“The study that helps us to know where we are from and what progress we have achieved.
In short, our journey to our roots is Svādhyāya.
There are many means. Vedic chant where the student repeats exactly how the teacher recites the text is one. The means should respect our culture.
It must help explore our own background, our strengths and weaknesses and our progress.
Even a good teacher can be a mirror, a Svādhyāya.”
– T Krishnamacharya on Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two verse 1

“Svādhyāya is an inquiry into one’s true nature.”
– T Krishnamacharya’s commentary to Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two verse 1

‎”It is not enough to clean a vessel,
you must put something in.”
– TKV Desikachar 1998 on Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two verse 1

“Tapas is Proper Diet, Mantra Chanting and Self-Inquiry.”
– T Krishnamacharya commentary on Bhagavad Gītā Chapter Six verse 46
(Refer also to Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two verse 1 with its Kriyā Yoga and additional commentaries from Krishnamacharya and Desikachar)

“Svādhyāya – to look at that which helps me understand.”
– Commentary on Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two verse 1

“Svā – To look at that
Adhyāya – Which helps me understand
– What is outside myself.
– What is inside myself.
– What is beyond myself.”
– Commentary on Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two verse 1

“Svādhyāya implies what the tradition teaches or a teacher has taught as studies.
Thus, it does not necessarily mean that they should read and recite Veda.”
– T Krishnamacharya 1984

“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

“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

“He also presented the idea that Āsana is Svādhyāya,
making you understand something about yourself.”
– TKV Desikachar from lectures on ‘The Yoga of T Krishnamacharya’,
given at Zinal, Switzerland 1981.

“Activities that nurture a state of Yoga involve
self-discipline, Self-inquiry and Self-awareness.”

“A postscript to the above quote around the three Niyama within Kriyā Yoga on the uses of the terms ‘self’ or ‘Self’ within the legs in the tripod supporting our efforts at nurturing a state of Yoga.
The first leg supporting the tripod refers to Citta
as the self in terms of nurturing self-discipline.
The second leg supporting the tripod refers to Cit
as the Self in terms of nurturing Self-inquiry.
The final leg supporting the tripod refers to Cit
as the Self in terms of nurturing Self-awareness.”

Links to Related Posts:

T Krishnamacharya on Kriyā Yoga from the Yogavallī

The three Upāya to take control of our inability to see things clearly…….