Links to Related Resources & Longer Articles:

• YOGA AND MODERN MEDICINE – Interview by TKV Desikachar

Collated Related Short Posts & Quotes:

“Īśvara is defined in the next Sūtra.
It is an extraordinary intelligence,
or a supreme intelligence.”
– TKV Desikachar on Yoga Sūtra Chapter One verse 23

“Patañjali offers a most unusual approach to Īśvara.
It is not a universal God as in the Upaniṣat.
Yoga is rejected in Vedānta because of the idea
that Īśvara is not everything, only a higher power.”
– TKV Desikachar on Yoga Sūtra Chapter One verse 24

“When we repeat the sacred syllable OM
while reflecting on Īśvara,
we forge a link through which
we relate to the highest one.
In this singular and simple way our
meditation brings us close to Īśvara,
who resides in our heart in a most subtle form.
Since ancient times this has been the manner
of meditation followed by the most learned.”
– T Krishnamacharya on Yoga Sūtra Chapter One verse 28

“Different factors affect the mind and
whatever affects the mind affects me,
since we are linked to the mind.
The mind is always in some relationship,
even silence, Maunam,
will become an object for the mind.
So, if we can look at
something auspicious,
I will not be affected.
This is the notion of Īśvara.
However, when such a possibility
doesn’t exist and a person cannot
link with undivided attention,
we require some other means.
e.g. Arjuna doubts Kṛṣṇa
Therefore, we have to accept some other means.
So while Īśvara Praṇidhānā is the highest,
the reality is that other means need
to be offered to quieten the mind.
Here it is Citta Prasādanam.”
– TKV Desikachar on Yoga Sūtra Chapter One verse 33

“Yoga is a discipline leading
to the understanding of self.
For this the focus must be the Lord.”
– TKV Desikachar on Gītārtha Saṃgraha of Śrī Yāmunācārya Śloka Ten
(Yāmunācārya commentary on Bhagavad Gītā Chapter Six)

“All that arises from the Lord is what hides the Lord.
Only that devotee who appeals to the Lord,
without seeking any gain,
finds the joy of being close to the Lord.”
– TKV Desikachar on Gītārtha Saṃgraha of Śrī Yāmunācārya Śloka Eleven
(Yāmunācārya commentary on Bhagavad Gītā Chapter Seven)

“The Yoga of knowledge and special knowing.
How to discern knowledge of the highest.”
– Paul Harvey on Bhagavad Gītā Chapter Seven

“We need Jñānam to
refine our Skill in Actions.
We need Vijñānam to
Link to the Highest.”
– TKV Desikachar on Bhagavad Gītā Chapter Seven verse 2

“The seeker of the Lord gets everything:
Wealth, Power or Knowledge.
What is most desirable?
To surrender without
any deviation or motivation.”
– TKV Desikachar on Gītārtha Saṃgraha of Śrī Yāmunācārya Śloka Twelve
(Yāmunācārya commentary on Bhagavad Gītā Chapter Eight)

“The Lord cannot be described in words.
But appears here for our aid.
The devotee can recognise this.”
– TKV Desikachar on Gītārtha Saṃgraha of Śrī Yāmunācārya Śloka Thirteen
(Yāmunācārya commentary on Bhagavad Gītā Chapter Nine)

“The Lord  allows us to know the divine vision
which cannot be described.
We can then know that everything
is under the supreme will.
This vision strengthens devotion.”
– TKV Desikachar on Gītārtha Saṃgraha of Śrī Yāmunācārya Śloka Fourteen
(Yāmunācārya commentary on Bhagavad Gītā Chapter Ten)

“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

“Breath
a gift from the highest
a vehicle for awareness
a proof of existence
a source of life”
– 108 Yoga Study Path Pointers