The svadhyayat istadevata samprayogah sutra speaks about the values of self-study. It has two distinct paths- one for communicating with the seer and one from the seer towards the outer layers. Consciousness lives inside everybody, but it must be aroused through pranayama and asanas. Thus, intelligence matures and a sadhaka knows the path to be one with his decided immortal.
svadhyayat by study which leads to the knowledge of the Self, Self-study or reading the scriptures
istadevata the desired deity
samprayogah union, communion, coming in contact with the divine
Self-study leads towards the realisation of God or communion with one`s desired deity.
Study of the Self has two paths. One is for communicating from the skin, through the inner sheaths towards the seer; the other is from the seer to the outer layer of his abode.
Though consciousness survives within the body, it needs to be knocked by the practice of asana and pranayama, wherein the intelligence acts as a bridge to connect awareness of the body with the core and vice versa. This connecting intelligence alone brings harmony of body, mind and soul, and intimacy with the Supreme Soul (Istadevata).
Traditionally, svadhyaya has been explained as the study of the sacred scriptures and recitation mantra, through which the sadhaka earns a vision of his tutelary or chosen divinity, who meets each of his wants.
