Gheranda Samhita: Treatise on Ghatastha Yoga (Body Based Yoga)

By Vishnuswaroop and Swami Vishnuswaroop

Gheraa Samhita is a classical yogic text. Its author is Sage Gheraa. The form of yoga he taught in Gheraa Samhita is called Ghaastha Yoga. Initially, it deals with the body, prana and the mind through various yogic practices step by step and finally, leads to atmaj?ana (knowledge of the Self). It is said that Gheraa Samhita was composed in the Seventeenth Century. But not so much is known about Sage Gheraa regarding his place of birth. His system of yoga is called 'Saptaga Yoga' i.e. the yoga of seven limbs or parts. We know 'Aaga Yoga' (i.e. the eight limbs of yoga) by Sage Pata?jali and 'aaga Yoga' (i.e. the six limbs of yoga) by Guru Gorakhanath. All these systems of yoga with their specific limbs/parts are equally respected and followed in the yogic tradition.The first aspect of yogic practice described in Gheraa Samhita is akarma, the six yogic cleansing practices. Their practice is important to get rid of diseases from the body and purify it properly. The second aspect of yogic practice discussed is the asana. The importance of asana practice is that they help create firmness and stability in the body. The third aspect of practice described is the mudra which is used to control the flow of praa and retain and circulate it within the body. The fourth aspect of practice he talked is pratyahara. According to Sage Gheraa, when body is purified through akarma, it is made firm and stable by asana and praa is controlled and retained by mudra, then one can naturally do the practice of pratyahara. The fifth aspect of practice he taught is pranayama. In most of the pranayama practices he included mantras with them. Practice of pranayama with specific mantras creates direct impact on energy field within the body and mind through the vibrations of the mantras which eventually contribute for the expansion of awareness. The sixth aspect of discourse in Gheraa Samhita is dhyana. The state of dhyana arises naturally when the body is pure, firm and stable, praa is controlled and the mind is withdrawn within itself. It describes three types of dhyana for developing awareness and one-pointedness of the mind. The seventh and final aspect described in Gheraa Samhita is samadhi. Its achievement is the final goal of yoga.It is very interesting to know that in the second verse of first chapter of Gheraa Samhita Caakapali expresses his desire to learn Ghaastha Yoga which is the cause of tattvaj?ana (knowledge of the truth). What is this Ghaastha Yoga? It simply means ghaa (body), stha (based) yoga (yoga) i.e. body based yoga.The two common meanings of the word ghaa is 'a body', 'a large vessel or water pot'. It also means the mind, the heart and the soul. A ghaa (large vessel or water pot) is composed of five elements, so is the body. In this body as ghaa abide prana (the vital energy), mind (with its four components) and five senses, heart (feeling, emotion, attachment) and an independent atma (the Self which is regarded as the source and support of all beings).Therefore, according to Sage Gheraa Ghaastha Yoga begins with the body, creates balance and harmony on the pranic, mental and emotional levels for higher level of awakening and finally, leads to samadhi, the Self-realization which is the ultimate goal of human life.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 152175747X
• ISBN13: 9781521757475
• Release Date: July 2017
• Publisher: Independently published
• Length: 103 Pages
• Weight: 0.47 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.3" x 6.0"