Dear Friends,

On this new moon day, as we collectively pause, reflect, and invite renewal into our lives, I’ve been contemplating a simple yet powerful theme: “Sometimes we win, sometimes we learn.” It’s a reminder that failure—though often uncomfortable, sometimes heartbreaking—is rarely a true defeat. Instead, it is a doorway into deeper understanding, resilience, and wisdom. Life has an uncanny way of surprising us, placing obstacles in our paths without warning. Plans fall apart, expectations dissolve, and outcomes we hoped for slip through our fingers. Yet these moments, challenging as they may be, are not meant to break us. They are invitations to grow.

Rather than becoming distracted by disappointment or discouraged by what didn’t unfold as we wished, we have the opportunity to step closer to our inner strength. Each adversity is a teacher, urging us to rise a little higher, stand a little firmer, and become a little wiser. When we embrace this, the lessons gleaned from failure become some of the most precious gifts life has to offer.

I’m reminded of Yogācārya T. Krishnamacharya, whose birthday we recently honoured. His life was a living testament to perseverance and unwavering dedication to one’s dharma. Despite countless challenges—personal, financial, physical—he remained steady, allowing no setback to derail his purpose. His legacy lives today because he chose learning over lament, growth over defeat and faith over fear!  

On a personal note, many of my adversities have shaped me more deeply than any of my successes. At times, it was tempting to cast myself as the victim of circumstance. But it was only when I began treating setbacks as lessons rather than punishments that my path toward dharma became clearer. Those difficult moments became my most outstanding teachers.

May this new moon inspire you to honour your own journey—wins, lessons, and everything in between.

On a more mundane note, we have the most amazing newsletter again this month. We are aware that it’s a bit long in modern-day standards. But we are sure you'll enjoy its content. So please take a bit of time and read on. Enjoy it! And of course, feel free to share it.

Namaste!

Dr Kausthub Desikachar, M.Sc., M.M.S, PhD

The Viniyoga Tradition

20 November 2025 | New Moon Day

Luminary | Śrī Vedānta Deśika

Śrī Vedānta Deśika (1268–1369 CE) stands as one of the most extraordinary luminaries of Indian intellectual and spiritual history—a philosopher, poet, logician, theologian, and master teacher whose genius shaped the foundations of the Viśiṣṭādvaita tradition for centuries to come. Revered as Kavi-tārkika-simha, the “Lion among Poets and Logicians,” Deśika embodied the rare combination of profound scriptural mastery, fearless dialectical skill, and profoundly personal devotion to the divine.

A true polymath, Śrī Deśika wrote in Sanskrit, Tamil, and Prakrit, producing works in virtually every genre: philosophical treatises, devotional hymns, epics, manuals of ritual, dramaturgy, prosody, and even works on ethics and statecraft. His philosophical magnum opus, the Śatadūṣaṇī, is celebrated for its rigorous refutation of Advaita Vedānta, laying bare, point by point, what he saw as its inconsistencies. Yet Deśika’s greatness lies not merely in critique. He systematised, clarified, and strengthened the Viśiṣṭādvaita system, presenting the qualified non-dualism of Rāmānuja with unmatched precision and elegance. His works such as Tattva-mukta-kalāpa and Adhikarana-sarāvalī established him as a pillar of the tradition—combining logic, grammar, and metaphysics into a cohesive philosophical architecture.

Equally remarkable is Deśika’s poetic brilliance. Hymns like the Śrī Hayagrīva Stotra, Śrī Daya Śatakam, Śrī Gopāla Vimśati, and the Tamil Ammaṇai compositions resound in temples across India today. Devotees revere these verses not only for their literary beauty but also for the spiritual potency they believe is woven into their syllables. According to tradition, these compositions carry blessings, protection, and a subtle, healing energy—expressions of divine compassion encoded in poetic form. Whether chanted during festivals, daily worship, or personal prayer, Śrī Deśika’s hymns create an atmosphere suffused with devotion, clarity, and upliftment.

Śrī Vedānta Deśika thus stands as far more than a philosopher or poet. He is a spiritual architect whose works shaped practice, doctrine, art, and devotion. His legacy endures in scholarship and in the living rhythms of temple life—an enduring testament to a towering genius whose light continues to guide seekers on the path of Viśiṣṭādvaita.

Here is a chant titled Śrī Hayagrīva-stotram that Śrī Vedānta Deśika composed on his Iṣṭadevatā Śrī Hayagrīva! Listen to it and receive both of their grace in your heart.

Divya-deśa | Jr̥mbhikagrāma

Jr̥mbhikagrāma, a small village in what is now Bihar, is remembered in Jain tradition as the place where Mahavira attained Kevala Jñāna, complete enlightenment. After twelve years of intense discipline and wandering, it was here, in a quiet and unremarkable setting, that clarity finally arrived.

The moment is described as one of deep stillness, as if the world briefly paused to reflect the calm he had reached within himself. Today, Jr̥mbhikagrāma is not a major pilgrimage site, yet its significance is immense: it marks the point where a human being fully realised compassion, truth, and inner freedom.

For spiritual seekers, the lesson is simple: transformation doesn’t require a grand stage. Sometimes the most profound awakenings happen in the most ordinary places, when patience, practice, and honesty finally align. And that’s what Jr̥mbhikagrāma embodies.

Deva | Śrī Kārtikeya

Śrī Kārtikeya is the Hindu god of courage, youthful strength, and dynamic action. He is the son of Śiva and Pārvatī, and the brother of Gaṇeśa. Known by many names—Skanda, Murugan, Kumāra, Śanmukha, Subrahmaṇya—he holds a special place in the hearts of devotees, particularly in South India and Sri Lanka, where grand festivals like Thaipusam and Skanda Ṣaṣṭi are celebrated with deep devotion.

According to mythology, ŚrīKārtikeya was born with a divine purpose: to defeat the demon Tārakāsura, who could be vanquished only by a son of Śiva. Remarkable stories surround his birth itself—he is nurtured by the six celestial mothers, the Kṛttikās, from whom he gains his epithet “Kārtikeya” and his iconic imagery of six faces. These six faces symbolise omniscience, the ability to perceive in all directions, and mastery over the six senses.

From childhood, Śrī Kārtikeya is portrayed as the perfect warrior—intelligent, disciplined, and unwaveringly devoted to dharma. In several traditions, he becomes the commander-in-chief of the celestial armies (Deva Senāpati), leading the gods to victory. Temples dedicated to him often emphasise martial energy and the cultivation of inner strength.

He is typically depicted riding his majestic peacock mount, Paravani, which signifies the conquest of pride and desire. His spear—the vel—is not just a weapon but a symbol of sharp insight, spiritual knowledge, and the power to pierce through ignorance. While Gaṇeśa is known for removing obstacles gently and wisely, Kārtikeya represents the active force that confronts them head-on with courage and clarity.

Spiritually, Śrī Kārtikeya embodies focused willpower and the bravery needed to take decisive action. He symbolises the ability to make clear choices, accept responsibility, and move forward with determination. For many devotees, he is also a guide on the spiritual path—representing inner awakening, discipline, and the fiery resolve needed to overcome both worldly and internal challenges.

Mantra | Śrī Dvādaśākṣari-mantra

The Dvādaśākṣari-mantra is a very special mantra dedicated to Lord Viṣṇu. It was a mantra taught by Sage Nārada to a young boy called Dhruva. Being distraught because of the ill-treatment received by his mother, Dhruva starts his penance on Lord Viṣṇu using this mantra that was initiated to him. So pleased with his devotion, Śrī Viṣṇu blesses him to be remembered eternally. Hence, the Pole Star is named after Dhruva and called Dhruva-nakṣatra.

Please enjoy it and listen to it about twelve times in the morning and evening, with an open heart.

Don’t miss out on Winter Solstice Masterclass!

Date: 21 December 2025 | Online via Zoom

The Winter Solstice is almost here — a sacred moment of stillness and turning inward, when the longest night gives way to the return of light. As we approach this powerful time, we warmly invite you to join Dr Kausthub Desikachar for a meaningful masterclass honouring this cosmic transition through guided wisdom and practice.

Drawing from Patañjali’s Yogasūtra and the authentic Viniyoga tradition, this session will offer insights to help you navigate modern challenges with greater peace and clarity. You’ll be guided through a holistic practice integrating āsana (movement), mantra (chanting), prāṇāyāma (breathwork), and meditation — a nourishing blend designed to help you release what no longer serves, reconnect with inner stillness, and welcome the returning light with renewal.

If you’re unable to attend live, don’t worry — an audio recording will be provided so you can revisit the teachings in your own time.

✨ Join us for this heartfelt gathering and let the light within guide you forward.
🔗 https://www.viniyoga.com.sg/winter-soulstice-2025

Upcoming Courses!

Mahamudrā Retreat 2026
Location: Thailand | Details: viniyoga.com.sg/mahamudra-retreat-2026

For practitioners wishing to deepen their journey, the Mahāmudrā Retreat offers a rare immersion into one of Yoga’s highest teachings — the Great Seal, where body, mind, and spirit naturally integrate. Guided by Dr Kausthub Desikachar, this retreat blends traditional practice, chanting, philosophy, and silence to cultivate genuine stillness and inner clarity.
Ideal for experienced students and teachers, it is a transformative space to move beyond technique and touch the true meditative essence of Yoga.

Viniyoga Therapy Training – Brussels (2026)
Location: Brussels, Belgium | Details: viniyoga.com.sg/therapy-training-eu-2026

The Viniyoga Therapy Training is a unique opportunity for yoga teachers and dedicated practitioners to study the therapeutic dimension of Yoga in depth. Rooted in the lineage of T. Krishnamacharya and T.K.V. Desikachar, this program integrates ancient wisdom with modern understanding of health and well-being.
Through a carefully structured curriculum, you’ll learn how to design and guide individualised practices that support physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. Beyond professional skills, this training is also a journey of personal growth — deepening your relationship with Yoga as a living, adaptable, and compassionate practice.
Graduates emerge with the knowledge and confidence to serve others through authentic, heart-centred Yoga therapy.