatam #AsAManThinketh #YogaWisdom #KrishnaConsciousness SB 9.19.20-29 ********************************************************************* 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 CONNECT ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/wisdom_of_the_sages

From Vedic kings to aging rock stars, this episode maps the journey from pleasure to emptiness to liberation. Raghunath and Kaustubha unpack why letting go of material desire—before the body gives out—is the key to spiritual freedom. Featuring: •⁠ ⁠King Yayāti, Lord Brahmā, Stephen Hawking, Billy Idol & David Lee Roth • Addiction psychology meets Vedic wisdom •⁠ ⁠Why renunciation is the real glow-up •⁠ ⁠How material sex desire is a pale reflection of Krishna's divine love 🎧 Listen now and wake up before it's too late. 🌱 Subscribe for daily doses of ancient wisdom made practical. #SpiritualAwakening #LetGo #BhaktiYoga #WisdomOfTheSages #SrimadBhagavatam #ThePathOfRenunciation SB 9.19.16-20 ********************************************************************* 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 CONNECT ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/wisdom_of_the_sages

Ancient yoga texts call it sama-darshana—equal vision. It's the ability to see the soul in every being, regardless of their body, background, or even behavior. And according to the sages, it's not just a lofty idea—it's the very foundation of a life well-lived. Here's the twist: it's not just the moral thing to do—it's the key to happiness, peace of mind, and, ultimately, a graceful exit from this world. In contrast, the pursuit of material fulfillment becomes a path of emptiness. Listen in as Raghunath and Kaustubha reflect on the yogi's mindset: to live in a way that places no one else in difficulty, and to love in a way that clears the heart of all fear and resentment. Key Highlights: •⁠ ⁠Sama-darshana—the yogic practice of seeing beyond externals •⁠ ⁠Why a life of non-harm and kindness clears the path to liberation •⁠ ⁠"My name is King Yayati, and I'm a sex addict." •⁠ ⁠How material desire drives us to harm even those we love •⁠ ⁠How spiritual vision helps us let go—without fear or bitterness •⁠ ⁠And how chasing sense gratification will make a goat out of us. 🐐 (and not the good kind of GOAT) This episode is a call to shift how we see the world—and how we live in it. 🎧 Listen now and join the global conversation on living with deeper vision. #EqualVision #BhaktiYoga #Samadarshana #SrimadBhagavatam #LettingGo #YogaWisdom #WisdomOfTheSages SB 9.19.12-15 ********************************************************************* 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 CONNECT ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/wisdom_of_the_sages

Politics shift, bodies age, relationships break—we see the surface, the temporary illusion. Yogis look deeper to see the eternal reality behind it all. In this episode, Raghunath and Kaustubha explore how sacred texts—the Bhagavad Gītā, Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, the Rig Veda, and the New Testament—urge us to fix our vision on the eternal. From pearls resting on a hidden thread to the saints' constant gaze toward the divine, these traditions all point to the same truth: what's real can't always be seen with the eyes - so look deeper though the eyes of knowledge. Key Highlights: •⁠ ⁠Pearls and clouds—what the sages say about what really holds life together •⁠ ⁠The world is a stereogram - keep staring into it and eventually the vision pops •⁠ ⁠Kaustubha's near bike-lane road rage (he almost lost it.) •⁠ ⁠How bhakti can awaken even in a materially entangled life (yes, there's hope for all of us) 🔔 Subscribe for daily episodes and timeless inspiration on the path of bhakti yoga. #BhaktiYoga #YogaPhilosophy #SrimadBhagavatam #BhagavadGita #RigVeda #StPaul #SpiritualVision #SeeTheUnseen SB 9.18.47-51 ********************************************************************* 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 CONNECT ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/wisdom_of_the_sages

With humor, vulnerability, and sharp philosophical insight, Raghunath and Kaustubha unpack the gritty reality of spiritual growth: that it sometimes begins with a period of loss, confusion, or even melancholy—but on the other side is joy, clarity, and freedom. This Q & A episode tackles big, relatable questions from listeners on the spiritual path: •⁠ ⁠How do I live a life of dharma—seeing the good in everyone—without letting people take advantage of me or drain my energy? •⁠ ⁠How do I practice detachment without becoming emotionally distant from the people I love? •⁠ ⁠Does devotion to Krishna mean not exploring other spiritual traditions? Discover how the simple mantra "Adjust. Tolerate. Focus." can become a compass when life feels chaotic and the heart is pulled in too many directions. Key Highlights: •⁠ ⁠Adjusting your circumstances vs. tolerating them—and how to know which to do •⁠ ⁠Why Krishna's blessings can feel like lemon in milk—and why that's a good thing •⁠ ⁠The difference between real detachment and just shutting down emotionally •⁠ ⁠A perspective-shifting metaphor about butter that'll stick with you forever •⁠ ⁠Why kirtan and philosophy together are like spiritual ayahuasca (minus the vomiting) Whether you're navigating toxic coworkers or simply trying to love your family without losing yourself, this episode will give you both tools and comfort for the inner work that really matters. 🎧 Listen now and join thousands on the transformative path of bhakti. 🌟 Subscribe for daily wisdom and spiritual guidance with Raghunath & Kaustubha. #BhaktiYoga #SpiritualGrowth #DetachmentWithLove #KrishnaConsciousness #WisdomOfTheSages #SrimadBhagavatam #KirtanAndPhilosophy #LetGoAndLetKrishna #AdjustTolerateFocus ********************************************************************* 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 CONNECT ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/wisdom_of_the_sages

Raghunath and Kaustubha dive into the comical yet piercingly honest downfall of King Yayāti and explore how the ancient Vedic culture didn't just shame desire—it organized it, regulated it, and ultimately helped one transcended it. Drawing from the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, we uncover how real evolution begins not by denying our lower nature, but by accepting the guidance of wisdom tradition that helps us see through it. Key Highlights: •⁠ ⁠Why the world makes you foolish when you chase desire The brilliance of varṇāśrama: not a box, but a ladder Why trying to be Krishna never works •⁠ ⁠Young Puru's ultimate mic drop moment of detachment and devotion •⁠ ⁠Plus: How a hardcore cookbook made its way onto the show (Walk-On Wednesday… on a Friday) •⁠ ⁠And, Raghunath's high school brawl over a mustached senior (seriously) 🎧 Listen in and laugh your way through lust, curses, wisdom, and the yogic path of real freedom. 🌟 Subscribe for daily spiritual insights, and join thousands exploring bhakti-yoga through sacred texts and honest conversation. #SrimadBhagavatam #BhaktiYoga #KingYayati #SpiritualGrowth #DesireAndDetachment #WisdomOfTheSages #VedicWisdom #YogicLife SB 9.18.30-47 Find Laura Lee Flanagan's cookbook, Hardcore Vegetarian at https://a.co/d/8WgdWcn ********************************************************************* 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 CONNECT ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/wisdom_of_the_sages

Gatorade-stained beard? Check. All-night emergency room visit? Check. Spiritual wake-up call in aisle 12? Double check. But behind Raghunath's dizzy spell and collapse on the floor of Home Depot lies a far more universal theme: our desperate urge to avoid silence, stillness, and the terrifying weight of our own inner emptiness. Drawing from Blaise Pascal's haunting insight—that "all of humanity's problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone"—Raghunath and Kaustubha explore how distraction and diversion keep us from doing the inner work that leads to peace, purpose, and awakening. Also: a peaceful garden walk devolves into a warrior princess throw-down. Key Highlights: •⁠ ⁠Is that spiritual ecstasy… or dangerously low blood sugar? •⁠ ⁠Why we flee silence—and how it sabotages our spiritual evolution •⁠ ⁠Pascal meets the Bhāgavatam: diversion as the disease of our age •⁠ ⁠When status, envy, and petty revenge collide—ancient wisdom, high-school drama •⁠ ⁠Level up before the universe has to shove you down 🎧 Listen now and reflect on what's really keeping you from peace—before your next wake-up call comes in the plumbing aisle. #BhaktiYoga #SpiritualAwakening #WisdomOfTheSages #SrimadBhagavatam #ExistentialCrisis #BlaisePascal #HomeDepotLilas #StillnessAndSilence #JapaNotNetflix SB 9.18.1-29 ********************************************************************* 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 CONNECT ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/wisdom_of_the_sages

When something looks so promising—so beautiful, so exciting—you think, this has to be it… but in the end, it leaves you empty. That's what it means to live in the shadows - the imitations we chase: reflections that mimic the real thing, but have no substance. In this episode, Raghunath and Kaustubha conclude the wild and painfully relatable story of King Purūravā and Urvaśī from the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, and share a bit about their own heartbreaks too. From noble warrior to emotional wreck, Purūravā's obsession leads him to whimper before goddesses, trying to win back a woman who ghosted him in the most cosmic way. Key Highlights: •⁠ ⁠Reflections, shadows, and AI girlfriends: welcome to Purūravā's downward spiral •⁠ ⁠When spiritual practice becomes just another form of escapism •⁠ ⁠Kaustubha, Raghunath, and Mara share their heartbreak stories 💔 •⁠ ⁠Is Raghu Mara's rebound? •⁠ ⁠Material solutions won't cure our material heartbreak •⁠ ⁠The pleasure codes come preloaded with pain Tune in for ancient wisdom, modern neurosis, and a whole lot of spiritual therapy. You may just see your own story in the shadows of King Purūravā. 🌞 Subscribe for daily inspiration and join thousands around the world on the transformative path of bhakti-yoga. 🎧 Listen now & share! #BhaktiWisdom #HeartbreakHealing #SpiritualPractice #SrimadBhagavatam #ReflectionsAndReality #PururavaAndUrvasi SB 9.14.39-49 ********************************************************************* 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 CONNECT ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/wisdom_of_the_sages