THE HATHA YOGA PRADIPIKA

original: "jalena śramajātena gātramardanamācaret || dṛḍhatā laghutā caiva tena gātrasya jāyate || 13 ||"

One should massage the body with the perspiration arising from the exertion of practice.

By this, the body attains firmness and lightness. 13.

The perspiration exuding from the exertion of practice should be rubbed into the body (and not wiped away), as by doing so the body becomes strong. 13.

original: "abhyāsakāle prathame śastaṃ kṣīrājyabhojanam || tato'bhyāse dṛḍhībhūte na tādṛṅ niyamagrahaḥ || 14 ||"

During the initial stage of practice, a diet of milk and ghee: clarified butter often used in sacred rituals and health is recommended.

Once the practice is firmly established, such strict rules need not be followed. 14.

During the first stage of practice, food consisting of milk and ghee is wholesome. When the practice becomes established, no such restriction is necessary. 14.

original: "yathā siṃho gajo vyāghro bhavedvaśyaḥ śanaiḥ śanaiḥ || tathaiva sevito vāyuranyathā hanti sādhakam || 15 ||"

Just as lions, elephants, and tigers are brought under control very gradually,

so too should the breath be controlled; otherwise, it destroys the practitioner. 15.

Just as lions, elephants and tigers are controlled by and by, so the breath is controlled by slow degrees, otherwise (that is, by being hasty or using too much force) it kills the practitioner himself. 15.

original: "prāṇāyāmādiyuktena sarvarogakṣayo bhavet || ayuktābhyāsayogena sarvarogasamudbhavaḥ || 16 ||"

Through the proper practice of Pranayama: breath regulation and other techniques, all diseases are eradicated.

Through improper practice, all diseases are generated. 16.

When Pranayama, etc., are performed properly, they eradicate all diseases; but an improper practice generates diseases. 16.

original: "hikkā śvāsaśca kāsaśca śiraḥkarṇākṣivedanāḥ || bhavanti vividhā rogāḥ pavanasya prakopataḥ || 17 ||"

Hiccups, asthma, coughs, and pains in the head, ears, and eyes;

various diseases such as these arise from the provocation of the breath. 17.

Hiccough, asthma, cough, pain in the head, the ears, and the eyes; these and other various kinds of diseases are generated by the disturbance of the breath. 17.

original: "yuktaṃ yuktaṃ tyajedvāyuṃ yuktaṃ yuktaṃ ca pūrayet || yuktaṃ yuktaṃ ca badhnīyādevaṃ siddhimavāpnuyāt || 18 ||"

One should exhale the breath with skill, inhale it with skill,

and restrain it with skill; thus one attains success. 18.

The air should be expelled with proper tact and should be filled in skillfully; and when it has been kept confined properly it brings success. 18.

Note—original: "N.B." The above caution is necessary to warn the aspirants against omitting any instruction; and, in their zeal to gain success or siddhis: spiritual or supernatural accomplishments early, to begin the practice either by using too much force in filling in, confining, and expelling the air, or by omitting any instructions, which may cause unnecessary pressure on their ears, eyes, etc., and cause pain. Every word in the instructions is full of meaning and is necessarily used in the slokas: poetic verses or couplets, and should be followed very carefully and with due attention. Thus there will be nothing to fear whatsoever. We are inhaling and exhaling the air throughout our lives without any sort of danger, and Pranayama being only a regular form of it, there should be no cause to fear.