The Hatha Yoga Pradipika is a classical text describing Hatha Yoga. It is said to be the oldest surviving text on Hatha Yoga. Swami Swatmarama, a disciple of Swami Goraknath, wrote the text in the 15th century CE, drawing upon previous texts and his own experiences. While the text describes asanas (postures), purifying practices (shatkarma), mudras (finger and hand positions), bandhas (locks), and pranayama (breath exercises), it also explains that the purpose of Hatha Yoga is the awakening of kundalini (subtle energy), advancement to Raja Yoga, and the experience of deep meditative absorption known as samadhi.
अथ आसनमÂsanas.
हठस्य परथमाङ्गत्वादासनं पूर्वमुछ्यते |
कुर्यात्तदासनं सथैर्यमारोग्यं छाङ्ग-लाघवम || १९ ||
atha āsanam
haṭhasya prathamāngghatvādāsanaṃ pūrvamuchyate |
kuryāttadāsanaṃ sthairyamāroghyaṃ chānggha-lāghavam || 19 ||
Being the first accessory of Haṭha Yoga, âsana is described first. It should be practised for gaining steady posture, health and lightness of body.
Śiva taught 84 âsanas. Of these the first four being essential ones, I am going to explain them here.
सिद्धं पद्मं तथा सिंहं भद्रं वेति छतुष्ह्टयम |
शरेष्ह्ठं तत्रापि छ सुखे तिष्ह्ठेत्सिद्धासने सदा || ३६ ||
siddhaṃ padmaṃ tathā siṃhaṃ bhadraṃ veti chatuṣhṭayam |
śreṣhṭhaṃ tatrāpi cha sukhe tiṣhṭhetsiddhāsane sadā || 36 ||
These four are:—The Siddha, Padma, Sinha and Bhadra. Even of these, the Siddha-âsana, being very comfortable, one should always practise it.
Âsanas (postures), various Kumbhakas, and other divine means, all should be practised in the practice of Haṭha Yoga, till the fruit—Râja Yoga—is obtained.
Prâṇâyâma
छले वाते छलं छित्तं निश्छले निश्छलं भवेत||
योगी सथाणुत्वमाप्नोति ततो वायुं निरोधयेत || २ ||
chale vāte chalaṃ chittaṃ niśchale niśchalaṃ bhavet||
yoghī sthāṇutvamāpnoti tato vāyuṃ nirodhayet || 2 ||
Respiration being disturbed, the mind becomes disturbed. By restraining respiration, the Yogî gets steadiness of mind
कनीयसि भवेद्स्वेद कम्पो भवति मध्यमे |
उत्तमे सथानमाप्नोति ततो वायुं निबन्धयेत || १२ ||
kanīyasi bhavedsveda kampo bhavati madhyame |
uttame sthānamāpnoti tato vāyuṃ nibandhayet || 12 ||
In the beginning there is perspiration, in the middle stage there is quivering, and in the last or the 3rd stage one obtains steadiness; and then the breath should be made steady or motionless.
जलेन शरम-जातेन गात्र-मर्दनमाछरेत |
दॄढता लघुता छैव तेन गात्रस्य जायते || १३ ||
jalena śrama-jātena ghātra-mardanamācharet |
dṝḍhatā laghutā chaiva tena ghātrasya jāyate || 13 ||
The perspiration exuding from exertion of practice should be rubbed into the body (and not wiped), as by so doing the body becomes strong.
पराणायामेन युक्तेन सर्व-रोग-कष्हयो भवेत |
अयुक्ताभ्यास-योगेन सर्व-रोग-समुद्गमः || १६ ||
prāṇāyāmena yuktena sarva-rogha-kṣhayo bhavet |
ayuktābhyāsa-yoghena sarva-rogha-samudghamaḥ || 16 ||
When Prâṇayama, etc., are performed properly, they eradicate all diseases; but an improper practice generates diseases.
योगी सथाणुत्वमाप्नोति ततो वायुं निरोधयेत || २ ||
chale vāte chalaṃ chittaṃ niśchale niśchalaṃ bhavet||
yoghī sthāṇutvamāpnoti tato vāyuṃ nirodhayet || 2 ||
Respiration being disturbed, the mind becomes disturbed. By restraining respiration, the Yogî gets steadiness of mind
कनीयसि भवेद्स्वेद कम्पो भवति मध्यमे |
उत्तमे सथानमाप्नोति ततो वायुं निबन्धयेत || १२ ||
kanīyasi bhavedsveda kampo bhavati madhyame |
uttame sthānamāpnoti tato vāyuṃ nibandhayet || 12 ||
In the beginning there is perspiration, in the middle stage there is quivering, and in the last or the 3rd stage one obtains steadiness; and then the breath should be made steady or motionless.
जलेन शरम-जातेन गात्र-मर्दनमाछरेत |
दॄढता लघुता छैव तेन गात्रस्य जायते || १३ ||
jalena śrama-jātena ghātra-mardanamācharet |
dṝḍhatā laghutā chaiva tena ghātrasya jāyate || 13 ||
The perspiration exuding from exertion of practice should be rubbed into the body (and not wiped), as by so doing the body becomes strong.
पराणायामेन युक्तेन सर्व-रोग-कष्हयो भवेत |
अयुक्ताभ्यास-योगेन सर्व-रोग-समुद्गमः || १६ ||
prāṇāyāmena yuktena sarva-rogha-kṣhayo bhavet |
ayuktābhyāsa-yoghena sarva-rogha-samudghamaḥ || 16 ||
When Prâṇayama, etc., are performed properly, they eradicate all diseases; but an improper practice generates diseases.
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