THE LIGHT ON HATHA YOGA

original title: "The Hatha Yoga Pradipika"

original Sanskrit: "dharāmavaṣṭabhya karadvayena tatkūrparasthāpitanābhipārśvaḥ || uccāsano daṇḍavadutthitaḥ syāmmayūrametatpravadanti pīṭham || 32 ||"

Supporting the body on the ground with the palms of both hands, placing the navel upon both elbows, and balancing thus, the body should be stretched backward and held straight like a stick. This is called the Peacock Posture. 32.

The Peacock Posture

original: "Mayūra-âsana"

Place the palms of both hands on the ground, and place the navel on both the elbows; balancing thus, the body should be stretched backward like a stick. This is called the Peacock Posture. 32.

original Sanskrit: "haratisakalarogānāśu gulmodarādīnabhibhavati ca doṣānāsanaṃ śrīmayūram || bahu kadaśanabhuktaṃ bhasma kuryādaśeṣaṃ janayati jaṭharāgniṃ jārayetkālakūṭam || 33 ||"

The glorious Peacock Posture quickly destroys all diseases, such as enlargement of the glands and abdominal disorders, and overcomes imbalances in the humors. It completely digests unwholesome food taken in excess, kindles the digestive fire, and even neutralizes the most deadly poison. 33.

This posture soon destroys all diseases, and removes abdominal disorders, and also those arising from irregularities of the humors: the three biological energies known as phlegm (kapha), bile (pitta), and wind (vāta), digests unwholesome food taken in excess, increases appetite and destroys the most deadly poison. 33.

original Sanskrit: "uttānaṃ śavavadbhūmau śayanaṃ tacchavāsanam || śavāsanaṃ śrāntiharaṃ cittaviśrāntikārakam || 34 ||"

Lying flat on the ground on one's back like a corpse is called the Corpse Posture. The Corpse Posture removes fatigue and grants rest to the mind. 34.

The Corpse Posture

original: "Śava-âsana"

Lying down on the ground, like a corpse, is called the Corpse Posture. It removes fatigue and gives rest to the mind. 34.

original Sanskrit: "caturaśītyāsanāni śivena kathitāni ca || tebhyaścatuṣkamādāya sārabhūtaṃ bravīmyaham || 35 ||"

Eighty-four postures were taught by Lord Shiva. Taking the four essential ones from among them, I shall now describe them. 35.

Lord Shiva: traditionally regarded as the first teacher of Hatha Yoga taught 84 postures. Of these the first four being essential ones, I am going to explain them here. 35.

original Sanskrit: "siddhaṃ padmaṃ tathā siṃhaṃ bhadraṃ ceti catuṣṭayam || śreṣṭhaṃ tatrāpi ca sukhe tiṣṭhetsiddhāsane sadā || 36 ||"

These four are the Adept, the Lotus, the Lion, and the Gracious. Even among these, the Adept’s Posture is the best; one should always practice it for comfort. 36.

These four are:—The Adept (Siddha), the Lotus (Padma), the Lion (Sinha) and the Gracious (Bhadra). Even of these, the Adept's Posture, being very comfortable, one should always practice it. 36.

original Sanskrit: "yonisthānakamaṅghrimūlaghaṭitaṃ kṛtvā dṛḍhaṃ vinyaset meḍhre pādamathaikameva hṛdaye kṛtvāhanuṃ susthiram || sthāṇuḥ saṃyamitendriyo'caladṛśā paśyedbhruvorantaraṃ hyetanmokṣakapāṭabhedajanakaṃ siddhāsanaṃ procyate || 37 ||"

Placing the heel of one foot firmly against the perineum and the other foot placed over the male organ, with the chin fixed firmly on the chest, one should remain motionless with the senses restrained. With a steady gaze, one should look at the space between the eyebrows. This is called the Adept’s Posture, which forces open the door to liberation. 37.

The Adept’s Posture

original: "Siddhâsana"

Press firmly the heel of the left foot against the perineum: the region between the anus and the genitals, and the right heel above the male organ. With the chin pressing on the chest, one should sit calmly, having restrained the senses, and gaze steadily at the space between the eyebrows. This is called the Adept’s Posture, the opener of the door of salvation. 37.