The Hatha Yoga Pradipika - part 2

Images of Hatha Yoga from the Joga Pradīpikā (19th century) courtesy of the Public Domain Review

Seeking Wisdom from the Hatha Yoga Pradipika - Part 2

For years I have studied the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and have always enjoyed a journey through the Bhagavad Gita. But, the Hatha Yoga Pradipika has never really called to me—until now. For years I disparaged the book, mistakenly thinking that it was not appropriate for my practice, or might be frowned upon, or even considered a passing fad. I am finding out, however, that perhaps the reason it exists is a huge value in and of itself.

First of all, what are these other texts that I have resonated with so much over the years? Let’s first consider the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. This work consists of 196 very short phrases written somewhere between 1,800 and 2,500 years ago. In other words, it is very short—and very old. Moreover, the book is very dense. The Sūtras need to be “unpacked” for the normal user to have any chance of understanding them. As a result, those 196 terse aphorisms easily expand into volumes and volumes of translated works. Currently I have more than 20 translations/commentaries on the Yoga Sūtras. This compilation and “sutrification” of yogic principles and concepts were intended to be handed down from teacher to student, and has a feeling of belonging to a more monastic setting. It does not feel as if it were written for the typical person, but more for someone on a much narrower path, e.g., a more austere or even monastic life.

The Bhagavad Gita can be roughly dated to the 2nd century BCE, or about 2,200 years ago. This 700-verse Hindu scripture actually is a chapter out of the larger work know as Mahabharata. Even though the Gita has less of a sense of being written for someone venturing down the path of a monastic life, it delves into and touches on very deep aspects of yoga. At times it feels like the text is offering a description of different paths to the ultimate goal of yoga, which is Kaivalya or self-realization. (Please forgive the oversimplification of Kaivalya; perhaps it is a topic for another day).

Some of the concepts from these texts include self-discovery, truth, ethics and morality, duty, detachment, contentment, dedication, and perseverance. The sūtras expound on the concepts of getting the mind to be still and quiet, while the Gita also explains in detail the goal of performing one’s duty without any desire for the rewards. For most of us, these lofty goals may seen unattainable in the near term…or perhaps even in this lifetime! Furthermore, practitioners have to be careful as the path narrows to the point where they are sliding down the preverbal edge of the razor blade. So what to do?

The Arrival of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika

Somewhere about 1,000 years after these texts were composed, give or take a few hundred years, a Swami named Svatmarama composed the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. Svatmarama was part of the Nath sect, which was known for challenging some of the orthodox traditions of earlier scholars. Whether or not they were intending to be controversial is perhaps debatable, but what is more significant is, as is clearly expressed in the text, the authors were trying to help people reach the higher goals of yoga without the dangers of trying to traverse the narrowest of paths. Another way of saying this is they were putting a lower rung on the ladder for us to climb. For the authors and perhaps for us, the so-called unorthodox practices they were teaching were for the purpose of preparing one’s self to be able to handle the deeper practices. I’ll give an example here: According to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, the purpose of yoga is stilling of the fluctuations of the mind. That stilling of the mind results in the mind turning inward to discover our true identity. Have you tried to still your mind? I often have people tell me that meditate. I might even use that term here, but would argue it is lacking in accuracy. I think a more accurate term would be—I am practicing mental awareness. I am simply watching and paying attention to the movements of the mind. Truly bringing the mind to a state of stillness is intense. Have you ever needed to reboot your computer and had fingers crossed that it comes back on? If we are not ready for what happens when we bring our mind to such a state, the results might be injurious.

Maybe the practitioners of the Nath sect (and this is said with mad respect in all directions) could be thought of as the hippies of their day. But just maybe they were onto something. Maybe we need to look at how hard we are trying to force ourselves down a treacherously narrow path for which we are unprepared…physically, emotionally, and mentally. As an analogy, there is as we know energy in gasoline, but you can’t store it in a paper bag. A lot of the practices prescribed in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika are designed to bolster the container. This way, when we make progress down the path, we will be prepared to handle the results. Quoting from Spiderman, “with great power comes great responsibility.” Perhaps we need to slow down and take notice. Perhaps we need to be more compassionate with ourselves. Perhaps we need to take at look at where we should let our hair down just a little. And maybe the Hatha Yoga Pradipika will inspire us to deepen our yoga practice.

If the study of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika interests you, please join our yoga philosophy class that meets on Zoom every Sunday, from 9:30-10:30 am. If you live in Asheville, you are welcome to attend the group in person. Our participants live all across the country. No previous knowledge of Sanskrit is necessary. The class is free of charge; the only entrance “fee” is curiosity and the willingness to learn. Join us! It’s nourishing and FUN!