Commentaries around
“A particular Dharma is not there,
but somewhere we feel it is there.”
– T Krishnamacharya’s commentary to
Yoga Sūtra Chapter One verse 8
Asteya – non-stealing.
It’s not taking away that
which belongs to somebody else.
Whether Dravya, Dharma, Karma, Vidyā.
– Reflection on Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two verse 37
“The first Śloka sets the saga on the field of Dharma.
Dharma is how we respond, whatever the situation,
presuming we can sustain our view within the present.
Karma is how we respond, having lost sight of our view,
because it’s become obscured by the force of our memories.
Then Karma is the force now driving us through our memories.
So, Arjuna’s Dharma becomes obscured because of his Karma.”
– Reflection on Bhagavad Gītā Chapter One verse 1
“The message of the Bhagavad Gītā is:
The vision of the lord is certain through
singular devotion developed by honouring ones Dharma
in a spirit that leads to clarity and detachment.”
– TKV Desikachar Commentary on Gītārtha Saṃgraha of Śrī Yāmunācārya Śloka One
“It is honouring ones Dharma that will reveal the true nature of oneself.”
– TKV Desikachar Commentary on Gītārtha Saṃgraha of Śrī Yāmunācārya Śloka Two
“Dharma is that which supports you,
Dharma is that which stops you from falling,
Dharma is that which picks you up after you have fallen.”
– TKV Desikachar
“In the indian tradition we have the idea of Varṇa–Āśrama–Dharma
and Dharma–Artha–Kāma–Mokṣa.
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
“What is the role of Dharma
in the face of survival?”
– TKV Desikachar speaking with his
senior Western students London 1998
“Once I am very clear about what is to be known – Svadharma,
then I can be clear about what is universal Dharma.”
– TKV Desikachar speaking with his
senior Western students London 1998
“The Indian culture says:
‘Dharma will protect the one who protects the Dharma‘.
If you serve something it will serve you.
The more I honour the other person
the better will be the response,
of course it may take some time.”
– TKV Desikachar speaking with his
senior Western students London 1998
“There is an image in the world today that the Guru has a following
and his students follow him like the Pied Piper.
This is not good. The true Guru shows you the way.
You go your way and then you’re on your own,
because you know your place and you are grateful.
I can always thank my Guru naturally and enjoy the relationship,
but I do not have to follow him around, because then I am not in my own place.
Following the Guru’s destination is another way of losing yourself.
The Yoga concept of Svadharma means ‘your own Dharma‘ or ‘your own way’.
If you try to do somebody else’s Dharma, trouble happens.
The Guru helps you find your own Dharma.”
– TKV Desikachar
“The Bhagavad Gītā is about confusion OF Dharma and
the Yoga Sūtra is about confusion AND Dharma.”
– TKV Desikachar
“Bhagavad Gītā Chapter One Verse 1 sets the story on the field of Dharma.
Dharma is how we act in relation to the present moment and is a product of our Karma.
Karma is a force coming from past memories.
Thus Arjuna’s Dharma becomes confused because of his Karma.”
“One of the purposes of Yoga is to help us with the challenge of
discerning between what is our Dharma and what is our Karma.”
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