Episodes

  • Swami Sarvapriyananda & Robert Thurman on Consciousness, Vedanta, and Madhyamika

    Swami Sarvapriyananda & Robert Thurman on Consciousness, Vedanta, and Madhyamika
    Jul 6 2026
    Join Swami Sarvapriyananda and the late Padma Shri Prof. Robert Thurman as they engage in a dialogue exploring the nature of consciousness through the lenses of Vedanta, Buddhism, and Madhyamika philosophy. A thought-provoking conversation on reality, self, and the deeper questions of human existence.This is a session from the International Conference on Vedanta at Stony Brook University in May 2026, organized by Vedanta Forum (https://www.vedantaforum.org). This dialog moderated by Mukunda Raghavan, is being posted here with their kind permission. Our sincere gratitude to the organizing team for making this event possible.🙏 Please Support the Vedanta Society of New Yorkhttp://www.vedantany.org/donate🌐 Please Visit UsWebsite: https://vedantany.orgApple & Spotify Podcasts: https://www.vedantany.org/media-channelsYouTube (Main Channel): / @vedantany YouTube (Archives): / @vedantanyarchives Facebook: / vedantany X / Twitter: / vedantany 📙 Books by Swami Sarvapriyanandahttps://www.vedantany.org/swamis-booksLecture Series by Swami Sarvapriyananda📓 Introductory Lectures: https://www.vedantany.org/introductor... 📚 Vedanta Scriptures: https://www.vedantany.org/by-scriptures🧩 Lectures by Topics: https://www.vedantany.org/by-topic💬 AskSwami Q&A: https://www.vedantany.org/ask-swami-qa📖 Scriptures Taught by Swami Sarvapriyananda • Aparokshanubhuti | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Bhagavad Gita | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Brihadaranyaka Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriy... • Dṛg Dṛśya Viveka | Swami Sarvapriyananda • The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna | Swami Sarv... • Isha Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Katha Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Kena Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Mandukya Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Mundaka Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Vedantasara of Sadananda | Swami Sarvapriy... 🪔 About VedantaVedanta is among the world’s oldest spiritual philosophies and one of its most inclusive. Rooted in the Vedas, India’s sacred scriptures, Vedanta upholds the unity of all existence, the divinity of the soul, and harmony among religions.🏛️ About This ChannelThis is the official channel of the Vedanta Society of New York, a spiritual institution affiliated with the Ramakrishna Order of India and holds the distinction of being its first established Center, founded by Swami Vivekananda in 1894. Swami Sarvapriyananda currently serves as the Resident Minister and Spiritual Leader of the Vedanta Society of New York.📜 Content Use Policyhttps://www.vedantany.org/content-policy
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    46 mins
  • Being without Becoming | Swami Anubhavananda Saraswati

    Being without Becoming | Swami Anubhavananda Saraswati
    Jun 20 2026
    Swami Anubhavananda is a renowned Vedanta teacher known for his joyful and practical message of “Be Happy.” He served as an acharya (teacher) at Sandeepany Sadhanalaya in Mumbai, a postgraduate academy for Vedantic studies, and is the founder of the Sat Bhavana Trust.He is widely respected for his engaging and insightful discourses on the Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads, Patanjali Yoga Sutras, Srimad Bhagavatam, Panchadashi, Tripura Rahasya, and other spiritual texts. He has conducted numerous retreats and programs for adults and children under the theme “Mauj Mein Raho” (“Be Happy”).Swami Anubhavananda is also a visiting faculty member at leading management and engineering institutes in India, where he teaches Vedanta, Yoga, and management principles. He has been awarded an honorary doctorate by the Intercultural Open University of the Netherlands.🙏 Please Support the Vedanta Society of New Yorkhttp://www.vedantany.org/donate🌐 Please Visit UsWebsite: https://vedantany.orgApple & Spotify Podcasts: https://www.vedantany.org/media-channelsYouTube (Main Channel): / @vedantany YouTube (Archives): / @vedantanyarchives Facebook: / vedantany X / Twitter: / vedantany 📙 Books by Swami Sarvapriyanandahttps://www.vedantany.org/swamis-booksLecture Series by Swami Sarvapriyananda📓 Introductory Lectures: https://www.vedantany.org/introductor... 📚 Vedanta Scriptures: https://www.vedantany.org/by-scriptures🧩 Lectures by Topics: https://www.vedantany.org/by-topic💬 AskSwami Q&A: https://www.vedantany.org/ask-swami-qa📖 Scriptures Taught by Swami Sarvapriyananda • Aparokshanubhuti | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Bhagavad Gita | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Brihadaranyaka Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriy... • Dṛg Dṛśya Viveka | Swami Sarvapriyananda • The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna | Swami Sarv... • Isha Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Katha Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Kena Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Mandukya Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Mundaka Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Vedantasara of Sadananda | Swami Sarvapriy... 🪔 About VedantaVedanta is among the world’s oldest spiritual philosophies and one of its most inclusive. Rooted in the Vedas, India’s sacred scriptures, Vedanta upholds the unity of all existence, the divinity of the soul, and harmony among religions.🏛️ About This ChannelThis is the official channel of the Vedanta Society of New York, a spiritual institution affiliated with the Ramakrishna Order of India and holds the distinction of being its first established Center, founded by Swami Vivekananda in 1894. Swami Sarvapriyananda currently serves as the Resident Minister and Spiritual Leader of the Vedanta Society of New York.📜 Content Use Policyhttps://www.vedantany.org/content-policy
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    1 hr and 31 mins
  • The Joy of Spiritual Practice | Pravrajika Shuddhatmaprana

    The Joy of Spiritual Practice | Pravrajika Shuddhatmaprana
    Jun 20 2026
    Pravrajika Shuddhatmaprana is an ordained nun of the Vedanta Society of Southern California, and is currently posted at the Vivekananda Retreat in Ridgely, New York (https://ridgely.org). For many years, Shuddhatmaprana has been active in the publication work of the Ramakrishna Order, editing numerous books and articles. She has also written many articles and is the author of two books – The Divine World of the Alvars and Indian Saints and Mystics.🙏 Please Support the Vedanta Society of New Yorkhttp://www.vedantany.org/donate🌐 Please Visit UsWebsite: https://vedantany.orgApple & Spotify Podcasts: https://www.vedantany.org/media-channelsYouTube (Main Channel): / @vedantany YouTube (Archives): / @vedantanyarchives Facebook: / vedantany X / Twitter: / vedantany 📙 Books by Swami Sarvapriyanandahttps://www.vedantany.org/swamis-booksLecture Series by Swami Sarvapriyananda📓 Introductory Lectures: https://www.vedantany.org/introductor... 📚 Vedanta Scriptures: https://www.vedantany.org/by-scriptures🧩 Lectures by Topics: https://www.vedantany.org/by-topic💬 AskSwami Q&A: https://www.vedantany.org/ask-swami-qa📖 Scriptures Taught by Swami Sarvapriyananda • Aparokshanubhuti | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Bhagavad Gita | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Brihadaranyaka Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriy... • Dṛg Dṛśya Viveka | Swami Sarvapriyananda • The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna | Swami Sarv... • Isha Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Katha Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Kena Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Mandukya Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Mundaka Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Vedantasara of Sadananda | Swami Sarvapriy... 🪔 About VedantaVedanta is among the world’s oldest spiritual philosophies and one of its most inclusive. Rooted in the Vedas, India’s sacred scriptures, Vedanta upholds the unity of all existence, the divinity of the soul, and harmony among religions.🏛️ About This ChannelThis is the official channel of the Vedanta Society of New York, a spiritual institution affiliated with the Ramakrishna Order of India and holds the distinction of being its first established Center, founded by Swami Vivekananda in 1894. Swami Sarvapriyananda currently serves as the Resident Minister and Spiritual Leader of the Vedanta Society of New York.📜 Content Use Policyhttps://www.vedantany.org/content-policy
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    1 hr and 7 mins
  • On Freedom and Fatalism: The Yogavasistha and Arthur Schopenhauer | Dr. Aleksandar Uskokov

    On Freedom and Fatalism: The Yogavasistha and Arthur Schopenhauer | Dr. Aleksandar Uskokov
    Jun 20 2026
    Dr. Aleksandar Uskokov is Senior Lector in Sanskrit in the South Asian Studies Council. He works in Indian philosophy and the history of ideas, primarily in the traditions of Vedānta, Mīmāṁsā, and Vaishnavism. He holds a PhD in South Asian Languages and Civilizations from the University of Chicago, and a BA and an MA in philosophy from the Ss. Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje. His most recent book publication is The Philosophy of The Brahma-sutra: An Introduction from Bloomsbury Academic. Aleksandar has also published in the Journal of the American Oriental Society, the Journal of Hindu Studies, and the Journal of Vaishnava Studies, as well as in the Springer Encyclopedia of Hinduism and Tribal Religions. In addition, he has published Macedonian translations of select Upaniṣads, Kālidāsa’s Abhijñāna-Śākuntalam, the Nalopakhyāna, and the Hitopadeśa.🙏 Please Support the Vedanta Society of New Yorkhttp://www.vedantany.org/donate🌐 Please Visit UsWebsite: https://vedantany.orgApple & Spotify Podcasts: https://www.vedantany.org/media-channelsYouTube (Main Channel): / @vedantany YouTube (Archives): / @vedantanyarchives Facebook: / vedantany X / Twitter: / vedantany 📙 Books by Swami Sarvapriyanandahttps://www.vedantany.org/swamis-booksLecture Series by Swami Sarvapriyananda📓 Introductory Lectures: https://www.vedantany.org/introductor... 📚 Vedanta Scriptures: https://www.vedantany.org/by-scriptures🧩 Lectures by Topics: https://www.vedantany.org/by-topic💬 AskSwami Q&A: https://www.vedantany.org/ask-swami-qa📖 Scriptures Taught by Swami Sarvapriyananda • Aparokshanubhuti | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Bhagavad Gita | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Brihadaranyaka Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriy... • Dṛg Dṛśya Viveka | Swami Sarvapriyananda • The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna | Swami Sarv... • Isha Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Katha Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Kena Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Mandukya Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Mundaka Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Vedantasara of Sadananda | Swami Sarvapriy... 🪔 About VedantaVedanta is among the world’s oldest spiritual philosophies and one of its most inclusive. Rooted in the Vedas, India’s sacred scriptures, Vedanta upholds the unity of all existence, the divinity of the soul, and harmony among religions.🏛️ About This ChannelThis is the official channel of the Vedanta Society of New York, a spiritual institution affiliated with the Ramakrishna Order of India and holds the distinction of being its first established Center, founded by Swami Vivekananda in 1894. Swami Sarvapriyananda currently serves as the Resident Minister and Spiritual Leader of the Vedanta Society of New York.📜 Content Use Policyhttps://www.vedantany.org/content-policy
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    1 hr and 25 mins
  • Gospel | Chapter 6: Dec 1882 (Part 3) | Swami Sarvapriyananda

    Gospel | Chapter 6: Dec 1882 (Part 3) | Swami Sarvapriyananda
    Jun 7 2026
    Swami Sarvapriyananda reads and discusses the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna is an English translation of the Bengali spiritual text Sri Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita by Swami Nikhilananda. The text records conversations of Ramakrishna with his disciples, devotees and visitors, recorded by Mahendranath Gupta, who wrote the book under the pseudonym of "M."This session was recorded on Oct 18, 2022.🙏 Please Support the Vedanta Society of New Yorkhttp://www.vedantany.org/donate🌐 Please Visit UsWebsite: https://vedantany.orgApple & Spotify Podcasts: https://www.vedantany.org/media-channelsYouTube (Main Channel): / @vedantany YouTube (Archives): / @vedantanyarchives Facebook: / vedantany X / Twitter: / vedantany 📙 Books by Swami Sarvapriyanandahttps://www.vedantany.org/swamis-booksLecture Series by Swami Sarvapriyananda📓 Introductory Lectures: https://www.vedantany.org/introductor... 📚 Vedanta Scriptures: https://www.vedantany.org/by-scriptures🧩 Lectures by Topics: https://www.vedantany.org/by-topic💬 AskSwami Q&A: https://www.vedantany.org/ask-swami-qa📖 Scriptures Taught by Swami Sarvapriyananda • Aparokshanubhuti | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Bhagavad Gita | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Brihadaranyaka Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriy... • Dṛg Dṛśya Viveka | Swami Sarvapriyananda • The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna | Swami Sarv... • Isha Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Katha Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Kena Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Mandukya Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Mundaka Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Vedantasara of Sadananda | Swami Sarvapriy... 🪔 About VedantaVedanta is among the world’s oldest spiritual philosophies and one of its most inclusive. Rooted in the Vedas, India’s sacred scriptures, Vedanta upholds the unity of all existence, the divinity of the soul, and harmony among religions.🏛️ About This ChannelThis is the official channel of the Vedanta Society of New York, a spiritual institution affiliated with the Ramakrishna Order of India and holds the distinction of being its first established Center, founded by Swami Vivekananda in 1894. Swami Sarvapriyananda currently serves as the Resident Minister and Spiritual Leader of the Vedanta Society of New York.📜 Content Use Policyhttps://www.vedantany.org/content-policy
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    59 mins
  • Gospel | Chapter 6: Dec 1882 (Part 2) | Swami Sarvapriyananda

    Gospel | Chapter 6: Dec 1882 (Part 2) | Swami Sarvapriyananda
    Jun 7 2026
    Swami Sarvapriyananda reads and discusses the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna is an English translation of the Bengali spiritual text Sri Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita by Swami Nikhilananda. The text records conversations of Ramakrishna with his disciples, devotees and visitors, recorded by Mahendranath Gupta, who wrote the book under the pseudonym of "M."This session was recorded on Oct 4, 2022.🙏 Please Support the Vedanta Society of New Yorkhttp://www.vedantany.org/donate🌐 Please Visit UsWebsite: https://vedantany.orgApple & Spotify Podcasts: https://www.vedantany.org/media-channelsYouTube (Main Channel): / @vedantany YouTube (Archives): / @vedantanyarchives Facebook: / vedantany X / Twitter: / vedantany 📙 Books by Swami Sarvapriyanandahttps://www.vedantany.org/swamis-booksLecture Series by Swami Sarvapriyananda📓 Introductory Lectures: https://www.vedantany.org/introductor... 📚 Vedanta Scriptures: https://www.vedantany.org/by-scriptures🧩 Lectures by Topics: https://www.vedantany.org/by-topic💬 AskSwami Q&A: https://www.vedantany.org/ask-swami-qa📖 Scriptures Taught by Swami Sarvapriyananda • Aparokshanubhuti | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Bhagavad Gita | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Brihadaranyaka Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriy... • Dṛg Dṛśya Viveka | Swami Sarvapriyananda • The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna | Swami Sarv... • Isha Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Katha Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Kena Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Mandukya Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Mundaka Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriyananda • Vedantasara of Sadananda | Swami Sarvapriy... 🪔 About VedantaVedanta is among the world’s oldest spiritual philosophies and one of its most inclusive. Rooted in the Vedas, India’s sacred scriptures, Vedanta upholds the unity of all existence, the divinity of the soul, and harmony among religions.🏛️ About This ChannelThis is the official channel of the Vedanta Society of New York, a spiritual institution affiliated with the Ramakrishna Order of India and holds the distinction of being its first established Center, founded by Swami Vivekananda in 1894. Swami Sarvapriyananda currently serves as the Resident Minister and Spiritual Leader of the Vedanta Society of New York.📜 Content Use Policyhttps://www.vedantany.org/content-policy
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • 177. Bhagavad Gita | Chapter 15, Verses 7-9 | Swami Sarvapriyananda

    177. Bhagavad Gita | Chapter 15, Verses 7-9 | Swami Sarvapriyananda
    May 21 2026

    Swami Sarvapriyananda continues teaching verse 6 from the fifteenth chapter, entitled Purushottama Yoga, the Yoga of the Supreme Being, of the Bhagavad Gita. This series of talks by Swami Sarvapriyananda on the Bhagavad Gita, 'the Song of God,' unfolds the highest truths of Vedanta.

    ____________

    Chapter 15, Verse 7


    ममैवांशो जीवलोके जीवभूत: सनातन: |

    मन:षष्ठानीन्द्रियाणि प्रकृतिस्थानि कर्षति || 7||


    mamaivānśho jīva-loke jīva-bhūtaḥ sanātanaḥ

    manaḥ-ṣhaṣhṭhānīndriyāṇi prakṛiti-sthāni karṣhati


    The embodied souls in this material world are My eternal fragmental parts. But bound by material nature, they are struggling with the six senses including the mind.

    ____________

    Chapter 15, Verse 8


    शरीरं यदवाप्नोति यच्चाप्युत्क्रामतीश्वर: |

    गृहीत्वैतानि संयाति वायुर्गन्धानिवाशयात् || 8||


    śharīraṁ yad avāpnoti yach chāpy utkrāmatīśhvaraḥ

    gṛihītvaitāni sanyāti vāyur gandhān ivāśhayāt


    As the air carries fragrance from place to place, so does the embodied soul carry the mind and senses with it, when it leaves an old body and enters a new one.

    ____________

    Chapter 15, Verse 9


    श्रोत्रं चक्षु: स्पर्शनं च रसनं घ्राणमेव च |

    अधिष्ठाय मनश्चायं विषयानुपसेवते || 9||


    śhrotraṁ chakṣhuḥ sparśhanaṁ cha rasanaṁ ghrāṇam eva cha

    adhiṣhṭhāya manaśh chāyaṁ viṣhayān upasevate


    Using the sense perceptions of the ears, eyes, skin, tongue, and nose, which are grouped around the mind, the embodied soul savors the objects of the senses.
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    1 hr and 32 mins
  • Gospel | Chapter 6: Nov 1882 | Swami Sarvapriyananda

    Gospel | Chapter 6: Nov 1882 | Swami Sarvapriyananda
    May 20 2026

    The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna | Swami Sarvapriyananda

    Swami Sarvapriyananda reads and discusses the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna is an English translation of the Bengali spiritual text Sri Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita by Swami Nikhilananda. The text records conversations of Ramakrishna with his disciples, devotees and visitors, recorded by Mahendranath Gupta, who wrote the book under the pseudonym of "M."
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    53 mins