Chapter 1. Hath Yoga Pradipika, About Asanas

Chapter 2. Hath Yoga Pradipika

About Pranayama

1. Mastering asanas or postures, a Yogi, master of himself, eating food which is moderate and has offered to Shiva, should practice pranayama, as instructed by the guru.

2. Respiration being disturbed, the mind becomes disturbed. By restraining respiration, the Yogi gets steadiness of mind.

3. So long as the (breathing) air stays in the body, it is called life. Death consists in the passing out of the (breathing) air. It is, therefore, necessary to restrain the breath. 

4. The breath does not pass through the middle channel (susumna), owing to the impurities of the nadis. How can then success be attained, and how can there be the unmani avastha.

5. When the whole system of the nadis which is full of impurities, is cleaned, then the Yogi becomes able to control the Prana.

6. Therefore, Pranayama should be performed daily with satwika buddhi (intellect free from raja and tama or activity and sloth), in order to drive out the impurities of the susumna.

Process for Pranayama

7. Sitting in the Padmasana posture the Yogi should fill in the air through the left nostril (closing the right one); and, keeping it confined according to one's ability, it should be expelled slowly through the surya (right nostril). More...

Hatha Yoga pradeepika is a Sanskrit text dated 15CE, written by Swatmarama to explain this system of health cum spiritual upliftment. It is to be used in tandem wih Raja Yoga, Patanjali Yoga Sutras for best results. Here is a English translation facilitated by various scholars.

Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Chapter 1

About Aasanas

1. Salutation to Adinatha (Siva) who expounded the knowledge of Hatha Yoga, which like a staircase leads the aspirant to the high pinnacled Raja Yoga.

2. Yogi Swatmarama, after saluting his Guru Srinatha explains Hatha Yoga for the attainment of Raja Yoga.

3. Owing to the darkness arising from the multiplicity of opinions people are unable to know the Raja Yoga. Compassionate Swatmarama composes the Hatha Yoga Pradipika like a torch to dispel it.

4. Matsyendra, Goraksa, etc., knew Hatha Vidya, and by their favor Yogi Swatmarama also learnt it from them.

5. The following Siddhas (masters) are said to have existed in former times: Sri Adinatha (Siva), Matsyendra, Natha, Sabar, Anand, Bhairava, Chaurangi, Mina Natha, Goraksanatha, Virupaksa, Bilesaya.More...

Yoga is to be known by Yoga. Yoga is the teacher of Yoga. The power of Yoga manifests through Yoga alone. The practitioner who does not become careless, negligent, inattentive, he/she alone rests in Yoga and enjoys Yoga.

~ Ved Vyas

Gerberas blooming in the garden leading to the principal's office at LaMartiniere Girls' College, Lucknow, (North India)

In spiritality, the role of a guru is to facilitate the disciple, the follower, the shishya to evolve and realise the full potential. A true guru is one who understands the pitfalls that the neonate might come across, and prempts solutions. S/he understands the shishya's abilities and weaknesses, and treats each one as an individual, or should treat each one as an individual.

Spirituality, though a vast subject, is still about connecting with one's highest potential and getting to know one's Creator, and then co-create :-)

This is yoga; becoming one with the Creator in this context. Yoga is about uniting with another to realize oneness. Bhakti yoga, Gyan yoga, Karma yoga, Hatha yoga, Kriya yoga, are only that many ways to do so... 

The guru is a person who may lead, because he has trod the path and knows it well enough to take on the role of a lamp; guru - one who removes darkness. A guru may be a person or the higher self within, the soul through its infinite journeys and incarnations knows it all. It is just waiting to let us into the secret, if we care to listen - through the act of meditation.

~ Anisha Sharma

Often one goes for one thing and finds another.

~ Neem Karoli Baba

I offer you peace, 

I offer you love,

I offer you friendship,

I see your beauty,

I hear your need,

I feel your feelings,

My wisdom flows from the Highest Source.

I salute that source in you.

Let us work together for unity and love.

(Gandhi’s prayer for peace)