THE HATHA YOGA PRADIPIKA.

original: "yadā tu nāḍīśuddhiḥ syāttathā cihnāni bāhyataḥ || kāyasya kṛśatā kāntistadā jāyeta niścitam || 19 ||"

When the nāḍīs: subtle energy channels through which life force flows become free from impurities, and the outward signs of success appear—such as a lean body and a glowing complexion—then one should feel certain of success. 19.

original: "yatheṣṭadhāraṇaṃ vāyoranalasya pradīpanam || nādābhivyakti rārogyaṃ jāyate nāḍīśodhanāt || 20 ||"

By removing the impurities, the breath can be restrained according to one's wish, the appetite literally "the inner fire" is increased, the divine sound the 'nada' or internal vibration heard in deep meditation is awakened, and the body becomes healthy. 20.

original: "medaśleṣmādhikaḥ pūrvaṃ ṣaṭ karmāṇi samācaret || anyastu nācarettāni doṣāṇāṃ samabhāvataḥ || 21 ||"

If there be an excess of fat or phlegm in the body, the six kinds of kriyās: cleansing duties or actions should be performed first. But others, not suffering from an excess of these doshas: bodily humors, should not perform them. 21.

original: "dhautirbastistathā netistrāṭakaṃ naulikaṃ tathā || kapālabhātiścaitāni ṣaṭ karmāṇi pracakṣate || 22 ||"

The six kinds of duties are: stomach cleansing Dhauti, yogic enema Basti, nasal cleansing Neti, steady gazing Trāṭaka, abdominal churning Nauli, and skull-shining breath Kapālabhāti. These are called the Shatkarma: the six actions. 22.

original: "karmaṣaṭkamidaṃ gopyaṃ ghaṭaśodhanakārakam || vicitraguṇasandhāyi pūjyate yogipuṅgavaiḥ || 23 ||"

These six kinds of actions which cleanse the body literally "purify the vessel" should be kept secret. They produce extraordinary attributes and are performed with earnestness by the best of Yogis. 23.

original: "tatra dhautiḥ ||"

The Dhauti (Stomach Cleansing)

original: "caturaṅgulavistāraṃ hastapañcadaśāyatam || gurūpadiṣṭamārgeṇa siktaṃ vastraṃ śanairgraset || punaḥ pratyāhareccaitaduditaṃ dhautikarma tat || 24 ||"

A strip of cloth, about four fingers wide and fifteen cubits A cubit is approximately 18 inches, the length of a forearm; this refers to a cloth roughly 22 feet long. long, is swallowed slowly while moist with warm water, following the method shown by the guru: teacher, and is then taken out again. This is called the Dhauti action. 24.

N.B.—The strip should be moistened with a little warm water, and the end should be held with the teeth. It is swallowed slowly, little by little: for example, the first day 1 cubit, the 2nd day 2 cubits, the 3rd day 3 cubits, and so on. After swallowing it, the stomach should be given a vigorous circular motion from left to right, and then the cloth should be withdrawn slowly and gently.

nāḍīs: energy channels, kriyās: cleansing practices, Shatkarma: the six-fold purification, Dhauti: internal washing, Basti: colon cleansing, Neti: nasal irrigation, Trāṭaka: concentrated staring, Nauli: abdominal isolation, Kapāla Bhāti: respiratory purification, Yogis: practitioners of yoga, guru: spiritual master