Ep 232 Keen on Yoga Podcast - Sunila S. Kale and Christian Lee Novetzke

This conversation explores the themes of yoga as a form of power and its intersection with politics, particularly in the context of India. The speakers discuss their book, which examines how yoga has been historically understood not just as a spiritual practice but as a means of political expression and control. They delve into ancient texts like the Rigveda and the Mahabharata, the role of figures like the Raja of Aundh, and the implications of yoga in modern political contexts, including its use by leaders like Gandhi and Modi. The discussion highlights the evolving understanding of yoga and its relevance in contemporary society. Sunila: https://jsis.washington.edu/people/sunila-kale/ Christian: https://jsis.washington.edu/people/christian-novetzke/ Excerpt from the book about the film on Surya Namaskar: The Yoga of Power, Yoga as Political Thought and Practice in India: https://thewire.in/books/the-yoga-of-power-surya-namaskar LISTEN ON PODCAST Apple podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/keen-on-yoga-podcast/id1509303411 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5iM9lcw52JskHUZ2eFvVxN WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/@keenonyoga SUPPORT KEEN ON YOGA Subscribe, like and share our videos Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/infoRf Patrons €10 per month: https://www.keenonyoga.com/patrons/ FOLLOW ADAM https://linktr.ee/Keenonyoga Website: www.keenonyoga.com Instagram: @keen_on_yoga | @adam_keen_ashtanga Key Points • Yoga can be understood as a means of power and control. • The intersection of yoga and politics has historical significance. • The Rigveda presents yoga in a context of war and power. • The Mahabharata connects yoga with governance and leadership. • Yoga's meaning has evolved over centuries in various texts. • The Raja of Aundh used yoga for political empowerment and social reform. • Modern interpretations of yoga often overlook its political roots. • Gandhi and Aurobindo viewed yoga as a tool for political action. • Yoga's role in nationalism is complex and multifaceted. • The contemporary practice of yoga is influenced by historical political contexts. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Yoga as Power 03:03 The Intersection of Yoga and Politics 05:48 Exploring the Vedas and Yoga 08:50 Yoga in the Mahabharata and Arthashastra 11:40 Yoga as a Means of Control 14:37 Yoga and Social Harmony 17:30 The Dual Nature of Yoga 20:56 Yoga's Political Implications 23:38 The Concept of Yogakshema 26:38 Yoga's Moral Ambiguity 29:47 Conclusion: Yoga's Power and Responsibility 38:09 Exploring the Raja's Influence on Yoga 43:59 Yoga as a Political Tool in Nationalism 50:21 The Bhagavad Gita and Political Activism 58:39 Modern Yoga and Political Contexts