Tapah Svadhyaya Ishvara-Pranidhanani Kriya-Yogah (Yoga Sutra 2.1) — Word-by-Word Meaning
तपःस्वाध्यायेश्वरप्रणिधानानि क्रियायोगः
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
तपः
tapah
Discipline, austerity, accepted purification through effort and self-restraint
स्वाध्याय
svadhyaya
Self-study; study of sacred texts and recitation of mantra; self-examination
ईश्वर
ishvara
The Lord, the Supreme, God
प्रणिधानानि
pranidhanani
Surrender, devotion, dedication (here: of all actions and oneself)
ईश्वरप्रणिधान
ishvara-pranidhana
Surrender to and devotion to God; dedicating all actions to the Lord
क्रिया
kriya
Action, practice, the active or practical
योगः
yogah
Yoga
क्रियायोगः
kriya-yogah
The yoga of action / practical preliminary yoga — these three together
Complete Translation
Discipline (tapas), self-study (svadhyaya), and surrender to the Lord (Ishvara-pranidhana) constitute Kriya Yoga — the yoga of action.
Origin & History
Source: Patanjali Yoga Sutras 2.1
Author: Patanjali
Period: Classical (c. 2nd century BCE – 4th century CE)
This is the first aphorism of the Sadhana Pada, the chapter on practice, in Maharshi Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. Having described the nature of the mind and its stilling in the first chapter, Patanjali now turns to practical means, opening with the definition of Kriya Yoga — the yoga of action — as tapas, svadhyaya and surrender to the Lord. This trio became a cornerstone of yogic discipline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning of Yoga Sutra 2.1?▼
It means 'Discipline (tapas), self-study (svadhyaya) and surrender to the Lord (Ishvara-pranidhana) constitute Kriya Yoga.' It opens the second chapter of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras by defining the yoga of action — the practical disciplines that purify the seeker.
What is Kriya Yoga in the Yoga Sutras?▼
Kriya Yoga is the 'yoga of action' — the three preliminary disciplines of tapas, svadhyaya and Ishvara-pranidhana. The next sutra (2.2) explains its purpose: to cultivate samadhi and to weaken the afflictions (kleshas) of the mind.
What do tapas, svadhyaya and Ishvara-pranidhana mean?▼
Tapas is disciplined, purifying effort and self-restraint; svadhyaya is self-study and the study or recitation of sacred texts; Ishvara-pranidhana is surrendering oneself and one's actions to God. These same three reappear among the niyamas (observances) of Ashtanga Yoga.
How does Kriya Yoga relate to the eight limbs?▼
The three components of Kriya Yoga are also the last three niyamas in the eight-limbed (ashtanga) path. Patanjali presents Kriya Yoga as the practical starting point that purifies the mind and prepares it for the deeper limbs of meditation and samadhi.
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