01 | His first book was on the topic of Mantra!

Although T Krishnamacharya is now well-known all over the world as the father of modern Yoga, the first book he wrote is not on the topic of Yoga. In fact, it’s on the topic of Mantra. While graduating from Benares University in the early part of the 20th century, he composed a book called Mantra-padārtha-tattva-nirṇaya.

Although all Yoga, especially practised in the traditional way, is meant to be performed with Mantra-s, and hence called Samantraka, this text was not about the use of Mantra in Yogasādhana. Rather it a book about the secrets and nuances of the meaning of Mantra-s, how to use and what are the right procedures of practising them. He authored this book as part of his graduation requirement and it was received very well by the faculty at the university. This must have taken place somewhere in the years 1915-1916.

The certificate below is a testimony to this fact. This certificate was issued by the celebrated Pandits of Kāśi (Vāranāsi or Benares), whose names are all listed as Śrī Jayadeva Miśrā, Śrī Muralīdhara Bhakta, Śrī Vāmācaraṇa Bhaṭṭācārya, Śrī Rāmabhavanopādhyāya, Śrī Bālabodha Miśrā, Śrī Gaṇapati Śāstri, Śrī Hṛiṣīkeśopādhyāya, Śrī Bālacandra Śāstri, Śrī Cinnasvāmi Śāstri, Śrī Śivadatta Miśra, Śrī Mahādeva Śāstri, Śrī Devanārāyaṇa Tripāṭhī and others. All of these extraordinary men who issued the certificate were the most respected scholars of the time in their own fields of specialities.

Unfortunately for us, this book is not available today as it is lost.

Little know facts about Yogācārya T Krishnamacharya | Curated by Dr Kausthub Desikachar. Current lineage holder of the Viniyoga tradition. Copyright © Kausthub Desikachar and Viniyoga Pte. Ltd. No part of this article may be reproduced in part or full without permission from the author.

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Dr Kausthub Desikachar is the successor and current lineage holder of the classical Viniyoga tradition of T Krishnamacharya & TKV Desikachar. He is an acclaimed yoga teacher, yoga therapist, healer and spiritual adviser. His objectives include the sharing of the authentic teachings of Yoga to the modern era, as well as building bridges between different healing modalities to promote physical, emotional social and spiritual health.

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