The Hatayogapradīpikā: Jyotsnāyutā

Abstract

Byline: Raghavendra. Bhat, T. Srinivasan English translation and commentary by: Dr. Kausthub Desikachar Publisher: Media Garuda, Krishnamacharya Healing and Yoga Foundation, Chennai, India Year: 2016 Pages: 444 Price: Rs. 995 [INLINE:1] Here is an extended commentary of the famous Hatayogaprad?pik? of Swami Svatmarama. The work is of recent origin in comparison to Sri Patanjali's Yoga Sutras which is at least 3000 years old. Many distinguished schools could have flourished in the interim. Most if not all are indebted to the Patanjala Sutras, being the most ancient compilation and most profound one too. The present work running into 444 pages reflects the commentary of Jyotsn?yut?, namely Jyotsna commentary of Sri Brahmananda who is thought to have lived in the 18[sup]th century of this era. A detailed introduction by the author takes us through the historical background to the above statements. The author says, “Jyotsna, which literally means moonlight, true to its name, provides a gentle and comforting understanding of the powerful and profound teachings of Hathayogaprad?pik?.”[sup][1] The Sanskrit original of Sri Brahmananda is included along with translation and explanation where needed. It is also brought out that Hatha neither means nor advocates forceful yoga asana practices. Hatha relates to the “strength of prana” and it is also said that it is “essentially the highest form of pranayama practice.”[sup][1] Thus, uniting the sun and the moon, namely prana and apana, is said to be Hathayoga practice. Another authoritative text on this subject has this to say: “In order to make the subject clear, it was termed hatha, i.e. ha and tha yoga, a combination of two Beeja mantras. It has been explained in Hathayoga that ha represents prana, the vital force, and tha represents mind, the mental energy. Hence, Hathayoga means the union of the pranic and mental forces. When union between the pranic and mental forces takes place, then a great event occurs in human. This is the awakening of higher consciousness….[sup][2] When Kundalini is established in Sahasrara Chakra, that is called yoga, not Hathayoga. This is the difference between yoga and Hathayoga.”[sup][2] There are four chapters to this text; asana, pranayama, mudras, and finally, samadhi. Thus, the chapters are in the ascending order of complexity, of course each supporting the other in this progression. The asanas and pranayama are limited to those that bring immediate result to the movement of prana in the subtle body. Mudras – along with kriyas – facilitate this movement, and since this movement should be carefully accomplished to avoid any untoward expression of this potent energy, a competent teacher is required for overseeing the progress. There are esoteric aspects of these practices that are of importance and the book provides an overview of these also. The author is very clear to advocate yoga practices not as prescriptive; the practices and the reference to any health-related problem in the text should be taken contextually to bring a balance in the subtle order in the body. …