Chapter III — Tṛtīyopadeśa

Mudrā & Bandha

तृतीयोपदेशः

The third chapter of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika reveals the ten mudrās and three bandhas — powerful practices for awakening kuṇḍalinī śakti, conserving vital energy, and directing prāṇa into suṣumṇā. These practices bridge the physical disciplines of āsana and prāṇāyāma with the subtle realms of meditation and samādhi.

In This Chapter

I. Kuṇḍalinī & the Purpose of Mudrā (Verses 1–9)
II. Mahā Mudrā (Verses 10–18)
III. Mahā Bandha (Verses 19–24)
IV. Mahā Vedha (Verses 25–31)
V. Khecharī Mudrā (Verses 32–54)
VI. Uḍḍīyāna Bandha (Verses 55–60)
VII. Mūla Bandha (Verses 61–69)
VIII. Jālandhara Bandha (Verses 70–76)
IX. Viparīta Karaṇī (Verses 77–82)
X. Vajrolī, Sahajolī & Amarolī (Verses 83–103)
XI. Śakti Chālanā (Verses 104–130)

I. Kuṇḍalinī & the Purpose of Mudrā

Verses 1–9 | Kundalini as support of yoga, sushumna, the ten mudras

Verse 1

यथाऽधारः सर्वतीर्थानां मेरुदेवो भवेत्
तथाऽधारः सर्वयोगानां कुण्डलीशक्तिरुच्यते

yathā 'dhāraḥ sarva tīrthānāṁ meru devo bhavet
tathā 'dhāraḥ sarva yogānāṁ kuṇḍalī śaktir ucyate

As the serpent Śeṣanāga upholds the earth and its mountains and woods, so kuṇḍalinī is the support of all the yoga practices.

Verse 2

सुप्ता गुरुप्रसादेन यदा जागर्ति कुण्डली
तदा सर्वाणि पद्मानि भिद्यन्ते ग्रन्थयोऽपि च

suptā guru prasādena yadā jāgarti kuṇḍalī
tadā sarvāṇi padmāni bhidyante granthayo 'pi ca

When kuṇḍalinī, sleeping, is aroused by the grace of the guru, then all the lotuses and all the knots are pierced.

Verse 3

प्राणस्य शून्यपदवी तदा राजपथायते
तदा चित्तं निरालम्बं तदा कालस्य वञ्चनम्

prāṇasya śūnya padavī tadā rāja pathāyate
tadā cittaṁ nirālambaṁ tadā kālasya vañcanam

Then indeed suṣumṇā becomes the pathway of prāṇa, mind is free of all connections, and death is averted.

Verse 4

सुषुम्णा शून्यपदवी ब्रह्मरन्ध्रं महापथम्
श्मशानं शाम्भवी मध्यमार्गश्चैकवचनानि

suṣumṇā śūnya padavī brahma randhraṁ mahā patham
śmaśānaṁ śāmbhavī madhya mārgaś caika vacanāni

Suṣumṇā, śūnya padavī, brahmarandhra, mahā patha, śmaśāna, śāmbhavī, madhya mārga—all these are said to be one and the same.

Verse 5

तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन प्रबोधयितुमीश्वरीम्
ब्रह्मद्वारमुखे सुप्तां मुद्राभ्यासं समाचरेत्

tasmāt sarva prayatnena prabodhayitum īśvarīm
brahma dvāra mukhe suptāṁ mudrābhyāsaṁ samācaret

Therefore, the goddess sleeping at the entrance of Brahma's door should be constantly aroused with all effort by performing mudrā thoroughly.

Verse 6

महामुद्रा महाबन्धो महावेधश्च खेचरी
उड्डीयानं मूलबन्धश्च जालन्धरबन्धकः

mahā mudrā mahā bandho mahā vedhaś ca khecarī
uḍḍīyānaṁ mūla bandhaś ca jālandhara bandhakaḥ

Mahā mudrā, mahā bandha, mahā vedha, khecarī, uḍḍīyāna, mūla bandha, and jālandhara bandha—

Verse 7

करणी विपरीताख्या वज्रोली शक्तिचालनम्
इदं हि मुद्रादशकं जरामरणनाशनम्

karaṇī viparītākhyā vajrolī śakti cālanam
idaṁ hi mudrā daśakaṁ jarā maraṇa nāśanam

Viparīta karaṇī, vajrolī, and śakti cālana—these are the ten mudrās which destroy old age and death.

Verse 8

आदिनाथोदितं दिव्यमष्टैश्वर्यप्रदायकम्
वल्लभं सर्वसिद्धानां दुर्लभं मरुतामपि

ādi nāthoditaṁ divyam aṣṭaiśvarya pradāyakam
vallabhaṁ sarva siddhānāṁ durlabhaṁ marutām api

Ādinath said these are the bestowers of the eight divine powers. They are held in high esteem by all the siddhas and are difficult for even the gods to attain.

Verse 9

गोपनीयं प्रयत्नेन यथा रत्नकरण्डकम्
कस्यचिन्नैव वक्तव्यं कुलस्त्रीसुरतं यथा

gopanīyaṁ prayatnena yathā ratna karaṇḍakam
kasyacin naiva vaktavyaṁ kula strī surataṁ yathā

These must remain secret just like precious stones, and not be talked about to anyone, just as one does not tell others about intimate relations.

II. Mahā Mudrā

Verses 10–18 | The great attitude — technique and benefits

Verse 10

पादमूलेन वामेन योनिस्थानं निरोधयेत्
प्रसारितं पदं कृत्वा करौ तत्पादधारणम्

pāda mūlena vāmena yoni sthānaṁ nirodhayet
prasāritaṁ padaṁ kṛtvā karau tat pāda dhāraṇam

Press the left heel into the perineum, straighten the right leg, and with the hands firmly take hold of the outstretched foot.

Verse 11

कण्ठे बन्धं समारोप्य धारयेद्वायुमूर्ध्वतः
यथा दण्डहतः सर्पो दण्डाकारः प्रजायते

kaṇṭhe bandhaṁ samāropya dhārayed vāyum ūrdhvataḥ
yathā daṇḍa hataḥ sarpo daṇḍākāraḥ prajāyate

By locking the throat and retaining the breath, the prāṇa rises upward through suṣumṇā, just as a serpent beaten with a stick becomes straight like a staff.

Verse 12

ऋजुकायः सुषुम्णायां शक्तिः कुण्डलिनी भवेत्
तदा सा मरणावस्था जायते द्विपुटाश्रया

ṛju kāyaḥ suṣumṇāyāṁ śaktiḥ kuṇḍalinī bhavet
tadā sā maraṇāvasthā jāyate dvi puṭāśrayā

Then the kuṇḍalinī becomes straight in suṣumṇā. A deathlike state arises; the two channels become dormant.

Verse 13

ततः शनैः शनैरेव रेचयेन्नैव वेगतः
इयं खलु महामुद्रा महासिद्धैः प्रदर्शिता

tataḥ śanaiḥ śanair eva recayen naiva vegataḥ
iyaṁ khalu mahā mudrā mahā siddhaiḥ pradarśitā

Then exhale slowly and gradually, never forcefully. This indeed is mahā mudrā, as taught by the great siddhas.

Verse 14

महाक्लेशादयो दोषाः क्षीयन्ते मरणादयः
महामुद्रां च तेनैव वदन्ति विबुधोत्तमाः

mahā kleśādayo doṣāḥ kṣīyante maraṇādayaḥ
mahā mudrāṁ ca tenaiva vadanti vibudhottamāḥ

Mahā mudrā removes the worst afflictions and the cause of death. Therefore it is called 'the great attitude' by those of highest knowledge.

Verse 15

चन्द्राङ्गे तु समभ्यस्य सूर्याङ्गे पुनरभ्यसेत्
यावत्तुल्या भवेत्संख्या ततो मुद्रां विसर्जयेत्

candrāṅge tu samabhyasya sūryāṅge punar abhyaset
yāvat tulyā bhavet saṁkhyā tato mudrāṁ visarjayet

After practicing on the left side, practice on the right side. When the number of rounds is even, discontinue and release the mudrā.

Verse 16

न हि पथ्यमपथ्यं वा रसाः सर्वेऽपि नीरसाः
अपि भुक्तं विषं घोरं पीयूषमिव जीर्यति

na hi pathyam apathyaṁ vā rasāḥ sarve 'pi nīrasāḥ
api bhuktaṁ viṣaṁ ghoraṁ pīyūṣam iva jīryati

For one who practices mahā mudrā, there is nothing wholesome or unwholesome. Anything can be consumed; even the deadliest of poisons is digested like nectar.

Verse 17

क्षयकुष्ठगुदावर्तगुल्माजीर्णपुरोगमाः
तस्य दोषाः क्षयं यान्ति महामुद्रां तु योऽभ्यसेत्

kṣaya kuṣṭha gudāvarta gulmājīrṇa purogamāḥ
tasya doṣāḥ kṣayaṁ yānti mahā mudrāṁ tu yo 'bhyaset

Consumption, leprosy, prolapse, abdominal disorders, and indigestion—all diseases are alleviated by the practice of mahā mudrā.

Verse 18

कथितेयं महामुद्रा महासिद्धिकरी नृणाम्
गोपनीया प्रयत्नेन न देया यस्य कस्यचित्

kathiteyaṁ mahā mudrā mahā siddhi karī nṛṇām
gopanīyā prayatnena na deyā yasya kasyacit

Thus has been described mahā mudrā, which bestows great perfections. It should be carefully guarded and not revealed to anyone.

III. Mahā Bandha

Verses 19–24 | The great lock

Verse 19

पार्ष्णिं वामस्य पादस्य योनिस्थाने नियोजयेत्
वामोरूपरि संस्थाप्य दक्षिणं चरणं ततः

pārṣṇiṁ vāmasya pādasya yoni sthāne niyojayet
vāmorūpari saṁsthāpya dakṣiṇaṁ caraṇaṁ tataḥ

Press the left heel into the perineum and place the right foot on the left thigh.

Verse 20

पूरयित्वा ततो वायुं हृदये चुबुकं दृढम्
निष्पीड्य योनिमाकुञ्च्य मनोमध्ये नियोजयेत्

pūrayitvā tato vāyuṁ hṛdaye cubukaṁ dṛḍham
niṣpīḍya yonim ākuñcya mano madhye niyojayet

Fill the lungs with air, press the chin firmly to the chest, contract the perineum, and fix the mind on the central channel.

Verse 21

धारयित्वा यथाशक्ति रेचयेदनिलं शनैः
सव्याङ्गे तु समभ्यस्य दक्षाङ्गे पुनरभ्यसेत्

dhārayitvā yathā śakti recayed anilaṁ śanaiḥ
savyāṅge tu samabhyasya dakṣāṅge punar abhyaset

Retain the breath as long as possible, then exhale slowly. Having practiced on the left side, practice again on the right side.

Verse 22

मतं तत्र तु केषाञ्चित्कण्ठबन्धं विवर्जयेत्
राजदन्तस्थजिह्वायां बन्धः शस्तोऽपरो मतः

mataṁ tatra tu keṣāñcit kaṇṭha bandhaṁ vivarjayet
rāja danta stha jihvāyāṁ bandhaḥ śasto 'paro mataḥ

Some are of the opinion that the throat lock should be avoided, and that the tongue pressed against the front teeth serves as an alternative lock.

Verse 23

अयं तु सर्वनाडीनामूर्ध्वं गतिनिरोधकः
अयं खलु महाबन्धो महासिद्धिप्रदायकः

ayaṁ tu sarva nāḍīnām ūrdhvaṁ gati nirodhakaḥ
ayaṁ khalu mahā bandho mahā siddhi pradāyakaḥ

This stops the upward movement of energy in the nāḍīs. This indeed is mahā bandha, the bestower of great perfections.

Verse 24

कालपाशमहाबन्धविमोचनविचक्षणः
त्रिवेणीसङ्गमं धत्ते केदारं प्रापयेन्मनः

kāla pāśa mahā bandha vimocana vicakṣaṇaḥ
triveṇī saṅgamaṁ dhatte kedāraṁ prāpayen manaḥ

Mahā bandha is expert in freeing one from the great noose of death. It brings about the confluence of the three rivers and enables the mind to reach Kedāra.

IV. Mahā Vedha

Verses 25–31 | The great piercing, the three great secrets

Verse 25

रूपलावण्यसम्पन्ना यथा स्त्री पुरुषं विना
महामुद्रामहाबन्धौ निष्फलौ वेधवर्जितौ

rūpa lāvaṇya sampannā yathā strī puruṣaṁ vinā
mahā mudrā mahā bandhau niṣphalau vedha varjitau

Just as an extremely beautiful woman is nothing without a husband, so mahā mudrā and mahā bandha are fruitless without mahā vedha.

Verse 26

महाबन्धस्थितो योगी कृत्वा पूरकमेकधीः
वायूनां गतिमावृत्य निभृतं कण्ठमुद्रया

mahā bandha sthito yogī kṛtvā pūrakam ekadhīḥ
vāyūnāṁ gatim āvṛtya nibhṛtaṁ kaṇṭha mudrayā

The yogi, seated in mahā bandha, should inhale, make the mind steady, and stop the movement of prāṇa by performing the throat lock.

Verse 27

समहस्तयुगो भूमौ स्फिचौ संताडयेच्छनैः
पुटद्वयमतिक्रम्य वायुः स्फुरति मध्यगः

sama hasta yugo bhūmau sphicau saṁtāḍayec chanaiḥ
puṭa dvayam atikramya vāyuḥ sphurati madhya gaḥ

Placing the palms evenly on the ground, gently raise the buttocks and tap them. The prāṇa, leaving both channels, enters the central one.

Verse 28

सोमसूर्याग्निसम्बन्धो जायते चामृतत्वकृत्
मृतावस्था समुत्पन्ना ततो वायुं विरेचयेत्

soma sūryāgni sambandho jāyate cāmṛtatvakṛt
mṛtāvasthā samutpannā tato vāyuṁ virecayet

The union of soma, sūrya, and agni takes place, leading to immortality. When a deathlike state arises, then the breath should be released.

Verse 29

इयं खलु महावेधा महासिद्धिप्रदायिनी
वलीपलितवेपघ्नी सेव्यते साधकोत्तमैः

iyaṁ khalu mahā vedhā mahā siddhi pradāyinī
valī palita vepa ghnī sevyate sādhakottamaiḥ

This is mahā vedha, and its practice bestows great perfections. It destroys wrinkles, grey hair, and trembling, and is practiced by the best of sādhakas.

Verse 30

एतत्त्रयं महागुह्यं जरामृत्युविनाशनम्
वह्निवृद्धिकरं चैव अणिमादिगुणप्रदम्

etat trayaṁ mahā guhyaṁ jarā mṛtyu vināśanam
vahni vṛddhi karaṁ caiva aṇimādi guṇa pradam

These three are the great secrets which destroy old age and death, increase the digestive fire, and bestow the siddhis of aṇimā and the rest.

Verse 31

अष्टधा क्रियते चैव यामे यामे दिने दिने
पुण्यसम्भारसन्धायि पापौघभिदुरं सदा

aṣṭadhā kriyate caiva yāme yāme dine dine
puṇya sambhāra sandhāyi pāpaugha bhiduraṁ sadā

They should be performed eight times a day, every three hours. They accumulate merit and always diminish the mass of sin. Those who practice correctly will, within a short period, obtain all the siddhis.

V. Khecharī Mudrā

Verses 32–54 | The tongue practice, the nectar of immortality

Verse 32

खेचरी मुद्रा श्लोकः 32
कपालकुहरे जिह्वा प्रविष्टा विपरीतगा
भ्रुवोरन्तर्गता दृष्टिर्मुद्रा भवति खेचरी

khecarī mudrā ślokaḥ 32
kapāla kuhare jihvā praviṣṭā viparītagā
bhruvor antargatā dṛṣṭir mudrā bhavati khecarī

Having turned the tongue back into the cavity of the cranium, the gaze is directed between the eyebrows. This is khecharī mudrā.

Verse 33

खेचरी मुद्रा श्लोकः 33
कपालकुहरे जिह्वा प्रविष्टा विपरीतगा
भ्रुवोरन्तर्गता दृष्टिर्मुद्रा भवति खेचरी

khecarī mudrā ślokaḥ 33
kapāla kuhare jihvā praviṣṭā viparītagā
bhruvor antargatā dṛṣṭir mudrā bhavati khecarī

The tongue should be exercised and milked and the underneath membrane should be cut. Khecharī is accomplished when the tongue touches the space between the eyebrows.

Verse 34

खेचरी मुद्रा श्लोकः 34
कपालकुहरे जिह्वा प्रविष्टा विपरीतगा
भ्रुवोरन्तर्गता दृष्टिर्मुद्रा भवति खेचरी

khecarī mudrā ślokaḥ 34
kapāla kuhare jihvā praviṣṭā viparītagā
bhruvor antargatā dṛṣṭir mudrā bhavati khecarī

Taking a clean, sharp, smooth instrument shaped like a cactus leaf, cut the membrane under the tongue by a hair's breadth.

Verse 35

खेचरी मुद्रा श्लोकः 35
कपालकुहरे जिह्वा प्रविष्टा विपरीतगा
भ्रुवोरन्तर्गता दृष्टिर्मुद्रा भवति खेचरी

khecarī mudrā ślokaḥ 35
kapāla kuhare jihvā praviṣṭā viparītagā
bhruvor antargatā dṛṣṭir mudrā bhavati khecarī

Then rub the area with powdered rock salt and turmeric. After seven days, again cut a hair's breadth.

Verse 36

खेचरी मुद्रा श्लोकः 36
कपालकुहरे जिह्वा प्रविष्टा विपरीतगा
भ्रुवोरन्तर्गता दृष्टिर्मुद्रा भवति खेचरी

khecarī mudrā ślokaḥ 36
kapāla kuhare jihvā praviṣṭā viparītagā
bhruvor antargatā dṛṣṭir mudrā bhavati khecarī

Practicing thus gradually for six months, the membrane at the root of the tongue is destroyed.

Verse 37

खेचरी मुद्रा श्लोकः 37
कपालकुहरे जिह्वा प्रविष्टा विपरीतगा
भ्रुवोरन्तर्गता दृष्टिर्मुद्रा भवति खेचरी

khecarī mudrā ślokaḥ 37
kapāla kuhare jihvā praviṣṭā viparītagā
bhruvor antargatā dṛṣṭir mudrā bhavati khecarī

Having turned the tongue back, the three channels of iḍā, piṅgalā, and suṣumṇā are controlled. This is khecharī mudrā, and it is called the center of ether.

Verse 38

खेचरी मुद्रा श्लोकः 38
कपालकुहरे जिह्वा प्रविष्टा विपरीतगा
भ्रुवोरन्तर्गता दृष्टिर्मुद्रा भवति खेचरी

khecarī mudrā ślokaḥ 38
kapāla kuhare jihvā praviṣṭā viparītagā
bhruvor antargatā dṛṣṭir mudrā bhavati khecarī

The yogi who remains with the tongue going upward for even half a second is freed from toxins, disease, death, and old age.

Verse 39

खेचरी मुद्रा श्लोकः 39
कपालकुहरे जिह्वा प्रविष्टा विपरीतगा
भ्रुवोरन्तर्गता दृष्टिर्मुद्रा भवति खेचरी

khecarī mudrā ślokaḥ 39
kapāla kuhare jihvā praviṣṭā viparītagā
bhruvor antargatā dṛṣṭir mudrā bhavati khecarī

One who accomplishes khecharī mudrā is neither troubled by disease, nor affected by karma, nor touched by time.

Verse 40

खेचरी मुद्रा श्लोकः 40
कपालकुहरे जिह्वा प्रविष्टा विपरीतगा
भ्रुवोरन्तर्गता दृष्टिर्मुद्रा भवति खेचरी

khecarī mudrā ślokaḥ 40
kapāla kuhare jihvā praviṣṭā viparītagā
bhruvor antargatā dṛṣṭir mudrā bhavati khecarī

One who knows khecharī mudrā is unafflicted by disease, unaffected by the laws of cause and effect, and free from the bonds of time.

Verse 41

खेचरी मुद्रा श्लोकः 41
कपालकुहरे जिह्वा प्रविष्टा विपरीतगा
भ्रुवोरन्तर्गता दृष्टिर्मुद्रा भवति खेचरी

khecarī mudrā ślokaḥ 41
kapāla kuhare jihvā praviṣṭā viparītagā
bhruvor antargatā dṛṣṭir mudrā bhavati khecarī

Mind moves in khe (ether) and the tongue has entered khe (the space in the skull). Therefore this mudrā is called khecharī by the siddhas.

Verse 42

खेचरी मुद्रा श्लोकः 42
कपालकुहरे जिह्वा प्रविष्टा विपरीतगा
भ्रुवोरन्तर्गता दृष्टिर्मुद्रा भवति खेचरी

khecarī mudrā ślokaḥ 42
kapāla kuhare jihvā praviṣṭā viparītagā
bhruvor antargatā dṛṣṭir mudrā bhavati khecarī

When the upper cavity of the palate is sealed by khecharī mudrā, the bindu cannot be lost even if one embraces a beautiful woman.

Verse 43

खेचरी मुद्रा श्लोकः 43
कपालकुहरे जिह्वा प्रविष्टा विपरीतगा
भ्रुवोरन्तर्गता दृष्टिर्मुद्रा भवति खेचरी

khecarī mudrā ślokaḥ 43
kapāla kuhare jihvā praviṣṭā viparītagā
bhruvor antargatā dṛṣṭir mudrā bhavati khecarī

Even when the bindu reaches the fire, having descended, it is drawn back upward by the power of yoni mudrā.

Verse 44

खेचरी मुद्रा श्लोकः 44
कपालकुहरे जिह्वा प्रविष्टा विपरीतगा
भ्रुवोरन्तर्गता दृष्टिर्मुद्रा भवति खेचरी

khecarī mudrā ślokaḥ 44
kapāla kuhare jihvā praviṣṭā viparītagā
bhruvor antargatā dṛṣṭir mudrā bhavati khecarī

With the tongue directed upward, the knower of yoga drinks the fluid of the moon. Within fifteen days, physical death is conquered.

Verse 45

खेचरी मुद्रा श्लोकः 45
कपालकुहरे जिह्वा प्रविष्टा विपरीतगा
भ्रुवोरन्तर्गता दृष्टिर्मुद्रा भवति खेचरी

khecarī mudrā ślokaḥ 45
kapāla kuhare jihvā praviṣṭā viparītagā
bhruvor antargatā dṛṣṭir mudrā bhavati khecarī

The yogi's body is forever saturated with the moon's nectar. Even if bitten by the serpent of time, he is not poisoned.

Verse 46

खेचरी मुद्रा श्लोकः 46
कपालकुहरे जिह्वा प्रविष्टा विपरीतगा
भ्रुवोरन्तर्गता दृष्टिर्मुद्रा भवति खेचरी

khecarī mudrā ślokaḥ 46
kapāla kuhare jihvā praviṣṭā viparītagā
bhruvor antargatā dṛṣṭir mudrā bhavati khecarī

Just as fuel kindles fire and oil a lamp, so the indweller of the body does not vacate while the body is full of the moon's nectar.

Verse 47

खेचरी मुद्रा श्लोकः 47
कपालकुहरे जिह्वा प्रविष्टा विपरीतगा
भ्रुवोरन्तर्गता दृष्टिर्मुद्रा भवति खेचरी

khecarī mudrā ślokaḥ 47
kapāla kuhare jihvā praviṣṭā viparītagā
bhruvor antargatā dṛṣṭir mudrā bhavati khecarī

By constant swallowing of the tongue, one can drink the nectar of immortality. I speak the truth.

Verse 48

खेचरी मुद्रा श्लोकः 48
कपालकुहरे जिह्वा प्रविष्टा विपरीतगा
भ्रुवोरन्तर्गता दृष्टिर्मुद्रा भवति खेचरी

khecarī mudrā ślokaḥ 48
kapāla kuhare jihvā praviṣṭā viparītagā
bhruvor antargatā dṛṣṭir mudrā bhavati khecarī

The word 'go' means tongue and also means cow. When the tongue enters the upper palate, it is 'eating the flesh of the cow.' It destroys the great sins.

Verse 49

खेचरी मुद्रा श्लोकः 49
कपालकुहरे जिह्वा प्रविष्टा विपरीतगा
भ्रुवोरन्तर्गता दृष्टिर्मुद्रा भवति खेचरी

khecarī mudrā ślokaḥ 49
kapāla kuhare jihvā praviṣṭā viparītagā
bhruvor antargatā dṛṣṭir mudrā bhavati khecarī

When the tongue enters the cavity, indeed heat is produced and the nectar flows from the moon.

Verse 50

खेचरी मुद्रा श्लोकः 50
कपालकुहरे जिह्वा प्रविष्टा विपरीतगा
भ्रुवोरन्तर्गता दृष्टिर्मुद्रा भवति खेचरी

khecarī mudrā ślokaḥ 50
kapāla kuhare jihvā praviṣṭā viparītagā
bhruvor antargatā dṛṣṭir mudrā bhavati khecarī

When the tongue constantly presses the cavity, the moon's nectar flows. It has a saline, pungent, and acidic flavor, like milk, ghee, and honey. Fatal diseases and old age are warded off. From that, immortality and the eight siddhis manifest.

Verse 51

खेचरी मुद्रा श्लोकः 51
कपालकुहरे जिह्वा प्रविष्टा विपरीतगा
भ्रुवोरन्तर्गता दृष्टिर्मुद्रा भवति खेचरी

khecarī mudrā ślokaḥ 51
kapāla kuhare jihvā praviṣṭā viparītagā
bhruvor antargatā dṛṣṭir mudrā bhavati khecarī

Fluid drips into the sixteen-petalled lotus when the tongue is inserted into the upper throat cavity. The para-śakti is released, and the yogi who drinks the pure stream of nectar is freed from disease.

Verse 52

खेचरी मुद्रा श्लोकः 52
कपालकुहरे जिह्वा प्रविष्टा विपरीतगा
भ्रुवोरन्तर्गता दृष्टिर्मुद्रा भवति खेचरी

khecarī mudrā ślokaḥ 52
kapāla kuhare jihvā praviṣṭā viparītagā
bhruvor antargatā dṛṣṭir mudrā bhavati khecarī

The nectar is secreted from the topmost part of Meru, the fountainhead of the nāḍīs. One who has pure intellect can know the truth therein. Death ensues when the nectar flows outward; therefore it must be preserved.

Verse 53

खेचरी मुद्रा श्लोकः 53
कपालकुहरे जिह्वा प्रविष्टा विपरीतगा
भ्रुवोरन्तर्गता दृष्टिर्मुद्रा भवति खेचरी

khecarī mudrā ślokaḥ 53
kapāla kuhare jihvā praviṣṭā viparītagā
bhruvor antargatā dṛṣṭir mudrā bhavati khecarī

Five nāḍīs convene in this cavity, and it is the source of knowledge. In this void, the unstained khecharī mudrā should be established.

Verse 54

खेचरी मुद्रा श्लोकः 54
कपालकुहरे जिह्वा प्रविष्टा विपरीतगा
भ्रुवोरन्तर्गता दृष्टिर्मुद्रा भवति खेचरी

khecarī mudrā ślokaḥ 54
kapāla kuhare jihvā praviṣṭā viparītagā
bhruvor antargatā dṛṣṭir mudrā bhavati khecarī

There is only one seed of creation and one mudrā—khecharī; one deva independent of everything and one state—manonmanī.

VI. Uḍḍīyāna Bandha

Verses 55–60 | Abdominal retraction lock

Verse 55

उड्डीयानबन्धः श्लोकः 55
उड्डीयानं तु सहजं गुरुणा कथितं सदा
अभ्यसेत्सततं यस्तु वृद्धोऽपि तरुणायते

uḍḍīyāna bandhaḥ ślokaḥ 55
uḍḍīyānaṁ tu sahajaṁ guruṇā kathitaṁ sadā
abhyaset satataṁ yastu vṛddho 'pi taruṇāyate

Uḍḍīyāna bandha is so-called by the yogis because through its practice the prāṇa is concentrated at one point and rises through suṣumṇā.

Verse 56

उड्डीयानबन्धः श्लोकः 56
उड्डीयानं तु सहजं गुरुणा कथितं सदा
अभ्यसेत्सततं यस्तु वृद्धोऽपि तरुणायते

uḍḍīyāna bandhaḥ ślokaḥ 56
uḍḍīyānaṁ tu sahajaṁ guruṇā kathitaṁ sadā
abhyaset satataṁ yastu vṛddho 'pi taruṇāyate

The bandha described is called uḍḍīyāna because the great bird prāṇa flies upward through it. The process is now explained.

Verse 57

उड्डीयानबन्धः श्लोकः 57
उड्डीयानं तु सहजं गुरुणा कथितं सदा
अभ्यसेत्सततं यस्तु वृद्धोऽपि तरुणायते

uḍḍīyāna bandhaḥ ślokaḥ 57
uḍḍīyānaṁ tu sahajaṁ guruṇā kathitaṁ sadā
abhyaset satataṁ yastu vṛddho 'pi taruṇāyate

Pulling the abdomen back in and making the navel rise is uḍḍīyāna bandha. It is the lion which conquers the elephant, death.

Verse 58

उड्डीयानबन्धः श्लोकः 58
उड्डीयानं तु सहजं गुरुणा कथितं सदा
अभ्यसेत्सततं यस्तु वृद्धोऽपि तरुणायते

uḍḍīyāna bandhaḥ ślokaḥ 58
uḍḍīyānaṁ tu sahajaṁ guruṇā kathitaṁ sadā
abhyaset satataṁ yastu vṛddho 'pi taruṇāyate

Uḍḍīyāna is easy when practiced as told by the guru. Even an old person can become young when it is done regularly.

Verse 59

उड्डीयानबन्धः श्लोकः 59
उड्डीयानं तु सहजं गुरुणा कथितं सदा
अभ्यसेत्सततं यस्तु वृद्धोऽपि तरुणायते

uḍḍīyāna bandhaḥ ślokaḥ 59
uḍḍīyānaṁ tu sahajaṁ guruṇā kathitaṁ sadā
abhyaset satataṁ yastu vṛddho 'pi taruṇāyate

The upward-flying lock should be practiced during exhalation. Contracting the abdomen above and below the navel, the prāṇa flies upward.

Verse 60

उड्डीयानबन्धः श्लोकः 60
उड्डीयानं तु सहजं गुरुणा कथितं सदा
अभ्यसेत्सततं यस्तु वृद्धोऽपि तरुणायते

uḍḍīyāna bandhaḥ ślokaḥ 60
uḍḍīyānaṁ tu sahajaṁ guruṇā kathitaṁ sadā
abhyaset satataṁ yastu vṛddho 'pi taruṇāyate

Of all the bandhas, uḍḍīyāna is the best. Once it is mastered, liberation occurs spontaneously.

VII. Mūla Bandha

Verses 61–69 | Root lock, union of apāna and prāṇa

Verse 61

मूलबन्धः श्लोकः 61
पार्ष्णिभागेन सम्पीड्य योनिमाकुञ्चयेद्गुदम्
अपानमूर्ध्वमाकृष्य मूलबन्धोऽभिधीयते

mūla bandhaḥ ślokaḥ 61
pārṣṇi bhāgena sampīḍya yonim ākuñcayed gudam
apānam ūrdhvam ākṛṣya mūla bandho 'bhidhīyate

Pressing the perineum with the heel, contract the anus so that the apāna vāyu moves upward. This is known as mūla bandha.

Verse 62

मूलबन्धः श्लोकः 62
पार्ष्णिभागेन सम्पीड्य योनिमाकुञ्चयेद्गुदम्
अपानमूर्ध्वमाकृष्य मूलबन्धोऽभिधीयते

mūla bandhaḥ ślokaḥ 62
pārṣṇi bhāgena sampīḍya yonim ākuñcayed gudam
apānam ūrdhvam ākṛṣya mūla bandho 'bhidhīyate

By contracting the perineum, the downward-moving apāna is forced to go upward. Yogis call this mūla bandha.

Verse 63

मूलबन्धः श्लोकः 63
पार्ष्णिभागेन सम्पीड्य योनिमाकुञ्चयेद्गुदम्
अपानमूर्ध्वमाकृष्य मूलबन्धोऽभिधीयते

mūla bandhaḥ ślokaḥ 63
pārṣṇi bhāgena sampīḍya yonim ākuñcayed gudam
apānam ūrdhvam ākṛṣya mūla bandho 'bhidhīyate

Press the heel firmly against the perineum and contract the anus repeatedly. By this, the apāna rises upward.

Verse 64

मूलबन्धः श्लोकः 64
पार्ष्णिभागेन सम्पीड्य योनिमाकुञ्चयेद्गुदम्
अपानमूर्ध्वमाकृष्य मूलबन्धोऽभिधीयते

mūla bandhaḥ ślokaḥ 64
pārṣṇi bhāgena sampīḍya yonim ākuñcayed gudam
apānam ūrdhvam ākṛṣya mūla bandho 'bhidhīyate

Through the union of prāṇa and apāna, urine and stool are decreased. Even an old person becomes young through the constant practice of mūla bandha.

Verse 65

मूलबन्धः श्लोकः 65
पार्ष्णिभागेन सम्पीड्य योनिमाकुञ्चयेद्गुदम्
अपानमूर्ध्वमाकृष्य मूलबन्धोऽभिधीयते

mūla bandhaḥ ślokaḥ 65
pārṣṇi bhāgena sampīḍya yonim ākuñcayed gudam
apānam ūrdhvam ākṛṣya mūla bandho 'bhidhīyate

Apāna moves upward and when it reaches the sphere of fire, the flame of fire is blown and rises, fanned by apāna.

Verse 66

मूलबन्धः श्लोकः 66
पार्ष्णिभागेन सम्पीड्य योनिमाकुञ्चयेद्गुदम्
अपानमूर्ध्वमाकृष्य मूलबन्धोऽभिधीयते

mūla bandhaḥ ślokaḥ 66
pārṣṇi bhāgena sampīḍya yonim ākuñcayed gudam
apānam ūrdhvam ākṛṣya mūla bandho 'bhidhīyate

When apāna and fire meet with prāṇa, which is itself hot, the inner heat of the body is greatly increased.

Verse 67

मूलबन्धः श्लोकः 67
पार्ष्णिभागेन सम्पीड्य योनिमाकुञ्चयेद्गुदम्
अपानमूर्ध्वमाकृष्य मूलबन्धोऽभिधीयते

mūla bandhaḥ ślokaḥ 67
pārṣṇi bhāgena sampīḍya yonim ākuñcayed gudam
apānam ūrdhvam ākṛṣya mūla bandho 'bhidhīyate

Through this heat, kuṇḍalinī, feeling as if burning, is aroused from sleep, just as a serpent struck with a stick hisses and straightens itself.

Verse 68

मूलबन्धः श्लोकः 68
पार्ष्णिभागेन सम्पीड्य योनिमाकुञ्चयेद्गुदम्
अपानमूर्ध्वमाकृष्य मूलबन्धोऽभिधीयते

mūla bandhaḥ ślokaḥ 68
pārṣṇi bhāgena sampīḍya yonim ākuñcayed gudam
apānam ūrdhvam ākṛṣya mūla bandho 'bhidhīyate

Then she enters the brahma nāḍī, suṣumṇā. Therefore the yogi should practice mūla bandha diligently.

Verse 69

मूलबन्धः श्लोकः 69
पार्ष्णिभागेन सम्पीड्य योनिमाकुञ्चयेद्गुदम्
अपानमूर्ध्वमाकृष्य मूलबन्धोऽभिधीयते

mūla bandhaḥ ślokaḥ 69
pārṣṇi bhāgena sampīḍya yonim ākuñcayed gudam
apānam ūrdhvam ākṛṣya mūla bandho 'bhidhīyate

Contraction of the abdomen into the spine so that the apāna rises—this is termed mūla bandha by the masters of yoga.

VIII. Jālandhara Bandha

Verses 70–76 | Throat lock

Verse 70

जालन्धरबन्धः श्लोकः 70
कण्ठमाकुञ्च्य हृदये स्थापयेद्दृढमात्मनः
बन्धो जालन्धराख्योऽयं दुःखौघविनिवारकः

jālandhara bandhaḥ ślokaḥ 70
kaṇṭham ākuñcya hṛdaye sthāpayed dṛḍham ātmanaḥ
bandho jālandharākhyo 'yaṁ duḥkhaugha vinivārakaḥ

Contract the throat and press the chin firmly on the chest. This is called jālandhara bandha, which destroys old age and death.

Verse 71

जालन्धरबन्धः श्लोकः 71
कण्ठमाकुञ्च्य हृदये स्थापयेद्दृढमात्मनः
बन्धो जालन्धराख्योऽयं दुःखौघविनिवारकः

jālandhara bandhaḥ ślokaḥ 71
kaṇṭham ākuñcya hṛdaye sthāpayed dṛḍham ātmanaḥ
bandho jālandharākhyo 'yaṁ duḥkhaugha vinivārakaḥ

It blocks the network of nāḍīs and stops the downward flow of nectar that falls from heaven. It destroys all diseases of the throat.

Verse 72

जालन्धरबन्धः श्लोकः 72
कण्ठमाकुञ्च्य हृदये स्थापयेद्दृढमात्मनः
बन्धो जालन्धराख्योऽयं दुःखौघविनिवारकः

jālandhara bandhaḥ ślokaḥ 72
kaṇṭham ākuñcya hṛdaye sthāpayed dṛḍham ātmanaḥ
bandho jālandharākhyo 'yaṁ duḥkhaugha vinivārakaḥ

When jālandhara bandha is performed, the nectar does not fall into the digestive fire and the prāṇa is not agitated.

Verse 73

जालन्धरबन्धः श्लोकः 73
कण्ठमाकुञ्च्य हृदये स्थापयेद्दृढमात्मनः
बन्धो जालन्धराख्योऽयं दुःखौघविनिवारकः

jālandhara bandhaḥ ślokaḥ 73
kaṇṭham ākuñcya hṛdaye sthāpayed dṛḍham ātmanaḥ
bandho jālandharākhyo 'yaṁ duḥkhaugha vinivārakaḥ

By firmly pressing the chin on the chest, the two nāḍīs, iḍā and piṅgalā, are closed, and the sixteen ādhāras are locked.

Verse 74

जालन्धरबन्धः श्लोकः 74
कण्ठमाकुञ्च्य हृदये स्थापयेद्दृढमात्मनः
बन्धो जालन्धराख्योऽयं दुःखौघविनिवारकः

jālandhara bandhaḥ ślokaḥ 74
kaṇṭham ākuñcya hṛdaye sthāpayed dṛḍham ātmanaḥ
bandho jālandharākhyo 'yaṁ duḥkhaugha vinivārakaḥ

This mudrā, jālandhara bandha, is the destroyer of all diseases of the throat. When properly performed, it leads to the attainment of all the siddhis.

Verse 75

जालन्धरबन्धः श्लोकः 75
कण्ठमाकुञ्च्य हृदये स्थापयेद्दृढमात्मनः
बन्धो जालन्धराख्योऽयं दुःखौघविनिवारकः

jālandhara bandhaḥ ślokaḥ 75
kaṇṭham ākuñcya hṛdaye sthāpayed dṛḍham ātmanaḥ
bandho jālandharākhyo 'yaṁ duḥkhaugha vinivārakaḥ

One who practices jālandhara bandha for six months becomes a siddha without doubt.

Verse 76

जालन्धरबन्धः श्लोकः 76
कण्ठमाकुञ्च्य हृदये स्थापयेद्दृढमात्मनः
बन्धो जालन्धराख्योऽयं दुःखौघविनिवारकः

jālandhara bandhaḥ ślokaḥ 76
kaṇṭham ākuñcya hṛdaye sthāpayed dṛḍham ātmanaḥ
bandho jālandharākhyo 'yaṁ duḥkhaugha vinivārakaḥ

Of all the bandhas, jālandhara is the foremost. The one who practices it continually conquers death within six months.

IX. Viparīta Karaṇī

Verses 77–82 | The reversing practice, sun and moon

Verse 77

विपरीतकरणी श्लोकः 77
सूर्यः सनाभिदेशस्य चन्द्रस्तालुनि संस्थितः
अमृतं ग्रसते सूर्यस्तेन मृत्युवशो नरः

viparīta karaṇī ślokaḥ 77
sūryaḥ sa nābhi deśasya candras tāluni saṁsthitaḥ
amṛtaṁ grasate sūryas tena mṛtyu vaśo naraḥ

The sun dwells at the root of the navel and the moon at the root of the palate. The sun swallows the nectar of immortality, and thus man is subject to death.

Verse 78

विपरीतकरणी श्लोकः 78
सूर्यः सनाभिदेशस्य चन्द्रस्तालुनि संस्थितः
अमृतं ग्रसते सूर्यस्तेन मृत्युवशो नरः

viparīta karaṇī ślokaḥ 78
sūryaḥ sa nābhi deśasya candras tāluni saṁsthitaḥ
amṛtaṁ grasate sūryas tena mṛtyu vaśo naraḥ

The practice which brings the sun upward and the moon downward is viparīta karaṇī. It is to be learned from the guru's instructions.

Verse 79

विपरीतकरणी श्लोकः 79
सूर्यः सनाभिदेशस्य चन्द्रस्तालुनि संस्थितः
अमृतं ग्रसते सूर्यस्तेन मृत्युवशो नरः

viparīta karaṇī ślokaḥ 79
sūryaḥ sa nābhi deśasya candras tāluni saṁsthitaḥ
amṛtaṁ grasate sūryas tena mṛtyu vaśo naraḥ

With the navel above and the palate below, the sun above and the moon below—this is viparīta karaṇī, to be learned by the guru's grace.

Verse 80

विपरीतकरणी श्लोकः 80
सूर्यः सनाभिदेशस्य चन्द्रस्तालुनि संस्थितः
अमृतं ग्रसते सूर्यस्तेन मृत्युवशो नरः

viparīta karaṇī ślokaḥ 80
sūryaḥ sa nābhi deśasya candras tāluni saṁsthitaḥ
amṛtaṁ grasate sūryas tena mṛtyu vaśo naraḥ

Through constant practice, the decay of the body is arrested. One who practices this daily increases the digestive fire, and therefore abundant food should be available.

Verse 81

विपरीतकरणी श्लोकः 81
सूर्यः सनाभिदेशस्य चन्द्रस्तालुनि संस्थितः
अमृतं ग्रसते सूर्यस्तेन मृत्युवशो नरः

viparīta karaṇī ślokaḥ 81
sūryaḥ sa nābhi deśasya candras tāluni saṁsthitaḥ
amṛtaṁ grasate sūryas tena mṛtyu vaśo naraḥ

If food is insufficient, the fire will consume the body. On the first day, one should remain inverted only briefly and increase the duration gradually each day.

Verse 82

विपरीतकरणी श्लोकः 82
सूर्यः सनाभिदेशस्य चन्द्रस्तालुनि संस्थितः
अमृतं ग्रसते सूर्यस्तेन मृत्युवशो नरः

viparīta karaṇī ślokaḥ 82
sūryaḥ sa nābhi deśasya candras tāluni saṁsthitaḥ
amṛtaṁ grasate sūryas tena mṛtyu vaśo naraḥ

After six months of practice, wrinkles and grey hair disappear. One who practices for three hours a day conquers death.

X. Vajrolī, Sahajolī & Amarolī

Verses 83–103 | Conservation of vital energy, bindu practices

Verse 83

वज्रोली श्लोकः 83
स्वेच्छया वर्तमानोऽपि योगोक्तैर्नियमैर्विना
वज्रोलीं योऽभ्यसेत् सम्यक् स योगी सिद्धिभाजनम्

vajrolī ślokaḥ 83
svecchayā vartamāno 'pi yogoktair niyamair vinā
vajrolīṁ yo 'bhyaset samyak sa yogī siddhi bhājanam

Even living freely without the strict rules of yoga, if one practices vajrolī well, that yogi becomes a vessel of perfection.

Verse 84

वज्रोली श्लोकः 84
स्वेच्छया वर्तमानोऽपि योगोक्तैर्नियमैर्विना
वज्रोलीं योऽभ्यसेत् सम्यक् स योगी सिद्धिभाजनम्

vajrolī ślokaḥ 84
svecchayā vartamāno 'pi yogoktair niyamair vinā
vajrolīṁ yo 'bhyaset samyak sa yogī siddhi bhājanam

For this practice two things are necessary, which are difficult for ordinary people to obtain: milk and a willing partner.

Verse 85

वज्रोली श्लोकः 85
स्वेच्छया वर्तमानोऽपि योगोक्तैर्नियमैर्विना
वज्रोलीं योऽभ्यसेत् सम्यक् स योगी सिद्धिभाजनम्

vajrolī ślokaḥ 85
svecchayā vartamāno 'pi yogoktair niyamair vinā
vajrolīṁ yo 'bhyaset samyak sa yogī siddhi bhājanam

By practicing the technique of drawing up through the channel, the bindu that is about to fall is preserved. The male practitioner conserves his bindu and conquers death.

Verse 86

वज्रोली श्लोकः 86
स्वेच्छया वर्तमानोऽपि योगोक्तैर्नियमैर्विना
वज्रोलीं योऽभ्यसेत् सम्यक् स योगी सिद्धिभाजनम्

vajrolī ślokaḥ 86
svecchayā vartamāno 'pi yogoktair niyamair vinā
vajrolīṁ yo 'bhyaset samyak sa yogī siddhi bhājanam

The bindu is under the control of the mind, and life is dependent on bindu. Therefore both the mind and bindu should be protected by all means.

Verse 87

वज्रोली श्लोकः 87
स्वेच्छया वर्तमानोऽपि योगोक्तैर्नियमैर्विना
वज्रोलीं योऽभ्यसेत् सम्यक् स योगी सिद्धिभाजनम्

vajrolī ślokaḥ 87
svecchayā vartamāno 'pi yogoktair niyamair vinā
vajrolīṁ yo 'bhyaset samyak sa yogī siddhi bhājanam

The knower of yoga preserves the bindu by drawing it upward. Through the preservation of bindu, a pleasant smell pervades the yogi's body.

Verse 88

वज्रोली श्लोकः 88
स्वेच्छया वर्तमानोऽपि योगोक्तैर्नियमैर्विना
वज्रोलीं योऽभ्यसेत् सम्यक् स योगी सिद्धिभाजनम्

vajrolī ślokaḥ 88
svecchayā vartamāno 'pi yogoktair niyamair vinā
vajrolīṁ yo 'bhyaset samyak sa yogī siddhi bhājanam

There is no doubt that through vajrolī mudrā the bindu can be preserved. Once it is firmly mastered, what cannot be achieved on this earth?

Verse 89

वज्रोली श्लोकः 89
स्वेच्छया वर्तमानोऽपि योगोक्तैर्नियमैर्विना
वज्रोलीं योऽभ्यसेत् सम्यक् स योगी सिद्धिभाजनम्

vajrolī ślokaḥ 89
svecchayā vartamāno 'pi yogoktair niyamair vinā
vajrolīṁ yo 'bhyaset samyak sa yogī siddhi bhājanam

The merit of vajrolī is proclaimed even for householders who practice it with discipline and self-control.

Verse 90

वज्रोली श्लोकः 90
स्वेच्छया वर्तमानोऽपि योगोक्तैर्नियमैर्विना
वज्रोलीं योऽभ्यसेत् सम्यक् स योगी सिद्धिभाजनम्

vajrolī ślokaḥ 90
svecchayā vartamāno 'pi yogoktair niyamair vinā
vajrolīṁ yo 'bhyaset samyak sa yogī siddhi bhājanam

The yogi who can protect the bindu thus overcomes death. Good death comes to one from loss of bindu; life is prolonged by its preservation.

Verse 91

वज्रोली श्लोकः 91
स्वेच्छया वर्तमानोऽपि योगोक्तैर्नियमैर्विना
वज्रोलीं योऽभ्यसेत् सम्यक् स योगी सिद्धिभाजनम्

vajrolī ślokaḥ 91
svecchayā vartamāno 'pi yogoktair niyamair vinā
vajrolīṁ yo 'bhyaset samyak sa yogī siddhi bhājanam

By preserving the bindu, a pleasant odor pervades the body of the yogi. There is no fear of death so long as the bindu remains in the body.

Verse 92

वज्रोली श्लोकः 92
स्वेच्छया वर्तमानोऽपि योगोक्तैर्नियमैर्विना
वज्रोलीं योऽभ्यसेत् सम्यक् स योगी सिद्धिभाजनम्

vajrolī ślokaḥ 92
svecchayā vartamāno 'pi yogoktair niyamair vinā
vajrolīṁ yo 'bhyaset samyak sa yogī siddhi bhājanam

The bindu of a person is dependent on the mind, and life is dependent on the bindu. Therefore, both the mind and bindu should be preserved by all efforts.

Verse 93

वज्रोली श्लोकः 93
स्वेच्छया वर्तमानोऽपि योगोक्तैर्नियमैर्विना
वज्रोलीं योऽभ्यसेत् सम्यक् स योगी सिद्धिभाजनम्

vajrolī ślokaḥ 93
svecchayā vartamāno 'pi yogoktair niyamair vinā
vajrolīṁ yo 'bhyaset samyak sa yogī siddhi bhājanam

One who knows the practice of vajrolī and the preservation of bindu is a yogi in truth, even if he indulges in worldly pleasures.

Verse 94

वज्रोली श्लोकः 94
स्वेच्छया वर्तमानोऽपि योगोक्तैर्नियमैर्विना
वज्रोलीं योऽभ्यसेत् सम्यक् स योगी सिद्धिभाजनम्

vajrolī ślokaḥ 94
svecchayā vartamāno 'pi yogoktair niyamair vinā
vajrolīṁ yo 'bhyaset samyak sa yogī siddhi bhājanam

SAHAJOLĪ: Sahajolī and amarolī are two aspects of vajrolī. The ashes from burned cow dung should be mixed with water.

Verse 95

वज्रोली श्लोकः 95
स्वेच्छया वर्तमानोऽपि योगोक्तैर्नियमैर्विना
वज्रोलीं योऽभ्यसेत् सम्यक् स योगी सिद्धिभाजनम्

vajrolī ślokaḥ 95
svecchayā vartamāno 'pi yogoktair niyamair vinā
vajrolīṁ yo 'bhyaset samyak sa yogī siddhi bhājanam

After vajrolī practice, the man and woman, seated comfortably, should rub the ashes on the superior parts of their bodies.

Verse 96

वज्रोली श्लोकः 96
स्वेच्छया वर्तमानोऽपि योगोक्तैर्नियमैर्विना
वज्रोलीं योऽभ्यसेत् सम्यक् स योगी सिद्धिभाजनम्

vajrolī ślokaḥ 96
svecchayā vartamāno 'pi yogoktair niyamair vinā
vajrolīṁ yo 'bhyaset samyak sa yogī siddhi bhājanam

This is called sahajolī, and it is to be trusted by the yogis. It is beneficial and bestows liberation even while one enjoys worldly pleasures.

Verse 97

वज्रोली श्लोकः 97
स्वेच्छया वर्तमानोऽपि योगोक्तैर्नियमैर्विना
वज्रोलीं योऽभ्यसेत् सम्यक् स योगी सिद्धिभाजनम्

vajrolī ślokaḥ 97
svecchayā vartamāno 'pi yogoktair niyamair vinā
vajrolīṁ yo 'bhyaset samyak sa yogī siddhi bhājanam

This yoga is accomplished by the courageous and wise, those who are free from envy—not by the envious.

Verse 98

वज्रोली श्लोकः 98
स्वेच्छया वर्तमानोऽपि योगोक्तैर्नियमैर्विना
वज्रोलीं योऽभ्यसेत् सम्यक् स योगी सिद्धिभाजनम्

vajrolī ślokaḥ 98
svecchayā vartamāno 'pi yogoktair niyamair vinā
vajrolīṁ yo 'bhyaset samyak sa yogī siddhi bhājanam

AMAROLĪ: According to the Kāpālika tradition, amarolī is practiced by drinking the midstream of urine, discarding the first and last portions.

Verse 99

वज्रोली श्लोकः 99
स्वेच्छया वर्तमानोऽपि योगोक्तैर्नियमैर्विना
वज्रोलीं योऽभ्यसेत् सम्यक् स योगी सिद्धिभाजनम्

vajrolī ślokaḥ 99
svecchayā vartamāno 'pi yogoktair niyamair vinā
vajrolīṁ yo 'bhyaset samyak sa yogī siddhi bhājanam

If a woman practices vajrolī and saves her rajas and the man's bindu by thorough contraction, she is a yoginī.

Verse 100

वज्रोली श्लोकः 100
स्वेच्छया वर्तमानोऽपि योगोक्तैर्नियमैर्विना
वज्रोलीं योऽभ्यसेत् सम्यक् स योगी सिद्धिभाजनम्

vajrolī ślokaḥ 100
svecchayā vartamāno 'pi yogoktair niyamair vinā
vajrolīṁ yo 'bhyaset samyak sa yogī siddhi bhājanam

Without doubt, not even a little of her rajas is lost. In her body, the nāda becomes the bindu.

Verse 101

वज्रोली श्लोकः 101
स्वेच्छया वर्तमानोऽपि योगोक्तैर्नियमैर्विना
वज्रोलीं योऽभ्यसेत् सम्यक् स योगी सिद्धिभाजनम्

vajrolī ślokaḥ 101
svecchayā vartamāno 'pi yogoktair niyamair vinā
vajrolīṁ yo 'bhyaset samyak sa yogī siddhi bhājanam

The bindu and rajas in one's own body unite through the practice of vajrolī, thus bestowing all perfections.

Verse 102

वज्रोली श्लोकः 102
स्वेच्छया वर्तमानोऽपि योगोक्तैर्नियमैर्विना
वज्रोलीं योऽभ्यसेत् सम्यक् स योगी सिद्धिभाजनम्

vajrolī ślokaḥ 102
svecchayā vartamāno 'pi yogoktair niyamair vinā
vajrolīṁ yo 'bhyaset samyak sa yogī siddhi bhājanam

She who preserves the rajas by contracting and drawing it upward is a yoginī. She knows past, present, and future, and becomes established in khecharī.

Verse 103

वज्रोली श्लोकः 103
स्वेच्छया वर्तमानोऽपि योगोक्तैर्नियमैर्विना
वज्रोलीं योऽभ्यसेत् सम्यक् स योगी सिद्धिभाजनम्

vajrolī ślokaḥ 103
svecchayā vartamāno 'pi yogoktair niyamair vinā
vajrolīṁ yo 'bhyaset samyak sa yogī siddhi bhājanam

Through the practice of vajrolī, the body attains perfection. This auspicious yoga bestows liberation even while one enjoys worldly pleasures.

XI. Śakti Chālanā

Verses 104–130 | Moving the energy, awakening kuṇḍalinī, final teachings on mudrā

Verse 104

शक्तिचालना श्लोकः 104
कुटिलाङ्गी कुण्डलिनी भुजङ्गी शक्तिरीश्वरी
कुण्डल्यरुन्धती चैते शब्दाः पर्यायवाचकाः

śakti cālanā ślokaḥ 104
kuṭilāṅgī kuṇḍalinī bhujaṅgī śaktir īśvarī
kuṇḍaly arundhatī caite śabdāḥ paryāya vācakāḥ

Kuṭilāṅgī, kuṇḍalinī, bhujaṅgī, śakti, īśvarī, kuṇḍalī, arundhatī—all these words are synonymous.

Verse 105

शक्तिचालना श्लोकः 105
कुटिलाङ्गी कुण्डलिनी भुजङ्गी शक्तिरीश्वरी
कुण्डल्यरुन्धती चैते शब्दाः पर्यायवाचकाः

śakti cālanā ślokaḥ 105
kuṭilāṅgī kuṇḍalinī bhujaṅgī śaktir īśvarī
kuṇḍaly arundhatī caite śabdāḥ paryāya vācakāḥ

Just as a door is opened with a key, so the yogi opens the gate to liberation by awakening kuṇḍalinī through haṭha yoga.

Verse 106

शक्तिचालना श्लोकः 106
कुटिलाङ्गी कुण्डलिनी भुजङ्गी शक्तिरीश्वरी
कुण्डल्यरुन्धती चैते शब्दाः पर्यायवाचकाः

śakti cālanā ślokaḥ 106
kuṭilāṅgī kuṇḍalinī bhujaṅgī śaktir īśvarī
kuṇḍaly arundhatī caite śabdāḥ paryāya vācakāḥ

The great goddess kuṇḍalinī sleeps, closing with her mouth the opening through which one ascends to the seat of Brahma, the place free from suffering.

Verse 107

शक्तिचालना श्लोकः 107
कुटिलाङ्गी कुण्डलिनी भुजङ्गी शक्तिरीश्वरी
कुण्डल्यरुन्धती चैते शब्दाः पर्यायवाचकाः

śakti cālanā ślokaḥ 107
kuṭilāṅgī kuṇḍalinī bhujaṅgī śaktir īśvarī
kuṇḍaly arundhatī caite śabdāḥ paryāya vācakāḥ

Kuṇḍalinī śakti sleeps above the kanda. This śakti is the means of liberation for the yogi and bondage for the fool.

Verse 108

शक्तिचालना श्लोकः 108
कुटिलाङ्गी कुण्डलिनी भुजङ्गी शक्तिरीश्वरी
कुण्डल्यरुन्धती चैते शब्दाः पर्यायवाचकाः

śakti cālanā ślokaḥ 108
kuṭilāṅgī kuṇḍalinī bhujaṅgī śaktir īśvarī
kuṇḍaly arundhatī caite śabdāḥ paryāya vācakāḥ

One who knows kuṇḍalinī knows yoga. Kuṇḍalinī, it is said, is coiled like a serpent. One who causes that śakti to move is liberated without doubt.

Verse 109

शक्तिचालना श्लोकः 109
कुटिलाङ्गी कुण्डलिनी भुजङ्गी शक्तिरीश्वरी
कुण्डल्यरुन्धती चैते शब्दाः पर्यायवाचकाः

śakti cālanā ślokaḥ 109
kuṭilāṅgī kuṇḍalinī bhujaṅgī śaktir īśvarī
kuṇḍaly arundhatī caite śabdāḥ paryāya vācakāḥ

Between the Gaṅgā and the Yamunā sits the young widow kuṇḍalinī. She should be seized by force—this leads to the supreme seat of Viṣṇu.

Verse 110

शक्तिचालना श्लोकः 110
कुटिलाङ्गी कुण्डलिनी भुजङ्गी शक्तिरीश्वरी
कुण्डल्यरुन्धती चैते शब्दाः पर्यायवाचकाः

śakti cālanā ślokaḥ 110
kuṭilāṅgī kuṇḍalinī bhujaṅgī śaktir īśvarī
kuṇḍaly arundhatī caite śabdāḥ paryāya vācakāḥ

Iḍā is the holy Gaṅgā, piṅgalā is the Yamunā. Between iḍā and piṅgalā sits the young kuṇḍalinī.

Verse 111

शक्तिचालना श्लोकः 111
कुटिलाङ्गी कुण्डलिनी भुजङ्गी शक्तिरीश्वरी
कुण्डल्यरुन्धती चैते शब्दाः पर्यायवाचकाः

śakti cālanā ślokaḥ 111
kuṭilāṅgī kuṇḍalinī bhujaṅgī śaktir īśvarī
kuṇḍaly arundhatī caite śabdāḥ paryāya vācakāḥ

The sleeping serpent should be awakened by grasping its tail. Then the śakti, leaving her sleep, rises upward forcefully.

Verse 112

शक्तिचालना श्लोकः 112
कुटिलाङ्गी कुण्डलिनी भुजङ्गी शक्तिरीश्वरी
कुण्डल्यरुन्धती चैते शब्दाः पर्यायवाचकाः

śakti cālanā ślokaḥ 112
kuṭilāṅgī kuṇḍalinī bhujaṅgī śaktir īśvarī
kuṇḍaly arundhatī caite śabdāḥ paryāya vācakāḥ

One should practice in the manner of churning—drawing the serpent up with the breath of the sun. Thus kuṇḍalinī, even if fearful, should be moved.

Verse 113

शक्तिचालना श्लोकः 113
कुटिलाङ्गी कुण्डलिनी भुजङ्गी शक्तिरीश्वरी
कुण्डल्यरुन्धती चैते शब्दाः पर्यायवाचकाः

śakti cālanā ślokaḥ 113
kuṭilāṅgī kuṇḍalinī bhujaṅgī śaktir īśvarī
kuṇḍaly arundhatī caite śabdāḥ paryāya vācakāḥ

By contracting the sun, kuṇḍalinī moves. Even if she is at the mouth of death, the yogi should not fear.

Verse 114

शक्तिचालना श्लोकः 114
कुटिलाङ्गी कुण्डलिनी भुजङ्गी शक्तिरीश्वरी
कुण्डल्यरुन्धती चैते शब्दाः पर्यायवाचकाः

śakti cālanā ślokaḥ 114
kuṭilāṅgī kuṇḍalinī bhujaṅgī śaktir īśvarī
kuṇḍaly arundhatī caite śabdāḥ paryāya vācakāḥ

By moving her for an hour and a half, she is drawn upward a little into suṣumṇā. By this, kuṇḍalinī leaves the mouth of suṣumṇā and the prāṇa rises of its own accord.

Verse 115

शक्तिचालना श्लोकः 115
कुटिलाङ्गी कुण्डलिनी भुजङ्गी शक्तिरीश्वरी
कुण्डल्यरुन्धती चैते शब्दाः पर्यायवाचकाः

śakti cālanā ślokaḥ 115
kuṭilāṅgī kuṇḍalinī bhujaṅgī śaktir īśvarī
kuṇḍaly arundhatī caite śabdāḥ paryāya vācakāḥ

Therefore this sleeping kuṇḍalinī should be moved regularly. Through this practice, the yogi is freed from disease.

Verse 116

शक्तिचालना श्लोकः 116
कुटिलाङ्गी कुण्डलिनी भुजङ्गी शक्तिरीश्वरी
कुण्डल्यरुन्धती चैते शब्दाः पर्यायवाचकाः

śakti cālanā ślokaḥ 116
kuṭilāṅgī kuṇḍalinī bhujaṅgī śaktir īśvarī
kuṇḍaly arundhatī caite śabdāḥ paryāya vācakāḥ

The yogi who moves the śakti regularly obtains perfection. What more need be said? He conquers death playfully.

Verse 117

शक्तिचालना श्लोकः 117
कुटिलाङ्गी कुण्डलिनी भुजङ्गी शक्तिरीश्वरी
कुण्डल्यरुन्धती चैते शब्दाः पर्यायवाचकाः

śakti cālanā ślokaḥ 117
kuṭilāṅgī kuṇḍalinī bhujaṅgī śaktir īśvarī
kuṇḍaly arundhatī caite śabdāḥ paryāya vācakāḥ

The brahmacārī who practices śakti cālana with moderate diet achieves perfection within forty days.

Verse 118

शक्तिचालना श्लोकः 118
कुटिलाङ्गी कुण्डलिनी भुजङ्गी शक्तिरीश्वरी
कुण्डल्यरुन्धती चैते शब्दाः पर्यायवाचकाः

śakti cālanā ślokaḥ 118
kuṭilāṅgī kuṇḍalinī bhujaṅgī śaktir īśvarī
kuṇḍaly arundhatī caite śabdāḥ paryāya vācakāḥ

After moving kuṇḍalinī, one should practice abundant prāṇāyāma. By this practice, prāṇa enters suṣumṇā spontaneously.

Verse 119

शक्तिचालना श्लोकः 119
कुटिलाङ्गी कुण्डलिनी भुजङ्गी शक्तिरीश्वरी
कुण्डल्यरुन्धती चैते शब्दाः पर्यायवाचकाः

śakti cālanā ślokaḥ 119
kuṭilāṅgī kuṇḍalinī bhujaṅgī śaktir īśvarī
kuṇḍaly arundhatī caite śabdāḥ paryāya vācakāḥ

He whose kuṇḍalinī has entered suṣumṇā and whose prāṇa flows in the central channel should sit in siddhāsana and practice śakti cālana diligently.

Verse 120

शक्तिचालना श्लोकः 120
कुटिलाङ्गी कुण्डलिनी भुजङ्गी शक्तिरीश्वरी
कुण्डल्यरुन्धती चैते शब्दाः पर्यायवाचकाः

śakti cālanā ślokaḥ 120
kuṭilāṅgī kuṇḍalinī bhujaṅgī śaktir īśvarī
kuṇḍaly arundhatī caite śabdāḥ paryāya vācakāḥ

The sun and moon divide time into day and night. Suṣumṇā is the consumer of time. This is a great secret.

Verse 121

शक्तिचालना श्लोकः 121
कुटिलाङ्गी कुण्डलिनी भुजङ्गी शक्तिरीश्वरी
कुण्डल्यरुन्धती चैते शब्दाः पर्यायवाचकाः

śakti cālanā ślokaḥ 121
kuṭilāṅgī kuṇḍalinī bhujaṅgī śaktir īśvarī
kuṇḍaly arundhatī caite śabdāḥ paryāya vācakāḥ

There are seventy-two thousand nāḍīs in this body. Suṣumṇā is the chief among them, the śāmbhavī channel.

Verse 122

शक्तिचालना श्लोकः 122
कुटिलाङ्गी कुण्डलिनी भुजङ्गी शक्तिरीश्वरी
कुण्डल्यरुन्धती चैते शब्दाः पर्यायवाचकाः

śakti cālanā ślokaḥ 122
kuṭilāṅgī kuṇḍalinī bhujaṅgī śaktir īśvarī
kuṇḍaly arundhatī caite śabdāḥ paryāya vācakāḥ

Through the practice of these mudrās, kuṇḍalinī is aroused. When she enters suṣumṇā, the other nāḍīs become void.

Verse 123

शक्तिचालना श्लोकः 123
कुटिलाङ्गी कुण्डलिनी भुजङ्गी शक्तिरीश्वरी
कुण्डल्यरुन्धती चैते शब्दाः पर्यायवाचकाः

śakti cālanā ślokaḥ 123
kuṭilāṅgī kuṇḍalinī bhujaṅgī śaktir īśvarī
kuṇḍaly arundhatī caite śabdāḥ paryāya vācakāḥ

When prāṇa flows in suṣumṇā, manonmanī is attained. Otherwise, the other practices are but laborious for the yogi.

Verse 124

शक्तिचालना श्लोकः 124
कुटिलाङ्गी कुण्डलिनी भुजङ्गी शक्तिरीश्वरी
कुण्डल्यरुन्धती चैते शब्दाः पर्यायवाचकाः

śakti cālanā ślokaḥ 124
kuṭilāṅgī kuṇḍalinī bhujaṅgī śaktir īśvarī
kuṇḍaly arundhatī caite śabdāḥ paryāya vācakāḥ

He who restrains the breath, restrains the mind. He who restrains the mind, restrains the breath. The mind and breath are intertwined like milk and water.

Verse 125

शक्तिचालना श्लोकः 125
कुटिलाङ्गी कुण्डलिनी भुजङ्गी शक्तिरीश्वरी
कुण्डल्यरुन्धती चैते शब्दाः पर्यायवाचकाः

śakti cālanā ślokaḥ 125
kuṭilāṅgī kuṇḍalinī bhujaṅgī śaktir īśvarī
kuṇḍaly arundhatī caite śabdāḥ paryāya vācakāḥ

When one ceases, the other also ceases. When one becomes active, the other becomes active. When both are still, the state of mokṣa is attained; when they move, the senses move with them.

Verse 126

शक्तिचालना श्लोकः 126
कुटिलाङ्गी कुण्डलिनी भुजङ्गी शक्तिरीश्वरी
कुण्डल्यरुन्धती चैते शब्दाः पर्यायवाचकाः

śakti cālanā ślokaḥ 126
kuṭilāṅgī kuṇḍalinī bhujaṅgī śaktir īśvarī
kuṇḍaly arundhatī caite śabdāḥ paryāya vācakāḥ

Mercury and breath are related. When one is steadied, the other is steadied. When mercury is bound, prāṇa is bound; the body then becomes firm and attains the sky.

Verse 127

शक्तिचालना श्लोकः 127
कुटिलाङ्गी कुण्डलिनी भुजङ्गी शक्तिरीश्वरी
कुण्डल्यरुन्धती चैते शब्दाः पर्यायवाचकाः

śakti cālanā ślokaḥ 127
kuṭilāṅgī kuṇḍalinī bhujaṅgī śaktir īśvarī
kuṇḍaly arundhatī caite śabdāḥ paryāya vācakāḥ

The mind is the master of the senses; prāṇa is the master of the mind. Laya is the master of prāṇa, and laya depends on nāda.

Verse 128

शक्तिचालना श्लोकः 128
कुटिलाङ्गी कुण्डलिनी भुजङ्गी शक्तिरीश्वरी
कुण्डल्यरुन्धती चैते शब्दाः पर्यायवाचकाः

śakti cālanā ślokaḥ 128
kuṭilāṅgī kuṇḍalinī bhujaṅgī śaktir īśvarī
kuṇḍaly arundhatī caite śabdāḥ paryāya vācakāḥ

When the mind is absorbed, that very state is called mokṣa. Call it what you will—when prāṇa and manas are dissolved, an indescribable joy arises.

Verse 129

शक्तिचालना श्लोकः 129
कुटिलाङ्गी कुण्डलिनी भुजङ्गी शक्तिरीश्वरी
कुण्डल्यरुन्धती चैते शब्दाः पर्यायवाचकाः

śakti cālanā ślokaḥ 129
kuṭilāṅgī kuṇḍalinī bhujaṅgī śaktir īśvarī
kuṇḍaly arundhatī caite śabdāḥ paryāya vācakāḥ

Through the dissolution of prāṇa and manas in suṣumṇā, the supreme state is attained. This is the goal of all the mudrās.

Verse 130

शक्तिचालना श्लोकः 130
कुटिलाङ्गी कुण्डलिनी भुजङ्गी शक्तिरीश्वरी
कुण्डल्यरुन्धती चैते शब्दाः पर्यायवाचकाः

śakti cālanā ślokaḥ 130
kuṭilāṅgī kuṇḍalinī bhujaṅgī śaktir īśvarī
kuṇḍaly arundhatī caite śabdāḥ paryāya vācakāḥ

Thus the mudrās have been described by Svātmārāma as taught by the masters. Through their practice, kuṇḍalinī is aroused, and the yogi attains the supreme state. This ends the third teaching.

← Chapter 2 Back to Top Chapter 4: Samādhi →