The Hatha Yoga Pradipika • Yoga Fundamentals

What has been commonly referred to as yoga in the west is in reality just one of the many avenues of yoga and is technically referred to as hatha yoga. The oldest and most widespread ancient text on the physical practices of Hatha Yoga is the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. As with all ancient spiritual texts, the script is concise and often mystical, mysterious, and a bit cryptic. As a fundamental scripture passage for yoga, it is important to understand the historical context of the text and how its content has influenced and influenced modern practice and understanding of yoga. Many of these teachings and practices are now esoteric and strange, but they are still considered powerful techniques that must be explored if one is to find enlightenment through hatha yoga.

What is the Hatha Yoga Pradipika?

The Hatha Yoga Pradipika (HYP) is one of the three most important ancient texts on Hatha Yoga. The other basic texts are Gheranda Samhita and Shiva Samhita, both of which are older than the HYP.

The original name of the text is Hatha Pradipika. Subsequent commentaries and translations referred to it as Hatha Yoga Pradipika, and this is the name by which it is commonly known. Pradipika translated means "light" or "illuminate", so the title is usually translated into "The Light of Hatha Yoga". The Sanskrit prefix “Ha” means “sun”, “Tha” “moon” and “Yoga” means “union”, so that the title can also be translated as “The light to unite the energies of the sun and moon”. ”

This book was written by Swami Swatamarama in the 15th century AD and is based on older Sanskrit texts, the teachings of well-known teachers and Swatamarama's own yogic experiences. The first version translated into English was published by Pancham Sinh in 1915.

Main objectives

The main aim of this text is to shed light on the physical disciplines and practices of Hatha Yoga and to integrate them with the higher spiritual goals of Raja Yoga (meditation).

Swatamarama first explains the relationship between Hatha Yoga and Raja Yoga and tells us that Hatha is a preliminary practice for Raja Yoga. He tells us that it is much easier to gain self-control and self-discipline when we start with the physical and energetic body than when we try to control the mind directly as in Raja Yoga. Then, through mastery of the prana or the energy of the body, we can easily master the control of the mind and achieve success with Raja Yoga. In verse 1:41, he tells us that when the flow of prana is stabilized through the practices of hatha yoga, the breath stops spontaneously and a naturally thoughtless state arises.

Practice guidelines

Although Swatamarama's instructions for practicing this yoga are very detailed and somewhat out of date, Westerners can apply the most important and relevant points to their practice. Swatamarama tells us that the room in which to practice yoga should be clean, pleasant, comfortable and free from insects and animals. It also describes the qualities that lead to success in yoga, which lead to failure, and provides ten rules of conduct and ten personal observations for the beginning yogi. In short, he tells us that in order to be successful in the practice of hatha yoga we must lead a calm, pure, honest, and moderate lifestyle and avoid excessive behavior.

The main practices in Hatha Yoga Pradipika

Most of this text describes the techniques of the main practices of Hatha Yoga: Asana (postures), Pranayama (breathing exercises), Shatkarma (inner cleansing), Mudra (energy seals) and Bandha (energy barriers).

After some basic preliminary requirements in the first chapter, Swatamarama makes it clear that the first stage of hatha is yoga Asana, the posture that we are most familiar in the west. Asana creates firmness of the body and mind as well as sickness and flexibility of the body. Here we first learn to control and discipline the body.

Swatamarama tells us that once a practice of asana was established, it was introduced Pranayama can be started. The goal of these breathing exercises is to control the prana and subtle energies of the body, which in turn can be used to control the mind.

In the second chapter Swatamarama tells us that if there is too much phlegm in the body, it must be removed with the six Purification Techniques of Shatkarma. These cleansing techniques, as well as pranayama, help cleanse the body's energy channels and enable prana to move more efficiently through these nadis.

The third chapter deals with the subtle energy systems and the practice of Mudras and Bandhas. Through the use of mudra and bandha, the body's energy is further activated, concentrated and directed into the main energy channel, the sushumna, which runs from the base of the spine to the top of the head and cuts all seven chakras. Mudras are complex movements of the whole body in a combination of asana, pranayama, bandha and visualization. Bandhas are interventions of certain muscle groups at the base of the pelvis, abdomen and throat in order to "lock" the prana energy of the body in the upper body. Both techniques are difficult to master and should not be attempted until one is competent and competent in both asana and pranayama.

Chapter 4 contains additional techniques for the Attainment of enlightenment or samadhi. Swatamarama notes that developing a healthy body and mind is critical to attaining samadhi. When this final stage is reached, a yogi will experience the unbeaten sound known as Pranava, the vibration of the entire universe.

At one level, the HYP describes a very similar yoga to what is practiced in the West, while an entirely different yoga is shown by the intent of the deeper practices described therein. Traditionally, Hatha Yoga focuses in a unique way on transforming the physical body through purification and cultivation of the life energy of Prana. And all of the techniques of Hatha Yoga are considered preparatory steps to attain the deeper states of meditation and enlightenment found on the path of Raja Yoga. With that in mind, we're only getting a taste of what yoga can offer us here in the West. The HYP gives us a valuable map of these deeper practices of yoga and provides the knowledge and tools to travel into those depths if we so desire.

Important quotes from the Hatha Yoga Pradipika

Chapter 1: Asana

  • Overeating, exertion, talkativeness, adherence to rules, company with ordinary people, and instability of the mind are the six causes that destroy yoga.
  • Enthusiasm, perseverance, discrimination, unwavering belief, courage, avoiding the company of ordinary people are the six reasons that lead to success in yoga.
  • Paschimottanasana is the best of the asanas. Through this asana the pranic currents rise through the central energy channel. The digestive fire increases, the stomach becomes flat, and the doctor becomes disease free.

Chapter 2: Shatkarma and Pranayama

  • When the nadis are cleaned, external symptoms appear – success is visible when the body becomes thin and glowing.
    Close your mouth, breathe in with control and concentration through the Ida and Pingala Nadis, so that the breath can be felt from the throat to the heart and creates a sonorous sound.
  • When the breath is restless, the mind is restless. When the breath is calm, the mind is calm and the yogi becomes steadfast.
  • Where is the fear of death as long as the breath remains in the body, as long as the mind is calm and as long as the sight is in the center of the brow?
  • The perfection of Hatha Yoga is achieved when the body is lean, a calm face, a manifestation of the inner sound, clear eyes, diseaselessness, control of the bindu (sperm / egg cells), active digestive fire and purification of the nadis.

Chapter 3: Mudra and Bandha

  • Hence the yoga connoisseur overcomes death by keeping the bindu. The release of the sperm / egg cells means death; Maintaining bindu is life.
  • She is truly a yogini who preserves her rajas by contracting and raising them. She knows the past, present and future and is fixed in the Khechari mudra.
  • The bindu and the rajas in one's body unite through union through the practice of Vajroli Mudra and thus bestow all perfections or siddhis.
  • The yogi who moves the Shakti regularly enjoys perfection or siddhi. It easily conquers time and death. What else is there to say?

Chapter 4: Samadhi

  • When the mind ceases to be capricious and is united by fixation in nada, it becomes immobile like a wingless bird.
  • Therefore, one who desires complete mastery of yoga should explore the Nada with an attentive mind and give up all thoughts.
  • The yogi in samadhi is not eaten by time, bound by karma, or overwhelmed by anyone.
  • The yogi in samadhi knows neither smell, nor taste, nor shape, nor touch, nor sound, nor himself or others.

Free PDF downloads from HYP

Fortunately, there are several different translations of the HYP. With all older yogic texts, we recommend comparing at least two different translations in order to get a clearer understanding of the philosophy and practices they contain. The only printed edition we recommend is Hatha Yoga Pradipika by Swami Muktibodhananda of the Bihar School of Yoga. The following links point to our recommended public domain e-book editions:

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