This document summarizes the four best asanas according to Shiva as described in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. The four asanas are Siddhasana, Padmasana, Simhasana, and Bhadrasana. For each asana, the document provides instructions on how to perform the pose and notes its benefits. Siddhasana is said to be the best for meditation. Padmasana destroys diseases and is difficult for most to achieve. Simhasana facilitates three purification techniques (bandhas) and is highly esteemed. Bhadrasana also destroys diseases.

3. Hatha Yoga Pradipika – Four best
asanas according to Shiva
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4. 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.

5. 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 this, rest the chin on to

6. 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 on the right
thigh, cross the hands behind the back and firmly hold the toes.
Press the chin against the chest and look at the tip of the nose.
This is called padmasana, the destroyer of a yogi’s diseases.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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//

10. 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.

11. 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/

12. 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.