“Today this world is ‘standing’ on Vitarka
and it expands because of association.
It grows without any effort.
One has to put in special effort (Sādhana).
Otherwise nothing changes.”
– T Krishnamacharya’s commentary to Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two verse 34

“The practice which is Śodhana for the Antar Aṅga
is Antaraṅga Sādhana.”
– T Krishnamacharya introduction to Yoga Sūtra Chapter Three

“In the Sthiti Krama the most important Yoga Sādhana
for the householder, according to me, is Prāṇāyāma.”
– From T Krishnamacharya’s composition,
the Yoga Rahasya Chapter Two verse 45

“Before launching on Antaraṅga Sādhana,
one should be a Nistavān (a consistent expert) in Bahiraṅga Sādhana.
If this earlier stage is very well established,
then only a teacher may teach Dhyāna.”
– T Krishnamacharya 1984

“In the Yoga Sūtra it is said that in the beginning of one’s Sādhana,
clarity and confusion follow each other in cycles, like a wave form”
– TKV Desikachar Religiousness in Yoga Chapter One Page 9

“Whether Yoga is Sādhana or Siddhi?
Sādhana is the means to achieve something.
Siddhi is where something has happened.
For Siddhi to happen there has to be Sādhana, some preparation, some effort.
So how is it possible for something to be both Sādhana and Siddhi?
Each gain we make is a Siddhi.
Each Siddhi helps us to go further with Sādhana.”
– TKV Desikachar France 1983

“Sādhana implies a process of achieving what I do not have.
Once it is achieved it is a Siddhi.”
– TKV Desikachar France 1983

“There are categories of Sādhana relating to Body, Breath, Senses and mind.”
– TKV Desikachar France August 1983

“Some people say they practice Āsana, Prāṇāyāma, Meditation.
Among these things which is close to Sādhana and which is not close to Sādhana?”
– TKV Desikachar France 1983

“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

“Now to examine the question of putting Sādhana and Siddhi together.
In brief there are different levels of Siddhi and different possibilities of Sādhana.
How to develop the Sādhana and how to get the best out of the Sādhana and the Siddhi?
– TKV Desikachar France 1983

“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

“To do something so what in you is not lost is also Sādhana.”
– TKV Desikachar France 1983

“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

“Continuing the idea of Śikṣaṇa,
it is possible to put further categories into Sādhana.
It is important,
as often people have little distinction between exercise and Yoga.
According to texts and great masters Sādhana is not just at the body level,
but at the Indriya level, the mind level and possibly even further.”
– TKV Desikachar France 1983

“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

“What are the factors to consider in our teaching?
At least they should be made known to the student.
Deha Bheda – tall, fat, lean, scoliosis, straight back.
Sādhana according to the physical characteristics.
Something which must be fed, otherwise it will destroy.
For example lumbar lordosis and deep back bends could cause problems.”
– TKV Desikachar France 1983

“In the Yoga Sūtra,
the purpose of the different Sādhana is to clear the mind,
so the light can come out.”
– TKV Desikachar 1984

“Dhyāna Sādhana was taught
according to the principles of Cikitsā, Rakṣaṇa and Śikṣaṇa Krama,
with meditational practices ranging
from pacification to protection to empowerment.”

“In introducing the Yoga Sūtra Chapter One Upāya section within verses 20-39,
Krishnamacharya talks about Das Upāya or ten approaches,
of which two are Śodhanam (Purifying) Sādhana
and eight are Śamanam (Palliating) Sādhana.”

“Yoga Sādhana is about what grows out of
practising alone amidst the inside at home, rather
than practising with others amidst the outside in class.”

“The tendency is to measure a persons ‘progress’ by a
perceived comparison to some mythical finishing point,
rather than accepting that we cannot really appreciate
the reality of what was their actual starting point,
nor can we truly evaluate the effort they are putting
into developing and refining their personal Sādhana.”

Links to Related Posts:

We must respect the practice involving the body…….

The continued effort of the Breath is that which gives life……

Manasika Sādhana – Mind has a part to play……

The strength, depth and potential of Krishnamacharya’s teachings around practice Sādhana……

Even these days the influence of Krishnamacharya’s teachings……

The implications of Krishnamacharya’s and Desikachar’s teachings on practice……

Personal Sādhana and Professional Teaching Today……

Navaratri or the Nine Nights of Durgā as a time for Mantra Sādhana