Hatha Yoga Pradipika

1. Hatha Yoga Pradipika – Four best asanas according to Shiva

2. Hatha Yoga Pradipika – Four best asanas according to Shiva
Hatha Yoga Pradipika – Four best asanas according to Shiva
Four best asanas among eighty four taught by Shiva
Chaturasityasanani sivena kathitani vai /
Tebhyas chatushkam adaya sarabhutam bravimyaham//
Among all the eighty-four Asanas were taught by Shiva. Out of those ‘I’ shall now
describe the four important Asanas.
Siddham padmam tatha simham bhadram veti chatushtayam/
Sreshtham tatrapi cha sukhe tishthetsiddhasane sada//
Siddhasana, padmasana, simhasana and bhadrasana, these are the four essential
Asanas. Always sit comfortably in Siddhasana because it is the bestamong all the
asanas.

3. Hatha Yoga Pradipika – Four best asanas according to Shiva
(1). Siddhasana (Adept’s Pose)
Yonisthanakam angghrimulaghatitam Krtva drdham
vinyaset /
Mendhre padam athaikameva hrdaye Krtva hanum
susthiram //
Sthanuh samyamitendriyoa chaladrsa pasyed bhruvor
antaram/
Hyetan mokshakapatabhedajanakam Siddhasanam
prochyate//
Press the perineum with the heel of one foot, place
the other foot on top of the genitals. Having done

4. Hatha Yoga Pradipika – Four best asanas according to Shiva
(2). Padmasana (lotus pose)
Vamorupari dakshinam cha charanam Samsthapya
vamam tatha /
Dakshorupari paschimena vidhina Dhrtva karabhyam
drdham //
Angghushthau hrdaye nidhaya Chibukam
nasaghramalokayet /
Etadvyadhivinasakari yaminam Padmasanam
prochyate//
Place the right foot on the left thigh and the left foot

5. Hatha Yoga Pradipika – Four best asanas according to Shiva
Uttanau charanau krtva urusamsthau prayatnatah /
Urumadhye tathottanau pani krtva tato drsau//
Place the feet on the thighs, soles upward, palms in the
middle of the groin, facing upward.
Nasaghre vinyasedrajadantamule tu jihvaya/
Uttambhya chibukam vakshasyutthapy pavanam
sanaih//
Gaze at the nose tip, keeping the tongue pressed
against the root of the upper teeth and the chin against
the chest, and slowly raise the prana upward.

6. Hatha Yoga Pradipika – Four best asanas according to Shiva
Idam padmasanam proktam
sarvavyadhivinasanam/
Durlabham yena kenapi dhimata labhyate
bhuvi//
This is called padmasana, destroyer of all
diseases. Ordinary people cannot achieve this
posture, only the few wise ones on this earth
can do.

7. Hatha Yoga Pradipika – Four best asanas according to Shiva
(3). Simhasana (lion’s pose)
Ghulphau cha vrshanasyadhah Sivantyah parsvayoh kshipet/
Dakshine savyaghulpham tu Dakshaghulpham tu savyake//
Place the ankles below the scrotum, right ankle on the left side, left ankle on the
right side of the perineum.
Hastau tu janvoh samsthapya Svangghulih samprasarya cha /
Vyattavaktro niriksheta nasaghram susamahitah//
Place the palms on the knees, fingers spread apart, keep the mouth open and gaze
at the nose tip with a concentrated mind.
Simhasanam bhavedetatpujitam yoghipungghavaih /
Bandhatritayasandhanam kurute chasanottamam//

8. Hatha Yoga Pradipika – Four best asanas according to Shiva
This is simhasana, held in great esteem by the highest yogis. This most excellent
asana facilitates the three bandhas.

9. Hatha Yoga Pradipika – Four best asanas according to Shiva
(4). Bhadrasana (gracious pose)
Ghulphau cha vrshanasyadhah Sivantyah parsvayoh kshipet /
Savyaghulpham tatha savye Dakshaghulpham tu dakshine //
Parsvapadau cha panibhyam Drdham baddhva sunischalam /
Bhadrasanam bhavedetatsarvavyadhivinasanam //
Place the ankles below the genitals on the sides by the perineum, left ankle on the
left (side) right ankle on the right (side).
Ghorakshasanamityahuridam vai siddhayoghinah/
Evamasanabandheshu yogindro vighatasramah //
Abhyasennadikasuddhim mudradipavanakriyam/

10. Hatha Yoga Pradipika – Four best asanas according to Shiva
Then hold the feet, which are on their sides, firmly with the hands and remain
motionless. This is bhadrasana which destroys all diseases. The yogis who are
perfected (siddhas) call it gorakshasana.