Wisdom of the Sages (Raghunath Cappo & Kaustubha Das)

pros & cons of being raised in an ashram / the trepidation of retelling the Ramayana / Ramayana - why did it have to end that way? / rediscovering the character of Rama / through shoka comes shloka / challenges of parenting / cutting some slack for Mantara (the hunchback) / Sita’s special powers

www.sitasfire.com

What are your thoughts about AI created devotional art? / How are we to look at a relationship between guru and student in a healthy way? / Should we correct other devotees when reading Sanskrit?

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Bhakta Louie is one big heart / a charging boar can wipe out your ego trip real quick / God manifests in different categories of incarnations / you can’t have joy or intelligence without sense control / the sages of the higher planets have a high grade of meditation - we’ve got reality television & porn / whatever we think deeply about is our meditation practice & it shapes our minds / ritual is designed by sages to reshape our dented mind / yoga is the harmony between our mind and ourself

SB 3.13.27-34

How to deal with feelings of inauthenticity when social obligations seem to get in the way of spiritual commitment? / How does my job fit in with my spiritual practice?

What does it mean to be an authentic person on a Bhakti path? / Could you share a little advice on raising a child in Bhakti? / Clicker counters vs tulsi beads for counting japa - is one method better than the other? 

anxiety for your children never ends / the mind can be an unruly, unappeasable 5 year old / sometimes the best option is to ignore the mind / the mind and senses are meant to work for us, not the other way around / when one’s mind is absorbed in the material conception, one thinks that they belong to a particular nation, family, country or creed / upādhis - false designations we adopt, disguises of the spirit / a gift of aging is understanding the cycles of the world / our false intimacy with the body - it’s going to walk away, and it won’t call back / conquer this mind by the weapon of service

SB 5.11.15-17

I have to change me - butterfly / hearing & chanting is the cocoon / joy comes from our contribution / reclaiming our inherent purity / spiritual form / God is everywhere, God is in me, God is the person behind it all / Horton Hears a Who / Krishna is God on Saturday / the story of Pandu / hone in on what our contribution is and stick to it no matter how the dogs bark / mentors & well-wishers

the Universal plot - consciousness trapped in ego-based self interest gradually becoming free / a better way to frame out the world / “why me?” and “it’s not fair!” are mantras of maya / these social codes and austerities prepare one to see God everywhere / codes for retirement to the forest / dissolving the body & mind by meditation / standing alone as spirit - in the body but separate from it / our bodies, senses, mind, etc. have all been loaned to us and must be returned to their owners, the Devas / perfect knowledge of the self constitutes merging of the material body into the five material elements

SB 7.12.16-31

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We don’t realize the burden that’s weighing us down (resentment, anger, fear, etc.) like a dreadlocked, homeless dog / "It's motive alone which gives character to the actions of men." - Jean de la Bruyere / Jatayu was a complete success / evolution of motive from Karma to Jnana to Bhakti / good intentions are everything / Bhakti delivers brahma-nirvāṇa / Krishna is easily accessible, being the friend in the heart of everyone / material good fortune is flickering / Krishna gives us what we need- we don’t need to save clutter / cluttered space means cluttered mind

SB 7.7.37-39

Raghu wakes up to the exorcist / 3 ways the blind king failed / our taste for spiritual content is tied to our lifestyle / a yogi has to be straight forward & honest / turn your moral microscope on yourself / Gandhari’s words of wisdom / seeing through a spiritual lens / Kunti’s message to the Pandavas

SB 3.1.9

verses for the appearance of the Divine within and the destruction of the inner darkness / the story of the half-man half-lion avatar / Nrisimhadeva miracles / closing blessing

Love is my true identity. Selflessness is my true self. Love is my true character. Love is my name.” - Thomas Merton / The Big Flip-flop = selfishness leads to suffering, selflessness leads to happiness / don’t be a Cosmic Player hater / real romance = holding hands and walk together toward Divinity / living a life both more serious and less serious than the one who does not sense the inner cosmic dynamism / capital e Enjoyer vs lower case enjoyers / Am I just a child and is my entire life just playing with a toy imitation?

SB 4.24.62-63

Clarance Clemons on the calm mind and connecting with the inner self / inner connection isn’t cheap - austerity and renunciation aid contemplation and meditation / God in the heart gives intelligence to the individual soul according to his capacity for understanding / when we could no longer access God in the heart through samadhi, the sages provided temple worship / the evolution from karma to jnana to bhakti is a natural progression, widely observed in areas of spiritual evolution, but most clearly and thouroughly articulated in Srimad Bhagavatam / temple worship without respecting God in the heart of everyone, is like pouring ghee into ashes

SB 7.14.38-40

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• What is your favorite chapter or passage the sacred texts? 
• Who is your favorite kirtan leader? 
• Share a story of a memorable kirtan 
• What is your favorite temple?

finding spirituality as a young teen / nirodhana through kirtan / hardcore as trying for bhakti / being a double dropout / wanting a guru as a child / meeting Edwin Bryant / 108 - “Art Nerd” Krishnacore band / room to be myself in the band

on friendship / on marriage / on being a good man / on prayer / on listening / on religion / on when to separate / on how to face death / on mental illness / on forgiveness / on teaching / on money / on love

http://krsnanandini.com

How to have better inter-sangha relations? / How to become more sincere? / How to get over feelings of insecurity? / Is there a motive in Bhakti?

the gift of being a dented can / pointing the finger ourselves / the yogi is dealing with two worlds / loving without possessing / a sadhu is childlike / living internal & external at the same time / our inner orientation is I am the servant of God / we don’t destroy our desire, we purify it / serving to God and the devotee is identical / create a love triangle by bringing in the Paramatma / bhutta suddhi - purifying ourselves from material misidentification

Raghunath's early enthusiasm self-discipline / Kaustubha leaves NY behind / mind over matter and spirit over mind / understanding the high guardrails of Vedic culture / everyone loves a doting mother / Prabhupada's cultural flexibility

SB: 7.12.8-9

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Kaustubha Das speaks with  Vaisesika Das and Malini Devi Dasi on this special Gita Jayanti episode of Wisdom of the Sages as they dive deep into the timeless teachings of the Bhagavad-gita and discuss how you can participate in the campaign to distribute 4.2 million Bhagavad-gitas.

Celebrate the day this sacred text was spoken and uncover its profound wisdom for everyday life.

#BhagavadGita #GitaJayanti #WisdomOfTheSages

To contact Malini, call or message her at +1 (669) 289-5563

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Kaustubha’s birthday reflections / let the religious part of me die and the spiritual part of me rise / aspiring to develop real yogic vision / cultivate Feelings of gratitude daily / accepting austerity expertly & joyfully / depend on Krishna and hear his whisper / 8 symptoms of a liberated soul from Chandogya Upanishad

SB 5.4.1-5

Vishnu & Shiva - like milk & yogurt / great souls voluntary accept suffering to help others / religious pretension blinds one / false ego makes us intolerant to the happiness of others (sick in the head) / offering respect to God in the heart of everyone / the pretentious see the faults in others - the spiritual see whatever little good there is, and magnify it / mean-minded people are already dead (no need to campaign against them)

Raghunath and Kasutubha speak with Crispian Mills about his life of bringing the magic of Bhakti into popular music.

“All that there is within the universe to satisfy the senses, cannot satisfy one whose senses are uncontrolled.” - Sri Vamanadeva / always look for the deeper essence / the Bhagavatam shows us dharmic reversals again and again, even the demons can be glorified more than the devas - if they have devotion

Follow Shyamesvari on Instagram @mridangawallii

SB 5.24.1-20

More than sacred—this is about cosmic justice, karmic cleansing, and the mysterious flow of divine grace. In this provocative conclusion to our two-part deep dive, Raghunath and Kaustubha unpack why the Ganges is revered as the purifier of sins and how its sanctity is upheld—not just by myth or ritual, but through the living presence of Krishna and His devotees. What makes a river more than water? How does mercy override karma? And how can we become a river of grace ourselves?

Key Highlights:
•⁠  ⁠The Ganges as a portal of divine compassion—from Vaikuntha to Earth.
•⁠  ⁠How saintly souls become walking places of pilgrimage.
•⁠  ⁠Grace vs. karma: why fairness isn’t the highest principle in the universe.
•⁠  ⁠The mystical relationship between Krishna’s feet, the holy river, and the pure-hearted.
•⁠  ⁠Why Bhagiratha’s mission wasn’t just personal—it was a multi-generational act of love.

Whether you’ve dipped in her waters or just dreamed of the Himalayas, this episode will change the way you see rivers, saints, and the subtle forces that shape our destiny.

🌊 Subscribe for daily spiritual insight and join a global community seeking truth through the path of bhakti.

🎧 Listen now & flow with us.
#GangaRiver #BhaktiYoga #SpiritualGrace #SrimadBhagavatam #HinduWisdom #KarmaAndMercy #HolyRivers #WisdomOfTheSages #Raghunath #Kaustubha

Mathurananda and his twin Velcro discuss with Raghu their hardcore backgrounds, first temple experiences, and how they bhakti-fied their careers.

Check out their award winning short animated films: https://youtu.be/qe6gWsklnh0

https://vimeo.com/291661331

https://vimeo.com/28194902

prayers for Hana / civilized warfare / Arjuna’s pure intelligence / Bhishma’s love for Bhagavad-gita / Bhishma’s melting heart / love is the highest principle / Krishna’s absorption in divine play / Krishna’s “enemies” / understanding that Lila is beyond mythology by understanding rasa

“We carry within us a divine spark, and if we chose to recognize it, our lives have dignity, meaning, hope.” - Dean Koontz / we aren’t selfish by nature – selfishness is an artificial imposition / yoga is all about remembering who you are / Bhakti-yogis are already liberated / how is Krishna the God of love? / the peril of offense

SB 6.4.51-54

we’re not buying into the false dichotomy – that other-worldly thought is opposed to worldly good / feeling vitalized by plugging into Bhakti / use the thorn to remove the thorn / Bhagavavad-gita on fake sannyasa vs real sannyasa / cultivating internal renunciation while embracing one’s external duties

SB 4.19.10-12

“We create our own unhappiness. The purpose of suffering is to help us understand we are the ones who cause it.” Willie Nelson / Woah! There’s a purpose to suffering!?! / 2 world views – the world has no design or purpose or the everything in the world is designed with purpose / we can simultaneously hold 2 ideas - that we must be compassionate to all who suffer and that we cause our own suffering / the best way to deal with our own pain is to take responsibility / the bank robbery analogy / the evidence is everywhere - the question is how you interpret it / a formula for seeing God behind everything /  WOTS - a simple fun way to Vedic epistemology / we can’t remove every thorn in the world, but we can put on some shoes

SB 6.24.46

no blame, no reasoning no argument, just understanding / rewire & recalibrate the vehicle by hearing wisdom daily / we’re doing time in the material world & hopefully learning lessons / tread with care with everyone you meet / taking offense is the first domino / the beauty of a tapasvi is forgiveness / we’re all strapped a time bomb that’s about to blow / you can’t use the energy unless you know how to handle the energy / do all of my activities please God? / There is no real happiness without connecting to the roots / saranagati!

SB 4.6.48-53

don’t just be a critic - plant a seed in the ground - do something, no matter how small! / the shame in the game of the critic / the tension, the waiting period, the resolution / focus on growth in the waiting period / Sri Caitanya’s visit to Varanasi / humility through understanding one’s blissful nature / the sannyasis of Varanasi discover the nectar of Bhakti Vedanta

SB 7.7.34

Can we be fully committed Vaishnavas without initiation? / Can I have a guru without the initiation process? / Is keeping long hair offensive or should we shave our heads? / How do we minimize sex life when we are married to a person who is not on board with the philosophy? / If Krishna is the 8th avatar of Vishnu, then how is He also “The Supreme Personality of Godhead”? Does that mean He’s above Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva? 

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"Yoga is a practice which empowers one to overcome the obstacle of the mind, for the purpose of the self experiencing it's own true nature." 

The sages of the Srimad Bhagavatam place their questions to the learned and saintly Suta Goswami, including how the people of our difficult age can find atma suprasidati, complete satisfaction of the self. (covers Srimad Bhagavatam 1.1.4-1.1.11)

lockdown in a holy place / life comes from life / wherever our mind goes is meditation / bhakti fundamentals - hearing leads to remembering / lesson 1. we’re made to serve / lesson 2. by serving the root of all existence we connect with every living being / happiness & meaning are found through giving - not taking / Krishna appears in different ways, according to the state of our heart

criticism – destructive & constructive / the 1st step in changing the world is changing oneself / pettiness can rob me of finding my inner happiness / honesty with oneself / bhakti etiquette / the detached can speak the truth / the true blessing is when we feel “I want to be like that” (the transcendentalist)

🎙️Explore the challenges of living a principled life and how it all has a deeper purpose: learning how to love selflessly. Broadcasting from the Govardhan Eco Village, Raghunath and Kaustubha reflect on how our experiences in this world are divinely orchestrated to help us reconnect with true love, forgiveness, and spiritual growth. Drawing on wisdom from the Srimad Bhagavatam, they offer insights on how principled actions, though challenging, lead to lasting fulfillment.

Key Topics Covered:
✨ Why life in this universe is designed to teach us how to love selflessly.
✨ Why principled actions often seem to bring loss but lead to deeper fulfillment.
✨ How happiness and distress arise uninvited, like seasons, and why chasing external happiness is futile.
✨ Lessons from Bali Maharaj: Trusting the divine plan, even when it seems to cost everything.

Highlights Include:
🔸 Raghunath’s moving story of reconciling with his stepson——a profound example of sacrifice and renewal.
🔸 How Bhakti-yoga reveals the purpose behind life’s challenges: to train us in unconditional love and devotion.
🔸 Love doesn’t expect anything in return.

🕉️ Whether you’re seeking spiritual growth, deeper relationships, or a better understanding of life’s purpose, this episode offers timeless insights. Discover how Bhakti philosophy empowers us to embrace challenges as opportunities to evolve in love and consciousness.

💡 Don’t miss this life-changing discussion! Subscribe now for daily spiritual wisdom and connect with a global community of seekers.

🎧 Watch or listen now!

#WisdomOfTheSages #BhaktiYoga #LearningToLove #SrimadBhagavatam #SpiritualWisdom #HappinessWithin #GovardhanEcoVillage #ForgivenessAndHealing #KarmaAndHappiness #SelflessLove

SB 8.19.21-26

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Srimad Bhagavatam gives perspective on all yoga literature / life in the womb / Krishna is in every atom in the universes, and every universe is in him / Krishna appears in the Deity form because we are incapable of perceiving Him everywhere / meditative absorption comes with wisdom / wisdom involves being steady minded through shifting externals and seeing God everywhere / we are qualitatively one with God & quantitatively different / realizing our eternality

How to deal with deep-rooted feelings of inadequacy? / I live in a foreign country and don’t have any close relationships here. Should I use this discomforting situation to grow despite the lack of support from the community or is it important to find a supportive community? / I'm an empath and I can't help but absorb and be overwhelmed with sadness. What can I turn to for comfort? / How do I continue to serve and have compassion for someone when they don’t seem to be trying to heal? / I am a working mother of two kids and it seems that there aren't enough hours to fit in my spiritual practices. How do you do it?

mundane world views based on the limited perception of our senses / messengers exist to wake us up and reveal the wonder that lies beyond our perception / life is meant for self discovery and everything happening in the universe can be interpreted and applied in that context / compassion and love lie at the heart of the self discovery / Can there be spiritual form? / the difference between matter & spirit / we’re getting caught in the laundry cycle of the mundane / am I perpetually annoyed? / self-discovery and empathy emerge together / ethics open the door to perceiving truth

SB 5.7.7

Raghunath Cappo & Kaustubha Das discuss transcendental sound, true happiness as an internal experience, the material world as a warped reflection, expanding the space between stimulus and response through sattvic yoga lifestyle, and Raghu's fat head. (Covers Srimad Bhagavatam 1.1.12-1.1.19)

Raghunath and Paramananda broadcast live from Poland

Shyamali’s message / the duration of life is immaterial / bhakti is fun for children / death is like a cat - perceived differently by the mouse and the kitten / karma, jnana & bhakti - three levels of approach in all spiritual traditions / Sukadeva Goswami appears - disinterested in externals & satisfied in himself / know how much one can share / the completion of the first canto!

SB 1.19.23 - 1.19.40

wake up from the dream / Brahma - in the dark both literally & figuratively / representing the lineage / how to distill one’s motive? / two factors in spiritual progress - our endeavor & grace / the cats and the monkeys / karmic motive (worldly enjoyment) - jnanic motive (escaping from worldly suffering) - bhakti motive (pure devotion) / it’s not sectarian - karma, jnana & bhakti are found throughout the world’s spiritual traditions

SB 2.9.4-8

when the lulls come, take the next step / break-up advice - resentment, anger, fear or revenge - like Rama leaving Ayodhya / embrace the humiliation / we know too much / through our respect & love for our teacher comes the empowerment to carry out their instructions / in Bhakti the future is always bright / the lessons keep coming til you learn them / creating sage minds / expect to get challenged because you are loved / we want freedom not structure - but at what cost?

SB 3.12.34-38

Śrī Balarāma is the mercy incarnation / Sri Caitanya made spirituality easy / Nityananda delivers the gangsters / just stop causing harm to others, be humble, grateful & chant / coercion vs attraction / truthfulness, equanimity, sense control, forbearance, simplicity, general knowledge, transcendental knowledge, firm faith / brahminical qualities vs false prestige / 3 manifestations of Lord Vishnu

SB 1.14.19 - 1.14.36

Vishnu can not be known by the mind and senses / Vishnu is know through devotion, pure of material desire / the nondual Supreme Absolute Truth manifests as the avatars, the material energy and as the impersonal, attritubeless brahman / even our own body is not our own / the false presumption that for something to be accepted as real it must be perceivable empirically

SB 8.3.10-13

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Prestige is a slippery slope / sometimes you have to make a change and don’t look back / hyper-inclusivism vs hierarchal-inclusivism / Look for lessons everywhere

SB 4.29.55-62

“Beware of over-concern for money, or position, or glory. Someday you will meet a man who cares for none of these things. Then you will know how poor you are.” - Rudyard Kipling / the emptiness that drives us to seek fulfillment through externals / the treasure in the heart of the sadhu / affection for others running through affection for Krishna / prema is the wealth that makes everything else appear pale / the steady engagement in releasing, accepting and stepping up one notch / the ocean of eternal happiness / “This is misery, but it gives me a laugh…. All that is left of this family life is a list of names.” - Bhaktivedanta Swami / “I gradually take away all the wealth of those upon whom I am merciful.” - Krishna / with Krishna, there’s beauty in destitution

SB 7.7.45-47

"Let us train our minds to desire what the situation demands." - Seneca / lust is the beginning of misogyny / we’ve got a quiver of unlimited desires / a womanizer can’t be kind / cruel reactions follow cruel behavior / global pandemics, climate change related disasters, and war are all tied to the cruelty of factory farming

SB 4.26.1-4

Raghu and Mara chant Yamunastakam on the banks of the river / Kaustubha says goodbye to Sri Dham Mayapur / PULL THE TRIGGER! / concentrate your thoughts like the sun’s rays through a magnifying glass / the practices of Bhakti are not mere religious rituals, they are yogic practices designed to focus the mind on the most satisfying object / “Let my mind, with attention fixed on no other object, repeatedly carry its affection to Krishna, just as the Ganga carries a full stream of water to the ocean“ - Queen Kunti / Bhagavatam is one royal calamity after another / never let go of desperation even when things are rosy / bathing in the dust of Vrindavan

shaming doesn’t work / hearts don’t change through humiliation / seek first to understand / don’t leave Raghu a voicemail / everything is fear-based these days / take shelter of the decoder / Bhagavad-Gita 7.14 / no time to tinker anymore / first thing in the morning - fix my mind right / transcendental knowledge melts away fear / BNN Bhakti News Network / don’t let mundane sound into your morning

Does the soul really have feelings or are feelings the product of the mind-ego? / What's a good morning ritual for starting a Bhakti-yoga practice? / Do the thoughts at the the moment of death really determine the next birth, and if so, isn’t that kind of Random

Vidura’s compassion / omnipresence through diverse potencies / a guru cuts / giving up the ego is both painful and a relief / preparing for the change of body / Radha & Krishna enshrined in the heart / renunciation ≠ spiritual advancement / alien yogis / great souls are like surgeons

SB 1.13.10 - 1.13.14

Join Raghunath and Kaustubha in this insightful episode as they explore the profound teachings of Bhakti Yoga through the lens of the Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam. 

Travel with them to the rural simplicity of India, where spirituality and community merge, and discover how Vedic wisdom shapes daily practices. 

Hear about Lord Vamanadev’s awe-inspiring appearance.

And the deeper significance of Divine incarnations in Krishna’s spiritual lineage, as upheld by towering figures like Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati and Bhaktivinoda Thakur.

This episode also delves into the transformational power of Bhakti, the timeless cultural beauty it fosters, and the pure devotion that binds Krishna to His devotees. Whether you’re drawn to Hindu philosophy, fascinated by avatars, or looking to deepen your spiritual practice, this discussion offers a perfect blend of theology, storytelling, and inspiration.

Key Topics:

•⁠  ⁠The spiritual essence of Vamana Dev’s incarnation
•⁠  ⁠Insights from the Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam
•⁠  ⁠Krishna’s playful, loving relationships with His devotees
•⁠  ⁠Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati and the legacy of pure devotion
•⁠  ⁠The cultural richness of rural India and its spiritual roots

🎧 Don’t miss this journey into the heart of Bhakti and its transformative potential. Subscribe for more content connecting ancient Vedic teachings with modern life!

#BhagavadGita #BhaktiYoga #Krishna #Spirituality #HinduPhilosophy

SB 8.18.12

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We own nothing, God owns everything / Bali Mahārāja became a disciple of Śukrācārya and with great faith, offered everything he had / devotion to a real guru can grant one great power / the empowerment of Prabhupada’s disciples / Bali gets empowered and assembles his army / The beauty of Indra’s capital / Brihaspati reveals to Indra the key to Bali’s power / “By the pleasure of the spiritual master, one can get extraordinary power, especially in spiritual advancement.” 

SB 8.15.1-28

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metalheads are people too / I’m not okay, you’re not okay and that’s okay / we shouldn’t sacrifice long term growth by settling for cheap, temporary positivity / more on Karma-yoga / my child has their own higher power / rituals for conception / Raghu draws the line / burn like the sun / when we are inwardly content, we can move gently and with grace

SB 4.22.52-63

In this interview Shyamasundar Das discusses his recently released Volume 3 of “Chasing Rhinos with the Swami” as well as his time with the Beatles and his cameo appearance in the new Beatles film “Get Back”.

www.chasingrhinos.com
chasingrhinos@gmail.com

“to be a saint means to be myself” Thomas Merton / sainthood is within us - chip it away / if I’m not being a saint, I’m not being myself / Western salvation vs Eastern self-realization / tat tvam asi - you are that (but not like that) / We are God’s energy yet we are individual / the personal conception makes everything click / Sri Caitanya schools the monist sannyasis / Arjuna - “how can one transcend the material energy?” - Krishna - “through Bhakti-yoga” / Krishna is the basis of brahaman / three manifestations of the Absolute Truth - Brahman, Paramatma & Bhagavan

SB 4.24.60

Welcome back Mara! / a pandit is born / Raghu’s son transcends misery through the wisdom of the Gita / if the soul is unchangeable, and if God is always in our heart, then why do our activities result in misfortune and misery? Or, how do we lose touch with our spiritual nature? / analogy 1 - seeing your own head cut off - the sense of loss is illusory / analogy 2 - the quivering reflection of the moon - the self is steady, the reflection of the self in the mind is unsteady / the 4 paths of yoga

SB 3.7.10-11

from the gangsters of Chicago to the Goswamis of Vrindavan / the renunciation of Raghunath dasa Goswami / family responsibility as exemplified by Gopal Bhatta Goswami / the loving dealings of Sanantana Goswami / madhukari - collecting one’s meals like the bee / the vast contribution of Rupa Goswami / Jiva Goswami’s humility /the tomb of esoteric books / Srila Prabhupada presented the teachings of the Goswami’s in a way that even we can understand and apply / the confrontational debate consciousness bans us from entering the meditation of Vrindavan / Jahnava Devi - the female saint and head of the bhakti community / Gangamata Goswamini - the princess turned saint

https://chaturatmadasa.com

samadhi & being free of happiness & distress / birth as a fruit fly hearing Bhagavatam / japa advice - bathe in the mantra / Cupid & Kandarpa / Krishna’s senses can not be agitated but He is captivated by devotion / material enjoyment is like fake food / think it through / 1st 9 Cantos prepare our hearts for the 10th / Krishna is unaffected by matter & so are his devotees / yogamaya

“It isn’t that they can’t see the solution. It is that they can’t see the problem” - GK Chesterton /  don’t just fix the symptoms, get to the root of the disease / our problem is that we see ourselves as disconnected from the root of all existence / Citraketu gracefully accepted his curse / Pariksit gracefully accepted his curse / Prithu gracefully responded to Indra’s offenses / Indra lacked grace, and always tried to hold onto his position / the more we try to rectify reversals, the more we enter into the darkest region of materialistic thought

SB 6.17.1-16

the burdens of hate and resentment / “Some of the worst things in my life never even happened” - Mark Twain / the attractiveness of the unburdened / Bhagavatam juxtaposes the burdened and the unburdened / Brahma expresses wonder / brahma gives credit for creation to Vishnu / Shiva gives credit for destruction to Vishnu / Indra’s prayer and lamentation of mixed devotion / Vishnu dissipates the gloom in our hearts / austerity can bring about creative power and lucid thought / The forefathers were burdened with concerned about sacrifice / The siddha yogis were concerned about their mystic abilities being restored / The Vidyādharas were concerned about the knowledge they attain through meditation

SB 7.8.40-46

what is a Bhakti Yogi's relationship with morality? / does a Bhakti yoga path suggest indifference towards political issues or can it coincide with an interest in political causes and speaking up against systemic inequities? / as much as I want to practically denounce the material world, don't we need some material things? / do one's rounds become easier after they take shelter of a guru? and how do I repay the enormous debt to my spiritual master & all the influential devotees in my life? / is it ok to be gay for Krishna?

reconciling Christianity & bhakti / fundamentalism of the ego - my way is better / saragrahi Vaishnava, one who understands the essence / only spirit is eternal - there is no kennel in the sky / Raghu's Netflix fall down / yesterday’s cliff hanger revealed - it's foot water! / the test for spiritual advancement - our desire to hear / we become what we call ourself / the lilas of Krishna attract the mind out of tamas and rajas / bhakti is dormant in the heart - hearing with the right attitude, from the right people, lets it flow / truth is the food for the soul / how I treat other people is the barometer of my spiritual life / infusing the water with mantra / there is an original me before the programing

if you had the opportunity to ask Srila Prabhuapda one question what would it be? / why do puja - why not? / Does Krishna accept service, even if it is not completely pure? / is it proper for a modern Sadhu to take up the practice of jogging? / do I need to forgive - even an abuser? / how is it possible for God's energy to be impersonal?

The material world is crumbling - but Bhagavatam is a fresh perspective / every jump to a higher level of energy and awareness - involves a rite of passage - Dan Millman - “Way of the Peaceful Warrior” / we should all have a strategy of where we want to be at the end of life / pass to the next stage and never look back / let the discomfort purify us / we need communities that help us climb higher / NO BACKSLIDING / The Ganga is beyond time - we sit on her banks and feel pain / life is moving - learn to flow with it / watching a body burn gives you some major closure / the need for spiritual education 

SB 8.16.18-19

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our value isn’t based on the body / our disturbances have no other basis than the movement of the external energy / the fool is happy & one with transcendental intelligence is happy / when it’s bad it’s good & when it’s good it’s bad / service is the way out / Krishna is called Madhusudana because he slays our doubts and slays the false ego

SB 3.7.15-19

The tubes of life float you down the river together just for a moment / Life is a series of repeating lessons designed to help us face the fact that there are forces more powerful than us / bow down mister / Apologize whole heartedly with complete conviction / Brahma didn’t say “Not my circus, not my monkeys” / We think we’re advanced…..not even close / the iPhone, the Giraffe & the Zebra all teach us to accept that unbelievable things are possible

SB 4.6.6-31

Raghunath and Kaustubha share their thoughts on Victoria’s Vedic wedding, and interview some of the guests from their retreat at the Govardhan Eco Village in India.

How can I transition from a spiritual seeker into a deeper Bhakti practitioner, and quell my doubts when reading sacred texts? / How to stay even minded and not lose relationships during a divisive election season? / How to know where to put your spiritual focus / Why do bad things happen to good people?

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“When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you.” - Winston Churchill / let the world love or hate you and stay even minded / forget body positivity - go for spirit positivity / the real enemy is the mind’s negative programing and insecurity / “A perfect Vaiṣṇava’s position should be just like Nārada Muni’s, completely independent and unbiased.” - A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami / we need high caliber devotees in our life / Daksha’s half truths / knowledge and detachment arise automatically through devotion

SB 6.5.39-41

"Humans doing the hard jobs on minimum wage, while the robots write poetry and paint, is not the future I wanted." - Karl Sharro / ya can’t beat the system / simplicity & kindness / because we remain servants of our senses, we can never be satisfied / the Devas give up food and sleep, meditating to connect with Vishnu / connection with Vishnu dissipates the fear / the qualities that facilitate spiritual experience - sense control, mind control, kindness, respect, giving shelter, deep friendship, freedom from pride

SB 7.4.18-34

revisiting perfect yoga alignment / no other life in the universe? - give me a break! / you don’t need to be smarter / how the yogi exits the body and exits the universe - micro & macro / bhakti-yoga is the viable path to the spiritual realm in the current age / the seed of bhakti in the heart / watering the seed by hearing & chanting / building a protective fence by being respectful / pulling out the weeds / Haridasa Thakur - the namacharya / Haridasa’s bliss in chanting

SB 2.2.18 - 30

the mad elephant offense / smiling Lord Vishnu melts the heart / so called pleasure is just a cessation of pain / have faith that happiness lies in service / #dontbeasuckerbeaserver / the Bhakti-yogis don’t try for liberation, but liberation herself stands with folded hands waiting to serve them / everyone has a backstory / the fact that the atmaramas take pleasure in the form of Krishna is proof that His form is spiritual

SB 3.15.39-43

do I need to dress in rags to be spiritual? / how to deal with losing my cool? / how does Bhakti as a movement respond to racism in a relevant, critical, active, & dynamic way? / can I care and do things that are helpful, without being overwhelmed by all the pain I’m seeing constantly? / can one have romance, sex, and the warmth of family life on the bhakti path?

“First things first … he’s got three heads.” / material existence is riddled with envy fear and worry / Indra blows it again! / freedom comes with a price / the gradual path of letting go / big opulence leads to big bewilderment / Laxmi belongs to Vishnu, not to our Maya / attachment creates humiliation / sadhu’s gotta cut- don’t be a dirty old man / Indra is the hero of the Vedas, but the buffoon of the Bhagavatam (because Vyasa want’s to show us that mixed devotion is not the goal of life) 

pure, naked spiritual encounter vs designer label spiritual fads / the real stumbling block to Bhakti is hypocrisy / dealing with the Western triggers to Eastern thought / understanding Vedic hierarchies / respect is both functional and fundamental / why is it better to do your own duty imperfectly, than another's perfectly? / the world is in a state of emergency - we need more Brahmanas

SB:7.11.15-17

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our depression, anger, etc. are not us, they are equipment not functioning well / pleasure of the ego always leads to pain / Sankhya - counting the material elements and knowing that I am something else / sattvic happiness turns from poison into nectar, rajasic happiness turns from nectar into poison / monk life strips away everything you’ve got / our little bit of freedom / sattvic living loosens the noose of the material energy / Vishnu is the soul of the universe

SB 2.5.32 - 42

either we control our senses, or our senses control us / we choose illusion all the time / connection through bhakti leads to the vision of Krishna in everything & everything in Krishna / how is Krishna in everything? / how is everything in Krishna? / adorable Krishna lies all the time / seeing the equality in all living entities like fire in wood / nonviolent communication

SB 3.9.31 & 32 / SB 10.8.41

Paramatma speaks when we have no separate desires / how to set off a ripple effect of divine energy / uniformitarianism: the assumption that the same laws that we witness apply everywhere in the universe / our desires compromise our objectivity / applicational spirituality / faithful & faithless Cro-Mags / letting go of the separate agenda / cultivating freedom from animosity / when Krishna is satisfied, the entire universe is satisfied

SB 3.14.47-51

if equal affection cannot be, let the more loving one be me / selflessness doesn’t deny the need for adherence to dharmic principles / Sri Chaitanya’s unconditional love / there will never be enough validation from others to make me feel whole / Xenotransplantation - is it possible to transplant a goat’s head to a human? / is it possible that past civilizations were more advanced? / we’ve got to throw out our material attachments to receive the more valuable treasures

SB 4.7.1-6

Raghu’s spiritual bucket list / the baby that fell in the donation box / the orphanage at the Chowpatty temple / 9 stages of bhakti / anartha nivrtti: decreasing of unwanted attachments / 4 types of anarthas / 5 kleshas (causes of suffering) / even good karma can be bad / corrupted files in the mind / the heart is a garden - the heart is a temple

On the occasion of the festival celebrating the appearance of Sri Nrisimhadeva the Lion like Avatara of Vishnu, Raghunath and Kaustubha discuss the stories and teaching of Nrisimhadeva and his boy devotee Sri Prahlada.

https://youtu.be/R4xKn0w3WMM

“I don't know why we are here, but I'm pretty sure that it is not in order to enjoy ourselves”? - Ludwig Wittgenstein / athāto brahma-jijñāsā - now is the time to inquire about the Absolute Truth / people get intoxicated by their good karma / the soul is the observer / a spiritually advanced person can understand how the spiritual particle exists within the body / One must find the soul by analysis, saying, “This is not it. This is not it.” / My body and mind are shape shifters / Epstein Island and the dark places we go when we are drunk on the world 

SB 7.7.21-23

Follow our podcast schedule at https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaQQ4xcGehEHtihNwq1X

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Anything we have to conquer can be integrated as part of our Bhakti practice / give it your best effort and be detached from the results / mastering an even mind, equal vision and inner happiness / becoming successful emotion managers / Hiraṇyakaśipu terrorizes the universe / pass on praise or it’ll kill you / broken egos search for satellites

SB 7.4.1-17

What does it mean to be self realized or God realized? / How to respond to scandals in Bhakti communities? / How do understand our indebtedness without feelings of lack of self-worth and shame?

Does God have to be a person? / What are some good practices for spiritual contemplation while walking in public? / I want to follow traditional fasts as part of the yoga culture but I work construction which is very physically demanding - what to do? / How do you trust “spiritual people” after you’ve been hurt, lied to, tricked, used, and manipulated by someone you looked up to?

Inferring the Divine string holding everything together / 3 levels of the absolute truth / Krishna is the most attentive friend / Krishna’s not our stepping stone / We are individual, eternal sparks of the divine / Sacrifice means understanding we are not the center / Krishna is the unconditional love we’re looking for

SB 7.10.48-49

response to a Stephen Hawking anti-nugget - we get it that computers don’t have an afterlife, but their users do / response to a Christopher Hitchens anti-nugget - we get it that germs cause disease, but where did the germs come from? / the forgotten past of microbiology from Sage Scientist Kanva in the Atharvaveda / nobody has a monopoly on truth / It takes a scientist, a  philosopher and a theologian / If we’re just bags of chemicals, why give holiday gifts? / Sattvika-bhavas - unpremeditated, involuntary expression arising directly from the spiritually surcharged consciousness / unconquerable Krishna is conquered by love / even Brahma is a secondhand God

SB 6.16.31-35

How can we best face our own mortality? / Can you speak on the relationship between Radha and Krishna / Are there any stories of Krisna with cats?

Embracing sacrifice and breaking out of comfort zones. In this very spontaneous episode of Wisdom of the Sages, Raghunath and Kaustubha discuss how life will occasionally tap us on the shoulder and call us to step up - a moment which may be our life’s “finest hour”. Each of us will face pivotal moments on our spiritual path where we must rise to the challenge. Through personal stories of vulnerability and determination, they share how taking that leap can lead to profound transformation and spiritual growth.

🌟 Highlights of the Episode:
✨ Inspiring and hilarious real-life stories of stepping into the unknown, from leaving careers to committing fully to bhakti yoga.
✨ What a tragedy if that moment finds us unprepared or unwilling.
✨ The power of surrender: how Krishna tests our devotion and rewards our courage with spiritual empowerment.
✨ Breaking free from fear and ego to embrace your higher calling.

This episode is a call to action for anyone seeking a life of deeper purpose and meaning. Tune in to reflect on your own “finest hour” and the opportunities life presents to grow through courage and devotion.

🌸 Subscribe for daily inspiration and join a global community on the journey of spiritual awakening.

🎧 Watch now! #RiseToTheChallenge #SpiritualCourage #BhaktiYoga #KrishnaConsciousness #WisdomOfTheSages

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 I look at my dogs life with envy, why are some births considered lower?

 / If you’re born on a higher planet and you still have a mind, what about it would be an improvement over the planet we’re already on? / Who judges or decides our next births?

As an adoptee, how can I understand the longing I have to meet my birth mother in the context of Bhakti-yoga? / Does a yogi just accept their ADHD, or do they try to mitigate it? / Is it too early to speak to my 5 year old about death and reincarnation? /  How to process life’s curses?

What happens when faith is tested to its limits? In this episode of Wisdom of the Sages, Raghunath and Kaustubha unpack the captivating story of Bali Maharaja’s encounter with Lord Vamanadeva. Stripped of his possessions, challenged on his word, and bound by the Supreme Lord, Bali Maharaja’s apparent downfall reveals a higher truth about surrender, integrity, and spiritual liberation.

Key Insights:
✨ Why Bali’s word of honor mattered more than his kingdom or his life.
✨ The divine plan behind Bali’s “arrest” and how it became his ultimate blessing.
✨ The symbolic power of Vamanadeva’s giant steps and their impact on universal harmony.

Discover how Bali Maharaja’s unwavering devotion transforms an apparent defeat into one of the greatest triumphs of Bhakti Yoga. This story isn’t just about faith—it’s about faith under fire and the transcendental rewards of complete surrender to God’s will.

🌟 Tune in and explore this timeless lesson from the Srimad Bhagavatam!
🎧 Subscribe to join thousands worldwide on the transformative path of Bhakti.

#BaliMaharaja #VamanaAvatar #BhaktiYoga #SurrenderToGod #SpiritualJourney

Check out the new app at https://apps.apple.com/app/id6670209189

Or on Android at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wots.wisdom_of_the_sages

SB 8.21.1-34

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Attachment is the great fabricator of illusions; reality can be attained only by someone who is detached. - Simone Weil / we are just here to love without caveats / we’re so attached to the jello that we’re unwilling to leave our jail cell / love every living being the way you love your dog / Shankara’s 5 Stanzas on the Loin Cloth / every material attachment will be pruned / our wrinkles are okay / you’re not the most anything / wisdom cuts out our big fat ego

SB 5.8.15-19

What can I do to love and accept myself? / What is the essence of love? / How do we handle relationships with family, friends & loved ones that are not on this Bhakti path? / How can we be a good Bhakti friend? / How do people stay motivated in Bhakti without the fear of hitting rock bottom? / What journey does the soul take after leaving the body? / How did you decide to dedicate your whole life to the path of renunciation and to Krishna? / How to face my shortcomings without blaming myself and making the problem even bigger?

Do you have advice for people entering marriage? / Should I give up the practice of Bhakti out of frustration? / Why do you think Krsna doesn't allow us to see Him? / With leaders growing older, how can the Krishna movement keep itself relevant to the current youth?

we must end this uncivil war / profoundly do we understand the spiritual nature that unites us all? / Krishna’s lila is both playful & didactic / true objectivity requires expanding the mind / when did God get cut out of meditation? / Vedic teachings is the Alice’s Restaurant of spirituality / why do we do asana? - 3 levels of faith / Bhakti is a yoga path that makes up for our weakness through attraction to its beauty

SB 3.1.44