“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 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 on Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two verse 1

“Activities that nurture a state of Yoga involve
self-Discipline, self–Inquiry and Self–Awareness.”
– Paul Harvey on Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two verse 1

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

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

“Tapas is Proper Diet, Mantra Chanting and Self-Inquiry.”
– T Krishnamacharya on Bhagavad Gītā Chapter Six verse 46

“The journey with and through the Bhagavad Gītā
is one of a Vinyāsa Krama with three distinct stages.
Firstly, the Pūrva Aṅga aspect of our journey in the ascension
from confusion to clarity, as epitomised in the first hexad.
Here we start from being disturbingly yoked to Viṣāda
as in the first Chapter, and through a chapter by chapter
process, we deepen our self-inquiry into the nature of who.
In other words, this hexad is an exploration of our relationship
with what we perceive and identify with as if our perennial self.
Through chapters two to five, we learn how to approach and
refine the practice of Dhyāna as in Chapter six, through which
clarity arises in our efforts to cultivate a sense of an inner guide.”
– Paul Harvey on Gītārtha Saṃgraha of Śrī Yāmunācārya Śloka Two

“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.

Links to Related Posts:

• Compendium of Quotes from TKV Desikachar on the Yoga of T Krishnamacharya……
• Postscript to yesterdays post around the three Niyama within Kriyā Yoga…… 
• The three Upāya to take control of our inability to see things clearly…….
• T Krishnamacharya on Kriyā Yoga from the Yogavallī
• YOGA AND MODERN MEDICINE – Interview by TKV Desikachar