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Patañjali's Yogasūtra II.32 | Explained By Viniyoga® Expert Dr Kausthub Desikachar

Yogasūtra II.32 - śauca-saṁtoṣa-tapaḥ-svādhyāya-īśvarapraṇidhānāni niyamāḥ

Purity, contentment, self-discipline, self-enquiry, and surrender to the Divine are the personal observances.

Internal and external cleanliness is called Śauca (purity). External cleanliness involves keeping our body and senses clean. Internal cleanliness means that we keep our thoughts, intentions and words pure. A clear conscience and acceptance without reservation of pleasure and pain etc. is Saṁtoṣa (contentment).

Equanimity of mind when experiencing pairs of opposites like cold and heat, pleasure and pain, like and dislike etc., is Tapas (self-discipline). This will be possible when the body is rid of any defects or impurities. Strict adherence to one’s own duties and responsibilities (Svadharma) is also Tapas. Traditionally, recitation of the Veda-s, Vedānta, Smṛti-s, Purāṇa-s, Itihāsa-s etc., or recitation of Mantra-s into which your teacher has initiated you for the purpose of establishing your own Dharma, is Svādhyāya (self-enquiry).

In the Vedic view, Īśvara-praṇidhāna is an attitude of surrender to the Divine, for we are not in control of all that happens in our life, including the consequences of our own actions. It is a reminder that we are not the masters of this world, and need to remain humble. In this context, Īśvara-praṇidhāna can be interpreted as offering up all actions to a higher force, and letting go of their fruits.

The Yama-s and the Niyama-s are self-sustaining: they nourish each other.

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Yogasūtra II.32 - śauca-saṁtoṣa-tapaḥ-svādhyāya-īśvarapraṇidhānāni niyamāḥ Dr Kaustubha Desikachar



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.

He is the founder of Viniyoga Pte. Ltd. and also the co-founder of Krishnamacharya Healing & Yoga Foundation, India, and founder and president of Europe based, KHYF International.

He is also currently the seniormost trainer of the Viniyoga tradition and offers Viniyoga® Yoga Teacher Training and also Viniyoga® Yoga Therapy Training all over the world. Being focused on quality, rather than quantity, Dr Kausthub Desikachar usually only offers one batch in a location, rather than do multiple ones in the same venue. These training programs are so popular that there is usually a waiting list to sign up and is often attended by students from multiple countries.


Dr Kausthub Desikachar is a champion of women’s empowerment and guides many of his female students to embody their strength. To view his interviews with Viniyoga Women, visit this page here - https://www.viniyoga.com.sg/viniyoga-women

He also offers a Mantra blog, where students can listen to different Mantras from the Vedic Tradition. To benefit from this, visit here - https://www.viniyoga.com.sg/mantra

Dr. Kausthub Desikachar also assists many clients in their healing journey that includes mental health issues. He regularly writes articles on Mental Health issues and these can be found here - https://www.viniyoga.com.sg/mental-health

Being an amazing Yoga Therapist and Spiritual guide, Dr Kausthub Desikachar also offers insightful mentoring through private consultations, which can be taken either face-to-face or online. To book a session with him, kindly visit his private consultations page by clicking here>

Apart from Yoga Teaching, Kausthub is also an avid photographer, inspirational writer and poet. To view, some of his inspirations, visit the website www.kausthubdesikachar.com

To view his other Yoga teaching page, visit here https://www.kausthub.yoga/