When this final stage is reached, a yogi will experience the unstruck sound, known as pranava, the vibration of the entire universe.Īt one level, the HYP details a very similar yoga of what is practiced in the West, while a very different yoga is shown by the intent of the deeper practices described within. Swatamarama notes that developing a sound body and a sound mind is crucial for the attainment of Samadhi.
Both of these techniques are challenging to master and should only be attempted after one is competent and skilled in both Asana and pranayama.Ĭhapter Four provides additional techniques for the attainment of enlightenment or Samadhi. Bandhas are engagements of specific groups of muscles at the base of the pelvis, the abdomen, and the throat to “lock” the prana energy of the body inside the torso. Mudras are complex movements of the whole body in a combination of asana, pranayama, bandha, and visualization. Utilizing mudra and bandha further activates the energy of the body, concentrates it, and channels it into the main energy channel, the sushumna, that runs from the base of the spine to the top of the head and intersects all seven chakras. The third chapter explores the subtle energy systems and the practice of mudras and bandhas. In brief, he tells us that to be successful in the practice of Hatha Yoga we must live a quiet, pure, honest, and moderate lifestyle and avoid any excessive behaviors. He also details the qualities that bring success in yoga, that cause failure, and also supplies ten rules of conduct and ten personal observances for the beginning yogi to follow.
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Swatamarama tells us that the room where one practices yoga in should be clean, pleasant, comfortable, and free from insects and animals.
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Guidelines for practiceĪlthough Swatamarama’s instructions on how to practice this yoga are quite detailed and a bit dated, Westerners can still apply the most important and relevant points to their practice. 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 mindless state naturally arises.
Through the mastery of the prana, or energy of the body, we can then easily master the control of the mind and obtain success with Raja Yoga. He tells us that obtaining self-control and self-discipline is much easier when we start with the physical and energetic body, versus trying to directly control the mind as in Raja Yoga. Swatamarama begins by explaining the relationship between Hatha Yoga and Raja yoga, informing us that Hatha is a preliminary practice for Raja Yoga. The main goal of this text is to illuminate the physical disciplines and practices of Hatha Yoga and integrate these with the higher spiritual goals of Raja Yoga ( meditation). The first version translated into English was in 1915 by Pancham Sinh. This book was composed in 15th century CE by Swami Swatamarama and is derived from older Sanskrit texts, the teachings from well-known teachers, and from Swatamarama’s own yogic experiences. Pradipika translates as “light” or “to illuminate,” so the title is usually translated to “The Light on Hatha Yoga.” The Sanskrit prefix “Ha” translates as “sun”, “Tha” as “moon,” and “yoga” means “union” so the title could also be translated as “The Light on Uniting the Energies of the Sun and the Moon.” Subsequent commentaries and translations began to refer to it as the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, and this is the name it is commonly known as. The original name of the text is Hatha Pradipika. The other foundational texts are the Gheranda Samhita and Shiva Samhita, which both predate the HYP. The Hatha Yoga Pradipika (HYP) is one of the three primary ancient texts on hatha yoga. Many of these teachings and practices are now esoteric and strange, but they are still considered to be powerful techniques that need to be explored if one wishes to find enlightenment through hatha yoga. As a foundational scripture for yoga, it is important to understand the text’s historical context and how it’s content has informed and influence the modern practice and understanding of yoga. As with all ancient spiritual texts, the writing is terse and often mystical, mysterious, and a bit cryptic. The oldest and most widely used ancient text on the physical practices of Hatha Yoga is the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. What has commonly considered Yoga in the West is in actuality just one of the many paths of Yoga, and is technically called Hatha Yoga.
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