Navagraha-s are the nine heavenly bodies and deities that influence human life on Earth and is greatly relevant in Vedic tradition, especially Vedic Astrology. The term is derived from nava, meaning nine, and graha meaning house, planet, seizing, laying hold of, holding. The seven days of the week in the Vedic calendar is also based on the Navagraha. The position of each of these houses in our astrological chart that is calculated based on the time and place of our birth influences our dharma (purpose) and karma (destiny).
There are very special Gāyatrī mantras to honour each of these Navagraha-s. This chant titled Śrī Navagraha-candra-gāyatrī-mantra honours the Moon, the second house of the Navagraha-s. Candra is also a royal planet and is considered the queen in astrology. He represents the mind, emotions, sensitivity, the mother, house and domestic comforts, milk, the ocean and all things connected with the sea, textiles and apparel. He is known as Candra, because of his waxing and waning qualities, he is usually never depicted in full form. We see him with only his upper body from the chest upwards, with two hands holding one lotus each, riding upon a chariot drawn by 10 horses.
Listen to this chant twelve times at moonrise each day. On Monday, listen to it twelve times at sunrise and sunset times.
oṁ niśākarāya vidmahe | kalānāthāya dhīmahi | tannaḥ candraḥ pracodayāt
Dr Kausthub Desikachar is the successor and current lineage holder of the classical Yoga tradition of T Krishnamacharya & TKV Desikachar. He is an acclaimed yoga teacher, yoga therapist, healer and spiritual adviser. His objectives include the sharing of the authentic teachings of Yoga to the modern era, as well as building bridges between different healing modalities to promote physical, emotional social and spiritual health.
He is the founder of Viniyoga Pte. Ltd. and also the co-founder of Krishnamacharya Healing & Yoga Foundation, India, and the founder and president of Europe based KHYF International.
Dr Kausthub Desikachar is a champion of women’s empowerment and guides many of his female students to embody their inner strength. To view his interviews with Viniyoga Women, visit this page here - https://www.viniyoga.com.sg/viniyoga-women
He also offers a Mantra blog, where students can listen to different Mantras from the Vedic Tradition. To benefit from this, visit here - https://www.viniyoga.com.sg/mantra
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Apart from Yoga Teaching, Kausthub is also an avid photographer, inspirational writer and poet. To view, some of his inspirations, visit the website www.kausthubdesikachar.com