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The most fundamental text of Hatha Yoga is the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, a Sanskrit classic written by Swami Swatmarama, a disciple of Swami Goraknath. It is said to be the oldest surviving text on the Hatha Yoga. The book was written in 15th century CE. The work is derived from older Sanskrit texts and Swami Swatamarama's own yogic experiences. It includes information about asanas, pranayama, chakras, kundalini, bandhas, kriyas, shakti, nadis and mudras among other topics. The book lists in great detail all the main asanas, pranayama, mudras and bandhas that are familiar to today's yoga student. It runs in the line of Hindu yoga and is dedicated to Lord Adinath, a name for Lord Shiva (the Hindu god of destruction and renewal), who is alleged to have imparted the secret of Hatha Yoga to his divine consort Parvati. Swami Swatmarama (dates of birth and death are unknown) was a great exponent of Hatha Yoga and author of the famous Yogic text, the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. Little is known about him apart from this. In the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Swatmarama says only this that relates to himself: '' Yogin Swatmarama, after saluting his Guru Srinatha explains Hatha Yoga for the attainment of Raja Yoga. Owing to the darkness arising from the multiplicity of opinions people are unable to know the Raja Yoga. Compassionate Swatmarama composes the Hatha Yoga Pradipika like a torch to dispel it. Matsyendra, Goraksa, and so on, knew Hatha Vidya, and by their favour Yogi Swatmarama also learnt it from them.'' - excerpted from Wikipedia, 2006 |
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