We can summarise all the Bheda into three……

bheda

“We can summarise all the Bheda into three:
Saṃskāra Bheda (division by tendencies)
Pariṇāma Bheda (division by transformation or change)
Avidyā Bheda (division by illusion)
They are not bad things, only different.
We need to recognise and do something so the negative differences don’t take us over.”
– TKV Desikachar France 1983

Thus we can only know Avidyā through īśvara Praṇidhānā by……

isvara

“Thus we can only know Avidyā through īśvara Praṇidhānā by action and its results.”
– TKV Desikachar France 1983

The relationship we have developed with the fruits of our actions is……

The relationship we have developed with the fruits of our actions

“The relationship we have developed with the fruits of our actions is Īśvara Praṇidhānā
TKV Desikachar France 1983

īśvara Praṇidhānā – What is our attitude towards our own action?

What is our attitude towards our own action?

Īśvara Praṇidhānā
What is our attitude towards our own action?”
TKV Desikachar France 1983

The re-action of Tapas should lead you towards Svādhyāya……

svadhyaya_2

Svādhyāya
Reflecting on our actions will tell us something about oneself.
The word means going toward oneself.
The re-action of Tapas should lead you towards Svādhyāya.
Also means study of texts.
For example Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā and Pūrṇa Matsyendrāsana.
Is the effect different from what it said will happen?
This leads to Svādhyāya and Anumāna or to a teacher.”
TKV Desikachar France 1983

Patañjali has proposed 3 approaches to verify the indications……

Patañjali has proposed 3 approaches to verify the indications.
Tapas – Process of action
FoodĀsanaPrāṇāyāma.
You will be doing something that you will not be habitually doing.
For example one day no salt, cigarettes, Prāṇāyāma.
Tapas is from the root to create thirst.
It means to deprive.
It will tell us about ourselves.
It will reveal our Saṃskāra and Pariṇāma or changes in ourselves.
From this Tapas we will start to get an indication of our individual nature.
For example active or lazy.
Tapas indicates the the beginning of the Bheda, through the Bhāva.”
– TKV Desikachar France 1983

There are also other practices such as such as during certain……

sadhana

“There are also other practices such as during certain moon phases.
These help prepare us for the eventuality.
Still more variations according to a persons background.
How do we adapt these ideas in our Yoga Sādhana?”
– TKV Desikachar France 1983

According to Manu’s authority of behaviour, in Kālī Yuga Saṃyāsa……

TKV_5

“According to Manu’s authority on behaviour,
in Kālī Yuga Saṃnyāsa is not possible!
Sthiti Krama is a transition to the next stage
where you begin to accept the inevitable.
There is a great Saṃskāra of youth.
We then accept that there will be a setting of the Sun.
You eat less, reflect more, you think of God.
This is Saṃhāra Krama.”
TKV Desikachar France 1983

Sthiti Krama – Having grown, not to become old too soon

TKV_5

Sthiti Krama
Having grown, not to become old too soon,
let us maintain a status quo.
Sthiti Krama is for a person who has responsibilities, marriage, work.
No longer a full time student.
Still time for Svādhyāya.
Preservation of what you have received as a student.
So Sthiti Krama very critical in one’s life.
The difference is that you have your own responsibilities.
You cannot forsake them to study this or that.
Considered important because it is a challenge from 25-60 to sustain this position.
Because it is very difficult, there is a great excuse for escaping Svādhyāya.
We must do it to handle or approach problems around us – children, students, etc.”
– TKV Desikachar France August 1983

So as such it should be Sṛṣṭi Krama for a certain level of people……

TKV_5

“In the indian tradition we have the idea of VarṇaĀśramaDharma
and DharmaArthaKāmaMokṣa.
According to a persons environment, development
or stage of activity in life, the choice must vary.
Which will help a person grow at the body and mental level?
So as such it should be Sṛṣṭi Krama for a certain level of people.
In old times. up to the age of 24 years should be in the direction of Sṛṣṭi Krama.
In other words more risk taken with the body, more ability to grasp ideas.
i.e. Vinyāsa almost like gymnastics.
Not suitable for older person starting Yoga.
We need to be open to this beautiful idea of adaptation.”
– TKV Desikachar France August 1983

Śikṣaṇa has different Krama which can be looked into……

TKV_5

Śikṣaṇa has different Krama which can be looked into.
For example Sṛṣṭi Krama to grow, create, develop – physically or mentally.
In some situations Sṛṣṭi Krama is more important.
For example in Āsana, ideas of relaxation not valid.
So more work, more strength, more activity.”
– TKV Desikachar France 1983

Saṃyama can be on……

samyama

Saṃyama can be on the physical, as in Hasta on the strength of an elephant.
Or Saṃyama on Saṃskāra,
an investigation of mental tendencies leading to an understanding of past traits.
Or on Grahaṇa,
going into the idea of how the senses hold objects,
what is the basis inside for sense perceptions.
This leads to Indriya Jaya.
Patañjali is giving indications that these practices are possible.
Īśvara Praṇidhāna is quoted more than once, through investigation of this idea he tells us that it is this that makes a person aware of their true self
– Tataḥ Pratyak Cetanā Adhigamaḥ (YS Chapter One verse 29).
Sādhana can be physical, senses, mental, spiritual.”
TKV Desikachar France 1983

Let us examine the Yoga Sūtra……

samyama

“Let us examine the Yoga Sūtra……
In the 3rd chapter there is the idea of Saṃyama (C3 v4) or the Sādhana of regularly involving the attention of the person towards a specific object or idea.
There are certain Sūtra which tell us of certain powers or clarity developed through Saṃyama.
When a person has reached a certain level of attention he can pursue one examination within his individual capability for a certain period of time.”
TKV Desikachar France 1983

The transmission shows the Siddhi of the Sādhana……

The transmission shows the Siddhi of the Sādhana

“The transmission shows the Siddhi of the Sādhana.
This is viniyoga.
These outlines are valid whether Śikṣaṇa or Rakṣaṇa Krama.
If what is given is mechanical it is not viniyoga.
That is why the viniyoga spirit is very important these days.”
TKV Desikachar France 1983

Even practice can be mechanical even if it is regular……

TKV Desikachar teaching at Gaunts House

“Even practice can be mechanical even if it is regular.
So Yukta Anu Bhāva (skilful becoming) is
how much you have learnt from the practice.
What it has taught you.”
– TKV Desikachar France 1983