Our Books

These four titles represent the foundational "Four Pillars" of classical yoga literature commonly studied together.

The

Gheranda Samhita

The title Gheranda Samhita (original: Gheranda Saṃhitā) translates to "The Collection of Gheranda." It is a 17th-century manual of Hatha Yoga framed as a dialogue between the sage Gheranda and a disciple, King Chandakapali.

James Mallinson

James Mallinson is a prominent modern scholar and practitioner known for translating classical Sanskrit yoga texts into accessible English.

The background of this page consists of repeating fragments of verses in Sanskrit, primarily from the opening of the Light on Hatha Yoga (Hatha Yoga Pradipika). 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 The 15th-century author of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika [presents this]... solely [for the sake of the royal yoga]... the compassionate one. || Indeed, Matsyendra A legendary founding figure of Hatha Yoga, often depicted as a fish who became a man, Goraksha A famous medieval yogi and disciple of Matsyendra who helped formalize Hatha Yoga, and others know the science of Hatha original: haṭha, often translated as "forceful" or "physical" yoga. 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: Rāja-yoga, literally "Royal Yoga," referring to the highest state of spiritual practice and mental liberation. || Having saluted the illustrious Lord and Guru, [at the feet of] Svatmarama....