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Bhagavad Gita
Gheranda Samhita
Hatha Yoga Pradipika
Kamasutra
Shiva Samhita
The
Gheranda Samhita
and
An English Translation
James Mallinson
YogaVidya.com
An important message to our readers:
The asanas in this book should not be attempted without the supervision of an
experienced teacher or prior experience. Many of the other practices should
not be attempted at all. The ideas expressed in this book should not be used to
diagnose, prescribe, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, illness, or individual
health problem. Consult your health care practitioner for individual health
care. YogaVidya.com LLC shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental,
special, consequential, or punitive damages resulting from the use of this book.
First edition
Mallinson, James.
The Gheranda Samhita: the original Sanskrit / and an English translation [by]
James Mallinson.
Woodstock, NY : YogaVidya.com, 2004.
xvi, [128] p. : ill. ; cm.
Includes Sanskrit and English.
ISBN 0-9716466-2-7 (hardcover)
ISBN 0-9716466-3-5 (paperback)
1. Hatha Yoga. 2. Kundalini. I. Title. II. Mallinson, James, 1970-, tr.
RA781.7.G43 2004
613.7’046—dc21 2004112200
Introduction ix
Purification 1
Asanas 16
Mudras 60
Pratyahara 86
Pranayama 89
Dhyana 113
Samadhi 119
Contributors 127
vii
Introduction
ix
x I NTRODUCTION
1
In verse 7.6, it is said that Raja Yoga is of six types. Many commentators equate
Raja Yoga with the classical Yoga of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, but in texts on Hatha
Yoga it means samadhi, rather than a separate type of Yoga.
I NTRODUCTION xi
2
Despite the author’s sectarian affi liation, he has no particular doctrinal axe to
grind and often tells the aspiring yogi to fi ll in the details of his visualizations
and practices in the manner instructed by his guru.
xiv I NTRODUCTION
3
These critical editions are mentioned in the introduction and footnotes. The
first work has been referred to as the Goraksha Samhita.
Nowotny, Fausta. Das GorakŒaÀataka. Dokumente der Geistesgeschichte 3. Köln:
K. A. Nowotny, 1976.
Digambarji, Swami, and Dr. M. L. Gharote, eds. Ghera®•saÄhitŸ. LonŸvalŸ: Kaival-
yadhŸma Ãr¤man MŸdhav Yoga Mandir Samiti, 1978.
Mallik, Kalyani. The SiddhasiddhŸntapaddhati and Other Works of NŸtha Yog¤s.
Poona: Oriental Book House, 1954.
xvi I NTRODUCTION
Mudras
Firmly press the anus onto the left ankle, extend the right
foot, hold the toes with the hands, contract the throat,
and look between the eyebrows. Inhaling repeatedly, fill
yourself completely with air. This is called Mahamudra.
–ºí˘ŸØı≥∞≤ŸØÛÒ‰™Æ‹Dd¤æŸ≤Ä ⁄∆⁄Àœæ™‰ |
ÜDd¤æŸ≤‰ –ºªæ—™‰ º‹⁄#Å —∆Ÿ∫Ÿ⁄∆é¤ ∫∆‰™Î || 9
This Uddiyana sets itself apart from all bandhas: when
Uddiyana is practiced, liberation arises spontaneously.
1
A bandha (lock) is a type of mudra. The sixteen adharas (literally “supports”
1
or “substrates”) are at various locations within the body. They are listed in the
1
Siddha Siddhanta Paddhati, verses 2.10–25.
MUDRAS 63
º“Ÿº‹Æ˙Ÿ – Mahamudra
64 º‹Æ˙Ÿ
ÜDd¤æŸ≤∏≥∞ – Uddiyanabandha
MUDRAS 65
À≤éÁXŸŸƒæ‰´¥Ÿ⁄œ®@Ä æË⁄≤ºŸé‹ZŸæ‰ôö≤ÊÅ |
úŸƒ≥∞¿‰ ∞Ÿ¿æ‰´¥˘Ÿ®Ä º“Ÿ∏≥∞Ë ⁄≤íY™‰ || 15
He should slowly move his heel about, gently contract the
perineum, and hold the breath in Jalandharabandha. This
is called Mahabandha.
º“Ÿ∏≥∞º›ƒ∏≥∞È º“Ÿ∆‰∞–º⁄≥∆™È |
¥˘´æ“Ä é‹¡™‰ æ—™‹ – æËí¤ æËí⁄∆%ºÅ || 19
The yogi who every day practices Mahabandha and
Mulabandha combined with Mahavedha is the best of
Yoga experts.
⁄∆¥¿¤™é¿®¤ – Viparitakarani
Contributors
F
SANTOSHA VANESSA BOUCHARD, the woman in the
photographs, is a lifelong practitioner of Yoga.
She inspires her students through her love of Yoga.
Michael L. Rixson has been a professional photographer
since 1983 and a practitioner of Yoga since 1997.
F
YOGAVIDYA.COM is dedicated to publishing excellent and
affordable books about Yoga. It is completely indepen-
dent of any commercial, governmental, educational, or
religious institutions.
127
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Gheranda Samhita is a very welcome addition to
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recent work on Yoga.”
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of Pennsylvania,
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