Swami Swatmaram ji is the author of Hatha yoga pradipika. He has mainly described the four parts of Hatha Yoga and these have been divided into four chapters. The four parts of yoga as told by Swami Swatmaram ji are as follows.
Asana described in Hatha Yoga Pradipika
"Hathastha Prathamngatvadasanam Purvamuchyate"
"हठस्थ प्रथमङ्गत्वदासनं पूर्वमुच्यते"
Saying that Yogi Swatmaram ji has described asana as the first limb.
The purpose of these asanas has been described as stability, health and the lightness of limbs.
"Kuryattadasanam Sthairyamarogyam Changlaghavam". (H.P. 1/17)
"कू्र्यत्तदसानं स्थिर्यमारोग्यं चांगलघवम्।" (हि.प्र. 1/17)
The practice of asanas brings stability in the body of the seeker. The fickleness ends. Flexibility comes, health comes, body becomes light.
Fifteen asanas are described in the Hatha yoga pradipika.
1. Swastikasan, 2. Gomukhasan, 3. Virasan, 4. Kurmasan, 5. Kukkutasan. 6. Uttanakurmasana, 7. Dhanurasana, 8. Matsyendrasana, 9. Paschimottanasana, 10. Mayurasana, 11. Shavasana, 12. Siddhasana, 13. Padmasana, 14. Sinhasana, 15. Bhadrasana.
Pranayama described in Hatha Yoga Pradipika
It is said in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika that
"Chale waate chalam chittam nischale nischalaam bhavet.
Yogi sthanutvamapnoti tato vayu nirodhyet." (H.P. 2/3)
"चले वाते चलम् चित्तं निश्चले निश्चलम् भवेत्।
योगी स्थानुत्वामाप्नोति ततो वायु निरोधयेत।'' (हि.प. 2/3)
When the Vayu (air) blows, the mind also remains fickle and when the air is still, the mind also becomes still. Yogi attains stability. That's why the practice of Pranayama is very useful for spiritual practice.
"Yavad Vayu: Tavajjivanmuchyate in the situation.
Maranam Tasya Niskrantistato Vayu Nirodhyet." (H.P. 2/3)
“यावद् वायुः स्थिति में तवज्जिवानमुच्यते।
मरणं तस्य निष्क्रांतिस्ततो वायु निरोधयेत।'' (हि.प. 2/3)
As long as there is air in the body. Till then there is life. When the breath goes out, death happens. Therefore, one should try to stop the air by practicing Pranayama.
There are eight Pranayama mentioned in Hatha Yoga Pradipika.
"Suryabhedanamujjayi Sitkari Sheetali tatha.
Bhastrika Bhramari moorchha Plavani tyashthakumbhka." (H.P. 2/44)
“सूर्यभेदनमुज्जयी सीतकारी शीतली तथा।
भस्त्रिका भ्रामरी मूर्छा प्लवनि त्यष्ठकुंभका।'' (हि.प. 2/44)
That is, Suryabhedan, Ujjayi, Sitkari, Sheetali, Bhrastrika, Bhramari, Murchha and Plavini are the eight Kumbhaks.
Suryabhedan transmits heat in the body, while sitkari and sheetali are supposed to transmit coolness. Bhrastrika is about to remove tridoshas. Ujjayi and Nadishodhan are going to balance the body function. Bhramari is useful for concentration and meditation. Murchha and Plavini should not be practiced in normal condition.
Shatkarmas described in Hatha Yoga Pradipika
(Six actions for body purification) also have been described in the second chapter of Hathayoga Pradipika itself. Describing the Shatkarmas, Swami Swatmaram ji says -
“Dhautirbasti-tatha Neti-tratk-Naulik tatha.
Kapalbhati-Shatkarmani-Prachakshate.” (H P-2/22)
“धौतिर्बस्ति-तथा नेति-त्राटक-नौलिक तथा।
कपालभाति-षट्कर्माणि-प्रचक्षते।” (हठयोग प्रदीपिका-2/22)
That is, Dhauti, Basti, Neti, Tratak, Nauli and Kapalbhati are these six actions for body purification. Wise Yogis have instructed to perform these six actions in the path of Yoga. In addition to these six actions, "Gajakarni" has also been described in Hatha Yoga Pradipika. By the way, Gajkarni comes under Dhautikarma.
Ten Bandha and Mudra described in Hatha Yoga Pradipika
The main purpose of Hatha Yoga is to awaken Kundalini and to enter Raja Yoga through Kundalini awakening. Mudra is a suitable means for Kundalini awakening. There is a description of ten postures (including bandhas) from Hathayoga Pradipika.
Names of the ten "Bandhas and Mudras" described in Hatha Yoga Pradipika.
Mahamudra, Mahabandha, Mahavedha, Khechari, Uddiyan Bandha, Mulbandha, Jalandhar Bandha, Viparit Karani, Vajroli and Shaktichalini
These ten "Mudra" are going to destroy old age and death of the seeker. Pranayama cannot be done without using Bandhas and Pranayama is essential for Kundalini awakening. Hence, the use of "Bandhas and Mudra" is important.
Naadaanusandhaan described in Hatha Yoga Pradipika
Nadanusandhan means research of sound. There are two types of naads, Aahat naad and Anahata naad.
Ahat Naad which is popular like Tabla, Sarangi, Harmonium, Dholak, Manjira, Veena etc., which are played by the strokes. These are useful for music.
Anahat Naad is that which is heard by the seeker from inside during the Sadhana. For these, one should first try to concentrate on the gross and slowly leave the gross and concentrate on the subtle. This concentration is going to provide the state of samadhi. When the mind is in rhythm, the work of Naadaanusandhaan is completed.
In this, first of all, the seeker hears different types of voices. When the practice becomes firm, subtler and subtler sounds start being heard. First the ocean, the clouds, the waterfall, etc. In the middle, the soft sound of nafiri etc. and in the end many types of subtle sounds are heard like kinkini, flute, veena, bhaure's sound etc.
While practicing going from subtle to gross and from gross to subtle, it will go from subtle to subtle, then the state of meditation will be firm. On attaining the state of samadhi, the state of Kundalini awakening will automatically come and success will be achieved in spiritual practice.
The four stages of Naadaanusandhaan are as follows.
1. Aarambh avastha (initial state)- In this the brahmagranthi is penetrated.
2. Ghatavastha- In this there is a piercing of Vishnugaranthi.
3. Parichayaavastha- Rudra gland is penetrated by this.
4. Nishpatti Avastha (execution stage)- In this the door of Sahasrar opens.
In this way the seeker is able to attain the goal by going through all the four stages.
Under Nadanusandhan, Swami Swatmaram ji has also described Kundalini and Samadhi.
Kundalini described in Hatha Yoga Pradipika
It has been said in Hatha Yoga Pradipika that Kundalini Shakti is sleeping near the Muladhar Chakra which is the cause of bondage for the ignorant and the cause of salvation for the yogis. One who knows this is called a Yogi.
Just as a lock can be easily opened by a key, in the same way a yogi awakens the Kundalini Shakti and opens the door of salvation through which the Brahma place can be reached without any hindrance because Kundalini is sleeping by covering that door.
Kundalini Shakti is also known by the names Bhujangi, Shakti, Ishwari, Kundali, Arundhati, etc.
Samaadhi described in Hatha Yoga Pradipika
As salt and water mix together, they become one.
Describing samadhi, it has been said in Hatha Yoga Pradipika that – like salt and water both mix together become one, the duality ends by becoming one. They cannot be separated. Similarly, the unity of soul and mind is called Samadhi. When the praan is exhausted, when the mind is absorbed, The state of harmony is samadhi. The unity of the soul and the Supreme Soul is called Samadhi.
Thus Swami Swatmaram ji has announced at the beginning of the book that-
'Kevalam Rajyogaya Hathavidyopadishyate'.
'केवलम् राजयोगाय हठविद्योपदिष्यते'।
That is, Hatha Yoga is preached only for the attainment of Raja Yoga. That purpose is fulfilled.
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