

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

Aug 19, 2025 • 56min
1658: Krishna, the God of the Vedas, as the Most Adorable Boy
The genius of the bhakti tradition’s sacred texts is how they reveal the loftiest yogic and theological truths through the sweetest intimacy. The Cosmic Source described in the Vedas and the Absolute Truth of the Vedānta Sūtra is revealed in the Bhagavatam as Krishna, a mischievous, playful child—the most adorable boy. When Mother Yaśodā peers into Krishna’s mouth, she doesn’t just see her son—she sees the entire universe. In this paradox of infinite divinity wrapped in childlike charm, bhakti uncovers a truth both cosmic and deeply personal. Srimad Bhagavatam 10.8.32-45 ********************************************************************* 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

Aug 18, 2025 • 58min
1657: Is Krishna Immoral? Rumi, Krishna, & the Field Beyond Right & Wrong
Rumi spoke of a field beyond right and wrong — and in Krishna’s playful pastimes we discover how breaking the rules can reveal the highest good. How can Krishna, the Supreme Good, also be a thief, a liar, a womanizer, and even a killer? Drawing on Rumi’s mystical poetry and the Upanishadic vision of fullness, Raghunath and Kaustubha explore how Krishna’s so-called immorality reveals truths that transcend all dualities. Join us as we uncover the paradox of divinity, where Krishna’s playful rascality leads us to the soul’s true resting place: beyond the world’s petty dualities, in the harmony of divine love. Srimad Bhagavatam 10.8.25-31 ********************************************************************* 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

Aug 14, 2025 • 56min
1656: Beyond Spiritual Complexity: The Simplicity of Divine Love
In this intriguing and often hilarious episode, Raghunath and Kaustubha explore a natural pattern in life and spirituality: moving from simplicity to complexity, and then back again. On the spiritual journey, we may wrestle with perplexing questions: Who am I? Is there God? Is the world real? Is it all an illusion? We speak of “the sound of one hand clapping” or “being here now,” and sometimes it can feel as if spiritual guides are muddying the waters just to make them seem deep. But it’s possible to emerge on the other side of these tangled spiritual riddles and discover the simplicity of divine love — a simplicity that carries within it the depth and wisdom gained along the way. Key Takeaways: * The recurring life pattern: from simplicity to complexity and back to a refined simplicity. * How the search for truth can lead to ever-deepening — and sometimes overly complex — spiritual riddles. * Why divine love, though simple in expression, contains the deepest wisdom. * The Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam’s portrayal of pure, selfless love in Yaśodā’s relationship with Kṛṣṇa. * The difference between naive, material love and enlightened, spiritual love. Srimad Bhagavatam 10.8.1-9 ********************************************************************* 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

Aug 13, 2025 • 1h
1655: All Those Pieces Will Never Make You Whole
Discover how our minds often chop reality into fragments, leading to feelings of incompleteness. Raghunath and Kaustubha discuss the pursuit of true wholeness through spiritual understanding. They explore the revolutionary thoughts of David Bohm on quantum theory and the connection between Eastern philosophy and reality. Dive into the life of Garga, who embodies a deeper fullness beyond material things. The conversation also highlights the importance of genuine connection over external achievements and invites listeners to reflect on their spiritual journeys.

Aug 12, 2025 • 59min
1654: Krishna Miracles Meet Quantum Physics — Breaking Reality’s Rules
Reality is stranger than we think, and this episode may rewire how you think about what’s possible. Raghunath and Kaustubha draw surprising connections between groundbreaking discoveries in quantum physics and the apparently impossible events described in ancient yoga texts like the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Blaise Pascal’s “infinite sphere” meets Mother Yaśodā’s jaw-dropping vision of the entire universe in little Krishna’s mouth — and even the science of quantum superposition and entanglement finds its place in the conversation. The takeaway? The laws of physics you learned in school might only apply to a tiny corner of reality. Srimad Bhagavatam 10.7.26-37 ********************************************************************* 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

Aug 11, 2025 • 54min
1653: The Yogic Science Behind Krishna’s Stories
The great sages of ancient India understood the stories of Krishna to be far more than charming children’s tales. Through the sophisticated lens of the Sanskrit science of drama, they revealed just how richly structured and deeply meaningful these pastimes are — spiritual dramas designed to awaken devotion and evoke profound yogic experience. This episode explores how spiritual life must be alive and nourished with emotion. As Abraham Joshua Heschel observed, when faith is replaced by creed, worship by discipline, love by habit — and when religion speaks in the name of authority rather than with a voice of compassion — its message becomes meaningless. Krishna’s pastimes restore that life and compassion, stirring joy, longing, fear, and relief in the hearts of the residents of Vṛndāvana, and awakening the same divine emotions within us. Srimad Bhagavatam 10.7.20-26 ********************************************************************* 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

Aug 8, 2025 • 54min
1652: The Quiet Power of Integrity in Spiritual Life
Raghunath and Kaustubha explore a bold truth drawn from the bhakti-yoga tradition and Ralph Waldo Emerson: that real spiritual power isn’t loud—it’s earned quietly through honesty, humility, and freedom from envy. They discuss how small, virtuous choices—especially when no one is watching—build a subtle force that gives one’s words and presence lasting impact. The episode flows from reflections on Vedic brāhmaṇas to personal stories of ethical tension, spiritual parenting, and learning to let go with grace. It’s about becoming powerful not by dominating others—but by mastering oneself. Srimad Bhagavatam 10.7.8-19 ********************************************************************* 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

Aug 7, 2025 • 57min
1651: Why Real Change Is So Hard (Even on a Spiritual Path)
Even on paths designed for deep transformation, we often resist the very changes that would liberate us. In this episode, Raghunath and Kaustubha explore the symbolic meaning of the cart demon (Śakaṭāsura) from Krishna’s pastimes—and how it represents the dead weight we carry in the form of outdated beliefs, mechanical rituals, and spiritual pride. Drawing on insights from Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura and the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, they challenge us to ask: are we actually changing, or just performing? If you’ve ever felt like you’re dragging around a cart full of spiritual dead weight, this one’s for you. ********************************************************************* 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

Aug 6, 2025 • 1h 5min
1650: Daddy Issues on a Cosmic Scale? Bhakti’s Answer to Atheism & Impersonalism
If your view of God is stuck in an outdated mold—cold, distant, or ready to punish—you might be long overdue for an upgrade. Raghunath and Kaustubha unpack how Krishna’s extraordinary affection cuts through both atheistic cynicism and impersonal detachment, replacing them with a vision of divine love. Through the story of Krishna and Pūtana, discover a God who blesses even those who try to harm Him, a spiritual path that goes beyond wave-less liberation into the ocean of bliss, and why adding Krishna to life transforms every season—good or bad. 🎧 Tune in now! #BhaktiYoga #SrimadBhagavatam #Krishna #Putana #SpiritualityWithHumor #GodOfLove #BhaktiWisdom ********************************************************************* 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

Aug 3, 2025 • 56min
1649: Overcoming the Fear of a Personal God
Beneath all our spiritual searching may lie a hidden fear: the fear of the personal Divine. In this episode, Raghunath and Kaustubha explore how that fear hardens one’s hearts—limiting one to the impersonal paths of liberation that feel safe but ultimately empty. Through the texts like the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, we uncover how vulnerability isn’t weakness—it’s the doorway to the deepest yoga, where love becomes real and the Supreme reveals His infinitely sweet, personal nature. Key Highlights: * “To love is to be vulnerable… and only in risk can we overcome darkness.” – Madeleine L’Engle * How our fear of surrender creates emotional armor that blocks love. * Why impersonal liberation can feel peaceful—but cold, distant, and incomplete. * The Bhāgavatam’s powerful call to soften the heart and trust the sweetness of the Divine. * Why true spiritual intimacy can feel risky—and why that risk is everything. Discover how the highest yoga is not about withdrawal, but about opening fully to divine love—and why texts like the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam go to such lengths to show us the beauty, tenderness, and kindness of the personal God. ********************************************************************* 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


