Goraksha Paddhati by Sage Goraksha is a traditional yogic text that explains the fundamental Hatha yogic principles in the Natha tradition. The word "Paddhati" itself means "systematic plan," highlighting the text's practical nature. This comprehensive manual serves as a guide for Hatha Yoga practitioners, offering a clear path toward the ultimate goal of liberation.
This text is suggested for advanced practitioners, covering important and higher practices with no mention of practices such as Shat Kriyas as given in various other Hatha Yogic texts.
In this blog, let’s discuss Hatha Yogic practices based on an important verse of Goraksha Paddhati.
āsanam prāṇa-samrodhaḥ pratyāhāraś ca dhāraṇā | dhyānam samadhir etāni yogāngāni vadanti şat || GP 1.6 ||
"Body position (asana), breath control (pranasamrodha), withholding (of the inner nectar, pratyahara), concentration (dharana), meditation (dhyana) and contemplation (samadhi)—these are called the six (shadh) limbs (anga) of yoga."
Six Limbs of Yoga
Unlike the Patanjala Yoga Sutras, which describe eight limbs of yoga, Goraksha Padhati mentions six limbs of yoga. These are
Asana (posture)
Prana Samrodha or Pranayama (regulation of prana)
Pratyahara (sense withdrawal)
Dharana (concentration)
Dhyana (meditation)
Samadhi (Union)
The first three limbs, which include Asana, Pranayama, and Pratyahara, are external oriented practices and hence called Bahir Anga Sadhana. The remaining three limbs Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi are Antar Anga sadhana, or internal oriented practices.
Let’s understand these six limbs of yoga in detail.
Six limbs of yoga: An overview
Asana: Body and mind are two interconnected components, and variation in one affects the other. The mind must be stable and balanced to engage in higher yogic practices. And to achieve this, the physical body should be conditioned accordingly. In a healthy body, a healthy mind resides. Asanas are physical postures practiced along with mindful breathing and complete awareness, augmenting the body's functioning and steadiness of mind. Once the practitioner reaches higher levels of practice, knowledge regarding the chakras associated with the practice should be gained for complete benefits.
Prana Samrodha or Pranayama: Pranayama is the regulation of the prana or life force through the regulation of breath. This practice purifies the energy channels and unites the prana and apana, resulting in the awakening of the dormant energy within us. Asanas prepare the body for pranayama practice. Awareness of different pranas, nadis and bandhas should be gained to reap maximum benefits from the practice.
Pratyahara: This practice means the withdrawal from the senses. According to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, prathyahara emphasizes withdrawing the mind from the mental distractions created by sensory information. However, The Goraksha Paddhati text offers a different approach to Pratyahara. Here, it's about redirecting a subtle energy, called "nectar," flowing from the moon area (palate) that would otherwise be "consumed" by the fire energy at the navel. This approach uses advanced practices like Vipareeta Karani and requires knowledge of energy points in the body.
Dharana: Dharana is a higher practice, and only those who have mastered the Asana, Pranayama, and Pratyahara should practice it. This practice involves fixating awareness on another object. Dharana is to know something closely and become one with it. It is the state of oneness, where the seer disappears during the process and only the object remains, which vanishes ultimately. The Goraksha Paddhati describes a practice called Pancha Tatwa Dharana, which involves focusing awareness on the five elements (earth, water, fire, air, and ether) of the body.
Dhyana: Dhyana is a state of complete focus and awareness where the individual becomes one with the object they are focusing on. Dhyana involves focusing attention on a single point, like breath or a mantra. Dharana prepares the mind for Dhyana. Even though Dhyana is a natural state, there are techniques to help you reach it. Hatha yoga texts offer methods for both internal and external contemplation to reach the state of Dhyana.
Samadhi: It is a state of perfect balance where the individual consciousness merges with the universal one. This is the ultimate aim of yoga. Here, the mind and senses become tranquil, dissolving into pure awareness. Samadhi paves the way for liberation (Kaivalyam), freeing from suffering.
Apart from these practices, Goraksha Padhati also describes practices like Mudras and Bandhas, and Nadanusandhana which are used in the practice of the above mentioned limbs.
Essentials of Hatha Yogic Practices:
Before engaging in any yoga practices, it is of the utmost importance to understand the significance and purpose of yoga. Yoga begins with its basic practices involving the awareness of the body and then regulation of breath, and finally delving deep into the subtle practices of turning the mind inward and awakening the dormant energy within.
We are made of the same panchabhutas by which the entire universe is made. We are a miniature version of the large cosmos. So, by understanding ourselves, we can understand the universe. Similarly, having a deep understanding of not only the practices but also the important concepts is essential for effective yoga practices.
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