“The Saṃskāra of Yoga prepares one for Ātma Vidyā and is open to everyone.”
– T Krishnamacharya commentary on Yoga Sūtra Chapter One verse 1

“The mind depends on Cit.
It is like a stone,
it depends on Ātman or Cit to give it life.”
– TKV Desikachar on Yoga Sūtra Chapter One verse 2

“If Śarīra leads Ātma, there is Kleśa.
The cause of this is Karma Vāsana and Mithyā Indriya.”
– T Krishnamacharya commentary on Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two verse 2

“When something is understood differently from what it truly is, it is called Avidyā.
What is changing is taken to be non-changing. For example the mind.
What is subjected to decay is assumed to be pure. For example the body.
What is leading to suffering is taken to be the source of pleasure.
What is not conscious is assumed to be conscious.
All these errors in perceptions have many possibilities.
But the ultimate stage of Avidyā is to assume that we are the Masters, not Īśvara.”
T Krishnamacharya’s commentary to Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two verse 5

“Patañjali reminds us of the pitfalls of the illusion (Avidyā) of
recognising (Khyāti) psyche (Anātma) as awareness (Ātma).”
– Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two verse 5

“What keeps you away from your self?”
– Reflections on Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two verse 5

“Yoga is about remaining true to the Self
within the wiles of Myself.”
– Reflections on Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two verse 21

“Serve Yoga and Yoga will serve you.”
– Reflection on Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two verse 21

“Ere to our Yoga Sādhana turning inwards towards engaging
the Antar Aṅga and the Ātma–Buddhi relationship,
we are advised to first turn outwards towards engaging
the Bahya Aṅga and the Manas–Indriya relationship.”

“Dhyānam is an activity of a mind
dominated by Sattva linked to Ātma.
So Ātma and Sattva required for Dhyānam to occur.”
– T Krishnamacharya commentary on Yoga Sūtra Chapter Three verse 2

“In the Bhagavad Gītā, Karma is defined as a Śodhana Kriyā where,
as actions are performed, they also offer a chance to refine oneself.
Thus, whatever I do and whatever happens is a chance to refine myself.
The Bhāvana here is Ātma Śuddha where all actions are an opportunity
for purification of that which inhibits the expression of our essence.”
– Reflection on Bhagavad Gītā Chapter Five verse 11

“Ātma – That which nourishes.”
– T Krishnamacharya commentary on Bhagavad Gītā Chapter Ten verse 20

“In each one of us there is something that experiences.”
– TKV Desikachar introducing the Taittirīya Upaniṣad 2001

“Union of Jīva Ātman and Parama Ātman is a Siddhi not a Sādhana when it is felt or realised.
If this is clear then Rāja Yoga is a Siddhi.
However one has to work for it in Sādhana.
Anything that takes you in this direction is a Sādhana.”
– TKV Desikachar France 1983

“The Yoga Sūtra says so much about the mind,
but little about the self.
What can be shared can be expressed,
what cannot be shared cannot be expressed.”
– TKV Desikachar

“Ātma is the source of the sunlight in the Psyche.”

“The self born creator bored the sense openings outwards,
so the self looks out at the world rather than inwards.
A wise person, wanting to taste the state of immortality,
stops the senses from moving outwards and turns within to the essence.”
– Kaṭha Upaniṣaṭ 2.1.1.

“Is our Yoga Practice,
an offering to the Ātma–Buddhi Dynamic or,
a gratification for our Manas–Indriya expectations?”

“The irony of seeking well being,
is that our being is always well.”

“Yoga Sūtra Chanting for the Mind.
Veda Mantra Chanting for the Soul.”

Links to to Related Posts:

Yoga can be a mystery to be resolved or a question to be solved……

Yoga Sūtra on Stress – An interview with TKV Desikachar