swādhyāyād iṣṭadevatāsaṁprayogaḥ ॥44॥
स्वाध्यायादि् इष्टदेवतासंप्रयोगः ॥४४॥
From Self-study and reflection, one attains contact with the underlying natural reality or force.
- Patañjali Yoga Sutra 2.44
Swādhyāya or Self-study is unfortunately called the study of scriptures and books. In a way, it is correct, but it is not just that. The scriptures and books are only aids in the study of the Self. Just reading scriptures without any experience is of no use.
By Self-study, swādhyāya, the devas or divine presence is felt and experienced. By Self-study, by observing, and by being hollow and empty, you become a channel. You become a part of the divine. You are able to feel the presence of divinity. The angels and devās, which are different forms of your consciousness, start blossoming.
Iṣṭa-devatā saṁprayogaḥ means contact with the subtle divinity that can come to you in any form, or light, or vibration or feeling. When you do yājñā, meditation, tapas, or sit in big homās, poojās, do you feel some vibrations? That is iṣṭa-devatā saṁprayogaḥ. Participating in a yājñā is also part of swādhyāya or listening to the chanting of the mantrās, to devotional hymns, uplifts the energy. And then you experience the subtle divine beings. You come in contact with the subtle divine beings. Iṣṭa-devatā saṁprayogaḥ.
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(This is part of a series of knowledge sheets based on Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's commentaries on Patanjali Yoga Sutras.)
