Introduction and History
Often there are many paths to reach a destination. Similarly, there are numerous paths in yoga to achieve its goal of union with the Supreme. Among many such paths of yoga, one of the most popular is ‘Hatha Yoga.’
Empirically speaking, Lord Shiva, who is also called ‘Adiyogi’ or the first yogi, is considered the overall founder of yoga and thus hatha yoga, but as far as recent history is concerned, Hatha yoga is associated with many spiritual traditions of India. Although it dates back to the 1st century CE, where it is mentioned in many Hindu as well as Buddhist texts. Then in the Vajrayana Buddhist texts of 8th century. Further, Gorakhnath, the famous 11th century ascetic of the ‘Nath’ tradition, is credited as the composer of many Hindu hathayogic texts. Further,his guru, Matsyendranath(10th century) is revered in both Hinduism and Buddhism and regarded as the founder of the Nath tradition. After that, many texts like Vivekamartanda, Goraksasataka, Khecharividya, Shivasamhita Yogabija, etc came out in the next few centuries . In the 15th century CE, yogi Svatmarama, wrote Hatha Yoga Pradipika, a classical text on the subject, also regarded as one of the most influential book ever written on hatha yoga. Even after that, many texts like Yogachintamani, Hatha Ratnavali, Gheranda Samhita, Jogapradipika, etc. were published.
Basics
If we consider the literal meaning of the word ‘Hatha’, it simply means force. So the simple meaning comes out as yoga through force. Hatha yoga is concerned with union through physical means, by preparing the body at physical level, primarily by the use of force. The force may be imposed with asanas, pranayams, mudras,etc.
Furthermore, if we dive deep into spiritual perspective, the word ‘Hatha’ is bifurcated into ‘Ha’ and ‘Tha.’ According to ancient Indian texts, ‘Ha’ is associated with the Sun whereas ‘Tha’ is associated with the Moon. Thus hatha yoga brings about a balance between the energies of the Sun and the Moon within an individual. This harmony of subtle forces is aimed at bringing about a balance at physical, mental and spiritual level.
Some Classic Texts
1. Amrutasiddhi – written by Madhavachandra in 11th century CE.
2. Dattatreya Yoga Shastra – written by Sage Dattatreya in in 13th century CE.
3. Goraksasataka – written by Gorakhnath in 11-12th century CE.
4. Hatha Ratnavali – written by Srinivasa in 17th century CE.
5. Shiva Samhita – author unknown, 15-17th century.
6. Gheranda Samhita – written by yogi Gheranda in 17th century CE.
Goals of Hatha Yoga
We must not forget that the ultimate goal of yoga is the union with the infinite or self realisation. But there are some intermediate goals associated with hatha yoga. An individual may aim for one or all of these given below:
1. Perfect Health
2. Purity of Mind and Body
3. Self Determination
4. Mental Power and Peace
5. Physical Power
6. Spiritual Power
7. Flexibility of Body
Components/Limbs of Hatha yoga
There are different numbers of components of Hatha yoga according to different texts. For example, the Gheranda Samhita divides it in seven parts :
1. Shatkarma – Six types of purifications of body. Techniques for cleansing and purifying the body, including practices like neti, dhauti, and basti.
2. Asanas – Bodily postures for developing strength, flexibility, and balance, as well as prepare the body for long periods of meditation.
3. Mudras – Specific hand and other bodily gestures and body positions that direct the flow of energy within the body, often used to deepen concentration and help in meditation.
4. Pratyahara – Withdrawal of the senses from external objects, allowing the practitioner to turn inward.
5. Pranayam – Techniques of life force control
6. Dhyana – Focused concentration and meditation, leading to a deeper awareness of the self.
7. Samadhi – The final stage of yoga, where the devotee attains a state of complete union with the universal consciousness.
Further, as per Hatha Yoga Pradipika, there are four basic limbs as given below :
1. Asanas – Body postures
2. Kumbhaka – Pranayam or life force control
3. Mudras – certain bodily gestures
4. Bandha – Locks : certain techniques to lock the life force within the body.
Difference from Patanjali Yoga
Although hatha yoga and Patanjali’s ashtanga yoga are both paths of yoga but they differ from one another based on their practices and focuses. Hatha yoga focuses on body discipline, balance of energy,etc. as it is believed in hatha yoga that purification and mastering the physical being is extremely essential for the process leading to union with Supreme.
Whereas Patanjali’s ashtanga yoga encompasses a wider, more holistic approach that includes physical, mental, and spiritual practices. It believes that mental mastery along with physical is extremely important. That’s why Patanjali says in Yog Sutras :
योगश्चित्त वृत्ति निरोध: (1:2) i.e.
‘yogas chitta vritti nirodhah,’ which translates as ‘Yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations and whirlpools of the mind.’
Conclusion
If you are curious about adopting a yoga regime, there are different subsets of yoga present before you. You may be attracted to any of them, be it bhakti yoga, jnana yoga, ashtanga yoga or hatha yoga. But it extremely important to know about basics of each one of them. As far as hatha yoga is concerned, one needs to be well dedicated and strictly disciplined if an individual desires to excel in the field. That’s why it is often practised by ascetics who have renunciated their pleasures for the search of supreme. This does not mean that ordinary people cannot practice the hatha yoga.
So it is upto the the individual what path to follow in yoga, but it is recommended to follow a realised guru who would guide you to your goal of self realisation.
