Gheranda Samhita is a magnum-opus treatise explaning the details of the Hatha
Yoga technique, written by sage Gheranda. The text portrays the techniques of
hatha yoga in the form of conversation between the sage Gheranda Samhita and
an enquirer or his disciple called Chandakapali. It is divided into seven chapters
with almost three hundred fifty verses. It seems to have been inspired by most
famous text of Hatha Yoga i.e. HathaYogaPradeepika. It may also be presumed
that both have drwan inspiration from a common source.
The text consists of seven chapters devoted to each topic. The first gives
direction for the purification of the body. The second relates to postures, third
to Mudras, the fourth to Pratyahara, the fifth to Pranayama, the sixth to Dhyana
and the seventh to Samdhi. They are taught successively.
The seven practices
The seven practices which train the body-mind system in attaining higher state
of consciousness are as follow; Purification, Strenghthening, Steadying, Calming
and those leading to lightness, perception and isolation.
The seven practices and the means
The purification is acquired by the regular performance of six practices.
Practice of Asanas (postures) will yield strength. Performing Mudras help us in
achieving steadiness. Pratyahara inculcates calmness while Pranayama gives
lightness. Dhyana gives the perception of the self and the final stage, Samadhi
provides isolation which is verily the freedom or enlightenment.
The list of Asanas
The thirty-two Asanas that give perfection in this mortal world are the
following;
1. Siddha (Perfect Posture)
2. Padma (Lotus Posture)
3. Bhadra (Gentle Posture)
4. Mukta (Free Posture)
5. Vajra (Diamond Posture)
6. Swastika (Prosperous Posture) w
7. Simha (Lion Posture)
8. Gomukha (Cow face Posture)
9. Vira (Hero Posture)
10.Dhanu (Bow Posture)
11.Mrita (Corpse Posture)
12.Gupta (Secret Posture)
13.Matsya (Fish Posture)
14.Matsyendra (a Posture devoted
to Yogi Matsyendra)
15.Goraksha (a posture devoted
to Yogi Goraksha)
16.Paschimottana (Intense
Forward stretch)
17.Utkata
18.Sankata (Dangerous Posture)
19.Mayura (Peacock Posture)
20.Kukkuta (Cock Posture)
21.Kurma (Tortoise Posture)
22.Uttana Manduka (lifted Frog
Posture)
23.Uttana Kurma (Lifted Tortoise
Posture)
24.Vriksha (Tree Posture)
25.Manduka (Frog Posture)
26.Garuda (Eagle Posture)
27.Vrisha (Bull Posture)
28.Shalabha (Locust Posture)
29.Makara (Dolphin Posture)
30.Ushtra (Camel Posture)
31.Bhujanga (Snake Posture)
32.Yoga Posture
Pratyahara
Let one bring the mind under his control by withdrawing it, whenever it wanders
away drawn by the various objects of sight.
One should be, in order to achieve success in the path of Yoga unaffected by the
pair of opposites. He should withdraw his mind from the praise and censure,
sweet and sour, happiness and misery, love and hatredness etc.
Time to start Yoga Practice
The practice of Yoga should be commenced by a beginner in Spring; and
Autumn. By doing so, he attains success in his path of practice, and verily he
does not become liable to diseases.
Moderation in Diet
Pure, sweet and cooling food should be eaten to fill half of the stomach; eating
thus sweet juices with pleasure, and leaving the other half of the stomach
empty is called moderation in diet.
Half of the stomach should be filled with food, one quarter with water; and one
quarter should be kept for movement of air.
Samadhi Yoga
Gheranda elaborates the types of Samadhi in six sub categories. They are
Dhyana Samadhi, Nada Samadhi, Rasananda Samadhi, Laya Samadhi, Bhakti
Yoga Samadhi and Raja Yoga samadhi.
The types of Samadhi Dhyana Samadhi, Nada Samadhi, Rasananada and Laya
Samadhi are attained by Shambhavi Mudra, Khechari Mudra, Bhramari Mudra
and Yoni Mudra respectively. Bhakti Yoga is the fifth type of Samadhi whereas
Raja Yoga Samadhi the last form is attained through Mano Murcha Kumbhaka.
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