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Research in Humanities, Arts
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The Juxtaposition of Yogic Practices

U. Sadasiva Rao1and K. Sravani2

1
Guest Faculty, Department of Yoga & Consciousness, Andhra University,
Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India
2
Ad-hoc Faculty, Department of Yoga & Consciousness, Andhra University,
Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract: The most important element in hatha yoga is its practical concern to prepare the individual to achieve
highest in raja yoga. For this, hatha yoga texts explain various yogic practices. The practice of hatha yoga
brings about the great experience of higher states of consciousness. The paper juxtaposes various yogic
practices that are explained in Goraksha Satakam of Gorakshnath, Hatha Yoga Pradipika of Swami
Svatmarama, Gheranda Samhita of Gheranda Muni, Shiva Samhita (author not known), and Hatharatnavali
of Shrinivasa Yogi. It gives an account of various yogic practices discussed in the above classical hatha yoga
texts to identify similarities as well contrasting ideas by juxtaposing the following yogic practices, viz., asanas,
kriyas, kumbhakas, pratyahara, mudras, dharana, dhyana, and samadhi. Each of these techniques plays a
significant role in transforming normal consciousness in favour of transcendental consciousness.
Keywords: hatha yoga, asanas, kriyas, kumbhakas, pratyahara, mudras, dharana, dhyana, and samadhi.

I. Introduction
Yoga is a way of life, a method of self-realization. Sage Patanjali prescribes an eight-fold path for self-realization
in his Yoga-Sutras. Post-Patanjali, the development of yoga has taken place through various classical texts on
hatha yoga. Hatha yoga refers to the traditional formulas and disciplines that emphasized mastery over the body.
The culmination of hatha yoga is for the sake of raja yoga. According to the tradition hatha yoga and raja yoga
are complementary to each other. Yogi Gorakshanath is said to be the founder of Natha Sampradaya (Natha cult).
Yogi Matsyendranath was guru of Gorakshanath and said to have existed before the other hatha yogis and
considered a Maha Siddha after Sri Adinatha (Lord Shiva) who is the originator of yoga tradition. It is known that
there are 84 Maha Siddhas.

There is a plethora of literature on hatha yoga and many a version are available. The main texts on hatha yoga
include: Hathayoga Pradipika of Swami Svatmarama, Gheranda Samhita of Gheranda Muni, Shiva Samhita
(author not known), Goraksha Satakam of Gorakshanath, and Hatharatnavali of Shrinivasa Yogi. Goraksha Gita,
Goraksha Paddhati, and Yoga Cintamani are attributed to Yogi Gorakshanath. All the above mentioned texts on
hatha yoga explain various yogic practices. However, there exist some similarities and minor differences. We
tried to show them at one place. For the present purpose we have taken the prominent versions on hatha yoga that
areThe Forceful Yoga: Being the Translation of Hathayoga-Pradipika, Gheranda-Samhita and Siva-Samhita,
translated by Pancham Sinh and Edited by G.P. Bhatt, published by Motilal Banarsidass, Delhi, in 2004;
Gorakshasatakam (with Introduction, text, English translation, notes, etc.) edited by Swami Kuvalayananda and
S.A. Shukla, published by Kaivalyadhama, Pune, in 2016; and Hatharatnavali (A Treatise on Hathayoga) edited
by M. L. Gharote, Parimal Devnath, and Vijay Kant Jha, published by The Lonavala Yoga Institute, Lonavala, in
2009.We could find a number of versions on hatha yoga translated and edited by different personalities. We have
taken the above versions believing that they are significant ones.

Hathayoga Pradipika contains four chapters and deals with asanas, kriyas, kumbhakas, mudras, and
nadanusandhana. It lists out various synonyms for raja yoga and kundalini. Gheranda Samhita consists of seven
chapters and discusses kriyas, asanas, mudras, pratyahara, pranayama, dhyana and samadhi. It presents a multitude
of purificatory practices. Siva Samhita comprises five chapters and deals with philosophical concepts and hatha
yoga practices. Hatharatnavali contains four chapters and discusses kriyas, asanas, mudras, pranayama, dhyana
and nadanusandhana. Lastly, Gorakshasatakam comprises one hundred verses. It mainly deals with dharana,
dhyana and samadhi.

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 Sadasiva Rao et al., American International Journal of Research in Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, 21(1), December 2017-
February 2018, pp. 111-114

The following table juxtaposes various yogic practices explained in the above classical yoga texts:

Name of the Hatha Yoga Text

Technique Hatha Yoga Goraksha
Gheranda Samhita Siva Samhita Hatha Ratnavali
Pradipika Satakam
Shatkarmas Shatkarmas Not Ashta Karmas
Not mentioned
Six Types Six Types mentioned Eight Types
Dhauti
Four Types:
Antardhauti:
*Vatasara
*Varisara
*Agnisara
*Bahishkrita
Dantadhauti:
Dhauti: Dhauti:
* Danta-mula
Vastradhauti Vastradhauti
* Jihva Sodhana
* Karna Dhauti
Kriyas * Kapala-randhra
(Cleansing Hriddhauti:
Practices) *Vamana Dhauti
*Vastra Dhauti
*Danda Dhauti
Mulasodhana
Vasti Basti Basti
Two Types: Two Types:
*Jala-vasti *Vayu-basti
*Sthala-vasti *Jala-basti
Neti Neti Neti
Nauli Lauliki Nauli
TwoTypes:
*Antara
*Bhari
Trataka Trataka Trataka
Kapalabhati Kapalabhati
Three Types:
*Vama-krama Kapalabhastri
*Vyut-krama
*Sit-krama
Chakri
Gajakarni
15 Asanas 32 Asanas 4 Asanas 2 Asanas 84 Asanas mentioned
described described described described But described only 32 asanas
Siddhasana
Siddha, Bhadra, Vajra, Simha, Silpa,
Padmasana
Four types of Padmasana - Bandha,
Bhadrasana
Kara, Samputita and Suddha, Six types
Muktasana
of Mayurasana - danda, Parsva, Sahaja,
Vajrasana
Bandha, Pinda, Ekapada, Bhairava,
Svastikasana
Kamadahana, Panipatra, Karmuka,
Simhasana
Svastika, Gomukha, Vira, Manduka,
Gomukhasana
Markata, Matsyendra,
Svastikasana Virasana
Parsvamatsyendra, Baddhamatsyendra,
Gomukhasana Dhanurasana
Niralambana, Candra, Kanthava,
Virasana Mritasana
Ekapadaka, Phanindra, Pascimatana,
Kurmasana Guptasana
Sayitapascimatana, Citrakarani,
Kukkutasana Matsyasana
Yoganidra, Vidhunana, Padapidana,
Uttanakurmasana Matsyendrasana
Siddhasana Hamsa, Nabhitala, Akasa, Utpadatala,
Asanas Dhanurasana Pascimottanasana
Padmasana Siddhasana Nabhilasitapadaka, Vriscikasana,
Matsyasana Gorakshasana
Ugrasana Kamalasana Cakra, Utphalaka, Uttanakurma,
Pascimatana Utkatasana
Svastikasana Kurma, Baddhakurma, Narjava,
Mayurasana Sankatasana
Kabanbha, Gorakshasana, Angustha,
Savasana Mayurasana
Mustika, Brahmaprasadita, five types
Siddhasana Kukkutasana
of Kukkutas such as – Pancaculi –
Padmasana Kurmasana
Kukkuta, Ekapadakakukkuta, Akarita,
Simhasana Uttanakurmasana
Bandhaculi and Parsvakukutta;
Bhadrasana Mandukasana
Ardhanarisvara, Bakasana, Dharavaha,
Uttanamandukasana
Candrakanta, Sudhasara, Vyaghrasana,
Vriksasana
Rajasana, Indrani, Sarabhasana,
Garudasana
Ratnasana, Citrapitha, Baddhapaksi,
Vrisasana
Isvarasana, Vicitranalina, Kanta,
Salabhasana
Suddhapakshi, Sumandraka, Caurangi,
Makarasana
Kraunca, Dridhasana, Khagasana,
Ushtrasana
Brahmasana, Nagapitha & Savasana
Bhujangasana

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 Sadasiva Rao et al., American International Journal of Research in Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, 21(1), December 2017-
February 2018, pp. 111-114

Yogasana
Pranayama 8 Types 8 Types 9 Types
Inhalation
through Ida,
Bhastrika
retention and
Bhramari
exhalation
Suryabheda
Suryabheda Sahita through
Ujjayi
Ujjayi Suryabheda Practice of Pingala.
Sitali
Sitkari Ujjayi Kumbhakas Inhalation
Murccha
Sitali Sitali for 20 rounds through
Sitkara
Bhastrika Bhastruja at four times a Pingala,
Kevala
Bhramari Bhramari day retention and
Bhujangikaranam
Murccha Murccha exhalation
Plavini Kevali through Ida.
Mudra 10 Types 25 Types 11 Types 7 Types 10 Types
Mahamudra Mahamudra
Yonimudra Mahamudra Mahamudra
Mahabandha Nabhomudra
Mahamudra Nabhomudra Mahabandha
Mahavedha Uddiyana
Mahabandha Uddiyana Mahaveda
Khecari Jalandhara
Mahavedha Jalandhara Uddiyanabandha
Uddiyanabandha Mulabandha
Khecari Mulabandha Mulabandha
Mulabandha Mahabandha
Jalandhara Khecari Jalandharabandha
Jalandharabandha Mahavedha
Mulabandha Viparitakarani Viparitakarani
Viparitakarani Khecari
Viparitakarana Vajroli
Vajroli Viparitakarani
Uddiyana Sakticalani
Sakticalani Yoni
Vajroli Khecari
Vajroli
Sakticalani
Sakticalani
Tadagi
Manduki
Sambhavi
Pancadharana:
*Parthivi
*Ambhasi
*Agni
*Vayavi
*Akasi
Asvini
Pasini
Kaki
Matangi
Bhujangini
Pratyahara Not Mentioned Discussed in detail Mentioned in Mentioned in Not Mentioned
in Chapter 4 Chapter 3 Verse 55
Dharana Not Mentioned Five Dharana Mentioned Mentioned and Not Mentioned
techniques five-fold described
discussed in detail Dharana Dharana on the
and included in the (forms of five elements
list of Mudras. concentration
The five techniques on Vishnu) on
include: five elements
*Parthivi and six
*Ambhasi chakras.
*Agni
*Vayavi
*Akasi
Dhyana Does not mention Describes three Dhyana as Mentioned two Mentioned but not described
specifically but main techniques part of some types:
implied in viz., techniques but Sagunadhyana
Nadanusandhana *sthula not as a Nirgunadhyana
*jyothir separate
*sukshma technique.
Samadhi Nadanusandhana Gives six Mentions Raja Samadhi is Nadanusandhana
techniques of Yoga/Nirvana identification
Samadhi: as Samadhi of Jivatma and
*Dhyanayoga Paramatma
samadhi
*Nadayoga samadhi
*Rasananda
samadhi
*Layasiddhi
samadhi
*Bhaktiyoga
samadhi
*Rajayoga samadhi

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 Sadasiva Rao et al., American International Journal of Research in Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, 21(1), December 2017-
February 2018, pp. 111-114

II. Conclusion
To sum up, this paper covered the most important yogic techniques described in the five classical texts of hatha
yoga. By juxtaposing we gave the reader an opportunity to go through the techniques simultaneously, and to
understand the similarities and differences between them. Hathayoga Pradipika, the most popular text on hatha
yoga, prescribes chaturanga yoga and focuses mainly on four limbs towards samadhi. Gheranda Samhita proves
to be a more comprehensive text discussing each limb of its saptanga yoga in detail. Siva Samhita combines hatha
yoga techniques with philosophical teachings and it is said to be a discourse of Lord Shiva to his consort Parvati.
Goraksha Satakam, authored by Goraksha, appears to be unsystematic in its teachings. Itis said to be compiled to
provide a complete form of yoga-shadanga yoga comprising of asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana
and samadhi. Hatha Ratnavali on the other hand provides ashta karmas and navakumbhakas which is exclusive
to this text. All the texts are in instructional in nature. Most importantly the goal of yoga mentioned by all the five
texts is samadhi, though it is called by different name in the each text. The relation between raja yoga and hatha
yoga i.e., hathamvina rajayogo rajayogamvina hathah nasiddhyati, tato yugmamanispatteh samabhyaset
(Hathayoga Pradipika, II.76) has been emphasized by all the classical texts on hatha yoga.

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