Ayurvedic Healing & Beyond

Dr Vignesh Devraj

In Ayurveda we say, health is the foundation to enjoy the beauty of life. This podcast is a guide for you to reconnect with the most powerful, natural healing resources in order to benefit from optimal health and vitality. We will give you simple tools and practical advice to easily integrate herbal remedies and ancient healing methods such as meditation, breathing practices and ayurvedic nutrition into your modern lifestyle. Tune in and be inspired by enlightening stories from genuine healers around the world and individuals sharing how natural healing transformed their life.

  • 9 minutes 26 seconds
    #268 Why You Feel Dead at 3 PM: The Truth About Naps Nobody Tells You | With Dr. Vignesh Devraj MD (Ay)

    Napping is often misunderstood as laziness, but what if it’s actually a performance booster? There’s a difference between napping and sleeping, and this episode explores the Ayurvedic perspective behind it, explaining why your body naturally experiences an energy dip and how intentional naps can enhance focus, recovery, and productivity.


    Key Topics Covered

    Why napping is often stigmatized

    The Science of Energy dips

    Daytime Sleep & Kapha Dosha

    Sleep inertia and its impact

    How long naps affect night sleep


    Timestamps

    00:00 - 01:00: Why we feel guilty about napping

    01:00 - 03:30: “discipline” vs body awareness

    03:30 - 05:30: Ayurvedic view of post-lunch drowsiness

    05:30 - 06:30: Sleep inertia explained

    06:30 - 07:00: food & sleepiness

    07:00 - 08:00: 7-day experiment

    08:00 - 09:00: Episode Takeaways


    About Dr Vignesh Devraj


    Dr Vignesh Devraj is a fourth-generation Ayurvedic physician and the founder of Sitaram Retreat, Kerala, a space for authentic healing. He is a committed practitioner and researcher of Panchakarma.


    If you are interested in doing a one-on-one Ayurvedic consultation with Dr Vignesh Devraj please find the details in this link: https://calendly.com/drvignesh/30-minute-session-with-dr-vignesh-devraj-md-ay-ist


    If you are economically challenged, please use the form provided to request a free Ayurvedic consultation here.

    (or copy paste this in your browser: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd29nHcrC1RssR-6WAqWCWQWKKJo7nGcEm8ITEl2-ErcnfVEg/viewform )


    BALANCING THE MIGHTY VATA - ONLINE COURSE NOW AVAILABLE


    Vata is responsible for Prana - the life energy, the nervous system - the master panel of our body, and our emotions. In Ayurveda, it is mentioned that controlling Vata is the most difficult part of healing and recovery. Watch my practical inputs that can be integrated into our life at https://vigneshdevraj.com/balancing-the-mighty-vata/


    For further information about Dr Vignesh Devraj, kindly visit www.vigneshdevraj.com and www.sitaramretreat.com


    Instagram - @sitarambeachretreat | @vigneshdevraj

    Twitter - @VigneshDevraj


    We truly hope you are enjoying our content. Leave your review and subscribe to the podcast, so you’ll never miss out on any new episodes. Thanks for your support.


    Disclaimer: - We strongly do not recommend using the content of these episodes as medical advice for any medical conditions.

    1 April 2026, 10:30 pm
  • 14 minutes 23 seconds
    #267 Why Coffee Works for Some People and Backfires for Others | With Dr. Vignesh Devraj MD (Ay)

    Most of us cannot start our day without a cup of coffee, but is it actually giving us energy, or just hiding fatigue? In this episode, we explore coffee through both Ayurveda and modern physiology. This is not about labeling coffee as “good” or “bad,” but understanding how it interacts with your body. Why does coffee make some people feel sharp and productive, while others feel anxious, restless, or still tired even after multiple cups?


    Episode Highlights:

    How caffeine actually works in the brain

    Why does your body build tolerance over time

    The Ayurvedic understanding of coffee

    Its impact on digestion, sleep, and the nervous system

    And how to consume coffee without dependency


    Timestamps:

    00:00 - 01:30: Coffee For Sharper Focus

    01:30 - 04:00: Origins of Coffee

    04:00 - 05:00: Filter coffee as a ritual

    05:00 - 07:00: Coffee through Ayurveda

    07:00 - 09:30: Caffeine Addiction Explained

    09:30 - 10:30: Coffee and Vata

    10:30 - 11:30: Coffee and sleep

    11:31 - 12:30: Decaf coffee

    12:35 - 13:30: Habit loops & Panchakarma detox

    13:30 - 14:40: Key takeaway


    About Dr Vignesh Devraj


    Dr Vignesh Devraj is a fourth-generation Ayurvedic physician and the founder of Sitaram Retreat, Kerala, a space for authentic healing. He is a committed practitioner and researcher of Panchakarma.


    If you are interested in doing a one-on-one Ayurvedic consultation with Dr Vignesh Devraj please find the details in this link: https://calendly.com/drvignesh/30-minute-session-with-dr-vignesh-devraj-md-ay-ist


    If you are economically challenged, please use the form provided to request a free Ayurvedic consultation here.

    (or copy paste this in your browser: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd29nHcrC1RssR-6WAqWCWQWKKJo7nGcEm8ITEl2-ErcnfVEg/viewform )


    BALANCING THE MIGHTY VATA - ONLINE COURSE NOW AVAILABLE


    Vata is responsible for Prana - the life energy, the nervous system - the master panel of our body, and our emotions. In Ayurveda, it is mentioned that controlling Vata is the most difficult part of healing and recovery. Watch my practical inputs that can be integrated into our life at https://vigneshdevraj.com/balancing-the-mighty-vata/


    For further information about Dr Vignesh Devraj, kindly visit www.vigneshdevraj.com and www.sitaramretreat.com


    Instagram - @sitarambeachretreat | @vigneshdevraj

    Twitter - @VigneshDevraj


    We truly hope you are enjoying our content. Leave your review and subscribe to the podcast, so you’ll never miss out on any new episodes. Thanks for your support.


    Disclaimer: - We strongly do not recommend using the content of these episodes as medical advice for any medical conditions.

    25 March 2026, 10:30 pm
  • 52 minutes 17 seconds
    #266 Spirituality in Healthcare: What Dying People Taught Me About Being Alive | With Dr. Vignesh Devraj MD (Ay) and Kenneth Nacario Lee

    If you are interested in doing a one-on-one Ayurvedic consultation with Dr Vignesh Devraj please find the details in this link: https://calendly.com/drvignesh/30-minute-session-with-dr-vignesh-devraj-md-ay-ist


    If you are economically challenged, please use the form provided to request a free Ayurvedic consultation here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd29nHcrC1RssR-6WAqWCWQWKKJo7nGcEm8ITEl2-ErcnfVEg/viewform


    BALANCING THE MIGHTY VATA - ONLINE COURSE NOW AVAILABLE


    What makes Ayurveda unique in its treatment approach is its practical wisdom on the concept of Vata. Vata is responsible for Prana - the life energy, the nervous system - the master panel of our body, and our emotions. In Ayurveda, it is mentioned that controlling Vata is the most difficult part of healing and recovery. Recently, I recorded a workshop on Balancing The Mighty Vata, with over 6 hrs of content and notes filled with practical insights that can be integrated into our lives.


    You can access this at: https://vigneshdevraj.com/balancing-the-mighty-vata/


    For further information about Dr. Vignesh Devraj, kindly visit www.vigneshdevraj.com and www.sitaramretreat.com


    Instagram - @sitarambeachretreat | @vigneshdevraj

    Linkedin - Dr Vignesh Devraj

    Twitter - @VigneshDevraj


    In this deeply reflective conversation with a hospice chaplain, Ken shares insights from years of providing spiritual care in moments of life, suffering, and death. He explains how spiritual health is increasingly recognized as an essential dimension of wellbeing, alongside physical, mental, and emotional health. The discussion explores how chaplains support people across faiths, what happens psychologically and spiritually when someone approaches death, and why simply being present with someone in suffering can be the most powerful form of care.


    Drawing from bhakti traditions, Ken explains how devotion is rooted not in fear of God, but in love and relationship. Dr. Vignesh reflects on how religion can sometimes create guilt and rigid pathways, while spirituality often offers freedom and agency. Ultimately, the conversation arrives at a deeper question: beyond labels like religion or spirituality, what truly matters?


    Timestamps

    00:00 - 05:00: Chaplain and Spiritual Health

    05:00 - 13:00: The “ministry of presence.”

    13:00 - 15:30: Consistency in spiritual care

    15:30 - 17:00: Caring for caregivers

    17:00 - 27:00: How to Approach Death

    27:00 - 51:30: Spiritual Transformation and Misunderstood Religions

    51:30 - 54:00: The deeper question: presence over labels


    About Kenneth Nacario Lee

    Kenneth Nacario Lee (Kula Pradipa Das) is currently a chaplain at Stanford. He received his chaplaincy training at University Hospital in Newark, New Jersey. Kenneth was introduced to Eastern wisdom texts at a young age, leading to a period of monastic training and later studies in psychology and religion at Rutgers University.


    About Dr Vignesh Devraj

    Dr Vignesh Devraj is a fourth-generation Ayurvedic physician and the founder of Sitaram Retreat, Kerala, a space for authentic healing. He is a committed practitioner and researcher of Panchakarma.


    We truly hope you are enjoying our content. Want to help us shape and grow this show faster? Leave your review and subscribe to the podcast, so you’ll never miss out on any new episodes. Thanks for your support.


    Disclaimer: - The content of the podcast episodes is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical procedures, consultations, diagnosis, or treatment in any manner. We strongly do not recommend using the content of these episodes as medical advice for any medical conditions for you, others, or for treating your patients.


    (What does a chaplain do, What working in hospice looks like, How chaplains support people, How some people face death with peace and acceptance, The relationship between poverty, religion, and spirituality Fear of God vs love of God, The role of guilt in spiritual growth0


    18 March 2026, 10:30 pm
  • 19 minutes 47 seconds
    #265 Why Some Angry People Change the World (And Others Destroy Themselves) | With Dr. Vignesh Devraj MD (Ay)

    Anger is often seen as something dangerous or something that must be suppressed. But from an Ayurvedic perspective, anger is not inherently negative. It is a powerful emotional force that, when understood and directed properly, can become a source of clarity, courage, and transformation.


    The conversation examines how anger arises, what happens in the brain and body during moments of anger, and why suppressed anger can translate into physiological stress. The episode also explores how disciplined anger has historically driven meaningful change and how individuals can learn to transform reactive anger into conscious action.


    Episode Breakdown

    The connection between Anger & Agni

    Why Anger isn’t meant to be Suppressed

    Anger is a Secondary Emotion

    How Krishna Sees Anger as an Emotion

    Turning Anger in Your Favour

    How to Manage Anger Practically


    Timestamps

    00:00 – 02:00: The real question about anger

    02:00 – 04:00: Anger as fire in Ayurveda

    04:00 – 05:30: Anger vs frustration, fear, and sadness

    05:30 – 07:00: The Bhagavad Gita’s psychological chain of anger

    07:00 – 11:30: What happens in the brain & body during anger

    12:30 – 15:30: When anger becomes constructive

    15:30 – 16:30: Destructive anger vs value-driven anger

    16:30 – 19:00: A practical framework for managing anger



    About Dr Vignesh Devraj


    Dr Vignesh Devraj is a fourth-generation Ayurvedic physician and the founder of Sitaram Retreat, Kerala, a space for authentic healing. He is a committed practitioner and researcher of Panchakarma.


    If you are interested in doing a one-on-one Ayurvedic consultation with Dr Vignesh Devraj please find the details in this link: https://calendly.com/drvignesh/30-minute-session-with-dr-vignesh-devraj-md-ay-ist


    If you are economically challenged, please use the form provided to request a free Ayurvedic consultation here.

    (or copy paste this in your browser: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd29nHcrC1RssR-6WAqWCWQWKKJo7nGcEm8ITEl2-ErcnfVEg/viewform )


    BALANCING THE MIGHTY VATA - ONLINE COURSE NOW AVAILABLE


    Vata is responsible for Prana - the life energy, the nervous system - the master panel of our body, and our emotions. In Ayurveda, it is mentioned that controlling Vata is the most difficult part of healing and recovery. Watch my practical inputs that can be integrated into our life at https://vigneshdevraj.com/balancing-the-mighty-vata/


    For further information about Dr Vignesh Devraj, kindly visit www.vigneshdevraj.com and www.sitaramretreat.com


    Instagram - @sitarambeachretreat | @vigneshdevraj

    Twitter - @VigneshDevraj


    We truly hope you are enjoying our content. Leave your review and subscribe to the podcast, so you’ll never miss out on any new episodes. Thanks for your support.


    Disclaimer: - We strongly do not recommend using the content of these episodes as medical advice for any medical conditions.

    11 March 2026, 10:30 pm
  • 1 hour 6 minutes
    #264 Bhakti, Prayer & The Healing Power of Voice With Dr Vignesh Devraj MD (Ay) and Jahnavi Harrison

    In this conversation, we explore bhakti not merely as philosophy, but as lived experience. The Grammy-nominated Jahnavi Harrison shares how prayer, kirtan, and service shaped her life and how voice becomes a pathway to healing and surrender. From the teachings of Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita to the raw reality of ego, repetition, and pain, this episode moves between the sacred and the practical.


    Episode Highlights:

    Bhakti is active, not passive

    Intention transforms ritual into a relationship

    Ego coexists with devotion — maturity is managing it

    Repetition creates spiritual depth

    Pain can be a channel for Bhakti

    Prayer is talking to God


    Timestamp:

    00: 00 - 05:00: Bhakti is a devotional service

    05:00 - 09:30: Bhakti Beyond Selfish Motives

    09:30 - 13:00: Patience and Enthusiasm For Bhakti Marg

    13:00 - 18:00: Redirecting Desire with Bhakti

    18:00 - 29:30: Singing From Your Heart

    29:30 - 32:00: Talking to God with Prayers

    32:00 - 33:30: Bhaja Govindam

    33:30 - 37:00: The intention of Love

    37:00 - 48:30: Mantra Chanting & Rituals

    48:30 - 54:00: The Grammy Nominations

    54:00 - 1:00:00: The Beauty of Pain and Prayers


    About Our Guest:

    Jahnavi Harrison is a musician, writer, practitioner of bhakti-yoga and a Grammy Award nominee for devotion-rooted music. She spent her formative years at Bhaktivedanta Manor in England, in a rich environment where mantra chanting and sacred art were a part of everyday life. With a background in Western and Eastern classical music and dance, she has tried to pursue a path of self realisation and service through artistic expression.


    About Dr Vignesh Devraj

    Dr Vignesh Devraj is a fourth-generation Ayurvedic physician and the founder of Sitaram Retreat, Kerala, a space for authentic healing. He is a committed practitioner and researcher of Panchakarma.


    If you are interested in doing a one-on-one Ayurvedic consultation with Dr Vignesh Devraj please find the details in this link: https://calendly.com/drvignesh/30-minute-session-with-dr-vignesh-devraj-md-ay-ist


    If you are economically challenged, please use the form provided to request a free Ayurvedic consultation here.

    (or copy paste this in your browser: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd29nHcrC1RssR-6WAqWCWQWKKJo7nGcEm8ITEl2-ErcnfVEg/viewform )


    BALANCING THE MIGHTY VATA - ONLINE COURSE NOW AVAILABLE


    Vata is responsible for Prana - the life energy, the nervous system - the master panel of our body, and our emotions. In Ayurveda, it is mentioned that controlling Vata is the most difficult part of healing and recovery. Watch my practical inputs that can be integrated into our life at https://vigneshdevraj.com/balancing-the-mighty-vata/


    For further information about Dr Vignesh Devraj, kindly visit www.vigneshdevraj.com and www.sitaramretreat.com


    Instagram - @sitarambeachretreat | @vigneshdevraj

    Twitter - @VigneshDevraj



    We truly hope you are enjoying our content. Leave your review and subscribe to the podcast, so you’ll never miss out on any new episodes. Thanks for your support.


    Disclaimer: - We strongly do not recommend using the content of these episodes as medical advice for any medical conditions.

    4 March 2026, 10:30 pm
  • 1 hour 2 minutes
    #263 From Moksha to Muscle: How Yoga Became Fitness with Dr Vignesh Devraj MD (Ay) and Prasad Rangnekar

    Yoga today is widely understood as a physical practice centered around flexibility and postures. However, its original intent goes far beyond the body. In this episode, we discuss how yoga is not an activity performed for an hour a day, but a lifelong process of refining awareness and transforming the way we perceive ourselves and the world. We examine why suffering has traditionally been the starting point for yogic enquiry, how identity and conditioning shape our experience of reality, and why true yoga involves freeing ourselves from deeply rooted mental patterns rather than simply improving physical capability.


    Episode Highlights:

    Why yoga was never meant to be limited to physical postures

    The true goal of yoga: moksha and the removal of suffering

    Why suffering and crisis often initiate deeper spiritual enquiry

    How identity itself becomes a source of suffering

    The original definition of asana, according to Patanjali

    The importance of relaxing effort and cultivating awareness

    How yoga transforms personality, perception, and life experience


    Episode Timestamps:

    00:00 – 05:00: Yoga is more than a physical practice

    05:00 – 10:00: Yoga as a path, not an activity

    10:00 – 15:00: The deeper goal of yoga: removal of suffering

    15:00 – 20:00: Why a crisis often becomes the doorway to yoga

    20:00 – 25:00: How the mind shapes your entire experience of life

    25:00 – 30:00: Moksha, desire, and freedom from mental bondage

    30:00 – 35:00: Chitta vritti and breaking free from conditioning

    35:00 – 40:00: The illusion of identity and the source of psychological suffering

    40:00 – 45:00: Spiritual identity and the subtle ego trap

    45:00 – 50:00: The true meaning of asana according to Patanjali

    50:00 – 55:00: Effortlessness and the transition into deeper states of awareness

    55:00 – 60:00: Yoga as a complete system for inner transformation


    About Prasad Rangnekar:

    Prasad Rangnekar is an internationally respected yoga teacher known for his deep study and teaching of traditional yoga philosophy, especially the Patanjali Yoga Sutras. His work focuses on restoring the original intent of yoga as a path of inner transformation rather than merely a physical practice.


    About Dr Vignesh Devraj


    Dr Vignesh Devraj is a fourth-generation Ayurvedic physician and the founder of Sitaram Retreat, Kerala, a space for authentic healing. He is a committed practitioner and researcher of Panchakarma.


    If you are interested in doing a one-on-one Ayurvedic consultation with Dr Vignesh Devraj please find the details in this link: https://calendly.com/drvignesh/30-minute-session-with-dr-vignesh-devraj-md-ay-ist

    If you are economically challenged, please use the form provided to request a free Ayurvedic consultation here.

    (or copy paste this in your browser: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd29nHcrC1RssR-6WAqWCWQWKKJo7nGcEm8ITEl2-ErcnfVEg/viewform )


    BALANCING THE MIGHTY VATA - ONLINE COURSE NOW AVAILABLE


    Vata is responsible for Prana - the life energy, the nervous system - the master panel of our body, and our emotions. In Ayurveda, it is mentioned that controlling Vata is the most difficult part of healing and recovery. Watch my practical inputs that can be integrated into our life at https://vigneshdevraj.com/balancing-the-mighty-vata/


    For further information about Dr Vignesh Devraj, kindly visit www.vigneshdevraj.com and www.sitaramretreat.com


    Instagram - @sitarambeachretreat | @vigneshdevraj

    Twitter - @VigneshDevraj



    We truly hope you are enjoying our content. Leave your review and subscribe to the podcast, so you’ll never miss out on any new episodes. Thanks for your support.


    Disclaimer: - We strongly do not recommend using the content of these episodes as medical advice for any medical conditions.

    25 February 2026, 10:30 pm
  • 1 hour 30 minutes
    #262 Agni, Ama and Autoimmunity: The Fire That Protects or Destroys You | With Dr Vignesh Devraj and Dr Vaidya M Prasad

    In this episode, we dive deep into one of Ayurveda’s most fundamental yet misunderstood concepts of Agni. Often translated simply as “digestive fire,” Agni is far more than digestion. It is the body’s intelligence to transform food into energy, nutrients into tissues, experiences into learning, and stress into resilience. When this ability weakens, stagnation begins. And stagnation, Ayurveda says, is the starting point of disease.


    Episode Highlights:

    Why Agni is considered the essence of life

    How digestion, immunity, and clarity are all expressions of Agni

    The difference between Ama (toxins), Ojas (resilience), and Kapha

    How does lifestyle shape Agni far more than medicines

    Why are autoimmune diseases not random

    Srotas: The intelligent functional pathways


    Timestamps:


    00:00 – 05:30: What Truly Governs Health?

    05:30 – 11:00: What Is Agni Beyond “Digestive Fire”?

    11:00 – 16:30: Levels of Agni in the Body: From Digestion to Tissue Formation

    16:30 – 21:30: How to Assess Your Agni?

    21:30 – 26:30: Agni Beyond the Gut: Mind, Vision, Skin & Metabolism

    26:30 – 35:30: Strengthening Agni the Right Way

    35:30 – 41:00: Ancient Bodies in a World of Excess

    41:00 – 46:30: Mental Stress & Agni Breakdown

    46:30 – 52:00: Pratyaparadha: When Intellect Turns Against Health

    52:00 – 57:30: Agni, Ojas & Manas: The Triangle That Runs the Body

    57:30 – 1:00:00: Autoimmunity Through an Ayurvedic Lens

    1:00:00 – 1:05:30: Srotas: Rethinking Disease Pathways

    1:05:30 – 1:11:00: Structural vs Functional Srotas

    1:11:00 – 1:16:30: How the Body Decides What You Become

    1:16:30 – 1:21:30: Agni, Dhatu Agni & Why the First Conversion Matters Most

    1:21:30 – 1:27:00: Can Biomarkers Measure Agni?

    1:27:00 – 1:29:30:Treating the Person, Not the Report


    About Dr Vaidya M Prasad


    Dr. Prasad M, a postgraduate in Ayurveda, has been practicing Ayurveda since 1996. He is working as the Principal and Medical Superintendent of Ashtamgam Ayurveda Chikitsalayam & Vidyapeedham, Vavanoor, Palakkad District, Kerala. He has been doing research-oriented work on the care of autistic children since 2002, which has highlighted him as a pioneer in the ayurvedic system to work with autistic children.


    About Dr Vignesh Devraj


    Dr Vignesh Devraj is a fourth-generation Ayurvedic physician and the founder of Sitaram Retreat, Kerala, a space for authentic healing. He is a committed practitioner and researcher of Panchakarma.


    If you are interested in doing a one-on-one Ayurvedic consultation with Dr Vignesh Devraj please find the details in this link: https://calendly.com/drvignesh/30-minute-session-with-dr-vignesh-devraj-md-ay-ist

    If you are economically challenged, please use the form provided to request a free Ayurvedic consultation here.

    (or copy paste this in your browser: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd29nHcrC1RssR-6WAqWCWQWKKJo7nGcEm8ITEl2-ErcnfVEg/viewform )


    BALANCING THE MIGHTY VATA - ONLINE COURSE NOW AVAILABLE


    Vata is responsible for Prana - the life energy, the nervous system - the master panel of our body, and our emotions. In Ayurveda, it is mentioned that controlling Vata is the most difficult part of healing and recovery. Watch my practical inputs that can be integrated into our life at https://vigneshdevraj.com/balancing-the-mighty-vata/


    For further information about Dr Vignesh Devraj, kindly visit www.vigneshdevraj.com and www.sitaramretreat.com


    Instagram - @sitarambeachretreat | @vigneshdevraj

    Twitter - @VigneshDevraj



    We truly hope you are enjoying our content. Leave your review and subscribe to the podcast, so you’ll never miss out on any new episodes. Thanks for your support.


    Disclaimer: - We strongly do not recommend using the content of these episodes as medical advice for any medical conditions.

    18 February 2026, 10:30 pm
  • 1 hour 1 minute
    #261 Gayatri Mantra Explained Word by Word: For Clarity, Dharma and Mental Strength | With Dr Vignesh Devraj MD (Ay) and Shantala Sriramaiah

    Although mantra chanting is widely practiced today, its depth, rigor, and transformative potential are rarely understood in their true spirit. Along with Shantala Sriramaiah, we explore the deeper science of Vedic mantra practice. Together, they unpack how mantra creates a transformation within you, how Gayatri cultivates clarity in moments of crisis, and how Mrityunjaya helps us develop a healthy relationship with death, not as escape, but as freedom from fear.

    Episode Highlights:

    • What is a mantra, really?

    • Why does phonetic precision matter?

    • How is mantra different from kirtan?

    • What is the real purpose of the Gayatri Mantra?

    • Does Mrityunjaya Mantra actually protect from death?

    Timestamps:

    00:00 - 06:00: Introduction

    06:00 - 16:30: What is Mantra Chanting? Does it help?

    16:30 - 23:00: What’s the difference between Keertan and Mantra?

    23:00 - 26:30: Time travelling with Mantras

    26:30 - 35:30: What’s the purpose of the Gayatri Mantra?

    35:30 - 44:30: Choices, Discipline, and Decision Making

    44:30 - 50:00: Hidden Meaning behind Gayatri Mantra

    50:00 - 58:00: Can Mruthyunjaya Maha Mantra delay death?


    About Shantala Sriramaiah

    Shantala Sriramaiah is a renowned Veda chanting teacher trained in a traditional lineage of Vedic recitation. She studied under traditional Vedic masters, including Sri M.S. Srinivasan of the Chalakere teaching lineage, where she received rigorous training in Vedic phonetics, swara, and recitation methodology. Today, she teaches internationally through structured online courses, blending traditional depth with modern clarity.
    You can connect with her at https://www.vedastudies.com/

    Next LIVE Foundation course with homework & feedback (starting March 2026): https://www.vedastudies.com/product/foundation-course-march-2026/

    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/shantala_sriramaiah/


    Dr Vignesh Devraj 

    If you are interested in doing one on one Ayurvedic consultation with Dr Vignesh Devraj please find the details in this link: https://calendly.com/drvignesh/30-minute-session-with-dr-vignesh-devraj-md-ay-ist

    If you are economically challenged, please use the form provided to request a free Ayurvedic consultation here. 

    (or copy paste this in your browser: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd29nHcrC1RssR-6WAqWCWQWKKJo7nGcEm8ITEl2-ErcnfVEg/viewform )

    BALANCING THE MIGHTY VATA - ONLINE COURSE NOW AVAILABLE 

    What makes Ayurveda unique in its treatment approach is its practical wisdom on the concept of Vata. Vata is responsible for Prana - the life energy, the nervous system - the master panel of our body, and our emotions. In Ayurveda, it is mentioned that controlling Vata is the most difficult part of healing and recovery. Recently, I have recorded a workshop on - Balancing The Mighty Vata, which has over 6 hrs of content, with notes filled with practical inputs that can be integrated into our life. 

    You can access this at https://vigneshdevraj.com/balancing-the-mighty-vata/ 

    For further information about Dr Vignesh Devraj, kindly visit www.vigneshdevraj.com and www.sitaramretreat.com 

    Instagram - @sitarambeachretreat | @vigneshdevraj

    Twitter - @VigneshDevraj

    We truly hope you are enjoying our content. Want to help us shape and grow this show faster? Leave your review and subscribe to the podcast, so you’ll never miss out on any new episodes. Thanks for your support.

    Disclaimer: - The content of the podcast episodes is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical procedures, consultations, diagnosis, or treatment in any manner. We strongly do not recommend using the content of these episodes as medical advice for any medical conditions for you, others, or for treating your patients.


    11 February 2026, 10:30 pm
  • 15 minutes 20 seconds
    #260 Forgiveness: The Art of Making The Body Feel Safe Again with Dr. Vignesh Devraj MD (Ay)

    In this episode, Dr. Vignesh Devraj moves beyond the moral ideas of being “nice” or “letting things go.” This conversation reframes forgiveness as a form of emotional and biological recovery. Drawing from Ayurveda, psychology, and lived clinical experience, the episode explores how unresolved emotional pain impacts immunity, inflammation, and healing, and why forgiveness is less about others and more about restoring inner balance.


    Episode Highlights:

    The real definition of forgiveness

    Forgiveness vs. resentment

    Forgiveness as revenge

    Processing emotional pain correctly

    Ayurvedic perspective on forgiveness and immunity

    Idiopathic illnesses and unresolved emotions

    Practical tools to support forgiveness


    Timestamps:

    00:00 - 03:00: Forgiveness as Weakness & Revenge

    03:00 - 07:00: Forgiveness and Shockabsorbers

    07:00 - 10:00: Idiopathic Diseases and Emotions

    10:00 -14:00: Making the body feel safe with Forgiveness

    14:00 - 15:00: One Simple Takeaway


    Dr Vignesh Devraj

    If you are interested in doing one on one Ayurvedic consultation with Dr Vignesh Devraj please find the details in this link: https://calendly.com/drvignesh/30-minute-session-with-dr-vignesh-devraj-md-ay-ist

    If you are economically challenged, please use the form provided to request a free Ayurvedic consultation here.

    (or copy paste this in your browser: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd29nHcrC1RssR-6WAqWCWQWKKJo7nGcEm8ITEl2-ErcnfVEg/viewform )


    BALANCING THE MIGHTY VATA - ONLINE COURSE NOW AVAILABLE


    What makes Ayurveda unique in its treatment approach is its practical wisdom on the concept of Vata. Vata is responsible for Prana - the life energy, the nervous system - the master panel of our body, and our emotions. In Ayurveda, it is mentioned that controlling Vata is the most difficult part of healing and recovery. Recently, I have recorded a workshop on - Balancing The Mighty Vata, which has over 6 hrs of content, with notes filled with practical inputs that can be integrated into our life.


    You can access this at https://vigneshdevraj.com/balancing-the-mighty-vata/


    For further information about Dr Vignesh Devraj, kindly visit www.vigneshdevraj.com and www.sitaramretreat.com


    Instagram - @sitarambeachretreat | @vigneshdevraj

    Twitter - @VigneshDevraj



    We truly hope you are enjoying our content. Want to help us shape and grow this show faster? Leave your review and subscribe to the podcast, so you’ll never miss out on any new episodes. Thanks for your support.


    Disclaimer: - The content of the podcast episodes is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical procedures, consultations, diagnosis, or treatment in any manner. We strongly do not recommend using the content of these episodes as medical advice for any medical conditions for you, others, or for treating your patients.




    (Forgiveness, Letting go of resentment, Healing emotional wounds, Inner peace and clarity, Trauma and forgiveness, Mental and emotional wellbeing, Self-healing journey, Boundaries and forgiveness, Emotional awareness, Healing from hurt, Conscious healing, Emotional resilience)


    4 February 2026, 10:30 pm
  • 59 minutes 17 seconds
    #259 The Art of Setting Healthy Boundaries with Dr Vignesh Devraj MD (Ay) and Ananta Ripa Ajmera

    Lets understand what healthy boundaries truly mean, not as rigid walls of protection, but as living, conscious guidelines rooted in self-knowledge. This conversation looks at why boundaries keep shifting, how attachment and detachment coexist, and when boundaries turn self-destructive. We discuss how the body communicates its limits through signals like fatigue, digestion issues, skin breakouts, and even chronic disease and why ignoring these signals comes at a cost. This episode is for anyone who feels “bad at boundaries” and is ready to replace control with clarity, fear with awareness, and resistance with conscious choice.


    Episode Highlights :

    Healthy boundaries are not walls or emotional prisons

    How self-knowledge determines the quality of your boundaries

    Recognizing self-destructive boundaries

    How your body “keeps the score”

    Baby Steps for Healthy Boundaries


    Episode Timestamps:

    00:00 - 05:00: What are Healthy Boundaries?

    05:00 - 11:00 How do you know your boundaries are healthy?

    11:00 - 19:30: Love-Hate Relationships

    19:30 - 35:00: Know Body to know your Boundaries

    35:00 - 42:30: How to address pent up feelings

    42:30 - 46:00: Self-love in the purest form


    Guest Profile:

    Ananta Ripa Ajmera is a spiritual teacher and 10-time award-winning, 2-time bestselling author of The Way of the Goddess and The Ayurveda Way. She is the co-founder and CEO of The Ancient Way. She empowers individuals and organizations through transformative programs. Rooted in 14+ years of oral lineage-based training across Ayurveda, Yoga, and Vedanta, her teachings guide you to heal intergenerational patterns.

    Visit Ananta’s organization website, The Ancient Way: https://bit.ly/4qbOell


    Check out The Way of the Goddess book here: https://bit.ly/49OCy32.


    Learn more about Ananta’s Hero’s Journey Program here: https://bit.ly/4k6T5Tn


    Interested in doing an Ayurvedic consultation with Dr Vignesh Devraj? Link: https://calendly.com/drvignesh/30-minute-session-with-dr-vignesh-devraj-md-ay-ist


    If you are economically challenged, use the form provided to request a free Ayurvedic consultation or copy and paste this in your browser:

    https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd29nHcrC1RssR-6WAqWCWQWKKJo7nGcEm8ITEl2-ErcnfVEg/viewform )


    BALANCING THE MIGHTY VATA - ONLINE COURSE NOW AVAILABLE


    What makes Ayurveda unique in its treatment approach is its practical wisdom on the concept of Vata. Vata is responsible for Prana - the life energy, the nervous system - the master panel of our body, and our emotions.


    In Ayurveda, it is mentioned that controlling Vata is the most difficult part of healing and recovery. Check the recorded workshop on - Balancing The Mighty Vata, filled with practical inputs that can be integrated into our lives.


    Access this at https://vigneshdevraj.com/balancing-the-mighty-vata/


    To know more about Dr Vignesh Devraj, follow him on:

    Spotify Channel Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/4ywO9cAMXqLeAfb6ZBruO8

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vigneshdevraj/?hl=en

    X: https://x.com/VigneshDevraj

    LinkedIn: https://in.linkedin.com/in/dr-vignesh-devraj-md-ayu-16294675

    Newsletter Link: https://lnkd.in/eaCm3Pt4


    About Dr Vignesh Devraj

    Dr Vignesh Devraj is a fourth-generation Ayurvedic physician and the founder of Sitaram Retreat, Kerala, a space for authentic healing. He is a committed practitioner and researcher of Panchakarma.


    About Us:

    Ayurvedic Healing and Beyond is the brainchild of Dr. Vignesh Devraj, a fourth-generation Ayurvedic healer who believes that true health is the foundation of true happiness. Featuring high-profile guests, this podcast is a sincere effort to bridge the gap between global subject matter experts and an audience eager for solutions beyond conventional medical prescriptions.


    Disclaimer: The content of these podcast episodes is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.


    28 January 2026, 10:30 pm
  • 12 minutes 37 seconds
    #258 Vitamin D Deficiency Explained: Immunity, Mood & Bone Health With Dr Vignesh Devraj, MD (Ay)

    Vitamin D deficiency is one of the most common yet ignored health issues today, and its impact goes far beyond bones. In this episode, Dr. Vignesh Devaraj explains how low vitamin D affects energy, immunity, bone strength, autoimmune conditions, and mental health.


    Drawing from both Ayurveda and modern medical science, the episode explores the Ayurvedic concept of Atapa Seva under Shamana Chikitsa, a gentle healing approach used when the body is exhausted and not ready for intensive treatments, and a grounded framework to correct vitamin D deficiency within the body to actually absorb and use it.


    Episode Highlights:

    Why sunlight is considered a therapeutic input in Ayurveda

    How vitamin D regulates immunity, mood, and inflammation

    The connection between vitamin D deficiency, depression, and autoimmune flare-ups

    Practical steps to restore vitamin D naturally and safely

    Why vitamin D must be supported by digestion, routine, liver health, and vitamin K2


    Timestamps:

    00:00 – 01:00: vitamin D deficiency

    01:00 – 03:30: Atapa Seva and Shamana Chikitsa

    03:30 – 04:30: Sunlight, circadian rhythm, & mood regulation

    04:30 – 06:00 Vitamin D’s Role in our Body

    06:00 – 09:30 Practical Ayurvedic + modern framework begins

    09:30 – 11:00: Alcohol, liver health, cholesterol, and supplements

    11:00 – 11:07: Closing and consultation details


    Interested in doing an Ayurvedic consultation with Dr Vignesh Devraj? Link: https://calendly.com/drvignesh/30-minute-session-with-dr-vignesh-devraj-md-ay-ist


    If you are economically challenged, use the form provided to request a free Ayurvedic consultation or copy and paste this in your browser:

    https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd29nHcrC1RssR-6WAqWCWQWKKJo7nGcEm8ITEl2-ErcnfVEg/viewform )


    BALANCING THE MIGHTY VATA - ONLINE COURSE NOW AVAILABLE


    What makes Ayurveda unique in its treatment approach is its practical wisdom on the concept of Vata. Vata is responsible for Prana - the life energy, the nervous system - the master panel of our body, and our emotions.


    In Ayurveda, it is mentioned that controlling Vata is the most difficult part of healing and recovery. Check the recorded workshop on - Balancing The Mighty Vata, filled with practical inputs that can be integrated into our lives.


    Access this at https://vigneshdevraj.com/balancing-the-mighty-vata/


    To know more about Dr Vignesh Devraj, follow him on:

    Spotify Channel Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/4ywO9cAMXqLeAfb6ZBruO8

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vigneshdevraj/?hl=en

    X: https://x.com/VigneshDevraj

    LinkedIn: https://in.linkedin.com/in/dr-vignesh-devraj-md-ayu-16294675

    Newsletter Link: https://lnkd.in/eaCm3Pt4


    About Dr Vignesh Devraj

    Dr Vignesh Devraj is a fourth-generation Ayurvedic physician and the founder of Sitaram Retreat, Kerala, a space for authentic healing. He is a committed practitioner and researcher of Panchakarma.


    About Us:

    Ayurvedic Healing and Beyond is the brainchild of Dr. Vignesh Devraj, a fourth-generation Ayurvedic healer who believes that true health is the foundation of true happiness. Featuring high-profile guests, this podcast is a sincere effort to bridge the gap between global subject matter experts and an audience eager for solutions beyond conventional medical prescriptions.


    Disclaimer: The content of these podcast episodes is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.


    21 January 2026, 10:30 pm
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