
Wisdom of the Sages
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.
Latest episodes

Mar 10, 2025 • 55min
1550: Pure Soul Theology: We're Actually Good Underneath
A core teaching of the Bhakti tradition is that every living being is eternally sacred and ontologically pure. Though this purity may become covered by a conditioned mind shaped by past experiences, it is never lost. Understanding this transforms the way we see others—it allows us to recognize the good in everyone, rise above resentment, and live without enemies. In this episode of Wisdom of the Sages, Raghunath and Kaustubha explore this profound vision through the story of Maharaja Ambarish and Durvasa Muni in the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, revealing how a true yogi remains steady and forgiving even in the face of hostility. Key Highlights: • The difference between external religion and true spiritual realization. • Why anger and resentment signal a lack of brahman realization. • Maharaja Ambarish’s fearless response to a mystic’s fiery attack. • The power of forgiveness through seeing the soul beyond the body and mind. By seeing beyond temporary behaviors to the unchanging purity of the soul, we unlock the ability to forgive, cultivate compassion, and experience true inner strength. 🔥 Subscribe for daily insights and deepen your understanding of the wisdom of bhakti! 🎧 Tune in now! #PureSoulTheology #BhaktiWisdom #SrimadBhagavatam #ForgivenessAndStrength SB 9.4.28-47 ********************************************************************* 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

Mar 10, 2025 • 60min
1549: Decoding Karma -- An Interview with Radhikesh
Vedic astrology isn’t just about predicting the future—it’s an ancient science designed to help us navigate karma, understand past lives, and make empowered choices. In this mind-expanding conversation, expert astrologer Radhikesh Prabhu reveals how your birth chart is a cosmic map, offering insights into relationships, life challenges, and even hidden karmic debts. This conversation bridges the profound wisdom of the Vedas with the practical tools to navigate life’s most difficult moments. 🎧 Tune in now and join thousands on the journey of self-discovery! 🔔 Subscribe for daily wisdom & spiritual insights! #VedicAstrology #BhaktiYoga #DestinyVsFreeWill #JyotishWisdom #WisdomOfTheSages Connect with Radhikesh at https://www.radhikeshdas.com ********************************************************************* 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

Mar 8, 2025 • 59min
1548: The Maha Mantra: Its Origin & Practice / Q & A Volume 264
The Maha Mantra has been chanted for millennia, but how far back does its history really go? In this engaging Q & A episode of Wisdom of the Sages, Raghunath and Kaustubha explore the origins, significance, and practice of chanting the holy names of Krishna. From understanding the ten offenses to the holy name to how Sri Chaitanya revived the Maha Mantra for all, this episode is packed with deep insights into the power of sacred sound. Key Topics Covered: • The Ninth Offense: Should we be cautious about sharing the Maha Mantra with everyone? • Did people chant the Maha Mantra before Lord Chaitanya? What did they chant? • Can someone without formal initiation teach Bhagavad Gita and lead Kirtan? • What is Ekadashi, and how does fasting support Bhakti? Discover how these essential aspects of Bhakti practice can elevate your spiritual journey and bring you closer to Krishna. 🌟 Don’t miss this powerful discussion! Subscribe for daily wisdom and join thousands on the transformative path of Bhakti. 🎧 Tune in now! #MahaMantra #BhaktiYoga #ChantAndBeHappy #HareKrishna ********************************************************************* 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

Mar 7, 2025 • 1h 3min
1547: Accessing Transcendence through Bhakti Ritual
Bhakti rituals have long been misunderstood—written off as primitive or irrelevant in the modern world. But beneath the surface, these practices contain a refined science of inner renewal and spiritual elevation. In this episode of Wisdom of the Sages, Raghunath and Kaustubha dive deep into the profound wisdom of devotional rituals, revealing how they serve as a gateway to sacred time, purifying the heart and mind. Drawing from the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam and the insights of Romanian religious scholar Mircea Eliade, they uncover the forgotten power of worship in breaking free from the constraints of ordinary perception. 🔹 Key Highlights: • Why ancient rituals aren’t superstition but a means of accessing transcendence. • Maharaj Ambarish—how a great king ruled the world without being ruled by it. • Bhakti’s secret: How engaging the senses in devotion liberates rather than binds. • The forgotten purpose of festivals, temple worship, and spiritual gatherings. Join the conversation as we challenge modern assumptions and reveal how sacred ritual, when practiced with devotion, brings about real inner transformation. 🌟 Subscribe for daily wisdom and become part of a growing global community on the path of Bhakti. 🎧 Tune in now! #BhaktiYoga #SpiritualTechnology #AncientWisdom #SacredRituals #SrimadBhagavatam SB 9.4.18-27 ********************************************************************* 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

Mar 6, 2025 • 57min
1546: Regard this Fleeting World as a Dream
We’re all trying to build something lasting in a world designed to slip aways. The yogi King Ambarish had everything—power, wealth, and influence beyond imagination—but he saw it all as nothing more than a dream. His story is a masterclass in Bhakti Yoga, proving that true success isn’t in what we hold onto, but in what we surrender. From kings and sages to modern-day seekers, this episode sheds light on the secret to finding real fulfillment in a temporary world. 🔹 Key Highlights: • The truth about time: why everything material eventually betrays us. • How Bhakti Yoga transforms ordinary actions into spiritual practice. • Maharaj Ambarish vs. the curse of Durvasa Muni—when divine grace overpowers mystical wrath. • The secret that even the wealthiest, most powerful people long to discover. 🌿 Let go of the illusion and embrace the eternal. Tune in now! #BhaktiYoga #SrimadBhagavatam #SpiritualWisdom #DurvasaMuni #MaharajAmbarish SB 9.4.13-20 ********************************************************************* 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

Mar 5, 2025 • 1h 1min
1545: When Life Feels Unfair
Sometimes, life deals us a hand that feels completely unjust. But the way we respond to these challenges holds a key to unlocking special blessings? In this powerful episode of Wisdom of the Sages, Raghunath and Kaustubha dive into the transformative wisdom of the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, revealing how graceful acceptance of difficulties—no matter how unfair they seem—can lead to profound inner peace and divine rewards. Through the ancient stories of Prashadra and Sukanya, discover how cultivating patience, tolerance, and a higher perspective can turn even life’s harshest trials into opportunities for growth and spiritual elevation. 🔑 Key Takeaways: • Why resisting fate can cause more suffering, and how acceptance brings peace. • The incredible blessings that unfold when we endure hardship with grace. • How the sacred yoga texts teach us to respond to challenges in ways that uplift the soul. Join us for this enlightening conversation and learn how embracing life’s challenges with wisdom can transform your heart and mind. ✨ Subscribe for daily inspiration and practical wisdom from the Bhakti tradition. 🎧 Tune in now! #InnerPeace #SpiritualGrowth #BhaktiYoga #WisdomOfTheSages SB 9.2.14-9.3.16 Join Grace in an Age of Distraction - Harvard Divinity School's Bhakti Yoga Conference at https://www.happyjackyoga.com/bhakti-yoga-conference ********************************************************************* 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

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