Yoganjalisaram

Yogī T Krishnamacharya, was an accomplished Sanskrit scholar and poet. He composed numerous poems, hymns and commentaries in Sanskrit. He had the background of extensive studies in diverse areas of Vedic traditions and philosophy. He had unshakeable faith in his family’s tutelary deity, Lord Hayagrīva, the God of Knowledge, and the grace of the divine endowed him with the ability to write and compose spontaneously in Kannada, Telugu and Sanskrit with great erudition.

Every composition had an occasion behind it, some with intention and some at the request of his disciples. One such literary work is Yogāñjalisāram, which Krishnamacharya composed on the lines of the famous poem, “Bhaja Govindam” of Ādi Śaṅkarācārya, in a meter easy for recitation and memorisation.

Like “Bhaja Govindam”, this composition aims at providing teaching for the welfare of humanity at large, with special focus on Yoga and its importance. The composition, in essence (sāram) praises (añjali) Yoga for its contribution in providing physical and mental health and exposes the belief system of the author. It will be evident that his devotion to Lord Nārāyaṇa along with His consort, Goddess Lakṣmī forms a major part of this composition, which according to him is both the means and end of Yoga.

Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram takes great pride in bringing out this revised edition of T Krishnamacharya’s Yogāñjalisāram, based on the original translation of TKV Desikachar. At appropriate junctures, certain additional comments, based on studies with our teacher, TKV Desikachar, have been inserted to clarify to the reader certain points of significance made by the author of the text.

The Yogāñjalisāram App that presents the complete text of this publication along with the audio recording of each verse of the text in listen and repeat modes, rendered by TKV Desikachar.

We offer this edition of T Krishnamacharya’s Yogāñjalisāram as a humble tribute to our teacher and founder, TKV Desikachar who opened the doors of Yoga and the invaluable teachings of T Krishnamacharya to people across the world