Dearest Friends

As we stand beneath the dark, moonless sky of this Amāvasyā—a new moon that arrives so close to the sacred festival of Dīpāvalī, the Festival of Lights—I am reminded once again that darkness always precedes light. It is nature’s way of teaching us that the absence of light is not its enemy but its canvas. Darkness exists in all of us, just as light does; what we choose to nourish will eventually define our inner world.

For a long time, I wrestled with my own shadows—insecurities, pride, fears—all born from my ego’s illusion of control. I mistook them for strength, until life gently, and sometimes painfully, invited me to surrender. It was only in surrendering to the Divine calling—that quiet voice that speaks when the mind finally softens—that I began to see the first light rays break through. The journey hasn’t ended; it continues daily, in moments of awareness, humility, and faith. It’s a work in progress, as we all are.

So, on this sacred threshold between darkness and light, let us remember: light does not destroy darkness—it transforms it. We polish the light within each time we choose compassion over anger, humility over pride, and love over fear.

While it is crucial to be patient as the consequences unfold, the time for action should not be delayed. As my grandfather often said in the context of spiritual deeds - ‘śvakāryaṁ adya kurvīta’ - do tomorrow’s action today! Meaning don’t put off your dharmic duty.

As we light our diyas this Dīpāvalī, may they remind us that all our past mistakes are not as important as the next step we take. The Divine does not dwell on what has been, but waits patiently for what we are becoming.

Happy Dīpāvālī to all of you!

Namaste!

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

The Viniyoga Tradition

20 October 2025 | Dīpāvalī

Luminary | Śrī Rāmānujācārya

Śrī Rāmānujācārya (1017–1137 CE) was a visionary philosopher and reformer who propagated Viśiṣṭādvaita Vedānta — the doctrine of qualified non-dualism, affirming the unity of the Divine, the soul, and the world while recognising their distinct realities within the infinite being of Nārāyaṇa.

Born in Śrīperumbūdūr, Tamil Nadu, Rāmānujācārya’s early years were marked by differences with his Advaita teacher Yādava Prakāśa and by his willingness to learn from Kañci-Pūrṇa, a śūdra devotee — a rare act of humility and inclusivity. Under Goṣṭhi-Pūrṇa, he attained spiritual mastery and became a guiding light for countless seekers.

A true social reformer, he upheld equality within worship, opening temple life to all devotees regardless of caste, echoing the earlier vision of Nāthamuni and inspiring later teachers such as T. Krishnamacharya. His reforms re-established devotion (bhakti) and service (kainkarya) as the true measures of spiritual worth.

Rāmānujācārya’s works — notably his commentaries on the Bhagavad-Gītā, Viṣṇu Purāṇa, Brahma Sūtra (Śrī Bhāṣya), and the Divya Prabandham — restored balance between reason and devotion. By reviving the Bodhayana-sūtra and the teachings of the early Āḻvārs, he reinvigorated the Śrī Vaiṣṇava Sampradāya, harmonising Sanskritic Vedānta with Tamil devotional tradition.

His legacy endures as a living synthesis of knowledge, love, and service, where the Divine relationship is one of intimate surrender (śaraṇāgati) rather than abstraction. Through his vision, the Śrī Vaiṣṇava path was renewed as a compassionate, inclusive, and enduring spiritual movement.

Here is a chant that honours Śrī Rāmānujācārya! Listen to it and receive his grace in your heart.

Divya-deśa | Chartes, France

About an hour from Paris, Chartres is best known for its cathedral, one of Europe's finest examples of Gothic architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The current structure was built in the 12th century. Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, it has been an essential site of Christian pilgrimage for more than eight centuries.

While it remains a Catholic cathedral, Chartres has also become a wider symbol of spiritual exploration. Its energy feels open; people of all faiths, and even those without one, come here seeking quiet, reflection, or simply beauty. The cathedral’s architecture, proportions and light have an almost meditative quality that speaks beyond religion.

Inside, the famous stained-glass windows (especially the deep Chartres Blue) transform sunlight into color creating an atmosphere that feels both grounded and ethereal. In the centre of the nave lies the labyrinth, set into the floor in the early 13th century. Pilgrims once walked it as a symbolic journey toward divine truth; today, visitors still trace its single path as a form of moving meditation.

Religious services continue daily, yet the cathedral also welcomes concerts, conferences, and international gatherings focused on peace, art, and spirituality.

Devī | Śrī Kāli

Śrī Kālī is one of the most potent manifestations of the goddess Śakti, the divine force that sustains and transforms the universe. She embodies time, change, and the dissolution of illusion, representing both destroyer and liberator. In Hindu mythology, she emerged from the brow of Durgā to defeat the demon Raktabīja, whose spilt blood created countless replicas of himself. By drinking his blood before it could fall, Kālī ended the chaos—symbolising the destruction of ego and ignorance that endlessly regenerate within the human mind.

Her fearsome image—dark skin, unbound hair, and a garland of skulls—reveals profound truths rather than horror. Kālī’s darkness represents the cosmic void, the womb from which all creation arises and to which it returns. Her nakedness is the exposure of ultimate reality, stripped of illusion. Standing upon the inert body of a demon, she shows that energy (Śakti) and consciousness (Śiva) are inseparable: without her motion, even awareness is still. The skulls and severed hands she wears remind us of impermanence and the futility of attachment, while her extended tongue reflects the consuming power of divine truth that swallows all falsehood.

Spiritually, Kālī’s incarnation holds profound relevance for those living in the Kali Yuga—the present “Dark Age” of confusion, greed, and spiritual forgetfulness. Her fierce grace calls us to face the darkness within: the fears, desires, and illusions that keep us bound. Through her, destruction becomes a sacred purification, allowing rebirth and clarity.

Kālī teaches that endings and beginnings are not opposites but stages of one eternal cycle. To surrender to her is to trust the transformative rhythm of life itself. In a world shadowed by ignorance, Kālī’s dance reminds us that chaos can be the cradle of awakening and that through courage and surrender, the soul rediscovers its timeless unity with the divine.

Mantra | Śrī Durgā-gāyatrī-mantra

Goddess Durgā is the incarnation of Goddess Pārvatī and is the goddess of war, who combats evil and demonic forces that threaten peace, prosperity, and Dharma the power of good over evil. Durgā is also a fierce form of the protective mother goddess, who unleashes her divine wrath against the wicked for the liberation of the oppressed, and entails destruction to empower creation. Many myths reveal how she has destroyed many demons including the deadly Asura Mahiṣāsura. The day of Durgā’s victory is celebrated as Vijayadaśami.

This is the Gāyatrī mantra of Goddess Durgā. Listen to it 6 times three times a day with a bhavanā of reducing your own inner battles and allowing your light to prosper.

Upcoming Courses!

🌙 Winter Solstice Masterclass: A journey of reflection, renewal, and light
Date: 21 December 2025 | Online via Zoom

The Winter Solstice marks a sacred moment of stillness, the longest night, before light returns. This online masterclass, guided by Dr Kausthub Desikachar, invites you to honour this cosmic transition through reflection and practice. Drawing from the teachings of Patañjali’s Yogasūtra and the authentic Viniyoga tradition, we’ll explore how ancient wisdom can help us meet modern challenges with peace and clarity.
You’ll experience a holistic practice combining āsana (movement), mantra (chanting), prāṇāyāma (breathwork), and meditation, designed to help you release old patterns, rekindle your inner light, and enter the new season with balance and renewal.

Even if you can’t attend live, the audio recording will allow you to revisit the teachings at your own pace.

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

Mahamudrā Retreat: The Great Mudrā of Yoga (2026)

For practitioners yearning to go deeper, the Mahāmudrā Retreat offers a rare and profound immersion into one of Yoga’s highest teachings — the Great Seal, the ultimate integration of body, mind, and spirit.

Guided by Dr Kausthub Desikachar, this retreat creates space for true stillness, awareness, and awakening through traditional practice, chanting, philosophical exploration, and silence.

Participants will be guided to uncover the inner essence of Yoga beyond technique, touching the depth of meditative presence and insight that lies at its heart.

Click here for more info: viniyoga.com.sg/mahamudra-retreat-2026

Viniyoga Therapy Training – Brussels (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.

Click here for more info: viniyoga.com.sg/therapy-training-eu-2026