Understanding the Role of the Sādhaka: The First Step in Yoga Practice
According to the Teachings of Śrī T. Krishnamacharya
When we begin the journey of yoga, we often focus on techniques: āsana, prāṇāyāma, meditation, or even philosophy. Yet, according to the traditional teachings of Śrī T. Krishnamacharya and the Viśiṣṭādvaita school to which he belonged, there is a much earlier and essential question we must ask: Who is practicing? In other words, who is the sādhaka, the practitioner?
Before any meaningful sādhana (spiritual discipline) can unfold, the practitioner must first understand their own nature. Without this foundation, yoga remains superficial. As Krishnamacharya often emphasized, yoga is not merely a physical or mental exercise; rather, it is a sacred process of aligning oneself with the Supreme Reality, Īśvara, who in Viśiṣṭādvaita is understood as Nārāyaṇa or Viṣṇu.
The Individual Self: Dependent Yet Distinct
In Viśiṣṭādvaita philosophy, each of us is a jīva — an eternal soul, distinct yet inseparably connected to God. Unlike the Advaita (non-dual) view which asserts that the individual and the Supreme are ultimately one, Viśiṣṭādvaita teaches a beautiful middle path: qualified non-dualism. Here, the soul retains its individuality forever, but exists completely dependent on the Supreme Being.
Thus, the sādhaka is not an isolated entity striving for some abstract liberation. Instead, the practitioner is always part of God’s divine body (śarīra), sustained by His will, and existing solely for His purpose. As Śrī Rāmānuja explains, God is the inner controller (antaryāmin), and we are His servants, existing to participate in His bliss through loving service (bhakti).
Why Is This Understanding So Important?
You may wonder: how does this understanding affect my yoga practice? The answer is simple yet profound. When you know that you are inherently dependent on God, every movement, every breath, and every moment of meditation becomes an offering. Your yoga transforms from self-centered effort into devotional surrender (śaraṇāgati), which is the very heart of Krishnamacharya’s teachings.
Moreover, this understanding protects us from the ego that often arises in modern yoga culture. The goal of yoga is not personal achievement or power, but union with the Divine Will — a state of harmony where the soul rests in its natural place: as a loving servant of the Supreme.
Sādhana Begins With Right Vision
Therefore, before engaging in postures or breath control, one should cultivate the right vision of oneself. The sādhaka must realize:
- I am not the body.
- I am not the mind.
- I am the soul (jīva), sustained by the grace of God.
- My purpose is to serve, to surrender, and to love the Supreme Person.
With this awareness, your yoga practice becomes an instrument for divine connection, not merely self-development.
In the Words of Krishnamacharya
Krishnamacharya often reminded his students that yoga is “Yogena yogo jñātavyaḥ — Yoga is to be known through yoga.” But that yoga must always begin with a correct understanding of the self and its relationship to Īśvara. Only then can true sādhana begin.
Conclusion:
As you step onto your mat or sit for meditation, pause for a moment. Remember who you truly are. You are not merely a practitioner of techniques — you are a sādhaka, an eternal soul on the path of surrender, guided by the eternal wisdom of our teachers, rooted in the grace of the Supreme Lord.