

Wisdom of the Sages
Raghunath Cappo & Kaustubha Das
Truths about life from the timeless wisdom of the Bhakti-yoga tradition - fun, relevant, and deep. Learn about dharma, yoga, bhakti, and how it relates to all the basic questions of life. This show is about how to live your best life, let go of the external distractions, and uncover the spiritual happiness that lies within the heart as the true nature of the soul.
Raghunath and Kaustubha's connection goes back to their teens in the New York Hardcore Punk Scene of the early 80s, through serving together as Bhakti-yogi monks in the 90's, to sharing their experiences in the world of yoga in the 21st century.
Raghunath and Kaustubha's connection goes back to their teens in the New York Hardcore Punk Scene of the early 80s, through serving together as Bhakti-yogi monks in the 90's, to sharing their experiences in the world of yoga in the 21st century.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 3, 2025 • 59min
1544: When Life Feels Like an Uphill Battle / Q & A Vol 263
Life's struggles can feel relentless—debt, setbacks, and a sense of being stuck in survival mode. But what if we saw these challenges weren't just obstacles, but invitations to transformation? In this Q&A episode of Wisdom of the Sages, Raghunath and Kaustubha share Bhakti wisdom on navigating life's hardships with spiritual insight and resilience. Key Questions Answered in This Episode: 🔹 How can I balance my material struggles—like debt—while trying to grow spiritually? 🔹 How do I trust that God is guiding me when the world feels merciless? 🔹 If wealth can be a spiritual distraction, why does the Bhagavad-gītā say yogis are reborn into wealthy families? Drawing from the teachings of great sages, this conversation offers deep yet practical wisdom to help you shift your perspective, find meaning in difficulty, and reframe life's uphill battles as steps on the path to transcendence. 🎧 Tune in now and rediscover the strength that lies within surrender. 🌟 Subscribe for daily wisdom and join thousands on the journey of Bhakti! #BhaktiYoga #SpiritualGrowth #KarmaAndDestiny #WisdomOfTheSages #SrimadBhagavatam ********************************************************************* 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

Feb 26, 2025 • 59min
1543: Transcending the Victim Mindset
What if the very suffering that seems unfair is actually your greatest opportunity for growth? In this compelling episode of Wisdom of the Sages, Raghunath and Kaustubha dive deep into the power of transcending the victim mentality through a service attitude. Drawing from ancient wisdom and real-life stories, they reveal how adversity, when embraced with humility and devotion, can lead to profound inner freedom. Hear the moving story of a warrior-turned-saint who accepted life's harshest twists with grace, transforming obstacles into stepping stones on the path of bhakti. Key Highlights: ✔️ The victim mentality ruins everything—how to break free. ✔️ Why service is the key to rising above resentment. ✔️ How great bhaktas turn misfortune into spiritual fuel. ✔️ The Rishikesh experience: when separation brings deeper connection. Let go of blame, embrace bhakti, and reclaim your inner peace. 🌟 Subscribe for daily wisdom and join thousands worldwide on the transformative path of devotion. 🎧 Tune in now! #BhaktiWisdom #TranscendVictimMentality #InnerFreedom #SrimadBhagavatam SB 9.2.1-13 ********************************************************************* 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

Feb 24, 2025 • 1h 9min
1542: Assimilating Our Suffering / Interview with Bhakti Vijnana Goswami
Bitterness or transformation—how do we digest life's painful experiences? In this deep dive into bhakti wisdom, Srimad Bhagavatam scholar Bhakti Vijnana Goswami shares insights from his new book, Healing Prayers, which explores the profound lessons found in Queen Kunti's prayers. These sacred verses reveal how suffering can either harden the heart with resentment or refine it with love and wisdom. They offer a blueprint for transcending the victim mentality—our most fundamental obstacle—and transforming pain into spiritual joy. 🔹 Healing Prayers—Bhakti Vijnana Goswami's new book on Queen Kunti's timeless wisdom 🔹 Why victim consciousness is the root of our suffering—and how to break free 🔹 How digesting life's hardships refines our character, softens the heart, and deepens our love 🔹 The philosophy of healing: aligning the mind with the self through prayer 🔹 The astonishing power of gratitude in the face of adversity 🔹 Why Kunti prays for more calamities—and how her wisdom reveals the secret to true peace Join us as we discuss this groundbreaking book and uncover timeless truths on how to turn life's challenges into the very fuel for our spiritual growth. 🌟 Subscribe for daily wisdom and be part of a global community on the journey of bhakti. 🎧 Tune in now! #HealingThroughBhakti #SrimadBhagavatam #VictimMentality #SpiritualTransformation #BhaktiYoga #HealingPrayersBook ********************************************************************* 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

Feb 23, 2025 • 57min
1541: Mystical Perspectives on the Nature of Time / Q & A Volume 262
How can time both move and remain still? How can one moment be fully experienced forever without fading, without loss? The idea of a realm beyond time challenges everything we know. In the material world, every moment slips away, never to return—but in Krishna's transcendental pastimes, each moment exists eternally, while at the same time, His divine play unfolds in a continuous flow. In this Q & A episode of Wisdom of the Sages, Raghunath and Kaustubha explore the mysteries of time as described in the Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, revealing how certain truths about time can only be understood through deep spiritual meditation—just as the great teachers of the Bhakti tradition have expressed. Other thought-provoking questions include: 🔹 Does bhakti involve a form of spiritual "disassociation," and if so, is that a good thing? 🔹 What does it really mean to love Krishna, and how does that automatically bring the highest realization? 🔹 Is perfect pronunciation of the maha-mantra essential, or is intention more important? Join us as we unpack these deep inquiries and reveal the spiritual science behind time, transcendence, and devotion. 🎧 Listen now and explore the timeless wisdom of bhakti! 🌟 Subscribe for daily insights and be part of a global movement of seekers. #BhaktiYoga #SpiritualWisdom #TranscendTime #EternalReality #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 CONNECT ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/wisdom_of_the_sages

Feb 21, 2025 • 52min
1540: Mystics, Kings & Devas-- They Struggle Like the Rest of Us
The kings, sages, and celestial beings described in the early chapters of the 9th Canto of Śrīmad Bhāgavatam possess extraordinary power, longevity, and mystical abilities. Yet, despite their dominance over nature and their vast influence, they often act out of pride, emotion, and material attachment—just like common people. Their struggles, fears and anxieties serve as a stark reminder: true greatness is not found in power but in pure devotion. In this episode, Raghunath and Kaustubha unpack these ancient stories and reveal their deep relevance to our own lives. Why do even the most powerful fall into pettiness? And how can we rise beyond our own limitations? With humor, insight, and wisdom, they explore how devotion, rather than power or knowledge, is the key to real transformation. Key Takeaways: • The hidden lesson behind the mystical transformations and curses of the 9th Canto. • Why mystics, devas, and kings often remain entangled in ego-driven anxieties. • How Śrīmad Bhāgavatam shifts our focus from material achievement to the ultimate goal—pure bhakti. • "Imagination is more important than knowledge"—what Einstein's words reveal about accessing deeper truths. Join us as we strip away illusions of greatness and uncover the one thing that truly liberates the heart. 🔔 Subscribe for daily wisdom and join thousands on the transformative path of Bhakti! 🎧 Listen now! #BhaktiYoga #SrimadBhagavatam #SpiritualWisdom #DevotionOverPower SB 9.1.20-42 ********************************************************************* 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

Feb 19, 2025 • 51min
1539: The Secret Purpose of the Avatars
Creation and destruction, cosmic order and divine justice—these may seem like the primary reasons God engages with the world, but the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam reveals something much deeper. Krishna's true purpose in manifesting within the material realm isn't merely to uphold dharma or to punish the wicked—it's to reciprocate the love of His devotees. And within that love, a happiness is found that far surpasses the impersonal peace of liberation. In this episode, Kaustubha, along with guest hosts Jiva and Chapu, explores these profound truths as Wisdom of the Sages enters the Ninth Canto. Through the story of King Ambarish and the powerful mystic Durvasa Muni, we witness how devotion (bhakti) eclipses all other forms of spiritual attainment. The episode also unpacks a crucial philosophical hierarchy: how Brahman realization—the understanding that one is beyond the material world—is contained within Paramatma realization, which not only perceives the Divine within the heart but also recognizes the Supreme Intelligence orchestrating the workings of the entire material realm. Yet both are ultimately encompassed within Bhagavan realization, where God is understood not merely as an impersonal force or an all-pervading presence, but as the Supreme Person—Krishna—who loves, reciprocates, and reveals Himself fully to His devotees. Key Highlights: ✨ Why Krishna's primary concern isn't universal order—it's love. ✨ The joy of bhakti vs. the impersonal peace of liberation. ✨ How Brahman and Paramatma realizations are included within Bhagavan realization. ✨ Paramatma realization as the recognition of divine intelligence behind the cosmos. ✨ King Ambarish vs. Durvasa Muni: The power of devotion over mystic perfection. ✨ The Ninth Canto as the gateway to Krishna's most intimate pastimes. Join us as we explore the heart of divine love, the supreme happiness of bhakti, and the full spectrum of spiritual realization. 🌟 Subscribe for daily wisdom and be part of a worldwide community of seekers! 🎧 Listen now! #BhaktiYoga #KrishnaConsciousness #SpiritualWisdom #WisdomOfTheSages #SrimadBhagavatam #BeyondLiberation SB 9.1.1-19 ********************************************************************* 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 CONNECT ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/wisdom_of_the_sages

Feb 19, 2025 • 56min
1538: Cutting the Knot: The Yogi's Guide to Freedom from Resentment
From the ancient Vedic story of King Satyavrata's encounter with Matsya, the divine fish incarnation, to modern struggles with resentment and attachment, this episode exposes the hidden knots in our hearts that keep us trapped in illusion. Drawing from the Bhagavad-gītā and the Bhāgavatam, they reveal how true liberation begins when we let go completely, forgive instantly, and surrender to a higher wisdom. Key Highlights: 🔥 Resentment is a form of atheism—here's why. 🔥 Why forgiveness must be immediate and complete. 🔥 Desires vs. truth: How our attachments deceive us. 🔥 The real meaning of "cutting the knot" in yoga philosophy. 🔥 How knowledge—not wealth or possessions—is the greatest inheritance. Break free from the illusions that hold you back. Discover how embracing divine wisdom can cut through the ties that bind and lead you to true peace and clarity. 🌟 Subscribe for daily wisdom and join thousands worldwide on the transformative path of Bhakti! 🎧 Tune in now! #BhaktiYoga #Forgiveness #CutTheKnot #SrimadBhagavatam #SpiritualWisdom SB 8.24.49-61 ********************************************************************* 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

Feb 17, 2025 • 1h
1537: Surrender & Simplicity: Life Lessons from Govardhan Hill
Step into the sacred dust of Govardhan Hill, where ancient wisdom meets the modern struggle for meaning. In this immersive episode, Raghunath and Kaustubha take you on a journey through the heart of Vrindavan, recounting powerful encounters with mystical sadhus, dedicated pilgrims, and the blissful austerity of bhakti life. From witnessing an elderly ascetic performing 108 full prostrations at every step to the awe-inspiring faith of barefoot pilgrims walking miles without hesitation, this episode challenges our perceptions of comfort, desire, and true wealth. 🔹 Are we stronger than we think—or just pampered by modern life? 🔹 Why do possessions end up possessing us? 🔹 How surrendering to the divine brings the deepest fulfillment? Through the lens of Govardhan's timeless devotion, discover why kirtan, faith, and simplicity are the ultimate tools to reset the mind and heart. Join us as we reflect on the miracles of sacred pilgrimage, the power of austerity, and the profound joy of spiritual surrender. 🌟 Subscribe for daily wisdom and be part of the global bhakti movement! 🎧 Tune in now! #GovardhanHill #BhaktiWisdom #SpiritualStrength #SrimadBhagavatam SB 8.24.31-48 ********************************************************************* 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

Feb 16, 2025 • 55min
1536: Govardhan Parikrama: A Yogi's Path to Divine Connection / Q & A Volume 261
In the heart of Vraja, where every stone is sacred and every step a meditation, Govardhan Parikrama is more than just a ritual—it's a transformational experience. In this Wisdom of the Sages Q & A episode, Raghunath and Kaustubha explore the profound meaning of circumambulating sacred places and why yogis across generations have honored Govardhan Hill as Krishna Himself. Why do Bhakti yogis walk barefoot around Govardhan? What happens when we physically express our devotion? And how does this practice align with the deepest truths of the yoga tradition? Raghunath & Kaustubha take on these and other interesting questions. 📌 Key Highlights: • The inner meaning of Parikrama and why it's central to Bhakti Yoga • How Govardhan Hill is worshiped as a living deity • The mystical power of walking meditation and how it transforms consciousness • The spiritual legacy of the Six Goswamis and their deep connection to Govardhan • Temple Mysteries—Why Krishna-Balaram take center stage in Vrindavan's ISKCON temple, while Sri Chaitanya is at the heart of Mayapur's grand TOVP. • How was the sage Vyasa able to wite so much sacred literature? Immerse yourself in this sacred discussion and uncover why Parikrama isn't just about walking—it's about centering our lives around Krishna. 🌿 Join the Bhakti movement! Subscribe for daily wisdom and be part of a global community embracing spiritual transformation. 🎧 Tune in now! #GovardhanParikrama #BhaktiYoga #KrishnaConsciousness #SacredPilgrimage #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 CONNECT ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/wisdom_of_the_sages

Feb 13, 2025 • 57min
1535: What Society Gets Wrong About Success
In this episode, Raghunath and Kaustubha challenge conventional ideas about success, wealth, and legacy, revealing why material privilege often creates division, stress, and emptiness. Instead, they uncover the ultimate privilege—to be able to serve with a pure heart. Broadcasting from India, they reflect on their travels through sacred places like Mayapur and the awe-inspiring Temple of the Vedic Planetarium. They also share firsthand stories from spiritual seekers who left behind conventional paths in search of something deeper—and found it. 🔹 Why financial wealth often leads to family conflict instead of unity. 🔹 The hidden dangers of passing on material privilege without wisdom. 🔹 What makes Mayapur a life-changing destination for spiritual seekers. 🔹 How Krishna arranges "miracles" that guide us toward the truth. True wealth isn't measured in bank accounts—it's found in the depth of our spiritual connection. 🎧 Tune in now! #TruePrivilege #SpiritualWealth #BhaktiWisdom #KrishnaMiracles #WisdomOfTheSages SB 8.24.26-30 ********************************************************************* 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 CONNECT ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/wisdom_of_the_sages


