yahooyoga: Self study (svadhyaya)

Svadhyaya is the fourth Niyama. Svadhyaya means Self-Study or to know one's self. Svadhyaya is different from mere instruction like attending a lecture where the lecturer parades his own learning before the ignorance of his audience. When people meet for Svadhyaya, the speaker and listener are of one mind and have mutual love and respect. The ennobling thoughts that arise from Svadhyaya are so to speak taken into one's bloodstream so that they become a part of one's life and being. To make life healthy, happy and peaceful, it is essential to study regularly divine literature in a pure place. This study of the sacred books of the world will enable an aspirant to concentrate upon and solve the difficult problems of life when they arise. It will put an end to ignorance and bring knowledge. Ignorance has no beginning, but it has an end. As bees savour the nectar in various flowers, so an aspirant absorbs things in other faiths which will enable him to appreciate his own faith better.

In the Upanishads there is a story of young boy named Nachiketa. Nachiketa provides a good example of somebody who really wanted to know and understand himself. Nachiketa's father sage Vajashravasa, once conducted a great ceremony. In the hope that he would reach heaven he gave many cows for alms. However these cows were lean and old. Nachiketa was saddened to see his father's lack of generosity.

To reprimand his father the little boy asked, Who will you give me to, father? At first his father did not reply. Nachiketa persisted with the question. Annoyed his father muttered, I give you to the God of death. Undaunted, Nachiketa marched off to the palace of Yama, the God of death. Yama was away and so Nachiketa waited, fasting and praying in the meanwhile. Three days later when yama returned he found a fearless boy standing at the palace gates. The God of Death was pleased with the lad's devotion and determination. Since you have waited for three days I shall grant you three boons, he said to Nachiketa. Then let my father be happy when I return to him on earth, requested Nachiketa. Granted, Answered Yama. Now tell me how to get to heaven? asked Nachiketa.

Yama then taught Nachiketa how to attain the sorrow less world called heaven. And lastly demanded Nachiketa, explain to me what happens to a man after he dies. That is very difficult question, said Yama, taken aback. Ask for anything else, herds of cattle, many elephants, gold, palaces and a long life. Oh no, I don't want any of these things insisted Nachiketa. Tell me does a man continue to exist after he dies? Convinced of Nachiketa's keen desire to understand the mysteries of life and death, Yama relented. The soul continues to exist though the body dies and decays, explained Yama.

The sole is like a rider, continued Yama, and your body is like a chariot. Your intelligence is the charioteer and your thoughts and feeling are the reins. Your five senses, sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch are the five horses that draw the chariot. The world around you is like the pastures on which these horses graze. Then Yama taught Nachiketa the importance of YOGA. He explained, by practicing YOGA, Nachiketa you can bring your senses under control just as a charioteer brings his horses under control. As soon as you have controlled your senses, you will see the soul and understand yourself. Nachiketa learned well what Yama taught. He made a deep effort to understand his true nature and thereby became a wise perfect man.