Wendy Doniger’s An American Girl in India: Letters and Recollections, 1963–64 (2022) is a memoir-style collection of letters and reflections from her first trip to India as a young scholar. It offers a rare glimpse into the formative experiences that shaped her future career in Indology. The personal letters of her younger self are in conversation with reflections of her older self. Using this work as a launchpad, this interview broaches Doniger's personal and professional life learning through the course of her prominent career, spanning over five decades. This conversation commemorates Dr. Raj’s 400th New Books Network podcast interview. As it is laden with life wisdom and live learning for both participants, it is reposted here for your enjoyment.

The Indian Wisdom Podcast is hosted by Dr. Raj Balkaran, a Sanskrit scholar, seasoned storyteller and spiritual lineage holder. He teaches at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies and at The Indian Wisdom School. He is also the author of "The Stories Behind the Poses: The Indian Mythology that Inspired 50 Yoga Postures” and runs a thriving one-on-one spiritual guidance practice.

Personal Website: https://rajbalkaran.com

Courses: https://indianwisdomschool.com

Podcast: https://indianwisdompodcast.com

Meet Anya Golovkova who is soon teaching an online 9-week Sanskrit Devī Māhātmya reading course at Yogic Studies – starts May 5!

SKT 206 | Reading the Devīmāhātmya: https://www.yogicstudies.com/skt-206

The Indian Wisdom Podcast is hosted by Dr. Raj Balkaran, a Sanskrit scholar, seasoned storyteller and spiritual lineage holder. He teaches at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies and at The Indian Wisdom School. He is also the author of "The Stories Behind the Poses: The Indian Mythology that Inspired 50 Yoga Postures” and runs a thriving one-on-one spiritual guidance practice.

Personal Website: https://rajbalkaran.com

Courses: https://indianwisdomschool.com

Podcast: https://indianwisdompodcast.com

Have a listen to this longform podcast episode where Dr. Raj is interviewed on connections across mythology, yoga postures, tantra, powers, consciousness – and more! The interviewer is Raghav Sharma from Discovery of an Author Podcast, who took a keen interest in Dr. Raj’s new book “The Stories Behind the Poses”.

Discovery of an Author Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@DiscoveryofanAuthor

The Indian Wisdom Podcast is hosted by Dr. Raj Balkaran, a Sanskrit scholar, seasoned storyteller and spiritual lineage holder. He teaches at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies and at The Indian Wisdom School. He is also the author of "The Stories Behind the Poses: The Indian Mythology that Inspired 50 Yoga Postures” and runs a thriving one-on-one spiritual guidance practice.

Personal Website: https://rajbalkaran.com

Courses: https://indianwisdomschool.com

Podcast: https://indianwisdompodcast.com