Svādhyāya Explained

(Devanagari: Sanskrit: स्वाध्याय) is a Sanskrit term which means self-study and especially the recitation of the Vedas and other sacred texts.^{[1] [2] [3]} It is also a broader concept with several meanings. In various schools of Hinduism, Svadhyaya is a Niyama (virtuous observance) connoting introspection and "study of self".^[4]

Etymology, meaning and usage

Svādhyāya is a compound Sanskrit word composed of sva (स्व) + adhyāya (अध्याय). Adhyāya means "a lesson, lecture, chapter; reading".^[5] Svā means "own, one's own, self, the human soul".^[6] Therefore, Svādhyāya literally means "one's own reading, lesson".

Svādhyāya is also a compound Sanskrit word composed of svā (स्वा) + dhyāya (ध्याय). Dhyāya means "meditating on".^[7] The root of Adhyāya and Dhyāya is “Dhyai” (ध्यै) which means “meditate, contemplate, think of”.^[8] The term Svādhyāya therefore, also connotes “contemplation, meditation, reflection of one self”, or simply “to study one’s own self”.^[9]

The term Svadhyaya has other meanings. In the Śruti, it refers to the historical practice of self-reciting Vedas to ensure it is memorized and faithfully transmitted, without writing, by the word of mouth, to the next generation. In various schools of Hinduism, particularly Yoga, Svadhyaya is also a niyama, a virtuous behavior. As a virtue, it means "study of self", "self-reflection", "introspection, observation of self".^{[10] [11] [12]}

is translated in a number of ways. Some translate it as the "study of the scriptures and darśanas."^[13] Some translators simply use the word "study" without qualifying the type of study.^{[14] [15]} MacNeill translates it as "self-study or spiritual self-education".^[16] Dhyāya, when used in the context of self study in ancient and medieval Indian texts, is synonymous with Abhyasa, Adhi and Viks; while Adhyāya, when used in context of reciting and reading in Indian texts, is synonymous with Anukti, Nipatha^[17] and Patha.^{[18] [19]}

Svadhyaya in ancient literature

Upanishads

Taittiriya Upanishad’s hymn 1.9.1^[20] emphasizes the central importance of Svadhyaya in one’s pursuit of Reality (Ṛta), Truth (Satya), Self-restraint (Damah), Perseverance (Tapas), Tranquility and Inner Peace (Samas),^[21] Relationships with others, family, guests (Praja, Prajana, Manush, Atithi) and all Rituals (Agnaya, Agnihotram).^{[22] [23]}

Taittiriya Upanishad, however, adds in verse 1.9.1, that along with the virtue of process of learning, one must teach and share (pravacana) what one learns.^[22] This is expressed by the phrase "", translated as "and learning and teaching" by Gambhīrānanda^[24]

In verse 1.11.1, the final chapter in the education of a student, the Taittiriya Upanishad reminds,^[25]

Notes and References

1. For compound derivation as Sanskrit: स्व + Sanskrit: अध्यायः and meanings of as "1. self-recitation, muttering to one-self. -2. study of the Vedas, sacred study, perusal of sacred books. -3. the Veda itself. -4. a day on which sacred study is enjoined to be resumed after suspension." see:, right column.
2. For definition of "स्वाध्याय, m. repeating to oneself, study of the Veda; repetition of the Veda aloud" see:, left column.
3. For definition as "the regular habit of study of religious books", see: Chatterjee and Datta (1984), p. 303.
4. Sharda Nandram (2010), Synchronizing Leadership Style with Integral Transformational Yoga Principles, In Spirituality and Business (Editors: Nandram and Borden), Springer Berlin Heidelberg,, pages 183-203
5. http://www.sanskrit-lexicon.uni-koeln.de/scans/MWScan/tamil/index.html AdhyAya
6. http://www.sanskrit-lexicon.uni-koeln.de/scans/MWScan/tamil/index.html SvA
7. http://spokensanskrit.de/index.php?tinput=dhyAyam&direction=SE&link=yes&choice=yes dhyAyam
8. http://spokensanskrit.de/index.php?tinput=dhyai&direction=SE&script=HK&link=yes&beginning=0 ध्यै
9. Rolf Sovik (2014), Understanding Yourself: the path of Svadhyaya, Himalayan Institute Press,, pages 191-197
10. C Woiwode (2013), Transcendence and Spirituality Human Needs and the Practices of the Indian Svadhyaya Movement, Journal of Developing Societies, 29(3): 233-257
11. KH Garland (2010), Yoga, Pradhana Dharma, and the Helping Professions: Recognizing the Risk of Codependency and the Necessity of Self-Care, International Journal of Yoga Therapy, 1(1): 90-97
12. L. Fishman (2002), Yoga in medicine. in Alternative medicine and rehabilitation (Wainapel S, Fast A, Editors),, pages 139–73
13. , volume 4.
14. For translation of YS 2.1 as ""Purificatory action, study, and making God the motive of action, constitute the yoga of action." see: Radhakrishnan and Moore, p. 462.
15. For translation of YS 2.1 as "Austerity, study, and the dedication of the fruits of one's work to God: these are the preliminary steps to yoga." see: Prabhavananda and Isherwood, p. 95.
16. Paul MacNeill (2011), Yoga and Ethics: The Importance of Practice, in Yoga-Philosophy for Everyone (Editors: Stillwagon et al.), Wiley-Blackwell,, Chapter 18
17. often used to describe recitation of Vedas by a student; see BL Dwivedi (1994), Evolution of educational thought in India,, page 119
18. http://www.sanskrit-lexicon.uni-koeln.de/scans/MWScan/tamil/index.html Study
19. http://spokensanskrit.de Sanskrit English Dictionary
20. Original:
    ऋतं च स्वाध्यायप्रवचने च । सत्यं च स्वाध्यायप्रवचने च । तपश्च स्वाध्यायप्रवचने च । दमश्च स्वाध्यायप्रवचने च । शमश्च स्वाध्यायप्रवचने च । अग्नयश्च स्वाध्यायप्रवचने च । अग्निहोत्रं च स्वाध्यायप्रवचने च । अतिथयश्च स्वाध्यायप्रवचने च । मानुषं च स्वाध्यायप्रवचने च । प्रजा च स्वाध्यायप्रवचने च । प्रजनश्च स्वाध्यायप्रवचने च । प्रजातिश्च स्वाध्यायप्रवचने च ॥ १ ॥
    For two translations: TN Raghavendra (2002), Vishnu Saharanama,, page 763, and
21. शम
22. TN Raghavendra (2002), Vishnu Saharanama,, page 763
23. For translation, see: .
24. For Sanskrit text of Taittirīya Upanishad 1.9.1; translation of Sanskrit: स्वाध्यायप्रवचने च (svādhyāyapravacane ca) as "and learning and teaching (are to be practiced)"; and comment that "Svādhyāyaḥ is study (of the scriptures). Pravacanam is teaching (of the scriptures)", see: .
25. For context as "the teacher gives the scholar who is departing on his life's journey", and translation of opening phrases of Taittirīya Upanishad 1.11, see: .