The Bhagavata Podcast

In this episode of the Bhagavata Podcast, Bhrigupada Dasa (Dr Måns Broo) welcomes back Radhika Ramana Dasa (Dr Ravi Gupta) to explore Canto 1, Chapter 15: The Pandavas Retire Timely. Beginning with Arjuna’s confirmation of Krishna’s departure, the conversation traces grief, remembrance, and vipralambha, love intensified through separation. Through close reading and lived reflection, the episode explores how loss dismantles worldly identity and reveals Arjuna’s deeper identity as Krishna’s friend.

The dialogue moves through luminous Sanskrit verses, the withdrawal of divine power, Draupadi’s agency, and the Bhagavata’s post-Mahabharata clearing of the stage. The chapter c...

In this episode of the Bhagavata Podcast, Bhrigupada Dasa (Dr Måns Broo) welcomes back Jayananda Dasa (Dr Janne Kontala) to explore Canto 1, Chapter 14: The Disappearance of Lord Krishna. The conversation follows Yudhishthira’s growing anxiety as strange omens appear, Arjuna’s delayed return becomes ominous, and the unspoken fear of Krishna’s departure hangs between the brothers. Through close reading and lived experience, they unpack how exalted devotees can simultaneously be spiritually realized and emotionally shaken.

The dialogue ranges from the anthropology of omens to yogic subtle anatomy, from Yudhishthira’s pastoral sensitivity to the paradox of vipral...

In this episode of the Bhagavata Podcast, Bhrigupada Dasa (Dr. Mans Broo) welcomes Sundar Gopal Das to explore Canto 1, Chapter 13: Dhritarashtra Quits Home. The conversation traces Vidura’s return from pilgrimage, his tough love that awakens Dhritarashtra to seek his ultimate good, and the secret night departure to the forest with Gandhari. Narada arrives with forward-looking counsel, asking Yudhishthira not to interfere and foretelling Dhritarashtra’s yogic end in five days. Along the way, the dialogue reflects on mortality, forgiveness, grief, and how the Bhagavata’s layered storytelling (stories within stories) keeps past, present, and future in view.

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In this episode of the Bhagavata Podcast, Bhrigupada Dasa (Dr. Mans Broo) is joined by Jayananda Dasa (Dr. Janne Kontala) to unpack the 12th Chapter of the First Canto. Their conversation follows two intertwined arcs: Yudhishthira’s preparation to leave the world and ensure stable leadership after him, and the auspicious rise of Parikshit, protected in the womb by Krishna and poised to become both exemplary ruler and ideal listener of the Bhagavata. They explore the text’s concern about leaderless societies, the pedagogy of praising kings with classical exemplars, and how viraha (longing) and milana (meeting) shape the cant...

In this episode, Bhrigupada Dasa (Dr. Måns Broo) and Krishna Kshetra Swami (Dr. Kenneth Valpey) delve into the 11th chapter of the Bhagavatam, exploring the themes of Krishna's arrival in Dvaraka, the emotional dynamics of separation and reunion, and the contrasting natures of devotion exhibited by the residents of Dvaraka and Vrindavan. They discuss the significance of community in bhakti, the allegorical interpretations of Krishna's actions, and the emotional expressions of the queens upon his return. The conversation highlights the complexities of Krishna's detachment and the cultural nuances of devotion, culminating in reflections on the chapter's teachings and i...

In this episode of the Bhagavata Podcast, Bhrigupada Dasa (Dr. Måns Broo) is joined by Shaunaka Rishi Dasa for a rich and wide-ranging exploration of Canto 1, Chapter 10 of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. In this chapter, Yudhiṣṭhira ascends to the throne and, with guidance from Bhīṣma and Kṛṣṇa, establishes a reign of peace, prosperity, and harmony. But the real heart of the chapter lies in the interweaving of political dharma, divine relationships, and deep philosophical reflection.

Together, they reflect on Yudhiṣṭhira’s inner world, his reluctance to lead, his depth of thought, and his capacity to rule wi...

In this episode of the Bhagavata Podcast, Bhrigupada Dasa (Dr. Måns Broo) is joined by scholar and teacher Radhika Ramana Dasa (Dr. Ravi Gupta) for an in-depth exploration of Canto 1, Chapter 9 of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Picking up the story immediately after the Mahābhārata war, we witness the Pandavas’ crushing grief, Bhīṣmadeva’s consolations, and the profound lessons he imparts as he lies on his bed of arrows—culminating in an exemplar “good death.”

At the heart of their discussion are Bhīṣmadeva’s stages of consolation: first sharing in the Pandavas’ sorrow, then reframing their suffe...

In this episode of the Bhagavata Podcast, Bhrigupada Dasa (Dr. Måns Broo) is joined by scholar and teacher Radhika Ramana Dasa (Dr. Ravi Gupta) for an in-depth exploration of Chapter 8 of the First Canto of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. As Krishna prepares to leave Hastinapura for Dwaraka, the chapter unfolds as a deeply emotional and theological moment—marked by silence, prayer, memory, and transformation.

At the heart of this episode are the profound prayers of Queen Kunti, whose reflections on suffering, divine presence, and detachment have become some of the most beloved verses in the Bhagavatam. The di...

In this episode of the Bhagavata Podcast, Bhrigupada Dasa (Dr. Måns Broo) is joined by yoga scholar and spiritual teacher Jayananda Dasa (Dr. Janne Kontala) to explore the 7th Chapter of the First Canto of the Bhagavata Purana. The conversation ranges from Vyasa’s samadhi and the origins of the Bhagavatam to nuclear-scale weapons, ethical complexity among enlightened beings, and the transformative power of bhakti-yoga. 

Drawing from his deep experience in yoga philosophy and worldview studies, Jayananda offers compelling insights into spiritual experience, religious authority, and the necessity of inner transformation. The dialogue reflects on how even...

In this moving and richly layered episode of The Bhagavata Podcast, Bhrigupada Dasa (Dr. Måns Broo) is joined once again by Radhika Ramana Dasa (Dr. Ravi Gupta) to explore Chapter 6 of the First Canto of the Bhagavata Purana—a pivotal narrative that recounts Narada Muni’s spiritual origin story.

Prompted by Vyasa’s curiosity, Narada Muni narrates the story of his previous life as the son of a humble maidservant serving in an ashram of sages. What unfolds is a deeply human tale of loss, love, renunciation, and longing—as a five-year-old boy sets out alone into the...

In this episode of the Bhagavata Podcast, Bhrigupada Das (Dr. Måns Broo) and his guest, Krishna Kshetra Swami (Dr. Kenneth Valpey), explore the 5th Chapter of Canto 1 of the Bhagavata Purana, focusing on the transformative encounter between Narada Muni and Vyasadeva. They discuss how Narada’s sharp critique of Vyasa’s literary work serves as a turning point, emphasizing the necessity of directly glorifying the Supreme Lord in spiritual literature. The conversation touches on the themes of existential doubt, the pedagogy of discomfort, and the importance of sangha—both as association and attachment—in spiritual growth. Through thoughtful analysis...

In this episode of the Bhagavata Podcast, Bhrigupada Das (Dr. Måns Broo) and his guest, Sundar Gopal Das (Simon Hass) delve into the 4th Chapter of Canto 1 of the Bhagavata Purana, exploring the qualities of the ideal speaker and listener, the significance of Vyasadeva's crisis, and the urgency of spiritual practice. They discuss how the Bhagavatam serves as a guide for both practitioners and scholars, emphasizing the importance of approaching the text with humility and a desire for spiritual growth. The conversation highlights the interplay between suffering and spiritual advancement, encouraging listeners to engage deeply with the teachings o...

In this episode of the Bhagavata Podcast, Dr. Måns Broo and Radhika Ramana Dasa delve into the third chapter of the Srimad-Bhagavatam, focusing on the concept of Krishna's avatars and their theological implications. They explore the significance of the term 'avatar', its etymology, and how it differs from the concept of incarnation. The discussion also touches on the accessibility of God in relation to human suffering, the nature of avatars in modern spirituality, and the Bhagavata Purana's role as a guiding light in the age of Kali. Key verses are highlighted, emphasizing their importance in understanding the text a...

In this episode of the Bhagavata Podcast, hosts Bhrigupada Das and Krishna Kshetra Swami delve into the second chapter of the Bhagavata Purana, exploring its structure, themes, and the significance of bhakti and dharma. They discuss the ideal reader of the text, the process of receiving knowledge, and the timeless nature of the Bhagavatam. The conversation also touches on the challenges of translation, the differences between Prabhupada's commentary and traditional commentaries, and the inclusivity of the Bhagavatam while maintaining its boundaries. Through engaging dialogue, the hosts aim to inspire listeners to appreciate the depth and richness of the Bhagavata...

This episode of The Bhagavata Podcast explores the Bhagavata Purana, a central text in Vaishnavism, through the insights of scholars and practitioners. Today's conversation delves into the complexities of the text, its philosophical depth, and the personal journeys of those engaging with it. In this conversation, Shaunaka Rishi Das and Bhrigupada Das explore the themes of spiritual inquiry, the urgency of facing death, and the transformative power of engaging with the Bhagavatam. They discuss the qualifications for understanding the text, the transgressive aspects of its teachings, and how it redefines spiritual hierarchies. The conversation emphasizes the relevance of the...