About the Book:

In Yoga the question of boundaries, the constant talk about the various yogas, is, to a very large extent, an artificial one, mind-created. Translators and commentators have constantly and shortsightedly referred to the Gheranda Samhita as a Hatha-Yoga classic. Normally presented as the most basic and material of all yogas, it is understood quite liberally by all sorts of authorities and grossly interpreted by guru and disciple alike. Such teachings, when partially grasped and separated from the whole, constitute a poor caricature of the Sacred Science. The Same is true of so many 'exciting' and 'new' meditation techniques being propounded nowadays; transcendent only in their refined materialism, in the "What's in it for me" attitude. Such reflections have promoted the author to reveal, for the first time, many of the inner or spiritual aspects of this Pure Yoga treatise. Hence the present work, which is much more than just Hatha-Yoga teachings, as popularly and most improperly understood. Though whole and eternal, Yoga is constantly being lost; it is also constantly being found. Wise indeed is he who finds it.

About the Author:

Born in 1937, a European, adviser and consultant, Antonio Rodriguez holds, among other qualifications, an M.A. in philosophy from the University of Belfast. A linguist and a keen student of the Ancient Wisdom - particularly the eastern tradition - for nearly 40 years, he has had many articles published in The Theosophist and other journals; he has also lectured for over 20 years on Yoga / Vedanta / Mysticism / Meditation / Theosophy and various other allied subjects. One of his concerns is the rediscovery, preservation and transmission of the true yogic tradition. Yoga has always been for him of paramount importance both in its philosophical and practical aspects, and he looks forward to the day when the splendid Science of Yoga may regain its pristine purity.
 

PREFACE

SANSKRIT ALPHABET AND PRONUNCIATION

INTRODUCTION

THE FIRST LESSON

On the Yoga of the Physical Body

(A) Dhautis

(a) Antar-dhauti
• (1) Vatasara-dhauti
  (2) Varisara-dhauti
  (3) Agnisara-dhauti
  (4) Bahiskrta-dhauti
(b) Danta-dhauti
• (1) Danta-mula-dhauti
  (2) Jihva-sodhana-dhauti
  (3) Karna-dhauti
  (4) Kapala-randhra-dhauti
(c) Hrd-dhauti
• (1) Danda-dhauti
  (2) Vamana-dhauti
  (3) Vaso-dhauti
(d) Mula-sodhana

(B) Vastis

(1) Jala-vasti
(2) Suska-vasti

(C) Neti
(D) Lauliki
(E) Trataka
(F) Kapalabhati

(1) Vama-krama
(2) Vyur-krama
(3) Sit-krama

THE SECOND LESSON

Asanas
1. Siddhasana
2. Padmasana
3. Bhadrasana
4. Muktasana
5. Vajrasana
6. Svastikasana
7. Simhasana
8. Gomukhasana
9. Virasana
10. Dhanurasana
11. Mrtasana
12. Guptasana
13. Matsyasana
14. Matsyendrasana
15. Goraksasana
16. Pascimottanasana
17. Utkatasana
18. Sankatasana
19. Mayurtasana
20. Kukkutasana
21. Kurmasana
22. Uttanakurmakasana
23. Mandukasana
24. Uttanamandukasana
25. Vrksasana
26. Garudasana
27. Vrsasana
28. Salabhasana
29. Makarasana
30. Ustrasana
31. Bhujangasana
32. Yogasana

THE THIRD LESSON

1. Maha-mudra
2. Nabho-mudra
3. Uddiyana-bandha
4. Jalandhara-bandha
5. Mula-bandha
6. Maha-bandha
7. Maha-vedha
8. Khecari-mudra
9. Viparitakarani-mudra
10. Yoni-mudra
11. Vajroli-mudra
12. Sakticalani-mudra
13. Tadagi-mudra
14. Manduki-mudra
15. Sambhavi-mudra
16. The five Dharana-mudras
17. Prthivi-dharana-mudra
18. Ambhasi-dharana-mudra
19. Agneyi-dharana-mudra
20. Vayavi-dharana-mudra
21. Akasi-dharana-mudra
22. Asvini-mudra
23. Pasini-mudra
24. Kaki-mudra
25. Matangini-mudra
26. Bhujangini-mudra
On the benefits of Mudras

THE FOURTH LESSON

Pratyahara

THE FIFTH LESSON

Pranayama
A. Place
B. Time
C. Regulated Nourishment
D. Purification of the Nadis
1. Sahita
2. Suryabheda
3. Ujjayi
4. Sitali
5. Bhastrika
6. Bhramari
7. Murccha
8. Kevali

THE SIXTH LESSON

Dhyana-Yoga
1. Sthula-dhyana
1a. Another method
2. Jyoti-dhyana
2a. Another method
3. Suksma-dhyana

THE SEVENTH LESSON

Samadhi-Yoga
1. Dhyana-Yoga-samadhi
2. Nada-Yoga-samadhi
3. Rasananda-yoga-samadhi
4. Laya-siddhi-yoga-samadhi
5. -yoga-samadhi
6. Raja-yoga-samadhi
Sublimity of Samadhi-yoga

EPILOGUE

REFERENCES

LIST OF SANSKRIT WORKS

GLOSSARY OF SANSKRIT WORDS

TEXT OF GHERANDASAMHITA