हठयोग प्रदीपिका (योगी स्वात्माराम - ज्योत्स्ना टीका सहित सटीक)

56 HAṬHAYOGAPRADĪPIKĀ 101. That bindu and that rajas, becoming united and remaining in the body by the practice of Vajrolī, confer all siddhi-s. 102. She who preserves by upward contraction her rajas is a Yoginī. She knows the past and the future and certainly attains perfection in Khecarī. 103. By the Yoga consisting of the practice of Vajrolī, bodily perfection is obtained [beauty, grace, and great strength]. This Yoga confers merit (puṇya), and though there is sensual experience, it leads to emancipation. 104. Now the ŚAKTICĀLANA [is described] : Kuṭi- lāṅgī, Kuṇḍalinī, Bhujaṅgī, Śakti, Īśvarī, Kuṇḍalī and Arundhatī are all synonymous words. 105. As one can fling open a door with a key, so the Yogin should through Haṭha-yoga open the door of liberation [i.e. the Suṣumnā] by [the power of] Kuṇḍalinī. 106. The great goddess (Kuṇḍalinī) sleeps closing with her mouth the entrance to the way by which the seat of Brahman (Brahmarandhra), where there is no pain, is to be reached. 107. The Kuṇḍalinī-śakti, who sleeps above the kanda, gives liberation to Yogin-s and bondage to the ignorant. He who knows her knows Yoga. The kanda is the place between the navel and the scrotum from where spring the 72,000 Nāḍī-s. See verse 113 below. 108. The Kuṇḍalinī is described as being coiled like a serpent. He who causes that Śakti to move

HAṬHAYOGAPRADĪPIKĀ 57 [from the Mūlādhāra upwards] becomes free, without doubt. 109. Between the Gaṅgā and the Yamunā, there sits the Bālaraṇḍā [i.e. Kuṇḍalinī, literally, a young widow], practising austerity. She should be seized by force. That [leads to] the supreme seat of Viṣṇu. 110. Iḍā is the holy Gaṅgā and Piṅgalā is the river Yamunā. Between Iḍā and Piṅgalā, the young widow is Kuṇḍalinī. 111. By seizing the tail that sleeping serpent (Kuṇḍalinī) should be awakened. Then, that Śakti, throwing off her sleep, rises up with force. The commentator says that the secret of this process must be learnt from a Guru. 112. Having inhaled through the right nostril (piṅgalā), the recumbent serpent should be taken hold of by the process of paridhāna, and made to move daily for about an hour and a half, both morning and evening. The commentator adds that the process of paridhāna should be learnt from a Guru. The process described is the movement of the abdominal muscle from left to right and right to left in a spiral (see The Serpent Power, 1964, p. 207). 113. [The kanda] is twelve finger breadths (aṅgula-s) above [the anus] and four aṅgula-s in breadth, soft and white, and appearing as if it were a rolled cloth. Two aṅgula-s above the anus and two below the penis is the middle of the body. The kanda is nine aṅgula-s from the middle

58 HAṬHAYOGAPRADĪPIKĀ of the body. It is like an egg and is covered by membranous coverings. In the case of beast and birds it is in the middle of the abdomen. 114. Seated in the Vajrāsana posture hold firmly with the hands the feet near the ankles, and thereby put pressure on the kanda. 115. Seated in the Vajrāsana posture, the Yogin having caused the Kuṇḍalinī to move, should then perform the Bhastrikā Kumbhaka. Thus he will soon awaken the Kuṇḍalinī. 116. He should then contract the Sun [which is near the navel] and then cause the Kuṇḍalinī to move. Even though fallen into the mouth of death, he need not fear death. Contraction of the Sun is effected by contraction of the navel. 117. By moving [the Kuṇḍalinī] fearlessly for about an hour and a half, she is drawn into the Suṣumnā and upwards a little. 118. By this [process] Kuṇḍalinī certainly leaves [open] the mouth of the Suṣumnā, and therefore Prāṇa goes naturally through the Suṣumnā. 119. So one should move daily the Arundhatī (Kuṇḍalinī) that is calmly sleeping. By merely moving her the Yogin is freed from diseases. 120. The Yogin who moves the Śakti becomes the possessor of the siddhi-s. What further needs be said? He conquers Time (Death) as if it were mere play. 121. Only one who delights in the life of a celibate (brahmacārin), and always conforms to a moderate and

HAṬHAYOGAPRADĪPIKĀ 59 salutary diet, and who practises Yoga in the form of sti- mulating Kuṇḍalinī approaches siddhi within forty days. 122. Having set the Kuṇḍalinī in motion, the Bhastrikā Kumbhaka should be particularly practised. Whence is the fear of Death for the self-restrained [Yogin] who practises thus every day? 123. Except the practice of [causing to move] Kuṇḍalinī [through Śakticālana], what other means is there for clearing away the impurities of the seventy- two thousand Nāḍī-s? 124. This middle Nāḍī (Suṣumnā) becomes straight [for the easy passage of Prāṇa] by persevering practice by Yogin-s, by Āsana-s, Prāṇāyāma and Mudrā-s. 125. To those who are alert [and free from indolence] in practice, and whose minds are steadily held in a state of concentration (samādhi), the Rudrāṇī (Śāmbhavī) or other Mudrā confers a beneficial fulfil- ment (siddhi). 126. There is no earth (pṛthvī) without Rāja- yoga, there is no night without Rāja-yoga, and even a variety of Mudrā-s become useless without Rāja-yoga. Here pṛthvī stands for the firmness of the Āsana-s. Night stands for Kumbhaka, in which state everything is quiet. There is a pun on the words rāja-yoga. The earth does not flourish without the sovereign’s rule (rāja-yoga), the night does not shine in the absence of the moon (rājā) and the seal (mudrā) is of no use without being associated with the king (rājā). 127. All the breathing processes should be practised with a mind concentrated [on them]. The

60 HAṬHAYOGAPRADĪPIKĀ wise man should not allow his mind to wander else- where. 128. Thus have the ten Mudrā-s been described by the primeval Lord, Śambhu (Śiva). Each one of them confers on the self-restrained (Yamin-s) the great siddhi. 129. One who imparts teaching regarding the Mudrā-s as handed down by a succession of Guru-s, he is the real teacher. He is the master, the Lord (Īśvara) in visible form. 130. Carefully following his teaching, he who concentrates on the practice of the Mudrā-s, obtains the capacity to overcome death, along with the siddhi-s such as aṇiman.

FOURTH CHAPTER

1. Salutations to Śiva, the Guru, who is of the form of nāda, bindu and kalā; the person ever devoted to these obtains the stainless state [free from māyā]. This chapter is wholly devoted to Rāja-yoga. The nāda is a mystical sound similar to the prolongation of the sound of a bell and represented by a semicircle in Om. Bindu is the ṃ sound of the anusvāra in the Praṇava. Kalā is a speciality of nāda.
2. Now I shall expound the excellent process of Samādhi, that destroys death, leads to [eternal] happi- ness and confers the supreme bliss of [absorption in] Brahman. ‘Destroying death’ means enabling the Yogin to shed his body at will. This is explained later on. The happiness of a Jīvanmukta is brought about when the mind is stilled and the vāsanā-s (acquired tendencies) are destroyed. Bliss is that of Videhamukti, when the Prārabdha-karman is exhausted and a permanent union takes place between the Jīva and Parabrahman. 3, 4. Rāja-yoga, Samādhi, Unmanī, Manonmanī, Amaratva (immortality), Laya (absorption), Tattva (Truth), Śūnyāśūnya (void and yet not-void), Parama- pada (the supreme state), Amanaska (transcending the mind), Advaita (non-duality), Nirālamba (without support), Nirañjana (pure), Jīvanmukti (liberation

162 HAṬHAYOGAPRADĪPIKĀ while in the body), Sahaja (natural state) and Turya, all of these are synonymous. 5. [SAMĀDHI is explained]: As salt in water unites and dissolves into it, a likewise merging of mind and self (ātman) is Samādhi. 6. When the Prāṇa is without any movement [in Kumbhaka] and the mind is absorbed in the Self, that state of harmony is called Samādhi. This is the state of Saṁprajñāta Samādhi described by Patañjali. 7. That state of equilibrium which is the union of the Jīvātman and Paramātman, in which there is the end of all desire-ideation, that is called Samādhi. This is Asaṁprajñāta Samādhi in which there is no distinction of knower, known or knowing. 8. Who really knows the greatness of Rāja-yoga? Spiritual knowledge (jñāna), freedom (mukti), stability (sthiti) and perfection (siddhi) are obtained through the teaching of the Guru. 9. Without the compassion of the true Guru, the renunciation of sensual pleasures, the perception of Truth and the natural state of Being (sahajāvasthā, which is the supreme state), are most difficult to attain. 10. When the great Power (Kuṇḍalinī) has been awakened by the various Āsana-s, the different Kumbha- ka-s and Mudrā-s, the Prāṇa is quiescent in the void (Brahmarandhra).

HAṬHAYOGAPRADĪPIKĀ 63 11. In the Yogin in whom the [Kuṇḍalinī] Śakti is awakened and who is free of all karman-s, the truly natural State comes into being on its own. In the practice of the Āsana-s, all corporeal activity comes to an end, and actions are confined to Prāṇa and the organs of sense. By Kumbhaka, the movement of Prāṇa and the sense-organs is arrested, and there remains the mental activity. By Pratyāhāra, Dhāraṇā, Dhyāna and Saṁprajñāta Samādhi, mental activity ceases and actions are confined to the buddhi. By complete absence of attachment and long practice of Saṁprajñāta Samādhi, the activities of the buddhi cease and the Yogin attains his original unchangeable state, which is the final beatitude. 12. When the Prāṇa flows in the Suṣumnā and the mind is absorbed in the void the knower of Yoga [he who can end the modifications of the mind] up- roots all karman-s. ‘Void’ means Brahman unaffected by Time, Space or Matter. 13. Salutations to you, O Immortal, who have conquered even that Time, into whose jaws falls this universe, with all the mobile and immobile things. Here the perfected Yogin-s are meant by the term ‘immortal’. 14. When the mind has reached a state of equani- mity and Prāṇa moves through the Suṣumnā, then there is Amarolī, Vajrolī and Sahajolī. This stanza shows that Vajrolī and the other like processes are not physical, but have a symbolical significance. 15. How can spiritual knowledge arise in the mind, as long as the Prāṇa lives [is active] and the mind

64 HAṬHAYOGAPRADĪPIKĀ is not dead [in abeyance]? He who causes both Prāṇa and mind to become quiescent obtains liberation. No other person can do so. The Prāṇa lives so long as it flows through Iḍā and Piṅgalā; the sense-organs live so long as they seek objects; the mind lives so long as it is shaped by the various objects of perception. Prāṇa dies when it remains without movement in Brahmarandhra. The mind dies when it is not modified by objects. In this stanza Yoga is said to be essential to Jñāna. In the Yogavijaya, Pārvatī asks: ‘Some say that liberation is obtained through knowledge only; then what is the use of Yoga?’ Śiva replies: ‘A battle is won by a sword; but what is the use of a sword without a war and valour? So both are absolutely necessary.’ If it is argued that King Janaka and other great men did not practise Yoga at all, the answer is: Kings like Janaka, Vaiśya-s like Tulādhāra, Śūdra-s like Pailavaka, women like Maitreyī, Śārṅgī, Śāṇḍilī, Cūḍālā, have obtained knowledge without practising Yoga, because they had perfected Yoga in their previous incarnations. We also hear that by the force of Yoga practised in previous lives many attained the state of Brahmā, sons of Brahmā, devarṣi, brahmarṣi, muni and bhakta. They attained complete knowledge without being initiated by a Guru. Hiraṇyagarbha (Brahmā), Vasiṣṭha, Nārada, Śuka, Vāmadeva and Sanatkumāra are said to have been born Siddha-s. 16. Remaining always in a suitable place, having learnt well to open the Suṣumnā and make Prāṇa flow through the centre [i.e. Suṣumnā], it should be res- trained in the Brahmarandhra. The place should be pleasant, etc. as described in I. 12. 17. The Sun and the Moon create [the division of] Time in the form of day and night. Suṣumnā consumes Time. This is a secret.

HAṬHAYOGAPRADĪPIKĀ 65 The Prāṇa moves in the Iḍā (Moon) for about an hour and then in the Piṅgalā (Sun). So two hours form a day and night for the Yogin. The ordinary day consists of twelve such days. When the Prāṇa leaves Iḍā and Piṅgalā and remains in the Suṣumnā, then there is no Time. So Suṣumnā is said to consume Time. The Yogin knowing beforehand the time of his death takes his Prāṇa to Brahmarandhra and defies Time and discards his body at will. 18. There are 72,000 Nāḍī passages in this cage [the body]. [Of these] Suṣumnā is the Power that appertains to Śambhu (Śāmbhavī Śakti). The others [Iḍā, Piṅgalā, etc.] are not of great use. 19. When breath has been controlled, then it should be made to awaken the Kuṇḍalinī along with the gastric fire, and enter the Suṣumnā without any restriction. 20. When the Prāṇa flows through Suṣumnā, the Manonmanī state is attained. If not, the other prac- tices are a mere exertion for the Yogin. 21. He who suspends (restrains) the breath, restrains also the mind. He who controls the mind, also controls the breath. 22. The [activity of the] mind has two causes: the Prāṇa and the vāsanā-s (acquired tendencies and impressions). When one of these becomes inactive, the other too also come to an end. 23. Where the mind is stilled there the Prāṇa is suspended; and where the Prāṇa is completely in abeyance, there the mind is quiescent. 24. Mind and Prāṇa are mingled like milk and water, and their activities concur. Where there is

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66 HAṬHAYOGAPRADĪPIKĀ [activity of] Prāṇa there is [that of the] mind, where there is [activity of] the mind, there is [that of] Prāṇa. 25. If one is suspended, the other is set at rest. If one acts, the other [too] acts. If they are not quietened, all the senses are active; if they are controlled the state of liberation is attained. 26. Mercury and mind are unsteady by nature. If mercury and mind are bound [i.e. stabilized], what is impossible of attainment on this earth? 27. O Pārvati! Mercury, as also Prāṇa, when immobilized, destroy diseases; when [themselves] dead [i.e. inactive], they give life; when bound, they enable [persons] to rise in the air. Mercury is made solid and inactive by the use of herbs; and the Prāṇa is made immobile when absorbed in the Brahmarandhra by means of Kumbhaka. When mercury is bound (by a certain process) and reduced to the form of a pill, it is called gahanaguṭikā, and by putting it in the mouth, one can rise in the air. In the same manner, Prāṇa, when held in the centre between the two eyebrows, enables one to rise in the air. The Gorakṣaśataka says: ‘Between the eye- brows there appears a round spot, black as a ball of collyrium. It is of the essence of Vāyu, and its presiding deity is Īśvara. Restraining the Prāṇa in this Cakra along with the mind for two hours gives the power of rising in the air to a Yogin.’ 28. When the mind is steady, the Prāṇa is stable, and hence there is stability of semen. There is always strength when the semen is stable, and it gives the body stability. 29. The mind is the lord of the organs of sense; the Prāṇa is the lord of the mind; absorption (laya)

HAṬHAYOGAPRADĪPIKĀ 67 is the lord of the Prāṇa and that absorption has Nāda (the inner sound) for its basis. 30. This itself [the quiescence of the mind] may be called liberation; others may say that it is not. [However] when the Prāṇa and mind are in a state of absorption, an indefinable bliss ensues. 31. When inhalation and exhalation are sus- pended, when all grasping of objects [by the senses] has completely ceased, when there is no movement of the body, and no modification of the mind, there is success in absorption (laya) for Yogin-s. 32. When all mental transformations (saṃkalpa) have entirely ceased and when there is no physical movement, an indescribable state of absorption ensues, which is known by the self, but is beyond the reach of words. 33. Where vision is [directed], there [in Brah- man] is absorption. That [Avidyā] in which eternally exist the elements [such as earth] and the senses [hearing, etc.] and that Force (śakti) which is in all living things, both are dissolved in the characteristicless [Brahman]. 34. People say ‘ laya, laya ’, but what is the nature of laya? Laya is the non-recollection of the objects of sense due to the non-recurrence of previously acquired impressions and tendencies (vāsanā-s). 35. The Veda-s, Śāstra-s and Purāṇa-s are like common courtesans [as they are available to all men]. But the Śāmbhavī-mudrā is guarded like a well-born woman.

68 HAṬHAYOGAPRADĪPIKĀ 36. [The ŚĀMBHAVĪ-MUDRĀ is described]: Con- centration on the internal object [in any Cakra from the Mūlādhāra to the Brahmarandhra], while the external sight is devoid of winking, this is that Śāmbhavī- mudrā preserved in the Veda-s and Śāstra-s. 37. When the Yogin remains with mind and breath absorbed in the internal object, when his pupils are motionless, when, though his eyes perceive without, he sees not [i.e. does not grasp the objects], it is indeed the Śāmbhavī-mudrā. When it is obtained by the favour of the Guru, that state which is of Śambhu, which is other than the void and the not-void, that Reality manifests itself [to the Yogin]. The attention should be directed to the Anāhata-cakra and the object of internal contemplation is Iśvara with attributes, or Brahman, which is the real object of the two sentences, ‘ That Thou art ’ and ‘ I am Brahman ’. It is not the void, because in the contemplation of the internal object, there is the nature of sat (being). It is other than the not-void, because even this object ceases to be afterwards. 38. The Śāmbhavī and the Khecarī Mudrā-s, though differing in the position [of the eyes] and place [to which the attention of the mind is directed, both] bring about the bliss of absorption of the mind in the void, which is [the Ātman] of the nature of Bliss- consciousness. It is called void, because it is not affected by Time, Place or Matter. It is void of things like itself and also of things different from itself. The positions of the two Mudrā-s are said to be different, because in the Śāmbhavī-mudrā the eyes are directed

HAṬHAYOGAPRADĪPIKĀ 69 outwards and in the Khecarī, to the centre of the eyebrows. The places are different, because in the Śāmbhavī-mudrā, the attention is fixed on the Anāhata-cakra, and in the Khecarī-mudrā on the Ājñā-cakra. 39. Direct the pupils [of the eyes] towards the light [which is seen when concentrating on the tip of the nose] and raise the eyebrows a little. Concentrate the mind according to the previous practice, and shortly the Unmanī state is reached. The previous practice refers to the concentration on the internal object, etc. of the Śāmbhavī-mudrā (IV. 36). 40. Some are confused by the snares of the Āgama-s, some by the Vedic perplexities, and others by dialectic; they do not know of that which enables one to cross [the ocean of existence, namely the Unmanī- avasthā]. The Āgama-s referred to are the Śāstraic and Tāntric texts. 41. With half closed eyes and steady mind, with the vision directed to the tip of the nose, the one in whom the Sun (Piṅgalā) and the Moon (Iḍā) also are reduced to a state of suspension, who is in a fluxless condition [of body, sense and mind], he attains that abode which is of the form of light which is the source of all, is [itself] All, refulgent, the supreme Reality. What more can be said of this? Vasiṣṭha says: ‘When the eyes are directed to the tip of the nose or about twelve aṅgula-s from it, to the cloudless firmament (ākāśa), the fluctuations of the Prāṇa and of consciousness cease.’

70 HAṬHAYOGAPRADĪPIKĀ 42. Do not worship the Liṅga by day, nor worship it at night. Stopping the night and the day, the Liṅga should always be worshipped. Liṅga here means the Self (Ātman), the originator of all creation. It is day when the Prāṇa flows through the Sun or Piṅgalā; and it is night when it flows through the Moon or Iḍā. One should not contemplate the Ātman when the Prāṇa is flowing through either of them. One should stop the course of Prāṇa through the Iḍā and Piṅgalā and make it flow through the Suṣumnā. when contemplating the Self. 43. Then KHECARĪ-MUDRĀ [is described] : When the Prāṇa, which is in the left and the right Nāḍī-s, flows through the middle [Suṣumnā], in that state the Khecarī-mudrā becomes perfect. There is no doubt about this. 44. If the void (śūnya) between the Iḍā and Piṅgalā swallows up the Prāṇa, the Khecarī-mudrā is there perfect. This is undoubtedly the fact. 'Swallowing' the Prāṇa means that the Prāṇa should be made to remain steady in the Suṣumnā. 45. Between the Iḍā and Piṅgalā in the unsup- ported (nirālamba) space, where there is the Vyoma- cakra, the Mudrā which is practised is Khecarī by name. 46. [The Khecarī-mudrā] in which the stream [of nectar] flows from the Moon, is the beloved of Śiva in visible form. The mouth of the unequalled, divine Suṣumnā must be filled at the rear end [by the tongue turned upward into the roof of the palate]. 47. The Suṣumnā should be filled at the near end also [by the suspension of Prāṇa]. It is [then]

HAṬHAYOGAPRADĪPIKĀ 71 the real Khecarī. By the practice of Khecarī-mudrā, the Unmanī-avasthā follows. If the Suṣumnā is not filled by the Prāṇa at the near end, but only by the Khecarī-mudrā, i.e. by the position of the tongue at the rear end, it leads to a state of stupor. This is not the real Khecarī-mudrā. 48. Between the eyebrows is the seat of Śiva, wherein the mind is quiescent. This state is known as the Turya [fourth state of consciousness, beyond the states of waking, dream, and dreamless sleep]. There, Time (Death) is not. 49. One should practise the Khecarī, until he experiences the Yoga-sleep. For one who is in this Yoga-sleep, Time (Death) does not exist. 50. After making the mind supportless [freeing it of every object and concept], one should not think of anything. He is then indeed like a pot filled inside and outside with ākāśa. 51. When the external breath is stopped [by the practice of Khecarī], likewise the middle one [the breath within the body is also suspended]. There is no doubt about it. Then the Prāṇa, along with the mind, becomes still in its own place (Brahmarandhra). 52. [In the practitioner] who thus practises the course of Prāṇa [i.e. through Suṣumnā] night and day, where the Prāṇa through practice is absorbed, there the mind also is absorbed. 53. One should inundate the body from head to foot with the nectar [flowing from the Moon]. He

72 HAṬHAYOGAPRADĪPIKĀ then becomes endowed with a superior body, great strength and valour. Thus the Khecarī [has been described]. 54. Centering the mind in the Śakti (Kuṇḍalinī), and holding the Śakti in the centre of the mind, observe the mind with the mind and make the supreme state the object of meditation. The meaning seems to be this: By taking the Prāṇa and the mind to the Brahmarandhra and contemplating Kuṇḍalinī Śakti, the mind and the Kuṇḍalinī are united in one. 55. Place the self (Ātman) in the midst of the ākāśa and the ākāśa in the midst of the self; and on reducing everything to the nature of ākāśa, think of nothing else. Here ākāśa means Brahman into which one must make the self dissolve, through meditation of the form ‘Brahman is I’ and ‘I am Brahman’. Then even such meditation, where there is cognizance of subject and object, has to end. 56. Void within, void without, void like a pot in space (ākāśa). Full within, full without, full like the pot in the ocean. [Such is the state of the Yogin in meditation.] Void within and without, because the consciousness has become insensible of itself and of what is without; and full, because is has become Brahman itself, within and without. 57. There should be no thought of the external, nor any thought within. Excluding all thought [sub- jective and objective] he should think of nothing.

HAṬHAYOGAPRADĪPIKĀ 73 58. The entire universe is the fabrication of thought only. The play of the mind is created only by thought. Transcending the mind which is composed of thought [transformations], find rest in the change- less. Then surely, O Rāma, thou shalt find Peace. This is taken from the Yoga-vāsiṣṭha. In the ultimate state, there is no actor, enjoyer, experiencer. It is without a second. Nothing exists without it, and nothing proceeds from it. It is not affected by Time, Space and Matter. It is therefore free from any change. 59. Like camphor in fire, like salt in water, thus the mind dissolves in contact with Reality. 60. All that can be known, [and all that] is known, and knowledge [itself] is said to be the mind. When knowledge and the knowable are lost together [with the mind], there is no second way [i.e. no duality]. 61. Whatever is in this world, both mobile and immobile, all this is the appearance of the mind. When the mind reaches the transcendent state (Unmanī- bhāva), verily duality is not experienced. 62. As all objects of knowledge are abandoned, the mind is absorbed [into absolute Being, Conscious- ness, Bliss]. When the mind is thus dissolved, then the state of absoluteness (kaivalya) [alone] remains. 63. Thus are the ways to Samādhi, consisting of different means, described by the great ancient teachers, fully based on their own experience. 64. Salutations to the Suṣumnā, to Kuṇḍalinī, to the nectar flowing from the Moon, to the Manonmanī

74 HAṬHAYOGAPRADĪPIKĀ [state] and to the great Power in the form of pure Consciousness. 65. Now, I begin to describe the practice of devotion to Nāda (anāhata or unstruck sound) that has been taught by Gorakṣanātha, which is suitable even to the unlearned, who are unable [directly] to compre- hend the Truth. 66. The primeval Lord (Śiva) has expounded one crore and a quarter of effective ways for the attainment of laya; but we think that the one thing, devotion to Nāda alone, is the most important of the [ways to] laya. 67. The Yogin sitting in the Muktāsana posture and assuming the Śāmbhavī-mudrā, should listen with concentrated mind to the sound within, heard in the right ear. These sounds proceed from the Suṣumnā. The Tripurāsāra- samuccaya says that they are in all of ten sorts: buzzing sound like that of a swarm of bees, sound like that of a flute, of bells, of ocean waves, of thunder, etc. 68. Close the ears, both the eyes, the nose and the mouth; then a clear and distinct sound is heard in the pure Suṣumnā passage. The ears are to be closed with the thumbs of both the hands, the eyes with the forefingers, the nose with the middle and ring fingers, and the mouth with the rest. This is called the Parāṅ- mukhī-mudrā. 69. In all the Yogic practices there are four stages: Ārambha, Ghaṭa, Paricaya and Niṣpatti.

HAṬHAYOGAPRADĪPIKĀ 75 70. Then the ĀRAMBHĀVASTHĀ [is described]: When the knot of Brahmā (Brahmagranthi, which is in the Anāhata-cakra) is pierced [by Prāṇāyāma], there is the bliss arising from the void [śūnya or ākāśa of the heart]. Various tinkling sounds [as of ornaments] and the unstruck sound (anāhata-dhvani) are heard [in the middle of] the body. 71. When there is the beginning [of the sound] in the void, the Yogin is possessed of a lustrous body, he is radiant, with an exquisite fragrance, free of diseases and has a full heart [i.e. filled by Prāṇa and Bliss]. The ākāśa of the Anāhata-cakra (heart) is called Śūnya, that of the Viśuddhi-cakra (throat), Atiśūnya, and that of the Ājñā- cakra (forehead), Mahāśūnya. 72. Then the GHAṬĀVASTHĀ [is described]: In the second [stage], the Prāṇa unites [with Apāna, Nāda and Bindu] and enters the middle Cakra. The Yogin then becomes firm in posture (āsana), wise, and com- parable to the Gods. In this stage, the Prāṇa and the Apāna, the Nāda and Bindu, the Jīvātman and the Paramātman are united. The middle Cakra is the Viśuddhi-cakra in the throat. 73. When the knot of Viṣṇu [Viṣṇu-granthi, which is in the throat] is then pierced [by the Prāṇa in Kumbhaka] there is the promise of supreme bliss. In the Atiśūnya, then, there arises a rumbling sound as of a kettledrum. 74. Then the PARICAYĀVASTHĀ [is described]: In the third stage, a sound like that of a drum (mardala)