THE LIGHT ON HATHA YOGA.

original title: "Hatha Yoga Pradipika"

The room should have a small door, be free from holes or hollows, and be neither too high nor too low. It should be well plastered with cow-dung In traditional Indian architecture, cow-dung was used as a natural, antiseptic plaster for floors and walls to keep the space clean and cool and free from dirt, filth, and insects. On its outside, there should be bowers, a chabootrâ: a raised stone or earthen platform used for sitting or meditation, a well, and a surrounding wall. These characteristics of a room for Haṭha Yogîs have been described by those who have reached perfection in the practice. 13.

Remaining in such a hermitage, free from all anxieties,

one should practice Yoga alone, following the path taught by the guru: a spiritual teacher or guide. 14.

original Sanskrit: "evaṃvidhe maṭhe sthitvā sarvacintāvivarjitaḥ | gurūpadiṣṭamārgeṇa yogameva samabhyaset ||"

Being seated in such a room and free from all anxieties, he should practise Yoga, as instructed by his teacher. 14.

Over-eating, over-exertion, talkativeness, and adherence to rigid rules—

such as cold baths in the morning, eating only at night, or eating only fruit—

as well as seeking the company of common people and unsteadiness:

by these six causes, Yoga is destroyed. 15.

original Sanskrit: "atyāhāraḥ prayāsaśca prajalpo niyamāgrahaḥ | janasaṅgaśca laulyaṃ ca ṣaḍbhiryogo vinaśyati ||"

Yoga is destroyed by the following six causes:—Over-eating, exertion, talkativeness, adhering to rules, i.e., cold bath in the morning, eating at night, or eating fruits only, company of men, and unsteadiness. 15.

Enthusiasm, daring, perseverance, discriminative knowledge,

firm determination, and abandoning the company of common people:

by these six, Yoga is successfully achieved. 16.

original Sanskrit: "utsāhātsāhasāddhairyāttattvajñānācca niścayāt | janasaṅgaparityāgātṣaḍbhiryogaḥ prasiddhyati ||"

The following six bring speedy success:—Courage, daring, perseverance, discriminative knowledge, faith, aloofness from company. 16.

Now, the Restraints and Observances.

Non-violence, truth, non-stealing, continence, forgiveness, fortitude,

compassion, honesty, a moderate diet, and cleanliness: these are the ten yamas: ethical restraints or moral rules of conduct. 17.

original Sanskrit: "ahiṃsā satyamasteyaṃ brahmacaryaṃ kṣamā dhṛtiḥ | dayārjavaṃ mitāhāraḥ śaucaṃ caiva yamā daśa ||"

The ten rules of conduct are: ahimsâ (non-injuring), truth, non-stealing, continence, forgiveness, endurance, compassion, meekness, sparing diet and cleanliness. 17.

Austerity, contentment, faith, charity, worship of the Divine,

listening to the explanation of spiritual doctrines, modesty, discernment,

prayer, and sacrifice: these are the ten niyamas: internal observances or virtuous habits,

as declared by those experts in the science of Yoga. 18.

original Sanskrit: "tapaḥ saṃtoṣa āstikyaṃ dānamīśvarapūjanam | siddhāntavākyaśravaṇaṃ hrīmati ca tapo hutam | niyamā daśa saṃproktā yogaśāstraviśāradaiḥ ||"

The ten observances mentioned by those proficient in the knowledge of yoga are: Tapa: austerity or self-discipline, patience, belief in God, charity, adoration of God, hearing discourses on the principles of religion, shame, intellect, recitation of prayers and Yajña: ritual sacrifice or offering. 18.

Now, the Postures.

As it is the first limb of Haṭha Yoga, posture is described first.

The practice of posture brings stability, health, and lightness of the body. 19.

original Sanskrit: "haṭhasya prathamāṅgatvādāsanaṃ pūrvamucyate | kuryāttadāsanaṃ sthairyamārogyaṃ cāṅgalāghavam ||"