PURE YOGA

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.
 

CONTENTS

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