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Hatha Yoga

Chapter 1: Sutra 11:

hatha-vidya param yogyaa yoginaa siddhimichchataa |
bhavedviryavati guptaa nirviiryaa tu prakaashitaa ||11||

A Yogi who desires successs should keep the knowledge of Hatha Vidya very secret, as it is very potent when it is kept secret. It becomes impotent by exposing.

Sutra 12

Suraajye dharmike deshe subhikshe nirupadrave |
dhanuhu pramaana-paryantam shilagni-jala-varjite |
ekaante mathikaa-madhye sthatavyam hatha-yoginaa ||12||

Hathayogi should practice Hathavidya in a small Matha or hut, situated in a solitary place, free from rock, fire and water. It should be free from disturbances of all kinds, and it should be in a fertile country ruled by virtuous Ruler.

Sutra 13

alpa-dvaaramarandhra-gharta-vivaram naatyucchaniichaayatam |
samyagh-ghomaya-saandra-liptamamalam nihshesha-jantujjitam|
baahye mandapa-vedi-kuparuchiram praakaarasamveshtiram|
proktam yoghamathasya lakshanamidama siddhairhataabhyasibihi ||13||

The hut or Matha should have a small door. It should not have any windows. It should be level and free from holes. It should be neither too high nor too low. It should be well smeared with cow-dung and free from insect, dirt and filth. Out side of the Matha there should be a raised platform, a well and a compound. These are the characteristics of a Matha for Hatha Yogis as described by the Siddhas who have practiced Hathayoga.

Sutra 14

evam vidhe mathe sthitvaa sarva-chintaa-vivarjitaha|
gurupadishta-maargena yogameva samabhyaset ||14||

Having seated in such Matha and free from all worries, he should practice only Yoga all the time as instructed by his Guru.

Sutra 15

atyaahaaraha prayaasascha prajalpo niyamagrahaha |
janasanggascha laulyam cha shadbhiryogo vinashyati ||15||

Over-eating, over physical exertion, too much talking, observance of unsuitable vows, bad company and unsteadiness are the six causes by which practice of yoga is destroyed.

Sutra 16

utsaahaatsaahasaaddhairyaattattva-jnaanaaccha nischayaat|
janasannga-parityaagaat shadbhiryoogaha prasidyati ||16||

Cheerfulness, adventurous nature, perseverance, discriminative knowledge, faith in the words of the Guru and aloofness from unsuitable company are the six qualities by which a Yogi gets speedy success.

Sutra 17: Yama and Niyama

atha yama niyamaaha
ahimsaa satyamasteyaama brahmacharyam kshama dhrithihi |
dayaarjavam mitaahaaraha saucham chaiva yamaa dashaa||17||

The ten Yamas i.e., rules of conduct are Ahimsaa(non-violence), truth, non-stealing, Brahmacharya (continence) forgiveness, endurance, compassion, meekness, moderate diet and cleanliness.

Sutra 18

tapaha santoshaha aastikyam daahamiishvara-pujanam
siddhaanta-vaakya-shravanam hriimati cha tapo hutam
niyamaa dasha samproktaa yogaa-shastra-visharadaihi ||18||

The ten niyamas mentioned by the Siddhas are: Tapas(austerities), contentment, faith in God, donating without any expectations, worship of God, hearing great principles of Vedanta, Modesty, intelligence and Yajna.

Sutra 19: Asanas

atha aasanam
hathasya prathamaangghatvaadaasanam purvamuchyate
kuryaattadaasanam sthairyamaaroghyam chaanggha-laaghavam ||19||

Being the first step of HathaYoga, Asana is described first. It should be practiced for

Sutra 20

vaasishtaadyaischa munibirmatsyendraadyaischa yogibhihi
anggikritaanyaasanaani kathyante kaanichinmayaa ||20||

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