Hatha-Yoga is one of the most important forms of Yoga in which attempt is made to attain concentration or Samadhi by purification of the body and physical exercises. The Tantrik Sanskrit text Gheranda Samhita, which is in the form of dialogue between the sage Gheranda and an inquirer Chanda Kapali, teaches Yoga under heads or Sadhanas. The book, containing three hundred and fifty verses, is divided into seven chapters, in each of which are given the directions for the purification of the body, Asanas or postures, Mudras, Pratyahara, Pranayama, Dhyana and Samadhi. The present translation of the Gheranda Samhita from original Sanskrit into English is an important contribution to the literature on Yoga and should be of great use to those interested in the subject.
Contents
Lesson
First : ON THE TRAINING OF THE PHYSICAL BODY :
1. Salutation
2. The Seven Exercises
3. The Six Purificatory Processes
4. The Four Internal Dhautis
. Antar-Dhauti
6. Vatasara-Dhauti
7. Varisara-Dhauti
8. Agnisara, or Fire Purification
9. Bahiskrita-Dhauti
10. Danta-dhauti, or Teeth purification
11. Danta-Mula-Dhauti
12. Jivha Sodhana, or Tongue-Dhauti
13. Karna-Dhanti, or Ear-Cleaning
14. Hrid-Dhauti
15. Danda-Dhauti
16. Vamana-Dhauti
17. Vastra-Dhauti
18. Mula Sodhana, or Purification of the Rectum
19. End of Dhautis
20. Bastis
21. Jala-Basti
22. Sthala-Basti
23. End of Basti-Earma
24. Neti
25. Laukiki-Yoga
26. Trataka, or Gazing
27. Kapalabhati
28. Vama-Krama
29. Vyut-Krama
30. Sit-Krama
31. End of the First LessonSecond
Lesson :1. The Asanas, or Postures
2. Different Kinds of Postures
3. The Siddhasana
4. The Padmasana
5. The Bhadrasana
6. The Mnktasana
7. The Vajrasana, or the Adamant Posture
8. The Swastikasana
9. The Simhasana
10. The Gomukhasana
11. The Virasana
12. The Dhanurasana
13. The Mritasana
14. The Guptasana
15. The Matsyasana
16. The Matsyendrasana
17. The Paschimottana-Asana
18. The Gorakshasana
19. The Utkatasana
20. The Sankatasana
21. The Mayurasana
22. The Kukutasana
23. The Kurmasana
24. The Uttana Kandukasana
25. The Garudasana
26. The Vrishasana
27. The Salabhasana
28. The Makarasana
29. The Ushtrasana
30. The Bhujangasana
31. The YogasanaThird
Lesson :1. On Mudras
2. The Advantages of Practising Mudras
3. Mahamudra
4. Its Benefits
5. Nabho Mudra
6. Uddiyana-Bandha
7. Its Benefits
8. Jalaudhara
9. Its Benefits
10. Mulabandha
11. Its Benefits
12. Mahabandha
13. Its Benefits
14. Mahavedha
15. Its Benefits
16. Khechari Mudra
17. Its Benefits
18. Viparitakarani
19. Its Benefits
20. Yonimudra
21. Its Benefits
22. Vajroni Mudra
23. Its Benefits
24. Sakti Chalani
25. Its Benefits
26. Tadagi-Mudra
27. Manduki-Mudra
28. Its Benefits
29. Sambhavi-Mudra
30. Its Benefits
31. The Five Dharana-Mudras
32. Parthivi
33. Its Benefits
34. Ambhasi
35. Its Benefits
36. Agneyi
37. Its Benefits
38. Vsyavi
39. Its Benefits
40. Akasi Dharana
41. Its Benefits
42. Asvini-Mudra
43. Its Benefits
44. Pasini-Mudra
45. Its Benefits
46. Kaki-Mudra
47. Its Benefits
48. Mstangini-Mudra
49. Its Benefits
50. Bhujangini-Mudra
51. Its Benefits
52. The Benefits of MudrasFourth
Lesson :1. Pratyahara, OP Restraining the MindFifth Lesson :
1. Pranayama, or Restraint of Breath
2. Place
3. Time
4. Six Seasons
5. The Experiencing of Seasons6. Moderation of Diet
7. Prohibited Foods
8. Purification of Nadis
9. Kinds of Kumbhaka
10. Sahita
11. Suryabheda-Kumbhaka
12. Its Benefits
13. The Vayus
14. Their Seats
15. Ujjayi
16. Sitali Bhastrika
17. Bhramari (or Beetle-Droning Kumbhaka)
18. Murchha
19. KevaliSixth
Lesson :
1. Dhyana-Yoga
2. Sthula Dhyana
3. Another Process
4. Jyotir Dhyana
5. Another Process
6. Sukshma DhyanaSeventh
Lesson :
1. Samadhi Yoga
2. Dhyana-Yoga Samadhi
3. Nada-Yoga Samadhi
4. Rasananda Yoga Samadhi
5. Laya-Sidddhi Yoga Samadhi
6. Bhakti Yoga Samadhi
7. Raja-Yoga Samadhi
8. Praise of Samadhi
9. The end
