Podcast Summary

Podcast: New Books Network
Episode: Shantala Sriramaiah, "Nitya Prārthanā" (Veda Studies, 2025)
Host: Dr. Raj Balkaran
Guest: Shantala Ashley Sriramaiah
Date: December 8, 2025

Overview

This episode features Dr. Raj Balkaran in conversation with Shantala Ashley Sriramaiah, founder of Veda Studies and author of "Nitya Prārthanā." The main theme is the preservation and innovation of traditional Sanskrit prayers and Vedic chanting within global spiritual communities. The discussion explores Shantala's personal journey, the creation of her teaching platform, the meticulous process behind her new prayer manual, and larger questions of transmitting Indic knowledge in the modern world.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Shantala’s Journey: Tradition Meets Innovation

Background:
- Grew up in Bangalore in a family dedicated to chanting and teaching Sanskrit prayers (03:07).
- Mother was a renowned Devi devotee and teacher; after her passing, Shantala felt compelled to continue the legacy, despite a professional background in tech and no initial network in Indian spiritual circles (03:07–07:51).
Founding Veda Studies:
- Started teaching small, traditional chanting classes in Brussels.
- Emphasized tradition: non-musical, accurate recitation, rigorous pronunciation and adherence to chandas (meter) and swara (intonation) (07:07).
- Grew to an international platform with students in 60+ countries; "a very modest beginning, very difficult, because who wants to go to a chanting class that is traditional, without music, not entertaining." (06:32)
Role of Lineage:
- Continued learning under respected gurus; maintains strict fidelity to tradition while leveraging global reach and pedagogical skills acquired in her tech career.

2. Global Interest in Vedic Chanting

Democratization of Tradition:
- Students range from Indians to global learners: “It's beyond. It's just mind bending for me to think about having students, you know, who are in Hawaii and who are in Japan and, you know, don't come from the tradition.” (09:24)
- Many students motivated to teach and preserve the correct tradition.
Parallel with Dr. Balkaran’s Work:
- Both draw on lineage/traditional scholarship but serve global, diverse, and non-traditional groups (08:44).
- Dr. Balkaran: “This alchemy of our sort of ancient Brahmanism meets the global village…there are so many individuals who are very, very much interested in and even have an aptitude for these extraordinarily niche, traditional Indic paradigms.” (08:44–09:04)
Intersections and Community:
- Serendipitous connections in remote places demonstrate the far-reaching impact and network of modern spiritual communities (14:13–18:28).

3. Pedagogical Approach: Tradition Enhanced by Technology

Learning Design:
- Shantala leverages her expertise in learning and development from her engineering/HR tech background: “I developed this methodology…it's very learner focused. How can I get people to learn Rudram in the most efficient way?” (10:43–12:50)
Innovation in Access:
- Provides resources (workbooks, clear transliteration, explanations of chanting rules) previously unavailable or inconsistent in practitioner circles (21:50–27:37).
- Emphasis on clarity, beauty, and utility in materials for both students and teachers.
Online vs. In-Person:
- Online learning allows for individualized attention and rigorous homework feedback—sometimes even more effective than immersive in-person sessions (39:01).

4. The Book: Nitya Prārthanā

Genesis and Purpose:
- Designed to be a cherished, beautiful prayer book with clear English transliteration, exact Devanagari, and prayerful translations (not just literal meanings) (21:50–27:37).
- Includes technical phonetic guides for accurate recitation.
- Collaboration with artists and designers to create an object worthy of being on spiritual altars.
- Supported by Indica (Indic Knowledge Systems) for publication.
Target Audience:
- “Any teacher or practitioner within the Indic knowledge systems and practices umbrella,” including yoga teachers, Ayurveda practitioners, Jyotishis, Vedanta teachers, and householders (31:49–34:34).
- Useful for both self-practice and teaching; includes matched Spotify playlists as learning aids.
As a Daily Companion:
- “From the time you wake up until you go to bed, the entire day's activities can be divine. And there is something in the book for every occasion.” (55:06)

5. Inclusivity, Authenticity, and Responsibility

On Appropriation and Accessibility:
- The knowledge is for all genuine seekers: “If somebody is seeking, then we…make it available. That is what the shastra says.” (47:27)
- Analogy: Tradition is like a buffet—open to all, with space between consumption and misrepresentation. Teaching material responsibly is distinct from claiming lineage rights (49:22–51:09).
Teacher Training and Rigor:
- Not about mass certifying “half baked initiates,” but ensuring genuine candidates reach a level of unconscious mastery and can teach without error (51:17–54:27).
- “It's not about certifying one to become a teacher. It's really about helping individuals understand where do I need to be with my practice before I will allow myself to teach.” (51:36)
The Balance of Tradition and Change:
- Both see themselves at the crux of innovation and preservation; adaptation is necessary for survival but must be mindful not to dilute integrity (43:47–47:27).
- “These prayers have existed, they're timeless...When we learn these prayers, we're connecting with something that is timeless and it allows us to divinize our daily life.” (55:06)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the transformation path:
“I never imagined, even though I was born into a family that is, you know, the main dharma...is to create spaces and share the knowledge of chanting and prayers...But when she [my mother] died, I sort of did this 180…So I quit my job in tech and just with no network...I started with a tiny website and a small Facebook page.”
— Shantala (03:07–06:32)
On democratized tradition:
“This alchemy of our ancient Brahmanism meets the global village.”
— Dr. Raj Balkaran (08:44)
On online teaching efficacy:
“I must say…online learning is far more effective as a learning tool for Vedic chants than in person…on zoom…we have to take turns practicing with me and so I get to hear every single person and we have this homework rigor as well.”
— Shantala (39:01)
On universality:
“The teaching is the same whether the student is Indian or not. The teaching is the same. And I think there's something special about that.”
— Shantala (41:49)
On access and preservation:
“It excites me because so much of what you do…I see so much of my own life's work here where you're trying to convey something of the rigor and power and intrigue of Indic thought to individuals who are interested from various countries all around the globe.”
— Dr. Raj Balkaran (43:47)
On the courage of innovation:
“If I'd perhaps stayed in India, it might have been a little different…But I had the backing of my teachers…Why should I fear teaching anyone if my teacher blesses me and the Vedas are saying, the teaching is for everyone.”
— Shantala (47:27)
On the purpose of prayer:
“It's my duty then to teach this devotee how to use these sacred prayers for expressing their devotion. Because that's the purpose of the prayers. It's giving words, it's articulating this inner longing.”
— Shantala (54:05)

Timestamps of Important Segments

[03:07] – Shantala’s family tradition and her shift from tech to teaching Vedic chanting.
[06:32] – Challenges and process of founding Veda Studies.
[08:44] – Synergy of traditional training and global audience.
[09:24] – Astonishment at global reach and cross-cultural demand.
[10:43] – Impact of tech background and pedagogical methods.
[21:50] – Genesis and design philosophy of "Nitya Prārthanā."
[31:49] – Ideal audience for the book and integration with audio resources.
[34:44] – Who uses the Veda Studies platform.
[39:01] – Online learning vs. in-person for Vedic chanting.
[43:47] – On preserving tradition vs. innovating access.
[47:27] – The role of courage and teacher support in breaking new ground.
[51:36] – The philosophy and standards behind teacher training.
[55:06] – Final reflections: making prayer a part of everyday, contemporary life.

Closing Thoughts

The episode is a rich conversation on how deep-rooted spiritual tradition and modern pedagogical tools can powerfully intersect. Shantala Sriramaiah demonstrates that authentic, rigorous transmission of Vedic chanting not only survives but flourishes when consciously expanded to a wider, genuinely interested global audience—always honoring the integrity of lineage while innovating in method and access.

For more information:

Veda Studies
[Nitya Prārthanā](Direct book link in podcast notes)
SoundCloud and Spotify playlists for practice

Summary prepared for listeners seeking a comprehensive overview and insights into this episode of New Books Network.

Podcast Summary

Podcast: New Books Network
Episode: Shantala Sriramaiah, "Nitya Prārthanā" (Veda Studies, 2025)
Host: Dr. Raj Balkaran
Guest: Shantala Ashley Sriramaiah
Date: December 8, 2025

Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Shantala’s Journey: Tradition Meets Innovation

Background:
- Grew up in Bangalore in a family dedicated to chanting and teaching Sanskrit prayers (03:07).
- Mother was a renowned Devi devotee and teacher; after her passing, Shantala felt compelled to continue the legacy, despite a professional background in tech and no initial network in Indian spiritual circles (03:07–07:51).
Founding Veda Studies:
- Started teaching small, traditional chanting classes in Brussels.
- Emphasized tradition: non-musical, accurate recitation, rigorous pronunciation and adherence to chandas (meter) and swara (intonation) (07:07).
- Grew to an international platform with students in 60+ countries; "a very modest beginning, very difficult, because who wants to go to a chanting class that is traditional, without music, not entertaining." (06:32)
Role of Lineage:
- Continued learning under respected gurus; maintains strict fidelity to tradition while leveraging global reach and pedagogical skills acquired in her tech career.

2. Global Interest in Vedic Chanting

Democratization of Tradition:
- Students range from Indians to global learners: “It's beyond. It's just mind bending for me to think about having students, you know, who are in Hawaii and who are in Japan and, you know, don't come from the tradition.” (09:24)
- Many students motivated to teach and preserve the correct tradition.
Parallel with Dr. Balkaran’s Work:
- Both draw on lineage/traditional scholarship but serve global, diverse, and non-traditional groups (08:44).
- Dr. Balkaran: “This alchemy of our sort of ancient Brahmanism meets the global village…there are so many individuals who are very, very much interested in and even have an aptitude for these extraordinarily niche, traditional Indic paradigms.” (08:44–09:04)
Intersections and Community:
- Serendipitous connections in remote places demonstrate the far-reaching impact and network of modern spiritual communities (14:13–18:28).

3. Pedagogical Approach: Tradition Enhanced by Technology

Learning Design:
- Shantala leverages her expertise in learning and development from her engineering/HR tech background: “I developed this methodology…it's very learner focused. How can I get people to learn Rudram in the most efficient way?” (10:43–12:50)
Innovation in Access:
- Provides resources (workbooks, clear transliteration, explanations of chanting rules) previously unavailable or inconsistent in practitioner circles (21:50–27:37).
- Emphasis on clarity, beauty, and utility in materials for both students and teachers.
Online vs. In-Person:
- Online learning allows for individualized attention and rigorous homework feedback—sometimes even more effective than immersive in-person sessions (39:01).

4. The Book: Nitya Prārthanā

Genesis and Purpose:
- Designed to be a cherished, beautiful prayer book with clear English transliteration, exact Devanagari, and prayerful translations (not just literal meanings) (21:50–27:37).
- Includes technical phonetic guides for accurate recitation.
- Collaboration with artists and designers to create an object worthy of being on spiritual altars.
- Supported by Indica (Indic Knowledge Systems) for publication.
Target Audience:
- “Any teacher or practitioner within the Indic knowledge systems and practices umbrella,” including yoga teachers, Ayurveda practitioners, Jyotishis, Vedanta teachers, and householders (31:49–34:34).
- Useful for both self-practice and teaching; includes matched Spotify playlists as learning aids.
As a Daily Companion:
- “From the time you wake up until you go to bed, the entire day's activities can be divine. And there is something in the book for every occasion.” (55:06)

5. Inclusivity, Authenticity, and Responsibility

On Appropriation and Accessibility:
- The knowledge is for all genuine seekers: “If somebody is seeking, then we…make it available. That is what the shastra says.” (47:27)
- Analogy: Tradition is like a buffet—open to all, with space between consumption and misrepresentation. Teaching material responsibly is distinct from claiming lineage rights (49:22–51:09).
Teacher Training and Rigor:
- Not about mass certifying “half baked initiates,” but ensuring genuine candidates reach a level of unconscious mastery and can teach without error (51:17–54:27).
- “It's not about certifying one to become a teacher. It's really about helping individuals understand where do I need to be with my practice before I will allow myself to teach.” (51:36)
The Balance of Tradition and Change:
- Both see themselves at the crux of innovation and preservation; adaptation is necessary for survival but must be mindful not to dilute integrity (43:47–47:27).
- “These prayers have existed, they're timeless...When we learn these prayers, we're connecting with something that is timeless and it allows us to divinize our daily life.” (55:06)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the transformation path:
“I never imagined, even though I was born into a family that is, you know, the main dharma...is to create spaces and share the knowledge of chanting and prayers...But when she [my mother] died, I sort of did this 180…So I quit my job in tech and just with no network...I started with a tiny website and a small Facebook page.”
— Shantala (03:07–06:32)
On democratized tradition:
“This alchemy of our ancient Brahmanism meets the global village.”
— Dr. Raj Balkaran (08:44)
On online teaching efficacy:
“I must say…online learning is far more effective as a learning tool for Vedic chants than in person…on zoom…we have to take turns practicing with me and so I get to hear every single person and we have this homework rigor as well.”
— Shantala (39:01)
On universality:
“The teaching is the same whether the student is Indian or not. The teaching is the same. And I think there's something special about that.”
— Shantala (41:49)
On access and preservation:
“It excites me because so much of what you do…I see so much of my own life's work here where you're trying to convey something of the rigor and power and intrigue of Indic thought to individuals who are interested from various countries all around the globe.”
— Dr. Raj Balkaran (43:47)
On the courage of innovation:
“If I'd perhaps stayed in India, it might have been a little different…But I had the backing of my teachers…Why should I fear teaching anyone if my teacher blesses me and the Vedas are saying, the teaching is for everyone.”
— Shantala (47:27)
On the purpose of prayer:
“It's my duty then to teach this devotee how to use these sacred prayers for expressing their devotion. Because that's the purpose of the prayers. It's giving words, it's articulating this inner longing.”
— Shantala (54:05)

Timestamps of Important Segments

[03:07] – Shantala’s family tradition and her shift from tech to teaching Vedic chanting.
[06:32] – Challenges and process of founding Veda Studies.
[08:44] – Synergy of traditional training and global audience.
[09:24] – Astonishment at global reach and cross-cultural demand.
[10:43] – Impact of tech background and pedagogical methods.
[21:50] – Genesis and design philosophy of "Nitya Prārthanā."
[31:49] – Ideal audience for the book and integration with audio resources.
[34:44] – Who uses the Veda Studies platform.
[39:01] – Online learning vs. in-person for Vedic chanting.
[43:47] – On preserving tradition vs. innovating access.
[47:27] – The role of courage and teacher support in breaking new ground.
[51:36] – The philosophy and standards behind teacher training.
[55:06] – Final reflections: making prayer a part of everyday, contemporary life.

Closing Thoughts

For more information:

Veda Studies
[Nitya Prārthanā](Direct book link in podcast notes)
SoundCloud and Spotify playlists for practice

Summary prepared for listeners seeking a comprehensive overview and insights into this episode of New Books Network.

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Shantala Sriramaiah, "Nitya Prārthanā" (Veda Studies, 2025)

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Summary

Podcast Summary

Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Shantala’s Journey: Tradition Meets Innovation

2. Global Interest in Vedic Chanting

3. Pedagogical Approach: Tradition Enhanced by Technology

4. The Book: Nitya Prārthanā

5. Inclusivity, Authenticity, and Responsibility

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps of Important Segments

Closing Thoughts

Summary

Podcast Summary

Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Shantala’s Journey: Tradition Meets Innovation

2. Global Interest in Vedic Chanting

3. Pedagogical Approach: Tradition Enhanced by Technology

4. The Book: Nitya Prārthanā

5. Inclusivity, Authenticity, and Responsibility

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps of Important Segments

Closing Thoughts