The Juxtaposition of Yogic Practices

Home , Bhramari, Gheranda Samhita, Gorakshasana, Hatha yoga, Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Mahamudra (Hatha Yoga)

American International Journal of Available online at http://www.iasir.net Research in Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences ISSN (Print): 2328-3734, ISSN (Online): 2328-3696, ISSN (CD-ROM): 2328-3688

AIJRHASS is a refereed, indexed, peer-reviewed, multidisciplinary and open access journal published by International Association of Scientific Innovation and Research (IASIR), USA (An Association Unifying the Sciences, Engineering, and Applied Research)

U. Sadasiva Rao1and K. Sravani2 1Guest Faculty, Department of Yoga & Consciousness, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India 2Ad-hoc Faculty, Department of Yoga & Consciousness, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract: The most important element in hatha yoga is its practical concern to prepare the individual to achieve highest in raja yoga. For this, hatha yoga texts explain various yogic practices. The practice of hatha yoga brings about the great experience of higher states of consciousness. The paper juxtaposes various yogic practices that are explained in Goraksha Satakam of Gorakshnath, Hatha Yoga Pradipika of Swami Svatmarama, Gheranda Samhita of Gheranda Muni, Shiva Samhita (author not known), and Hatharatnavali of Shrinivasa Yogi. It gives an account of various yogic practices discussed in the above classical hatha yoga texts to identify similarities as well contrasting ideas by juxtaposing the following yogic practices, viz., asanas, kriyas, kumbhakas, pratyahara, mudras, dharana, dhyana, and samadhi. Each of these techniques plays a significant role in transforming normal consciousness in favour of transcendental consciousness. Keywords: hatha yoga, asanas, kriyas, kumbhakas, pratyahara, mudras, dharana, dhyana, and samadhi.

I. Introduction Yoga is a way of life, a method of self-realization. Sage Patanjali prescribes an eight-fold path for self-realization in his Yoga-Sutras. Post-Patanjali, the development of yoga has taken place through various classical texts on hatha yoga. Hatha yoga refers to the traditional formulas and disciplines that emphasized mastery over the body. The culmination of hatha yoga is for the sake of raja yoga. According to the tradition hatha yoga and raja yoga are complementary to each other. Yogi Gorakshanath is said to be the founder of Natha Sampradaya (Natha cult). Yogi Matsyendranath was guru of Gorakshanath and said to have existed before the other hatha yogis and considered a Maha Siddha after Sri Adinatha (Lord Shiva) who is the originator of yoga tradition. It is known that there are 84 Maha Siddhas.

There is a plethora of literature on hatha yoga and many a version are available. The main texts on hatha yoga include: Hathayoga Pradipika of Swami Svatmarama, Gheranda Samhita of Gheranda Muni, Shiva Samhita (author not known), Goraksha Satakam of Gorakshanath, and Hatharatnavali of Shrinivasa Yogi. Goraksha Gita, Goraksha Paddhati, and Yoga Cintamani are attributed to Yogi Gorakshanath. All the above mentioned texts on hatha yoga explain various yogic practices. However, there exist some similarities and minor differences. We tried to show them at one place. For the present purpose we have taken the prominent versions on hatha yoga that areThe Forceful Yoga: Being the Translation of Hathayoga-Pradipika, Gheranda-Samhita and Siva-Samhita, translated by Pancham Sinh and Edited by G.P. Bhatt, published by Motilal Banarsidass, Delhi, in 2004; Gorakshasatakam (with Introduction, text, English translation, notes, etc.) edited by Swami Kuvalayananda and S.A. Shukla, published by Kaivalyadhama, Pune, in 2016; and Hatharatnavali (A Treatise on Hathayoga) edited by M. L. Gharote, Parimal Devnath, and Vijay Kant Jha, published by The Lonavala Yoga Institute, Lonavala, in 2009.We could find a number of versions on hatha yoga translated and edited by different personalities. We have taken the above versions believing that they are significant ones.

Hathayoga Pradipika contains four chapters and deals with asanas, kriyas, kumbhakas, mudras, and nadanusandhana. It lists out various synonyms for raja yoga and kundalini. Gheranda Samhita consists of seven chapters and discusses kriyas, asanas, mudras, pratyahara, pranayama, dhyana and samadhi. It presents a multitude of purificatory practices. Siva Samhita comprises five chapters and deals with philosophical concepts and hatha yoga practices. Hatharatnavali contains four chapters and discusses kriyas, asanas, mudras, pranayama, dhyana and nadanusandhana. Lastly, Gorakshasatakam comprises one hundred verses. It mainly deals with dharana, dhyana and samadhi.

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The following table juxtaposes various yogic practices explained in the above classical yoga texts:

Name of the Hatha Yoga Text Technique Hatha Yoga Goraksha Gheranda Samhita Siva Samhita Hatha Ratnavali Pradipika Satakam Shatkarmas Shatkarmas Not Ashta Karmas Not mentioned Six Types Six Types mentioned Eight Types Dhauti Four Types: Antardhauti: *Vatasara *Varisara *Agnisara *Bahishkrita Dantadhauti: Dhauti: Dhauti: * Danta-mula Vastradhauti Vastradhauti * Jihva Sodhana * Karna Dhauti Kriyas * Kapala-randhra (Cleansing Hriddhauti: Practices) *Vamana Dhauti *Vastra Dhauti *Danda Dhauti Mulasodhana Vasti Basti Basti Two Types: Two Types: *Jala-vasti *Vayu-basti *Sthala-vasti *Jala-basti Neti Neti Neti Nauli Lauliki Nauli TwoTypes: *Antara *Bhari Trataka Trataka Trataka Kapalabhati Kapalabhati Three Types: *Vama-krama Kapalabhastri *Vyut-krama *Sit-krama Chakri Gajakarni 15 Asanas 32 Asanas 4 Asanas 2 Asanas 84 Asanas mentioned described described described described But described only 32 asanas Siddhasana Siddha, Bhadra, Vajra, Simha, Silpa, Padmasana Four types of Padmasana - Bandha, Bhadrasana Kara, Samputita and Suddha, Six types Muktasana of Mayurasana - danda, Parsva, Sahaja, Vajrasana Bandha, Pinda, Ekapada, Bhairava, Svastikasana Kamadahana, Panipatra, Karmuka, Simhasana Svastika, Gomukha, Vira, Manduka, Gomukhasana Markata, Matsyendra, Svastikasana Virasana Parsvamatsyendra, Baddhamatsyendra, Gomukhasana Dhanurasana Niralambana, Candra, Kanthava, Virasana Mritasana Ekapadaka, Phanindra, Pascimatana, Kurmasana Guptasana Sayitapascimatana, Citrakarani, Kukkutasana Matsyasana Yoganidra, Vidhunana, Padapidana, Uttanakurmasana Matsyendrasana Siddhasana Hamsa, Nabhitala, Akasa, Utpadatala, Asanas Dhanurasana Pascimottanasana Padmasana Siddhasana Nabhilasitapadaka, Vriscikasana, Matsyasana Gorakshasana Ugrasana Kamalasana Cakra, Utphalaka, Uttanakurma, Pascimatana Utkatasana Svastikasana Kurma, Baddhakurma, Narjava, Mayurasana Sankatasana Kabanbha, Gorakshasana, Angustha, Savasana Mayurasana Mustika, Brahmaprasadita, five types Siddhasana Kukkutasana of Kukkutas such as – Pancaculi – Padmasana Kurmasana Kukkuta, Ekapadakakukkuta, Akarita, Simhasana Uttanakurmasana Bandhaculi and Parsvakukutta; Bhadrasana Mandukasana Ardhanarisvara, Bakasana, Dharavaha, Uttanamandukasana Candrakanta, Sudhasara, Vyaghrasana, Vriksasana Rajasana, Indrani, Sarabhasana, Garudasana Ratnasana, Citrapitha, Baddhapaksi, Vrisasana Isvarasana, Vicitranalina, Kanta, Salabhasana Suddhapakshi, Sumandraka, Caurangi, Makarasana Kraunca, Dridhasana, Khagasana, Ushtrasana Brahmasana, Nagapitha & Savasana Bhujangasana

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Yogasana Pranayama 8 Types 8 Types 9 Types Inhalation through Ida, Bhastrika retention and Bhramari exhalation Suryabheda Suryabheda Sahita through Ujjayi Ujjayi Suryabheda Practice of Pingala. Sitali Sitkari Ujjayi Kumbhakas Inhalation Murccha Sitali Sitali for 20 rounds through Sitkara Bhastrika Bhastruja at four times a Pingala, Kevala Bhramari Bhramari day retention and Bhujangikaranam Murccha Murccha exhalation Plavini Kevali through Ida. Mudra 10 Types 25 Types 11 Types 7 Types 10 Types Mahamudra Mahamudra Yonimudra Mahamudra Mahamudra Mahabandha Nabhomudra Mahamudra Nabhomudra Mahabandha Mahavedha Uddiyana Mahabandha Uddiyana Mahaveda Khecari Jalandhara Mahavedha Jalandhara Uddiyanabandha Uddiyanabandha Mulabandha Khecari Mulabandha Mulabandha Mulabandha Mahabandha Jalandhara Khecari Jalandharabandha Jalandharabandha Mahavedha Mulabandha Viparitakarani Viparitakarani Viparitakarani Khecari Viparitakarana Vajroli Vajroli Viparitakarani Uddiyana Sakticalani Sakticalani Yoni Vajroli Khecari Vajroli Sakticalani Sakticalani

Tadagi

Manduki

Sambhavi

Pancadharana:

*Parthivi

*Ambhasi

*Agni

*Vayavi

*Akasi

Asvini

Pasini

Kaki

Matangi

Bhujangini Pratyahara Not Mentioned Discussed in detail Mentioned in Mentioned in Not Mentioned in Chapter 4 Chapter 3 Verse 55 Dharana Not Mentioned Five Dharana Mentioned Mentioned and Not Mentioned techniques five-fold described discussed in detail Dharana Dharana on the and included in the (forms of five elements list of Mudras. concentration The five techniques on Vishnu) on include: five elements *Parthivi and six *Ambhasi chakras. *Agni *Vayavi *Akasi Dhyana Does not mention Describes three Dhyana as Mentioned two Mentioned but not described specifically but main techniques part of some types: implied in viz., techniques but Sagunadhyana Nadanusandhana *sthula not as a Nirgunadhyana *jyothir separate *sukshma technique. Samadhi Nadanusandhana Gives six Mentions Raja Samadhi is Nadanusandhana techniques of Yoga/Nirvana identification Samadhi: as Samadhi of Jivatma and *Dhyanayoga Paramatma samadhi *Nadayoga samadhi *Rasananda samadhi *Layasiddhi samadhi *Bhaktiyoga samadhi *Rajayoga samadhi

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II. Conclusion To sum up, this paper covered the most important yogic techniques described in the five classical texts of hatha yoga. By juxtaposing we gave the reader an opportunity to go through the techniques simultaneously, and to understand the similarities and differences between them. Hathayoga Pradipika, the most popular text on hatha yoga, prescribes chaturanga yoga and focuses mainly on four limbs towards samadhi. Gheranda Samhita proves to be a more comprehensive text discussing each limb of its saptanga yoga in detail. Siva Samhita combines hatha yoga techniques with philosophical teachings and it is said to be a discourse of Lord Shiva to his consort Parvati. Goraksha Satakam, authored by Goraksha, appears to be unsystematic in its teachings. Itis said to be compiled to provide a complete form of yoga-shadanga yoga comprising of asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana and samadhi. Hatha Ratnavali on the other hand provides ashta karmas and navakumbhakas which is exclusive to this text. All the texts are in instructional in nature. Most importantly the goal of yoga mentioned by all the five texts is samadhi, though it is called by different name in the each text. The relation between raja yoga and hatha yoga i.e., hathamvina rajayogo rajayogamvina hathah nasiddhyati, tato yugmamanispatteh samabhyaset (Hathayoga Pradipika, II.76) has been emphasized by all the classical texts on hatha yoga.