Which stars did the ancient Vedic sky watchers pay attention to, and why?
Whether by the mystique of the Pleiades, the royal splendor of Regulus or the alure of Aldebaran – the eye of the bull of Taurus - the ancients have long been fascinated with certain stars that illumine the night sky.
Ancient India has produced a comprehensive system of 27 Sacred Stars across the ecliptic called Nakṣatras, or lunar mansions. The Nakṣatra system comprises the most ancient strata of Indian astrology. In vogue since Vedic times, this system remains quintessential to Indian wisdom traditions today, used to elect certain activities and make sense of situations, events and experiences.
This course will help you learn the Sacred Stars':
- Location in the heavens
- Sanskrit mantra, sounds, symbol, deity, mythology
- Associated human qualities and auspicious activities
- Significance and special power (śakti)
- Utility in your personal chart
It will also help you:
- Deepen your own practice if you are a practitioner or aspiring practitioner
- Honor tradition by learning from a member of an ancient Indian living wisdom lineage
This 6-part on-demand online course is taught by scholar of Indian mythology and The Stories Behind the Poses author Dr. Raj Balkaran.
Course Structure
Module 1: Fire, Fertility and the Womb of Creation
Module 2: Divine Nourishment, Serpent Power and Royal Splendour
Module 3: Triumph, Friendship and the Galactic Centre
Module 4: The Dragon, the Healer and Oral Transmission
6+ Hours of Video Lessons
Valuable for the simply curious, longtime yogis, expert practitioners and everyone in between
Downloadable Notes
Easily follow along with and refer back to the class slides
Access Anytime, Anywhere
Whether day or night, wherever you are, you have forever access to this on-demand course
Ancient Wisdom, Modern Applications
Learn mantra and other techniques to apply teachings to your life
Join The Indian Wisdom School
Become a part of our community and gain access to exclusive events and lessons
Yoga Alliance Credit
This course counts as 12 hours of YA Continuing Education Credit
"I first came across Dr. Balkaran through his work with the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies and have since taken a number of courses with him, all of which have been fabulous. Dr. Balkaran has a gift for synthesizing complex information and teaches with a storytelling style that supports comprehension."
Natalie Rousseau
Yoga Educator
"Dr. Balkaran is a teacher who understands the needs and quests of today’s spiritual seekers and practitioners and his School is a unique and a much-awaited opportunity for any interested-minded students to access the complex realm of the Indian philosophy and mythology explained in an approachable and engaging manner."
Aijan Kenenbaeva
Yoga Practitioner and Hinduism Student
"As a graduate student in the blossoming field of Yoga Studies, I cannot express the proper gratitude for Dr. Raj and his method of mystical swagger. He has tremendously assisted my personal understanding of inherently foreign concepts embedded within Indian wisdom and myth."
Dustin Nicholas Holmes
Naropa University, Wisdom Traditions
M.A. Yoga Studies
"I have greatly enjoyed taking Dr. Balkaran’s online classes! His style of presenting content is a rich synthesis of rigorous academic scholarship and his own experiential insights which add depth, humor and clarity to the often misconstrued concepts of Indian mythology."
Srinalini Sankar
French Teacher and Lifelong Student
Meet Your Instructor
Dr. Raj Balkaran is the founder of The Indian Wisdom School, scholar, and author, including for the popular book this course is based on, The Stories Behind the Poses. He teaches a number of courses through the Indian Wisdom School, the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies, Yogic Studies, and Embodied Philosophy. He also hosts the New Books in Indian Religions podcast.
Before becoming a scholar, Dr. Balkaran was initiated into Indian Wisdom Traditions by multiple lineal teachers and apprenticed with a renowned Indian spiritual master for twelve years. For the past two decades, he has been immersed in daily spiritual practice and study, cultivating a deep understanding of these traditions.
