THE LIGHT ON HATHA YOGA

original title: "The Hatha Yoga Pradipika"

...and the descending breath: apâna in the navel, one attains the highest intelligence by awakening the spiritual power: śakti (the coiled energy: kuṇḍalinî) in this manner. 50.

N.B.—When the descending breath: Apâna Vâyû is drawn gently upward and after filling the lungs with air from outside, the vital life-force: prâna is forced downward gradually so as to join both of them at the navel; they both then enter the coiled energy: Kundalinî and, reaching the Opening of Brahma: Brahma randhra (the great aperture at the crown of the head), they make the mind calm. Then the mind can contemplate the nature of the Self: âtman and can enjoy the highest bliss.

The yogi who, established in the Lotus Posture: Padmâsana, can control the

breath drawn through the channels of the nostrils, is

liberated; of this, there is no doubt. 51.

original: "padmāsane sthito yogī nāḍīdvāreṇa pūritam | mārutaṃ dhārayedyastu sa mukto nātra saṃśayaḥ || 51 ||"

The Yogî who, sitting with Lotus Posture: Padmâsana, can control breathing, there is no doubt, is free from bondage. 51.

Now, the Lion Posture

original: "atha siṃhāsanaṃ"

Place the heels below the scrotum on both sides of the seam of the

perineum: the left heel on the right side and the right heel on the left. 52.

original: "gulphau ca vṛṣaṇasyādhaḥ sīvanyāḥ pārśvayoḥ kṣipet | dakṣiṇe savyagulphaṃ tu dakṣagulphaṃ tu savyake || 52 ||"

The Lion Posture.

Press the heels on both sides of the seam of the perineum: Perineum, in such a way that the left heel touches the right side and the right heel touches the left side of it. 52.

Place the hands upon the knees, spreading the fingers wide;

with an open mouth and a collected mind, gaze at the tip of the nose. 53.

original: "hastau tu jānvoḥ saṃsthāpya svāṅgulīḥ saṃprasārya ca | vyāttavaktro nirīkṣeta nāsāgraṃ susamāhitaḥ || 53 ||"

Place the hands on the thighs, with stretched fingers, and keeping the mouth open and the mind collected, gaze on the tip of the nose. 53.

This is the Lion Posture, held sacred by the greatest of yogis.

This excellent posture facilitates the completion of the three locks. 54.

original: "siṃhāsanaṃ bhavedetatpūjitaṃ yogipuṅgavaiḥ | bandhatritayasandhānaṃ kurute cāsanottamam || 54 ||"
The "three locks" refer to Mûlabandha (root lock), Jâlandhara Bandha (throat lock), and Uddîyâna Bandha (abdominal lock), which are used to seal energy within the body.

This is Lion Posture: Simhâsana, held sacred by the best of Yogis. This excellent Posture effects the completion of the three locks: Bandhas (The root lock: Mûlabandha, throat lock: Kantha or Jâlandhar Bandha and abdominal lock: Uddîyâna Bandha). 54.

Now, the Auspicious Posture

original: "atha bhadrāsanaṃ"

Place the heels below the scrotum on both sides of the seam of the

perineum: the left heel on the left side and the right heel on the right side. 55.

Firmly grasping the sides of the feet with the hands, remain steady.

This is the Auspicious Posture, the destroyer of all diseases. 56.

original: "gulphau ca vṛṣaṇasyādhaḥ sīvanyāḥ pārśvayoḥ kṣipet | savyagulphaṃ tathā savye dakṣagulphaṃ tu dakṣiṇe || 55 || pārśvapādau ca pāṇibhyāṃ dṛḍhaṃ badhvā suniścitam | bhadrāsanaṃ bhavedetatsarvavyādhivināśanam || 56 ||"

The Auspicious Posture.

Place the heels on either side of the seam of the perineum: Perineum, keeping the left heel on the left side and the right one on the right side, hold the