What is Svadhyaya? Moral Story of Svadhyaya – Self Study

You must have come across the term ‘Svadhyaya’. It is the fourth sutra, in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. It means nothing but self-study. When you get to know yourself deeply, you are can change the bad, and work more on the good. Ignorance is one of the biggest obstacles in one’s growth path. So, everyone, irrespective of whether they practice yoga or not, must engage themselves in self-study.

Here we have a story on self-awareness or study, whatever you choose to call it. You can quickly decipher, what Svadhyaya is all about after you read this story with your complete attention.

Moral Story of Svadhyaya – The Lion and The Sheep

Once upon a time, there was a Lioness, who was expecting and very sick. She had lots of injuries, due to a fight a few days back. She gave birth and died. The lion cub was left to fend for himself. He sat isolated near the river bank, one day. That is when, a Mother Sheep sees it and decides to raise the cub, as its own. As time flies, the cub starts considering himself as a part of the sheep family. He tries to bleat like the sheep and also eats grass.

However, the cub is never really happy. There is always something that is missing from his life. Moreover, the other sheep constantly laugh at him for his appearance.

The other sheep say, ‘You look so horrible, and cannot even bleat properly. It is a shame for all of us. You are really a disgrace to the sheep community. The lion cub listens to all this, and keeps thinking, that indeed it is all true.

Then one day, an older lion from a different jungle saw the herd of sheep, of which the cub was a part. He decides to make a meal out of the herd. However, just when he is about to rush, he sees the lion cub amidst the sheep. The herd, on spotting the lion start running away in the opposite direction. The cub also runs with them. This amuses the large lion. He starts thinking, ‘Why is the lion cub running away from me?’

He stops thinking about making a meal out of the sheep and decides to chase the cub instead. He catches hold of the lion cub, and asks him, ‘Why are you running?’ To this, the lion cub starts pleading, ‘Please leave me, I am just a small sheep.’

The lion tells him, ‘No, you are a lion, just like me.’ However, the lion cub keeps on pleading with the large lion. So, he decides to take the lion to the river banks. He pushes him to the brink and asks him to see himself.

The lion cub looks into the water, at his reflection, and then at the large lion. He quickly understands that he is also a lion. The young one feels so happy, that he lets out a large roar. The roar echoes across the jungle, and the smaller herbivores, including the herd of sheep also get scared.

So, the lion cub found out his reality that day. All thanks to the large male lion.

Moral – The older lion in the story is actually ‘self-realization or self-awareness.’ The lion cub to this day, believed what the sheep mother and the others made him believe. His surroundings influenced his thoughts. However, after he came to know of his reality, he developed a bigger vision. Moreover, the older lion is within each one of you. It is an internal entity. You just have to realize, that it is there. Get rid of the past, to find a new future that enlightens you. This is what the story teaches you.

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Svadhyaya – Deepen Your Self-Study Techniques

You can achieve the state of ‘Svadhyaya’ by following a few steps.

The first one is through meditation. You can find your reality when you are free from all distractions. You will learn to travel inward, once you let go of all the external inhibitions.

You can also study the Vedic scriptures and other holy texts. Schools in Rishikesh, like Hari Om Yoga Vidya School, will teach you the same. You can also choose to do a 100, 200 Hour  Yoga Teacher Training, 300 Hour Yoga Teacher Training course in Rishikesh  from there. Learn about the intricacies of yoga education and its associated wisdom.

Spend some time in solitude, so that you can discover your true nature. It is the best place to re-discover your true calling.