THE LIGHT ON HATHA YOGA.

original title: "Hatha Yoga Pradipika"

CHAPTER I.

On Postures.

original: "Âsanas"

Salutation to the First Lord who taught the science of Hatha Yoga; it shines forth like a staircase for those who wish to ascend to the high pinnacled Royal Yoga. 1.

original: "śrī-ādināthāya namo’stu tasmai yenopadiṣṭā haṭha-yoga-vidyā | vibhrājate pronnata-rāja-yogam āroḍhum icchor adhirohiṇīva || 1 ||"

Salutation to Âdinâtha: The "First Lord," a title for the god Shiva, regarded as the original source of yogic wisdom (Siva) who expounded the knowledge of Haṭha Yoga: A system of physical techniques used to prepare the body for spiritual meditation, which like a staircase leads the aspirant to the high pinnacled Râja Yoga: The "Royal Yoga," referring to the highest state of meditative union. 1.

Having bowed to the holy Guru and Lord, the yogi Svatmarama explains the science of Hatha solely for the sake of achieving Royal Yoga. 2.

original: "praṇamya śrī-guruṃ nāthaṃ svātmārāmeṇa yoginā | kevalaṃ rāja-yogāya haṭha-vidyopadiśyate || 2 ||"

Yogin Swâtmârâma, after saluting first his Gurû: A spiritual teacher or guide Srinâtha explains Haṭha Yoga for the attainment of Râja Yoga. 2.

For those who are confused by the darkness of many conflicting opinions and do not know the Royal Yoga, the compassionate Svatmarama offers this "Light on Hatha Yoga." 3.

original: "bhrāntyā bahumata-dhvānte rāja-yogam ajānatām | haṭha-pradīpikāṃ dhatte svātmārāmaḥ kṛpākaraḥ || 3 ||"

Owing to the darkness arising from the multiplicity of opinions people are unable to know the Râja Yoga. Compassionate Swâtmârâma composes the Haṭha Yoga Pradipikâ like a torch to dispel it. 3.

The science of Hatha is known by masters such as Matsyendra and Goraksha; by their grace, the yogi Svatmarama also knows it. 4.

original: "haṭha-vidyāṃ hi matsyendra-gorakṣādyā vijānate | svātmārāmo’thavā yogī jānīte tat-prasādataḥ || 4 ||"

Matsyendra, Gorakṣa, etc., knew Haṭha Vidyâ, and by their favour Yogi Swâtmârâma also learnt it from them. 4.

The First Lord (Shiva), Matsyendra, Shabara, Anandabhairava, Chaurangi, Meena, Goraksha, Virupaksha, and Bileshaya. 5.

original: "śrī-ādinātha-matsyendra-śāvarānanda-bhairavāḥ | cau-raṅgī-mīna-gorakṣa-virūpākṣa-bileśayāḥ || 5 ||"

The following Siddhas: "Perfected ones" or masters who have attained spiritual and physical liberation are said to have existed in former times:—
Sri Âdinâtha (Siva), Matsyendra, Nâtha, Śabar, Anand, Bhairava, Chaurangi, Mina nâtha, Gorakṣanâtha, Virupâkṣa, Bileśaya. 5.

Manthana, Bhairava, Siddhi, Buddha, Kanthadi, Korantaka, Surananda, Siddhipada, and Charpati. 6.

original: "manthāno bhairavo yogī siddhir buddhaś ca kaṃthaḍiḥ | koraṃṭakaḥ surānandaḥ siddhipādaś ca carpaṭiḥ || 6 ||"

Manthâna, Bhairava, Siddhi Buddha, Kanthadi, Karantaka, Surânanda, Siddhipâda, Charapati. 6.