The Hatha Yoga Pradipika - Asanas - Chapter I, 19-21

The translations of The Hatha Yoga Pradipika in this post are from Pancham Sinh.

अथ आसनमहठस्य परथमाङ्गत्वादासनं पूर्वमुछ्यते कुर्यात्तदासनं सथैर्यमारोग्यं छाङ्ग-लाघवम १९
atha āsanamhaṭhasya 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. 19.

वशिष्ह्ठाद्यैश्छ मुनिभिर्मत्स्येन्द्राद्यैश्छ योगिभिः अङ्गीकॄतान्यासनानि कथ्यन्ते कानिछिन्मया २०
vaśiṣhṭhādyaiścha munibhirmatsyendrādyaiścha yoghibhiḥ angghīkṝtānyāsanāni kathyante kānichinmayā 20

I am going to describe certain âsanas which have been adopted by Munîs like Vasiṣṭha, etc., and Yogîs like Matsyendra, etc. 20.
Swastika-âsana.

जानूर्वोरन्तरे सम्यक्कॄत्वा पाद-तले उभे ॠजु-कायः समासीनः सवस्तिकं तत्प्रछक्ष्हते २१
jānūrvorantare samyakkṝtvā pāda-tale ubhe ṝju-kāyaḥ samāsīnaḥ svastikaṃ tatprachakṣhate 21
Having kept both the hands under both the thighs, with the body straight, when one sits calmly in this posture, it is called Swastika.

The following is a NOTE I found on this posture:

Swastika is an auspicious Tantrik symbol. It is a symbol of fertility and creativity. As this Asana resembles Swastika, it is called as Swastikasana.

Benefits of Swastikasana:
This is one of the simplest and comfirtable meditative posture. This Asana is very comfortable for long hours of meditation. This Asana is most suitable for Pranayama, meditation, learning and spiritual activities. This Asana reduces the high blood pressure. Ailments of knees are cured from the practice of this Asana. As the backbone is kept straight in this Asana, pressure on Spinal cord is relieved thereby strengthening the backbone. Flow of energy in Nadis (Energy channels in the subtle body) will increase. Cleansing of Nadis is one of the main benefits of this Asana. A pleasant feeling in the body arises and calmness pervades the body and mind. Auspicious vibrations and feelings will enter the mind as the name of the Asana is Swastika which means auspicious. Kundalini power is awakened by the regular practice of Swastikasana.

Benefits of Swastikasana according to science:This Asana tones the muscles of abdominal area and sciatic nerve. Normal temperature in the body is maintained by the regular practice of Swastikasana.

See related posts:

• Yoga
• The Hatha Yoga Pradipika - On Asanas - Chapter I,...
• The Hatha Yoga Pradipika - Asanas - Chapter I, 15 ...

Happy Return of the Light !

This is reprint of the post of last December at this time. Great for contemplation. Enjoy!

Though many people are running around, being with family, partying and over eating, most do not really know of the significance of what this season really means. If one is aware of the I-Ching which is defined partly from Wikipedia as “Book of Changes” is one of the oldest of the Chinese classic texts.[1] The book is a symbol system used to identify order in random events. So for the event of Christmas I will refer to the 24th Hexagram Return (The Turning Point). (Hexagram 24 is named 復 (fù), "Returning". Other variations include "return (the turning point)". Its inner trigram is ☳ (震 zhèn) shake = (雷) thunder, and its outer trigram is ☷ (坤 kūn) field = (地) earth)

If you look at the Wilhelm/Baynes translation of "The I Ching or Book of Changes" you will see an explanation of the 24th Hexagram relating to this time of year. There is a reference to the dark lines have pushed all the light lines upward and out of the hexagram, and that light line enters the hexagram from below. It is stated that "The time for darkness is past. The winter solstice brings the victory of the light." This hexagram is linked to the December- January time period. Correlations of the powerful light that had been banished (the diminishing sunlight ) is now returning, however the return is gradual, based on nature making it a natural rising spontaneously.

So out with the old, in with the new. It is also noted that in China that it is celebrated as a time of rest at the onset of the new year. The movement is gradual, like planting a seed and nurturing it or slow like a return to health after illness or a return of understanding after an estrangement. So take your time and concentrate and be still. This is where a conscious yoga practice can help you focus to be calm, still and observant.

Happy Return of the Light!

Posted by bometernally at 12:43 PM

The Hatha Yoga Pradipika - Asanas - Chapter I, 15 - 18 -

The translations of The Hatha Yoga Pradipika in this post are from Pancham Sinh in blue and Brian Dana Ackers in black.

अत्याहारः परयासश्छ परजल्पो नियमाग्रहः जन-सङ्गश्छ लौल्यं छ षहड्भिर्योगो विनश्यति १५atyāhāraḥ prayāsaścha prajalpo niyamāghrahaḥ jana-sangghaścha laulyaṃ cha ṣhaḍbhiryogho vinaśyati 15

Yoga is destroyed by the following six causes:—Over-eating, exertion, talkativeness, adhering to rules, i.e., cold bath in the morning, eating at night, or eating fruits only, company of men, and unsteadiness. 15.


Yoga perishes by these six: overeating , over exertion, talking too much, performing needless austerities , socializing and restlessness.


उत्साहात्साहसाद्धैर्यात्तत्त्व-जञानाश्छ निश्छयात जन-सङ्ग-परित्यागात्ष्हड्भिर्योगः परसिद्ध्यति १६
utsāhātsāhasāddhairyāttattva-jñānāścha niśchayāt jana-sanggha-parityāghātṣhaḍbhiryoghaḥ prasiddhyati 16

The following six bring speedy success:—Courage, daring, perseverance, discriminative knowledge, faith, aloofness. from company. 16.


Yoga succeeds by these six: enthusiasm, openness, courage, knowledge of the truth, determination, and solitude.

अथ यम-नियमाःअहिंसा सत्यमस्तेयं बरह्मछर्यं कष्हमा धॄतिः दयार्जवं मिताहारः शौछं छैव यमा दश १७
atha yama-niyamāḥahiṃsā satyamasteyaṃ brahmacharyaṃ kṣhamā dhṝtiḥ dayārjavaṃ mitāhāraḥ śauchaṃ chaiva yamā daśa 17


The ten rules of conduct are: ahiṃsâ (non-injuring), truth, non-stealing, continence, forgiveness, endurance, compassion, meekness, sparing diet and cleanliness. 17.

तपः सन्तोष्ह आस्तिक्यं दानमीश्वर-पूजनम सिद्धान्त-वाक्य-शरवणं हरीमती छ तपो हुतम नियमा दश सम्प्रोक्ता योग-शास्त्र-विशारदैः १८
tapaḥ santoṣha āstikyaṃ dānamīśvara-pūjanam siddhānta-vākya-śravaṇaṃ hrīmatī cha tapo hutam niyamā daśa samproktā yogha-śāstra-viśāradaiḥ 18


The ten niyamas mentioned by those proficient in the knowledge of yoga are: Tapa, patience, belief in God, charity, adoration of God, hearing discourses on the principles of religion, shame, intellect, Tapa and Yajña. 18.

See related post:

• Niyama - The Observances - YS II - 32
• The Eight Limbs of Yoga - YS II - 28, 29
  

The Hatha Yoga Pradipika - Asanas Chapter I, 10 - 14

There are 69 verses in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika in Chapter I. Taking up where the last post left off. The first part is the translation by Pancham Sinh in the blue print. The translation by Brian Dana Ackers follows in the black print.

अशेष्ह-ताप-तप्तानां समाश्रय-मठो हठः अशेष्ह-योग-युक्तानामाधार-कमठो हठः १० aśeṣha-tāpa-taptānāṃ samāśraya-maṭho haṭhaḥ aśeṣha-yogha-yuktānāmādhāra-kamaṭho haṭhaḥ 10

Like a house protecting one from the heat of the sun, Haṭha Yoga protects its practiser from the burning heat of the three Tâpas; and, similarly, it is the supporting tortoise, as it were, for those who are constantly devoted to the practice of Yoga. 10. - Sinh

Hatha is the sanctuary for those suffering every type of pain. It is the foundation for those practicing every type of yoga.

हठ-विद्या परं गोप्या योगिना सिद्धिमिछ्छता भवेद्वीर्यवती गुप्ता निर्वीर्या तु परकाशिता ११
haṭha-vidyā paraṃ ghopyā yoghinā siddhimichchatā bhavedvīryavatī ghuptā nirvīryā tu prakāśitā 11
A Yogî desirous of success should keep the knowledge of Haṭha Yoga secret; for it becomes potent by concealing, and impotent by exposing. 11.

The science of Hatha should be kept top secret by the yogi desirous of success. It is potent when concealed and impotent when revealed.

सुराज्ये धार्मिके देशे सुभिक्ष्हे निरुपद्रवे धनुः परमाण-पर्यन्तं शिलाग्नि-जल-वर्जिते एकान्ते मठिका-मध्ये सथातव्यं हठ-योगिना १२
surājye dhārmike deśe subhikṣhe nirupadrave dhanuḥ pramāṇa-paryantaṃ śilāghni-jala-varjite ekānte maṭhikā-madhye sthātavyaṃ haṭha-yoghinā 12

The Yogî should practise Haṭha Yoga in a small room, situated in a solitary place, being 4 cubits square, and free from stones, fire, water, disturbances of all kinds, and in a country where justice is properly administered, where good people live, and food can be obtained easily and plentifully. 12.

The Hatha Yogi should live in a secluded hut free of stones, fire, dampness to distance of four cubits in a country that is properly governed, virtuous, properous and beautiful.

अल्प-दवारमरन्ध्र-गर्त-विवरं नात्युछ्छ-नीछायतंसम्यग-गोमय-सान्द्र-लिप्तममलं निःशेस-जन्तूज्झितम बाह्ये मण्डप-वेदि-कूप-रुछिरं पराकार-संवेष्ह्टितंपरोक्तं योग-मठस्य लक्ष्हणमिदं सिद्धैर्हठाभ्यासिभिः १३
alpa-dvāramarandhra-gharta-vivaraṃ nātyuchcha-nīchāyataṃsamyagh-ghomaya-sāndra-liptamamalaṃ niḥśesa-jantūjjhitam bāhye maṇḍapa-vedi-kūpa-ruchiraṃ prākāra-saṃveṣhṭitaṃproktaṃ yogha-maṭhasya lakṣhaṇamidaṃ siddhairhaṭhābhyāsibhiḥ 13

The room should have a small door, be free from holes, hollows, neither too high nor too low, well plastered with cow-dung and free from dirt, filth and insects. On its outside there should be bowers, raised platform (chabootrâ), a well, and a compound. These characteristics of a room for Haṭha Yogîs have been described by adepts in the practice of Haṭha. 13.

These are the marks of a yoga hut as described by masters practicing Hatha: a small door, no windows, no rat holes; not too high, too lwo or too long; well plastered by cow dung, clean and bug free. The grounds are enclosed by a wall and beautified by arbor, a raised platform, and a well.

एवं विधे मठे सथित्वा सर्व-छिन्ता-विवर्जितः गुरूपदिष्ह्ट-मार्गेण योगमेव समभ्यसेत १४
evaṃ vidhe maṭhe sthitvā sarva-chintā-vivarjitaḥ ghurūpadiṣhṭa-mārgheṇa yoghameva samabhyaset 14

Having seated in such a room and free from all anxieties, he should practise Yoga, as instructed by his guru. 14.

Living in this hut, free from all anxieties, one should earnestly practice yoga as taught by one's Guru.

The Hatha Yoga Pradipika - On Asanas - Chapter I, 1-9

The Hatha Yoga Pradipika is a small book that consists of four parts and since I love yoga, the review of the text begins. The translating authors of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika to be used for this review are Pancham Sinh and Brian Dana Ackers.

Pancham Sinh's translation was done in 1915 and in his introduction he points out that there are two classes of students of Yoga. Those who studied it theoretically and those who combined the theory with practice. He stated that Yoga is of little use if studied theoretically.

Chapter one is named Asanas. As with all spiritual and or yogic text it begins with acknowledgement /salutations to the Guru or Deity responsible for the making of the text.

शरी-आदि-नाथाय नमोअस्तु तस्मै
येनोपदिष्ह्टा हठ-योग-विद्या
विभ्राजते परोन्नत-राज-योगम
आरोढुमिछ्छोरधिरोहिणीव १ १
śrī-ādi-nāthāya namoastu tasmai
yenopadiṣhṭā haṭha-yogha-vidyā
vibhrājate pronnata-rāja-yogham
āroḍhumichchoradhirohiṇīva 1 1

Salutations to Adinatha (Siva) who expounded the knowledge of Hatha Yoga, which is like a staircase that leads the aspirant to the high pinnacled Raja Yoga. - translated by Pancham Singh

Salutations to Shiva, who taught the science of Hatha Yoga. It is the aspirant's stairway to the heights of Raja Yoga - translated by Brian Dana Ackers

(Raja Yoga - the path of meditation combining all of the paths. Included also is the study of body as a vehicle of spiritual energy.)

परणम्य शरी-गुरुं नाथं सवात्मारामेण योगिना
केवलं राज-योगाय हठ-विद्योपदिश्यते २
praṇamya śrī-ghuruṃ nāthaṃ svātmārāmeṇa yoghinā
kevalaṃ rāja-yoghāya haṭha-vidyopadiśyate 2

Yogin Swâtmârâma, after saluting first his Gurû Srinâtha explains Haṭha Yoga for the attainment of Raja Yoga. 2. - Sinh

Ackers translates this line as Yogi Svatmarama, after saluting the Lord and Guru, explains the science of Hatha for one reason - Raja Yoga

भरान्त्या बहुमत-धवान्ते राज-योगमजानताम
हठ-परदीपिकां धत्ते सवात्मारामः कॄपाकरः ३
bhrāntyā bahumata-dhvānte rāja-yoghamajānatām
haṭha-pradīpikāṃ dhatte svātmārāmaḥ kṝpākaraḥ 3

Owing to the darkness arising from the multiplicity of opinions people are unable to know the Râja Yoga. Compassionate Swâtmârâma composes the Haṭha Yoga Pradipikâ like a torch to dispel it. 3. - Sinh

Ackers translation here is For those too ignorant of Raja Yoga, wandering in the darkness of too many opinions, compassionate Svatmarama gives the light of Hatha.

Verses 5 through 8 refers to the names of Siddhas (masters) that have existed in former times:—

इत्यादयो महासिद्धा हठ-योग-परभावतः
खण्डयित्वा काल-दण्डं बरह्माण्डे विछरन्ति ते ९
ityādayo mahāsiddhā haṭha-yogha-prabhāvataḥ
khaṇḍayitvā kāla-daṇḍaṃ brahmāṇḍe vicharanti te 9

These Mahâsiddhas (great masters), breaking the sceptre of death, are roaming in the universe. 9. - Sinh

Or as translated by Ackers - ...these and other great masters, having conquered death through the power of Hatha Yoga, roam the universe.

See related post:

Asana - Posture YS II 46

Yoga

Yoga is fascinating. In the west, the people that are aware of yoga - not yogurt- are aware of it primarily in the form of Hatha yoga. The Wikipedia begins its description of it as Hatha Yoga (Sanskrit हठयोग haṭhayoga, IPA: [ɦəʈʰəˈjoːɡə]), also called Hatha Vidya (हठविद्या), is a system of Yoga introduced by Yogi Swatmarama, a sage of 15th century India, and compiler of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. In this treatise Swatmarama introduces Hatha Yoga as preparatory stage of physical purification that the body practices for higher meditation. The Asanas and Pranayama in Raja Yoga were what the Hindu Yogis used to physically train their body for long periods of meditation. This practice is called shatkarma.

Since yoga and its many branches are fascinating and to the average person is unknown, I will begin a review of The Hatha Yoga Pradipika in the next post.  Stay tuned.
Related posts:

Yoga As a Tool

The Bhagavad Gita - Rap

After completing my review of the Bhagavad Gita, one morning after meditation this form of rap came to me and so I will share it with thee:

Have you ever heard of the Bhagavad Gita ?
It will take you back to the Streeta
Have you ever heard of the Bhagavad Gita ?
It's about life. It's about strife in your life.

You see there were a group of brothers who were against their cousins
Not because they didn't love them, but because the cousins were withholding their rightful share of ownership of the kingdom
Doesn't it sound familiar about life?
When things are happening to us that doesn't seem right?

Now one of the brothers named Arjuna was lamenting about the fight that was to be fought
And Lord Krishna who was guiding his chariot said
Yo Arjuna! - Get up and do your duty! Stop boohooing and be a man
Do your duty and take a stand
Don't you know that you cannot kill the essence of who you truly are ?
Because that Inner Self, who is the nature of me cannot be destroyed, cut or burnt

Oh Arjuna! Stand up and be a man - The warrior prince that you are by and far
If you do not do this, know that you will be looked upon as a wimp and not worthy of respect.

Arjuna said - Oh Lord I cannot kill my teachers, relatives - It's a sin!
I will surely not want to win with their blood on my plate

Krishna said - Get a grip!
Don't give me no lip!
Listen! Listen! Listen to me!
Know you own Self and you will truly be free!
The body is like a piece of clothing, it is not permanent
There is no death - It's an illusion
So get in gear and clear your confusion!

Arjuna listened and surrendered to the Lord

The Bhagavad Gita is the song of the Lord giving us enlightenment to use as a sword to cut through the veil of illusion.

Yours truly,

Bometernally