“The relationship we have developed with the fruits of our actions is īśvara Praṇidhānā”
- TKV Desikachar France 1983
Category Archives: Desikachar Quotations
The relationship we have developed with the fruits of our actions is……
īśvara Praṇidhānā – How do we take the fruit of our action?
“īśvara Praṇidhānā - How do we take the fruit of our action?”
- TKV Desikachar France 1983
īśvara Praṇidhānā – What is our attitude towards our own action?
“īśvara Praṇidhānā – What is our attitude towards our own action?”
- TKV Desikachar France 1983
The re-action of Tapas should lead you towards Svādhyāya……
“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
Also posted in All Yoga Sūtra Posts, Āsana, cYs Journal, Haṭha, Kriyā, Viniyoga, viniyoga of Yoga, Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two
Patañjali has proposed 3 approaches to verify the indications……
Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two verse 1
tapaḥ svādhyāya-īśvara-praṇidhānāni kriyā-yogaḥ
“The activities of Yoga are self-discipline, self-study and respect for the divine.”
“Patañjali has proposed 3 approaches to verify the indications.
Tapas - Process of action
Food, Āsana, Prāṇāyāma.
You will be doing something that you will not be habitually doing.
For example one day no salt, cigarettes, Prāṇāyāma.
Tapas is from the root to create thirst.
It means to deprive.
It will tell us about ourselves.
It will reveal our Saṃskāra and Pariṇāma or changes in ourselves.
From this Tapas we will start to get an indication of our individual nature.
For example active or lazy.
Tapas indicates the the beginning of the Bheda, through the Bhāva.”
- TKV Desikachar France 1983
Also posted in All Yoga Sūtra Posts, Āsana, Aṣṭāṅgā, cYs Journal, Haṭha, Kriyā, Prāṇāyāma, viniyoga of Yoga, Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two
The mind can be perceived, and perceive in three ways……
“Pratyakṣa (through the senses) – Direct perception
In other words the object placed in front of you.
The senses help us in comprehending the object.
Anumāna (inference) – We don’t have all the information.
We have certain indications that allow us to complete the picture.
Anu – to follow.
From the part you can get the whole.
From the effect you get to the cause.
Āgamāḥ (authentic teachings) – No information directly.
Only information is from words
Some truth that has already existed.
We take the words and believe them as if we had seen it for ourselves.
For example God.”
- TKV Desikachar France 1983
Also posted in All Yoga Sūtra Posts, Citta, cYs Journal, Haṭha, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, viniyoga of Yoga, Yoga Sūtra Chapter One
So how do you find out these important facts?
“So how do you find out these important facts?
According to Patañjali (Yoga Sūtra C1 v7) an object which can be understood by the mind can be perceived in three ways.
Pratyakṣa (through the senses),
Anumāna (inference),
Āgamāḥ (authentic teachings).”
- TKV Desikachar France 1983
Also posted in All Yoga Sūtra Posts, Citta, cYs Journal, Haṭha, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, viniyoga of Yoga, Yoga Sūtra Chapter One
Saṅgabheda – Different individuals have different situations or social……
“Saṅgabheda -
Different individuals have different situations or social situation.
For example large family and small area for practice.
Depending on the Saṅga they are coming from we must respect the Sādhana.”
- TKV Desikachar France 1983
Also posted in Āsana, cYs Journal, Haṭha, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, viniyoga of Yoga
Manobhāva – Some people have capacity for great imagination……
“Manobhāva – Some people have capacity for great imagination, others just flat, no colour, no taste.
For example children making a drawing. Some use many colours, others use little colour or drawing.”
- TKV Desikachar France 1983
Also posted in Āsana, Āyurveda, cYs Journal, Haṭha, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, viniyoga of Yoga
Svabhāva (innate disposition) – Nature of a person……
“Svabhāva (innate disposition) – Nature of a person.
For example tendency to put on weight, liver problem, muscular pains for no reason, changes in temperature.
This is why Āyurveda divides humans into 3 types.
Approximately Pitta-Sattva, Kapha-Tamas, Vāta-Rajoguṇa.
We not only look at the physical structure, but also how food affects the individual.
Heavy in the morning, etc.
For example different children in the family affected by the same food differently.”
- TKV Desikachar France 1983
Also posted in Āsana, Āyurveda, cYs Journal, Haṭha, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, viniyoga of Yoga
One important thing is food……
“One important thing is food.
Different combinations have different effects on the body.
When we work with Āsana and Prāṇāyāma we need to consider which foods to take.
Your mind is according to your food.
The type of food you take influences your mind.
The subject is vast.”
- TKV Desikachar France 1983
Also posted in Āsana, Āyurveda, cYs Journal, Haṭha, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, Prāṇāyāma, viniyoga of Yoga
To give the right thing to the right person at the right time is Satviniyoga……
“To give the right thing to the right person at the right time is Satviniyoga.
Don’t look at the file, look at the student!”
- TKV Desikachar France 1983
Also posted in Āsana, cYs Journal, Haṭha, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, viniyoga of Yoga
To give the right thing to the right person at the right time…
| Body | Deha Bheda | Vāyo | Age |
| Place | Deśa Bheda | Śakti | Strength, Will, Energy |
| Gender | Liṅga Bheda | Mārga | Direction based on one’s potentials |
| Time | Kāla Bheda | Vṛtti | Avocation responsibilities |
| Application of what we know having two directions: | |||
| Type | Bhava | Positive action towards something | |
| Abhava | Positive action to get away from something | ||
Also posted in Āsana, cYs Journal, Haṭha, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, Prāṇāyāma, viniyoga of Yoga
Vṛttibheda – our job, profession, work……
“Vṛttibheda – our job, profession, work.
Vṛtti affects Sādhana because different Vṛtti affect different Sādhana – Architect, Priest, Gynaecologist.
Innumerable but grouped into simple categories.
They also have mental effects and must be respected.
Vṛtti also works with conscience.
so job and time must be respected.”
- TKV Desikachar France 1983
Also posted in Āsana, cYs Journal, Haṭha, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, viniyoga of Yoga
Mārgabheda – Direction one takes……
“Mārgabheda – Direction one takes.
For example – material benefits or,
Nāstika – don’t believe in God, nothing beyond what we can perceive or,
Anastika – not even blinking comes without the will of God.
Mārgabheda influences Sādhana very much.
This must be respected.
Otherwise something else other than your Mārga will be introduced as Yoga.
For example Hindu chanting at the beginning of Yoga seminars.
Or OM on visiting cards, brochures, etc.”
- TKV Desikachar France 1983
Also posted in Āsana, cYs Journal, Haṭha, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, viniyoga of Yoga
We must respect the practice involving the body…….
“We must respect the practice involving the body.
Deśabheda – Latitude, longtitude, or place at which a person is practicing or thinking.
Deśa means climate, food.
Liṅgabheda – The body of a man or a woman. Masculine or feminine.
Kālabheda – Seasons. Cold, humid, rain, heat.
To adapt the Sādhana according to the time of the year.
Certain texts say rituals, mantra according to season.
Āyurveda talks about season and food, season and medication, season and relaxation.
Vayabheda – Age influencing, young and impatient, old and patient.
Śaktibheda – Concerning strength of the individual.
Some are strong.
i.e. genetics of body and mind.
Memory, ability to grasp, sit and study.
i.e. some can sit and chant for hours or 15′.”
- TKV Desikachar France 1983
Also posted in Āsana, Āyurveda, cYs Journal, Haṭha, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, viniyoga of Yoga
What are the factors to consider in our teaching?
“What are the factors to consider in our teaching?
At least they should be made known to the student.
Dehabheda – 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
Also posted in Āsana, Āyurveda, cYs Journal, Haṭha, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, viniyoga of Yoga
Most important, if we make a fundamental mistake about the student or……
“Most important, if we make a fundamental mistake about the student or the teacher,
then everything else is wrong.”
- TKV Desikachar France 1983
Also posted in Āsana, cYs Journal, Haṭha, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, viniyoga of Yoga
The Ācārya has to examine the Satviniyoga or Asatviniyoga……
“The Ācārya has to examine the Satviniyoga or Asatviniyoga, the right offering or the wrong offering.
If the teacher is able to solve this problem and establish that the students are serious,
then this is Satviniyoga.”
- TKV Desikachar France 1983
Also posted in Āsana, cYs Journal, Haṭha, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, viniyoga of Yoga
Some factors which a Sādhaka and a living master will take……
“Some factors which a Sādhaka (efficient or skilful person) and a living master will take into consideration when giving a transmission:
The teacher must recognise whether the student is Bhava Sādhaka or Abhava Sādhaka.
Bhava (move towards) Sādhaka is where a person comes to Yoga with a direct positive attitude. An interest.
Abhava (move away) Sādhaka is one who is running away from something, is a vacuum and is looking for something to fill it.
Appears to be strongly positive because they are running away from something.
A person who does not know what to do in life.
They want to do something to keep themselves occupied.
Or running away from something and are looking for something during a transit in life.
Very frustrating for a teacher who spends a lot of time with Abhava Sādhaka until they find something better.
The teacher may test the student to see the difference i.e. cancelling lessons.”
- TKV Desikachar France 1983
Also posted in Āsana, cYs Journal, Haṭha, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, viniyoga of Yoga
There are also other practices such as such as during certain……
“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
Also posted in cYs Journal, Haṭha, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, viniyoga of Yoga
Use and Abuse of OM – Extracts from a Lecture by TKV Desikachar……
“If you respect India and Indians don’t make a joke of OM.”
TKV Desikachar - Lecture on September 5th 1983 in Zinal, Switzerland (Fuller notes on this lecture yet to be posted)
Also posted in cYs Journal, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, Veda & Yoga Chanting, viniyoga of Yoga
To help us understand this idea the ancients conceived a ritual where……
“To help us understand this idea the ancients conceived a ritual where you see the sun
as Sṛṣṭi, Sthiti and Saṃhara Krama.
A ritual of ‘praying’ to the sun 3 times a day.
Sunrise facing East; Zenith before lunch; Sunset facing West.
Same sun seen differently on each occasion.
A.M. – Sun is a growing girl – Gāyatrī - Sṛṣṭi
Noon – Sun is full grown – Savatrī - Sthiti
P.M. – Sun is Elderly – Sarasvātī - Saṃhara
Corresponding to the 3 stages of life which happens every day.”
- TKV Desikachar France 1983
Also posted in cYs Journal, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, Veda & Yoga Chanting, viniyoga of Yoga
Also we never know when we are going to die……
“Also we never know when we are going to die.
So we must prepare for death.
Because at the moment of death you become what you think.”
- TKV Desikachar France 1983
Also posted in cYs Journal, Haṭha, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, viniyoga of Yoga, Yoga Bricolage
Patañjali says if we fail in our action it is because we started wrong.
“Patañjali says if we fail in our action it is because we started wrong.”
- TKV Desikachar France 1983