Original Article Sunil / Star International Journal, Volume 6, Issue 3(1), March (2018) ISSN: 2321-676X Available online at www.starresearchjournal.com (Star International Journal) STAR YOGA Research Journal UGC Journal No: 63023 DETAILING ASANAS IN HATHAYOGA PRADIPIKA AND GHERANDA SAMHITA- A COMPARITIVE STUDY SUNIL ALPHONSE Assistant Professor of Physical Education, Government College of Engineering, Kannur, Kerala, India. Abstract The purpose of this study is to compare Asanas or postures in two famous authentic traditional yoga texts Hathayoga pradipika and Gheranda samhitha. Asana has been derived from the root ‘as’ which means to sit. Generally the word ‘asana’ using in two contest, the body position which we adopt to sit and the object used for sitting. Most of the Traditional Yogic texts agree regarding the number of important asanas and given 84 asanas. In both Hathayoga pradipika and Gheranda samhitha asanas have been described in detail. For this the researcher studied thoroughly the available commentaries of both texts given by different commentators. There are similarities in most of the Asanas given in both these texts. In Hathayoga Pradipika 15 Asanas has been described in detail whereas in Gheranda samhitha 32 Asanas has been described. Regarding the most important asanas both texts have given the same names. The order in which asanas are arranged is also different in these traditional texts. Regarding the benefits of doing asanas, there are clear aphorisms which describes the benefits in detail. In this modern world there are hundred styles and schools of yoga which have emerged after nineteenth century due to its relevance and high demand by the people towords yoga.The researcher suggests that, It is better to stick to the traditional asanas which have been described in authentic traditional texts like Hathayoga pradipika and Gheranda samhitha instead of running behind so called brand new yoga. Keywords: Hathayoga pradipika, Gherenda samhitha, Asana. INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION BACKGROUND Yoga is one of the six orthodox philosophies of In 2007, public awareness of increasing India and originated 4000 years back. Pathanjali attempts to patent traditional asanas in mant foreign maharshi has defined yoga as „chittavrittiniradha’ means countries like for example the attempt made by Kolkata „cessation of mental activity‟ in yoga suthras. Asana born, US based Yoga teacher Bikram Choudhury, and which is physical postures are one limb of yoga. Asana others, amounting to 130 yoga-related patents in the US has been derived from the root „as‟ which means to sit. documented that year, prompted the government of India Generally the word „asana‟ using in two contest, the to seek clarification on the guidelines for patenting body position which we adopt to sit and the object used asanas from the US Patent Office. In 2008, to clearly for sitting. Most of the Traditional Yogic texts agree show that all asanas are public knowledge and therefore regarding the number of important asanas and given 84 not patentable. Previous studies shows many asanasAsanas are also performed as physical investigation has been done to collect the original exercise where they are sometimes referred to as "yoga manuscript of traditional yogic tests and collect asanas postures" or "yoga positions" Some asanas are arguably given in those texts without diluting. In 1959 Swami performed by many practitioners just for health purposes. Vishnu Devananda elaborated 66 Basic asanas and 136 Asanas do promote good health, although in different variations. Sri Dharma Mitra given 908 postures and ways compared to physical exercises, "placing the 1300 variations. In this era thousands of yoga schools physical body in positions that cultivate also awareness, has been established all over the world due to the high relaxation and concentration" recognition yoga receives and the commercial market involves in it. People are confused which one to choose. OBJECTIVE Present study is trying to compare the Asanas described The purpose of this study is to investigate and in two classic Hatha yogic texts Hathayoga pradipika and compare different kind Asanas described in two classic Gherenda samhitha. texts so that people can include Hatha yogic texts Hatha yoga pradipika and Gherenda original authentic traditional asanas in their practice to samhitha. get maximum benefit out of it. METHODS Various Research papers have been reviewed from pumped, official cites of different schools of yoga 1 Sunil / Star International Journal, Volume 6, Issue 3(1), March (2018) ISSN: 2321-676X have been reviewed and selected six types of yoga which 13.Padma asana 14.Simha asana have improves physical abilities more. 15.Bhadra asana Gheranda Samhita (late 17th century CE) RESULTS meaning “Gheranda's collection” is one of the three The Hatha Yoga Pradipika is a classic manual classic texts of hatha yoga (the other two being on Hatha Yoga, written by Yogi Svatmarama (15th the Hatha Yoga Pradipika and the Shiva Samhita). It is a century CE), a sadhu belonging to Gorakh panth. Said to late 17th-century text and is considered to be the most be the oldest surviving text on the Hatha Yoga, it is one encyclopedic of the three classic texts on hatha of the three classic texts of Hatha Yoga, the other two yoga.Gheranda Samhita is a manual of yoga taught by being the Gheranda Samhita and the Shiva Samhita. The Gheranda to Chanda Kapali. Unlike other hatha yoga Pradipika is divided into four parts. The first explains texts, the Gheranda Samhita speaks of a seven fold yoga: yamas, niyamas, asanas and food. The second describes 1. Shatkarma for purification pranayama (control or restraint of energy), and the 2. Asana for strengthening shatkarmas. The third deals with mudras (seals), bandhas 3. Mudra for steadying (locks), the nadis (channels of energy through which 4. Pratyahara for calming prana flows) and the kundalini power. The fourth 5. Pranayama for lightness expounds pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses), dharana 6. Dhyana for perception (concentration), dhyana (meditation), and 7. Samādhi for isolation samadhi(absorption). In all, the text contains 390 verses The text itself follows this division in seven (floras). Out of these, about forty deal with asanas, chapters, and has a focus upon approximately one hundred and ten with pranayama, one the ṣaṭkarmas (shatkarma), thus this text is sometimes hundred and fifty with mudras, bandhas and Shatkarmas said to describe ghatastha yoga. For instance, the Yoga and the rest with pratyahara, dharana, dhyana and Sūtras of Patañjali describes an eightfold path samadhi. (yama and niyama instead of shatkarma and mudra, and The text begins with asanas as the first step in addition of dharana). The closing stanzas on samadhi hatha yoga. For this reason it has been referred to as six- teach different methods than those described by limbed yoga (sadanga yoga) as opposed to the eight- Patanjali. The Gheranda Samhita asserts that Shiva limbed patanjala yoga (astanga yoga) which includes, as taught 8,400,000 asanas, out of which 84 are preeminent, its foundation, the first two limbs, yama and niyama. and "32 are useful in the world of mortals. These 32 are: However, hatha yoga does not overlook the yamas and niyamas. Possibly, in Svatmarama's time, the ethical 1.siddhasana 2.padmasana disciplines were taken for granted, so he does not explain 3.Bhadrasana, 4.muktasana them at length. 5.vajrasana 6.svastikasana, It is said that there areas many asanas as there 7.simhasana 8.gomukhasana are living species: 840,000. That means the muscles and 9.virasana, 10.dhanurasana joints can flex, extead-and rotate in several thousand 11.mritasana 12. guptasana ways. The Pradipika, however, describes only fifteen 13.matsyasana 14matsyendrasana asanas. Similarly, Vyasa names only eleven asanas in his 15gorakshana 16.paschimottanasana Yoga Sutras', and there are thirty-two in the Gheranda 17.utkatasana 18sankatasana Samhita. It is possible that yogasana practices were such 19.mayurasana 20.kukkutasana a regular daily routine that it was necessary only to touch 21. kurmasana 22.uttanakurmakasana on the subject without going into depth. In view of these 23.Uttanamandukasan 24.vrikshasana figures, to claim that hatha yoga is merely physical yoga 25.mandukasana 26.garudasana is simply ridiculous. Being the first accessory of Haṭha 27.vrishasana 28.shalabhasana Yoga, âsana is described first. It should be practised for 29.makarasana 30.ushtrasana gaining steady posture, health and lightness of body. In 31.bhujangasana 32. Yogasana. Hatha yoga pradipika Asana has been described as follows CONCLUSION atha āsanam 1. HYP given 15 asanas whereas Gherenda haṭhasya prathamāngghatvādāsanaṃ pūrvamuchyate | samhitha given names of 32 asanas kuryāttadāsanaṃ sthairyamāroghyaṃ chānggha- 2. Acording to HYP most important asanas are lāghavam Siddasana, Padmasana, Simhasana and 1.Swasthika asana 2.Gomuka asana Bhadrasana. 3.Vira asana 4.Kurma asama 3. Savasana which is explained as 10th in HYP is 5.Kukkuta asana 6.Utttana Kurma asana not described in Gherenda samhitha 7.Dhanura asana 8.Matsya asana 4. Instead of Paschima Tana in HYP Gherenda 9.Paschima Tana 10.Mayura asana samhitha given Paschimothanasana 11.Sava asana 12.Siddha asana 2 Sunil / Star International Journal, Volume 6, Issue 3(1), March (2018) ISSN: 2321-676X 5. In HYP Siddasana is named as most important asana and given Vajrasana, Mukthasana and Gupthasana as synonyms, but in these four asanas named as different asanas. 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