The

Gheranda Samhita

The title Gheranda Samhita translates to "The Collection of Gheranda," named after the sage who acts as the teacher in the text.

James Mallinson

The background of this page consists of repeating fragments of verses in Sanskrit, primarily from the opening of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika (The Light on Hatha Yoga). These verses serve as a decorative tribute to the lineage of yoga masters. Below is the translation of these background fragments.

...like a ladder for one who desires to ascend. || Having saluted the illustrious Lord and Guru, the yogi Svatmarama [presents this]... solely [for the sake of the royal yoga]... the compassionate one. || Indeed, Matsyendra, Goraksha, and others know the science of Hatha. Svatmarama, or the yogi... like a ladder for one who desires to climb to Yoga. || Having saluted the illustrious Lord and Guru, the yogi Svatmarama... the compassionate Svatmarama presents [this]. || Indeed, Matsyendra, Goraksha, and others know the science of Hatha. Svatmarama... like a ladder for one who desires to climb to the exalted Raja Yoga original: "Raja-yoga," literally "Royal Yoga," the goal of spiritual liberation. || Having saluted the illustrious Lord and Guru, [at the feet of] Svatmarama... the compassionate Svatmarama presents the Light on Hatha Yoga (Hatha Pradipika). || Indeed, Matsyendra, Goraksha, and others know the science of Hatha... the science of Yoga. It shines forth like a ladder for one who desires to climb to the exalted Raja Yoga. || Having saluted the illustrious Lord and Guru... for those who do not know [the path], the compassionate Svatmarama presents the Light on Hatha Yoga. || Indeed, Matsyendra, Goraksha... for those who do not know Raja Yoga and are lost in the darkness of many conflicting opinions due to confusion... the compassionate Svatmarama presents the Light on Hatha Yoga. || Salutation to that illustrious Adinatha original: "Adi-natha," the First Lord, usually identified as the god Shiva by whom the science of Hatha Yoga was taught.