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Hatha Yoga

Hatha Yoga: Origin, History and Literature:

A seal was discovered by Sir John Marshall in Mohenjo-daro of Indus Valley Civilization. It is 5000 years old civilization. The seal was named as Shiva Pashupathi by the discoverer. In the seal a person is sitting in a position which resembles a Yoga Posture. From this seal some says the origin of yoga is Indus valley civilization and indicates Yoga is 5000 years old.

Some modern Historians dismiss this view as speculative. Gavin Flood says that these views are speculative as it is not clear from the seal that the figure has three faces, is seated in Yoga Posture, or even that the shape is intended to represent a human figure, it is nevertheless possible that there are echoes of Shaiva iconographic themes, such as half moon shapes resembling the horns of a bull.

Historian John Key says:
...There is little evidence for the occurrence of this myth. Rudra, a Vedic diety later identified with Shiva, is indeed referred to as Pashupathi, because of this association with cattle; but ascetism and meditation were not Rudra's specialities, nor is he usually credited with an empathy for animals other than kino. More plausibly, it has been suggested that the Harappan figure is heavily horned head gear bespeaks a bull cult, to which numerous other representations of bulls lend substance.

Although the seal doesn't directly conveys the existence of Yoga at that time, but it definitely hints at the roots of Yoga and occultism.

Meaning of Hata Yoga:

Great Yogi Gorakshanatha has explained, Hatayoga as, "ha" means Sun, "ta" means Moon, union of Sun and Moon is Hatayoga, in his Siddha Philosophy. In the middle of the spinal chord, there is an energy channel known as Sushumna. The energy channels in the subtle body are called Nadis in Yoga terminology. To the right of Sushumna Nadi there is Surya Nadi (Sun Channel). It is also called as Pingala. To the left of the Sushumna there is Chandra Nadi or Moon Channel. It is also called as Ida. Through Surya and Chandra Nadis, achieving the union of Prana and Apaana is called HataYoga Vidya.

Relation between Hatayoga and Rajayoga:

Hatayoga gives prime importance to the purification and control of the body. Rajayoga aims directly towards controlling of Mind and shows the way of achieving highest Samprajnata and Asamprajnata Samadhi.

In Hatayoga purification of the body is of utmost importance. In Rajayoga purification of mind is given very much importance. In fact Hatayoga and Rajayoga are complementary to each other, as purification of body helps to purify the mind. Swatmarama says culmination of Hatayoga is Rajayoga. Hatayoga Vidya is given out for those, who are competent for Rajayoga Sadhana (discipline). So Hatayoga is the stepping stone of Rajayoga.

Yama and Niyama in Hathayoga

Yama and Niyama are foundations stones of Yoga. There are ten Yamas and ten Niyamas according to Hathayoga Pradipika.

Ten Yamas are:
  • Ahimse: Non-violence by body, mind and deed.
  • Satya: Truthfulness.
  • Asteya: The vow of not stealing.
  • Brahmacharya: Continence, Religious self-restraint, in communion with God (Brahma)
  • Kshama:Patience, forbearence
  • Dhriti: Courage
  • Daye: Compassion
  • Arjava: honesty
  • Mitahara: moderate in eating, not eating too much or too little.
  • Shaucha: Cleanliness, purity in body and mind.
Ten niyamas are:
  • Tapa: Penance
  • Santosha: Happiness, contentment,
  • Astikya: Theism, faith in God
  • Dana: giving, donating without the thought of any rewards.
  • Ishwara pujana: Worship of God
  • Siddhanta vaakya shravana: Meditation on the great teachings of Vedanta.
  • Lajja(Hri): Modesty
  • Buddhi: Intelligence, cognition
  • Japa: Recitation of Mantras given by Guru.
  • Homa: The act of making an oblation to the gods by casting clarified butter into the fire, accompanied with reciting Mantras, a sacrifice.

Asanas (postures)

First stage in Hathayoga is Asana. They make the body firm, free from diseases and make the body lighter. When the body becomes firm, mind also becomes firm as body is the gross form of mind. Hatha Yoga aims to control the mind through the body.

The aim of Asanas is to strengthen the body, clearing the impurities of Nadis and to make the body fit for sitting comfirtably in meditation for long hours. Patanjali says Asana should be firm and comfirtable.

In Hathayogic Asanas Spinal chord is given very much importance. Strengthening of Spinal chord helps the main energy channels i.e., Sushumna, Surya and Chandra Nadis (Energy channels) to function properly. It helps to awaken to Kundalini.

Hathayoga Pradipike gives only few important Asanas which are accepted by Great sages such as Vasishta and Great Yogis such as Matsyendra. They are:

Shatkarma (Six purificatory exercises)

These Six purificatory exercises are prescribed for those who are flabby and having phlegmatic constitution. Those who have an equilibrium condition of Vata(wind), Pitta (bile) and Kapha (phlegm) should not perform these Shatkarmas. These Shatkarmas are intended to bring an equilibrium condition of Vata, Pitta and Kapha in one's constitution.

Shatkarmas are six in number. They are:

  • Dhauti
  • Basti
  • Neti
  • Trataka
  • Nauli
  • Kapalabhati
When the body is purified by these Shatkarmas, one is eligible to do Pranayama.

Pranayama

Prana is the controlling energy behind mind, body and breath. Actual traslation for Prana is not available in English. Pranayama in West means breathing exercise. But in reality it is regulation of energy behind all our mental and bodily activities. And through breath it can be easily regulated.

Main aim of Pranayama is to purify the Nadis and to make Kundalini power to reach Sahasrara Chakra from Muladhara chakra. Sage Patanjali in his Patanjala Yoga Darshana says Pranayama removes the veil of ignorance and leads one to Self realization.

Pranayama consists of three actions. One is Puraka(Inhalation of breath), Kumbhaka(Retention of breath) and Rechaka (Exhalation of breath).

There are eight important Pranayamas according to Hathayoga Pradipike. They are:

  • Surya bhedha pranayama
  • Ujjayi pranayama
  • Sitkari pranayama
  • Shitali pranayama
  • Bhastrika pranayama
  • Bhramari pranayama
  • Murcha pranayama
  • Plavini pranayama
Use of Bandhas are an important aspect in Pranayama.

Bandha (Locks)

Bandhas are very important in advanced Hathayoga. They are used to awaken Kundalini Shakti. They are:
  • Jalandhara Bandha: Contraction of throat.
  • Mulabandha: Contraction of anus.
  • Uddhiyana Bandha: Contraction of Stomach.
These Bandhas are extensively used in Pranayama.

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