Gujarat Vidyapith Yoga Department: - Subject

Gujarat Vidyapith Yoga Department
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subject:
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Prepared by
Bharat bhagat
Submission date
7th January 2018
Sri T. Krishnamacharya (1888-1989)

A symbolic figure of Traditional Indian Culture.
The number 108 is a sacred number in Indian

Culture. According to the Veda, when the
universe was created, the Creator made 108
divinities to manage the created world. In later
mythology, the Gods and Goddesses each had
108 names.
This tradition of Shatanama or garland of names,

continues and today this Shatanama is offered on
the 108th anniversary of a spiritual Master. In
Indian culture, centenarians achieve the status of
a God 108 years after they were born because of
their experience of life. This 108th anniversary is
often celebrated by their descendants who,
together with others, join to pay them homage.
This is the case of Sri T. Krishnamacharya, a

symbolic figure of traditional Indian Culture and
a founding father of the teaching of Yoga to
Europeans. Born in southern India in 1888, Sri T.
Krishnamacharya belonged to a family of
philosophers and spiritual Masters. He was the
eldest of five children.
The majority of his studies were done in Varanasi
(Benares) and Calcutta, strongholds of traditional
Indian philosophy where he quickly obtained the
highest distinction in all the branches of Indian
Philosophy. He mastered Hindu Yoga in the
Himalayas and Buddhist Yoga in Burma, then
part of India. Later, he went to Cashmere to
study Sufism. He taught Indian philosophy at the
Benares University and Calcutta University before
accepting the King of Mysore’s invitation to teach
Indian philosophy at Mysore Sanskrit College.
Like his forefathers, he taught the King and was
appointed a philosopher of the Royal Court.
As a Master of Philosophy, Sri T.

Krishnamacharya was invited by many Indian
Royal Courts and Monasteries to participate in
the Philosophical Debates, characteristic of
Indian Culture since time immemorial. He
emerged victorious, not only in his arguments,
but in his ability to explain the application of
Indian Philosophy, to the general public in a
simple and convincing way. In addition, he had
mastered 15 Indian languages, was an
astrologer, musician, sportsman and refined
cook.
In the 1920s, Sri T. Krishnamacharya began
teaching Yoga to the Royal Family and residents
of Mysore. With time, he gave increasing
importance to the teaching of Yoga. He always
integrated the philosophical aspects of Yoga
when practising or teaching. Around 1935, Sri T.
Krishnamacharya taught his first non-Indian
students. These were Europeans, and as their
numbers increased, he taught himself English in
order to teach them in English. He lived in
Mysore till 1954 when he moved to Madras
where he lived until his death in 1989.
Sri T. Krishnamacharya had six children, three

sons and three daughters. His wife, Srimathi
Namagiriammal as well as his children were
taught by him. Although his eldest son, Sri T.K.
Srinivasan, was well-versed in Yoga, he chose to
specialise in Indian Philosophy. Today he is one
of the authorities on Nyaya and Mimamsa, two
philosophical standards which feature among the
most important in Indian tradition. His other
sons, Sri T.K.V. Desikachar and Sri T.K.
Sribhashyam, gave up their professions to
devote themselves to teaching Yoga. Sri T.
Krishnamacharya’s second daughter Srimathi
Alamelu is one of the first women to whom he
taught the Veda.
Sri T. Krishnamacharya taught Yoga to his wife’s

brother, Sri B.K.S. Iyengar (born in 1918), when
the latter was still a child. Following the ancient
tradition, Sri B.K.S. Iyengar lived in his Master’s
house. At the age of 15, he started teaching
Yoga. Sri T.K. Sribhashyam, born in 1940, was
also taught by his father from the very young
age. In 1956 he began teaching Yoga with his
father in Madras, while still undergoing university
studies. Sri T.K.V. Desikachar, completed
university before studying under his father in the
1960s. Sri T. Krishnamacharya continued to
teach his family until his death.
Sri T. Krishnamacharya never abused his

position. He refused the rewards offered by the
King and the Royal Courts and lived on the
modest income earned as an inspector of a
coffee plantation, carrying sand and stone for
construction projects and practising Indian
Medicine (Ayurveda). He even conceded his rich
inheritance to his brother and sisters in order to
remain true to his philosophical principles.
He refused distinguished positions offered by
Courts and Monasteries in order to maintain his
liberty and freedom in teaching. His wife,
Srimathi Namagiriammal followed his example
and shared his simple life. For Sri T.
Krishnamacharya and his children she
represented a living philosophy.
While Sri T. Krishnamacharya, was a strict

practicing Hindu, he had great respect for all
religious, traditional or contemporary thoughts.
His open-mindedness brought him to meet many

Spiritual heads of other faiths. Many religious
chiefs, head of states, yoga masters and
philosophers came to learn under him. He
respected their need for confidentiality and never
used these relations for his own personal benefit
or advantage.
He participated in family life, including domestic

activities. For him, everyone was equal and
deserved the same attention.
Sri B.K.S. Iyengar, Sri T.K.V. Desikachar and Sri

T.K. Sribhashyam are Master’s most intimate
disciples. They have been invited the world over
to transmit the teaching of Sri T.
Krishnamacharya.

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Gujarat Vidyapith Yoga Department

Sri T. Krishnamacharya (1888-1989)

The number 108 is a sacred number in Indian

This tradition of Shatanama or garland of names,

This is the case of Sri T. Krishnamacharya, a

As a Master of Philosophy, Sri T.

Sri T. Krishnamacharya had six children, three

Sri T. Krishnamacharya taught Yoga to his wife’s

Sri T. Krishnamacharya never abused his

While Sri T. Krishnamacharya, was a strict

His open-mindedness brought him to meet many

He participated in family life, including domestic

Sri B.K.S. Iyengar, Sri T.K.V. Desikachar and Sri

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