Lessons in Yoga Exercises

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Lessons In Yoga Exercises
On asanas.
1. Salutation to Âdinatha (Siva) who expounded the knowledge of
Hatha Yoga, which like a staircase leads the aspirant to the high
pinnacled Raja Yoga.
2. Yogin Swatmarama, after saluting his Gurû Srinatha explains
Hatha Yoga for the attainment of Raja Yoga.
3. Owing to the darkness arising from the multiplicity of opinions
people are unable to know the Raja Yoga. Compassionate
Swatmarama composes the Hatha Yoga Pradipika like a torch to
dispel it.
4. Matsyendra, Goraksa, etc., knew Hatha Vidya, and by their favor
Yogi Swatmarama also learnt it from them.
5. The following Siddhas (masters) are said to have existed in
former times:- Sri Adinatha (Siva), Matsyendra, Natha, Sabar,
Anand, Bhairava, Chaurangi, Mina Natha, Goraksanatha, Virupaksa,
Bilesaya.
6. Manthana, Bhairava, Siddhi Buddha, Kanthadi, Karantaka,
Surananda, Siddhipada, Charapati.
7. Kaneri, Pujyapada, Nityanatha, Niranjana, Kapali, Vindunatha,
Kaka Chandiswara.
8. Allama, Prabhudeva, Ghoda, Choli, Tintini, Bhanuki, Nardeva,
Khanda Kapalika, etc.
9. These Mahasiddhas (great masters), breaking the sceptre of
death, are roaming in the universe.
10. Like a house protecting one from the heat of the sun, Hatha
Yoga protects its practisers from the burning heat of the three
Tapas; and, similarly, it is the supporting tortoise, as it were, for
those who are constantly devoted to the practice of Yoga.
11. A yogi desirous of success should keep the knowledge of Hatha
Yoga secret; for it becomes potent by concealing, and impotent by
exposing.
12. The Yogi should practice Hatha Yoga in a small room, situated in
a solitary place, being 4 cubits square, and free from stones, fire,
water, disturbances of all kinds, and in a country where justice is
properly administered, where good people live, and food can be
obtained easily and plentifully.
13. The room should have a small door, be free from holes,
hollows, neither too high nor too low, well plastered with cow-dung
and free from dirt, filth and insects. On its outside there should be
bowers, raised platform (chabootra), a well, and a compound.
These characteristics of a room for Hatha Yogis have been
described by adepts in the practice of Hatha.
14. Having seated in such a room and free from all anxieties, he
should practice Yoga, as instructed by his gurû .
15. Yoga is destroyed by the following six causes:-- Over-eating,
exertion, talkativeness, adhering to rules, i.e., cold bath in the
morning, eating at night, or eating fruits only, company of men, and
unsteadiness.
16. The following six bring speedy success:-- Courage, daring,
perseverance, discriminative knowledge, faith, aloofness from
company.
17. The ten rules of conduct are: ahimsâ (non-injuring), truth, non-
stealing, continence, forgiveness, endurance, compassion,
meekness, sparing diet, and cleanliness.
18. The ten niyamas mentioned by those proficient in the
knowledge of Yoga are: Tapa, patience, belief in God, charity,
adoration of God, hearing discourses on the principles of religion,
shame, intellect, Tapa and Yajna.
Asanas.
19. Being the first accessory of Hatha Yoga, asana is described first.
It should be practiced for gaining steady posture, health and
lightness of body.
20. I am going to describe certain âsanas which have been adopted
by Munis like Vasistha, etc., and Yogis like Matsyendra, etc.
Swastika-asana.
21.Having kept both the hands under both the thighs, with the body
straight, when one sits calmly in this posture, it is called
Swastika.
Gomukha-asana.
22. Placing the right ankle on the left side and the left ankle on the
right side, makes Gomukha-asana, having the appearance of a cow.
Virasana.
23. One foot is to be placed on the thigh of the opposite side; and
so also the other foot on the opposite thigh. This is called Virâsana.
Kurmasana.
24. Placing the right ankle on the left side of the anus, and the left
ankle on the right side of it, makes what the Yogis call Kurma-
âsana.
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