This page contains the opening verses of the Hatha Pradipika, a foundational text on Hatha Yoga composed by Swatmarama. The text opens with salutations to Sri Ganesha and Adinatha, and explains that Hatha Vidya is taught solely as a means to attain Raja Yoga. A long list of great Siddhas and masters is enumerated, including Matsyendra, Goraksha, Bhairava, Chaurangi, Virupaksha, Nityanatha, Kapali, Bindunatha, Allama, Prabhudeva, and Kapalika, all of whom mastered Hatha Yoga and transcended death. The text emphasizes that Hatha serves as a refuge for those afflicted by suffering and as a foundation for all yogic practices, and stresses that Hatha Vidya must be kept secret by the yogi seeking siddhi.

Sanskrit

Haṭhayogapradīpikā

This ancient Sanskrit manuscript delves into the esoteric practice of Hatha Yoga, providing a comprehensive guide to various āsanas (postures) and their significance in attaining spiritual enlightenment. It extols the virtues of disciplined practice under the tutelage of a guru, while cautioning against the pitfalls that can hinder one's yogic progress. The text bears testimony to the profound wisdom of the celebrated Nātha yogis and Siddhas who mastered this profound art.

YogaOctober 12, 2025

Hatha Yoga's Six Cleansing Actions, Straight From the Source

The Haṭhayogapradīpikā describes a solitary monastery, the six factors that destroy yoga, and the shat-karmas — dhauti, basti, neti, trataka, nauli, kapālabhāti — for purifying the body.

From: Haṭhayogapradīpikā Read moreeast