What human truths are encoded in ancient Indian planetary myths?
Join Dr. Raj Balkaran as he decodes the rich life wisdom encoded in ancient Indian astrological mythology.
According to the ancients, every aspect of the human condition pertains to one of nine hubs of archetypal energy known as the Grahas (loosely "Planets").
This band of nine heavenly bodies is made up of...
- The five visible natural planets: Mercury, Mars, Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn
- The two luminaries of the sky: the Sun and the Moon
- The two invisible “shadow planets,” i.e., astronomical points where the Moon’s orbit intersects the Earth’s: Rāhu and Ketu
The rich mythology surrounding these heavenly bodies provides profound insight into both human nature and the human condition.
In this course, your will learn:
- The mindset of the ancient Indian sky-gazers
- The basic mechanics of Indian astronomy/astrology (Jyotiṣa)
- Planetary mythologies and their profound meanings
- Planetary iconographies and their rich symbolisms
- Each Planet's core significations
- Each Planet's archetypal energy
- Insight into human nature and the human condition
- Tools for making sense of your own life and current events through the lens of Indian astro-mythology
This 4-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: The Sacred Sky
Module 2: Sūrya, the Sun
Module 3: Candra, the Moon
Module 4: Aṅgāraka, Mars
Module 5: Buddha, Mercury
Module 6: Bṛhaspati, Jupiter
Module 6: Śukra, Venus
Module 7: Śani, Saturn
Module 8: Rāhu, the North Node
Module 9: Ketu, the South Node
Module 10: Planetary Comparison
Module 11: Human Truths
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
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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.
