Wisdom of the Sages

This episode blends sacred aesthetics, urban design, dharmic leadership, and bhakti wisdom into one compelling conversation. A perfect listen for seekers, city dwellers, and anyone wondering why the world feels off—and how to realign it. Raghunath and Kaustubha explore a luminous vision of divine-centered living from the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam—where elephants spray perfume, love flows between citizens and leaders, and the architecture reflects a sacred inner life. But this isn’t just some mythic utopia. It’s a blueprint. Key Highlights: * Simone Weil’s insight: “To be rooted is perhaps the most important and least recognized need of the human soul.” * What Ayodhya, Delhi and the Cross Bronx Expressway tell us about spiritual disconnection * The loop of degradation—and how to break it * Lessons from Christian cathedrals, Hindu temples 🎧 Tune in now and rediscover what society looks like when it’s built around the sacred root. #Bhagavatam #UrbanSpirituality #Ayodhya #DivineCenteredLife #BhaktiYoga #SpiritualArchitecture #SimoneWeil #WisdomOfTheSages #SacredCityDesign ********************************************************************* 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

Resentment isn’t just a feeling—it’s a spiritual disease? In this power-packed episode, Raghunath and Kaustubha discuss one of Bhakti-yoga’s most liberating teachings: the more we hear about the life and character of Lord Rāma, the more the disease of envy is cleansed from our hearts. This is a real look at the subtle ways hostility creeps into even spiritual communities… and how to root it out before it festers into full-blown inner plague. Key Highlights: * “No hostility in the heart of a yogi”—what this really means and why it’s non-negotiable * The mind always finds a way to rationalize animosity (and what to do about it) * The ‘hot coal’ analogy that might change how you handle resentment forever * Sauerkraut, ego death, and learning to see others through Rāma’s eyes * Why spiritual life means no selective love — even for that one person Drop the hostility. Pick up the stories of Lord Rāma. And let the heart realign with the divine. 🎧 Listen now & don’t forget to subscribe for your daily dose of timeless wisdom. #NoHostility #BhaktiYoga #WisdomOfTheSages #SrimadBhagavatam #LetGoOfEnvy #LoveLikeRama #SpiritualMaturity #DailyBhakti ********************************************************************* 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 To revisit the recordings of the Bhakti Yoga Conference: Grace in an Age of Distraction Hosted at Harvard Divinity School please visit the following link: https://www.happyjackyoga.com/bhakti-yoga-conference    

In our existence in this world, we carry the burdens of duty, judgment, and anger—and then we project them onto God. But reality? He’s just playing His flute, dancing, and inviting us back into a life of divine play (lila). In today’s Wisdom of the Sages, Raghunath and Kaustubha reveal a revolutionary truth rooted in the Upanishads, the Vedānta Sūtra, and the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam: the Absolute Truth isn’t weighed down by judgment or duty—the Absolute’s only “business” is joyful līlā, or divine play. So why all the suffering and conflict in this world? We break down why Advaita Vedanta struggles to answer this—and how Bhakti Vedanta offers a beautiful, clear vision: the spiritual world is pure play, and the material world exists to help us remember how to “play nice” again. Key Highlights: * Why Ram, even when fighting Ravana, was just playing with His friends (yes, the monkeys 🐒). * How the real nature of God isn’t the cosmic judge—but the cosmic dancer and lover. * Why suffering doesn’t contradict divine play—it points us back to love. * Vedānta’s ultimate secret: Creation exists solely for the joyful exchange of love. * Is my irritable bowel syndrome really divine play?  * The Bhakti Vedanta advantage: a coherent, heart-transforming vision of the Absolute. Rediscover the real purpose behind everything: love, joy, play—and the irresistible call of the divine flute. 🌟 Subscribe for daily wisdom and join thousands worldwide on the transformative journey of Bhakti! 🎧 Tune in now! #DivinePlay #BhaktiVedanta #VedantaWisdom #SrimadBhagavatam #BhaktiYoga #Ramayana #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

It’s said that in the absolute reality, there are varieties of feeling—but all of them are of the same quality of transcendental bliss. How can what looks like heartbreak actually be an entry to the deepest spiritual joy? In today’s episode, Raghunath and Kaustubha examine the profound teachings behind Lord Ram’s separation from Sita, explore why material “love” is often the cause of fear, and reveal how the illusory love relationships of this world can be aligned with the spiritual reality. Forget the Hollywood endings—the Vedic sages offer a powerful upgrade in understanding the ways of love. Key Highlights: * Ram’s heartbreak: a cosmic love story  * In union, the Beloved is seen in one place; in separation… everywhere. * Why material “love” comes with a side of fear * The oneness and the duality of the spiritual realm * You don’t need a “you complete me” moment… you need a Supersoulmate. ✨ Jump into a discussion where ancient wisdom meets everyday neuroses — and discover why true love means learning to be blissful, even when life kicks you right in the shins. 🎧 Tune in now! #BhaktiWisdom #RamayanaRevealed #YogaOfSeparation #SpiritualHeartbreak #WisdomOfTheSagesPodcast ********************************************************************* 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

Why do some of life’s deepest lessons come at 4 a.m.—and others from your own children? Dive into a rich, soulful conversation where Raghunath sits down with Julie Piatt: entrepreneur, artist, and yes, a self-declared “unparentable” rebel yogi. From raising kids as gurus instead of projects, to healing herself with what can only be described as magical swamp water, Srimati shares how devotion, discipline, and a touch of cosmic mischief weave into everyday life. Key Highlights: * Why real magic happens at 4 a.m. * Parenting without losing your mind—or your faith * How a golf-ball-sized cyst led to a total life transformation (and a kitchen evacuation) * Why sadness might actually be your superpower * The secret sauce behind creativity, devotion, and vegan cheese * Waking up early: better than a rock concert, cheaper than therapy Whether you’re navigating spiritual life, parenting, creativity—or just trying to survive New York City—this episode offers a fresh reminder: the journey back home starts from within. 🌟 Subscribe and join thousands on the daily path of Bhakti wisdom and transformation. 🎧 Tune in now! #BhaktiLife #SpiritualParenting #MorningMagic #SrimadBhagavatam #VeganCheese #WisdomOfTheSages #JuliePiatt #Srimati ********************************************************************* 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

Are we interpreting politics through the lens of spiritual teachings - or are we interpreting spiritual teachings through the lens of our politics? How to respond when personal political opinions get imposed upon the spiritual discussions the we go to for enlightenment?  In this dynamic Q&A episode of Wisdom of the Sages, Raghunath and Kaustubha respond to pressing questions about navigating touchy topics in bhakti communities. They unpack the real meaning of seva when service feels more like a chore list, and dive into a fascinating discussion on the parallels between the Vedic Paramatma and the Christian Holy Ghost. Key Highlights: * How politics can sneak into spiritual discussions—and how to respond * Are we viewing sacred texts through a clean lens—or a political filter? * The art of doing real temple service (even when it’s scrubbing pots) * Seeing Krishna in the messy, humble work that nobody else wants to do * mapping the parallels & distinctions between Paramatma & Holy Ghost In a world drowning in division, discover how true spiritual life calls us beyond party lines—into something deeper, sweeter, and eternal. 🌟 Subscribe for daily wisdom and join thousands around the world on the path of authentic bhakti. 🎧 Tune in now! #BhaktiYoga #SrimadBhagavatam #SpiritualLife #WisdomOfTheSages #BeyondPolitics ********************************************************************* 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

What does it means to lead without ego, serve without exploitation, and rule with spiritual detachment? In this episode of Wisdom of the Sages, Raghunath and Kaustubha dive into the extraordinary standard set by Lord Ramachandra, whose rule began not with conquest but with renunciation.  The conversation also takes a deeper look at the controversial episode of Sita’s banishment though the eyes of the sages (as opposed  to the lens of ones’s own painful divorce). When seen with spiritual clarity, the pain of separation transforms into an expression of divine love, where Ram and Sita’s apparent distance reveals the depth of their unbreakable connection. Key Highlights: * How Ram’s leadership flips modern politics on its head * Sages with melted hearts receive the supreme gift - inner illumination * Sita’s banishment—and why comparing it to your messy breakup doesn’t quite work * What Jay Shetty, and Douglas Adams and Socrates have to do with karma yoga * Abraham Lincolns touching letter about losing a loved one * Bhakti as the “Platinum Package” of yoga paths (yes, karma and jñāna are included) * How Sita Sings the Blues delights, but disappoints  🎧 Tune in for sacred stories, sharp insight, and plenty of laughs. 🌟 Subscribe and join the global bhakti movement. #LordRam #SpiritualLeadership #BhaktiYoga #SitaAndRam #KarmaYoga #WisdomOfTheSages #Ramayana #DharmaAndDetachment #PlatinumBhaktiBundle #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

Think a better system will fix everything?  In this episode, Raghunath and Kaustubha encourage us to think again by exploring the idea that until we transform the mind and purify the heart, no political structure will truly work. We chase reforms, write new laws, and elect new leaders, but if we’re not addressing the root within, the same problems resurface. Different system, same chaos. Drawing wisdom from Plato, Bhaktivedanta Swami, and Radhanath Swami, we explore how inner clarity is the foundation of any truly functional society. Also: what does Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya—and his eventual heartbreaking separation from Sita—teach us about the deepest currents of love? Key Highlights: * “The city is what it is because the citizens are what they are.” —Plato * Why policy without purification is just window dressing * What Radhanath Swami told a government official about cleaning rivers * Love in separation: the most esoteric (and confusing) part of bhakti * A tiny chicken, a brutal pecking order, and the quest for a tribe 🐔 * Prabhupāda’s radical idea: train hearts, not just professionals * The river of love flows between two banks: union and separation This episode is part philosophy, part Ramayana, part barnyard tale—but all bhakti. 🎧 Tune in, subscribe, and share if you’re ready to stop treating symptoms and start addressing the root. #FixTheHeartFixTheWorld #BhaktiYoga #SpiritualSociety #PlatoToPrabhupada #LoveInSeparation #WisdomOfTheSages #BhaktivinodaThakura #RadhanathSwami ********************************************************************* 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

How do decades of spiritual practice shape your heart when death comes knocking? In this powerful episode, we hear from our longtime friend Yasso who, after forty years of devotion, is now facing terminal illness with stunning clarity and peace. What makes this conversation especially moving is how Yasso’s fearless, attitude of gratitude so closely mirrors the timeless wisdom of Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, where the dying King Parīkṣit embraces his final days with devotion, humility, and total absorption in the divine. Also in this episode: the epic homecoming of Lord Ram and the tear-jerking reunion with his brother Bharat, whose 14 years of radical simplicity (cow urine barley, anyone?) reflect the deepest brotherly devotion—zero envy, all love. And we also explore how devotional art can lift consciousness, using a vivid verse from the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam as our canvas. This one goes deep—real life, real death, and real bhakti. Key Highlights: * A rare window into how a bhakti yogi prepares to leave this world * Lord Ram returns to Ayodhya—no one has ever waved a chadar with more love * No envy, no ego—just love: the bond between Ram and Bharat * Why Krishna art > overpriced splatter art * Chant Hare Krishna and don’t criticize. Boom. That’s it. 🎧 Tune in for sacred wisdom, raw honesty, and a few good laughs with Raghunath & Kaustubha. #BhaktiYoga #SrimadBhagavatam #FacingDeath #SpiritualJourney #WisdomOfTheSages #LordRam #Ramayana #HareKrishna #DevotionalArt #TerminalIllness #YogiWisdom #KrishnaConsciousness ********************************************************************* 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

This discussion challenges the modern notion of empowerment as mere independence. It delves into the strength found in deep commitment, illustrated by Sītā's unwavering loyalty. The hosts explore how unchecked desires can lead to suffering and highlight the value of community and support. They also analyze gender dynamics and traditional roles, emphasizing that real power stems from dedication and integrity. Through engaging anecdotes and philosophical reflections, listeners are encouraged to rethink true empowerment in light of devotion and focus.