Introduction
The Gheranda Samhita is a significant classical text within Hatha Yoga, presented as a dialogue between Rishi Gheranda and King Chandrakapali. Written in the 17th century, it contains 351 shlokas divided into seven chapters.
This unique text describes a seven-fold path to Yoga known as Saptanga Yoga or Ghatastha Yoga, with a strong emphasis on body purification and strengthening as the foundation for achieving higher states of consciousness and self-realization.
The Seven Limbs (Saptanga Yoga) of Gheranda Samhita
1. Shatkarma (Six Purification Techniques / Shodhanam)
These cleansing practices are considered essential for internal purification. Unlike some other yogic texts, the Gheranda Samhita states that anyone can practice Shat Kriyas.
Dhauti (Internal Cleansing)
Four main types of Dhauti are described, with 13 variations in total:
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Antar Dhauti (Internal GI Tract Cleaning):
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Vatasara – Air purification; destroys diseases and activates digestive fire.
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Varisara – Water purification (Shankh Prakshalana); purifies the body and aids divine attainment.
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Vahnisara – Fire purification (Agnisara Kriya); increases digestive fire and cures stomach diseases.
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Bahishkrita – External rectal cleansing.
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Danta Dhauti (Cleaning the Head Region):
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Cleaning roots of teeth (Danta Moola)
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Jihva Shodhan – Cleansing the tongue to remove Kapha disorders
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Karna Randhra – Ear purification
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Kapal Randhra – Forehead cleansing to purify Kapha and attain divine vision.
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Hrid Dhauti (Cleaning the Heart Region):
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Danda Dhauti – Using a banana stem to remove phlegm, bile, impurities, and heart disease.
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Vaman Dhauti – Therapeutic vomiting (Kunjal / Vyaghra Kriya) to remove Kapha and Pitta.
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Vastra Dhauti – Swallowing a fine cotton cloth to treat skin problems, fever, enlarged spleen, leprosy, and other disorders.
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Moola Shodhana (Root Cleansing):
Cleanses the anus and rectum, alleviating constipation and apana vayu disorders.
Daily Practices Recommended:
Danta Dhauti, Mool Shodhana, Vahnisara (Agnisara).
Benefits:
Clears the digestive tract, relieves constipation, acidity, poor appetite, allergies, and flatulence; reduces fat, improves respiratory function, and removes infectious bacteria.
Contraindications:
Avoid if suffering from stomach/intestinal ulcers, hernia, heart disease, high blood pressure, or during menstruation.
Basti (Colon Cleansing)
Two types described:
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Jala/Vari/Vati Basti (with water): Performed in Utkatasana in navel-deep water, beneficial for wind, urinary, and digestive disorders.
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Sthala/Sushka/Vata Basti (dry): Done in Paschimottanasana, moving anal muscles to aid digestion and expel abdominal contents.
Neti (Nasal Cleansing)
Primarily Sutra Neti is mentioned.
Benefits: Promotes Khechari Mudra, removes Kapha, cleans nasal passages, relieves headaches, allergies, tinnitus, and calms the nervous system. Ideally practiced in the morning on an empty stomach.
Lauliki (Abdominal Churning)
Similar to Nauli, it destroys diseases and increases digestive fire.
Trataka (Gazing)
Refers to Bahiya Trataka (external gazing).
Benefits: Leads to Shambhavi Mudra, removes eye defects, and grants divine vision.
Kapalbhati / Bhalabhati (Frontal Brain Purification)
Known as Bhalabhati here; invigorates the brain and awakens dormant centers.
Three Types:
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Vata Krama – Rapid alternate nostril breathing without retention.
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Vyut Krama – Water through nostrils, expelled through mouth.
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Sheet Krama – Water through mouth, expelled through nostrils.
2. Asana (Posture)
Mentions 32 asanas as especially beneficial out of 8.4 million possible.
Examples:
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Mayurasana – Destroys deadly poisons.
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Bhujangasana – Raises Kundalini.
Asanas improve physical health, are therapeutic, and aid spiritual progress.
3. Mudra (Gestures/Signs)
Details 25 mudras, including 4 bandhas.
Key Examples:
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Maha Mudra – Cures all diseases, regulates digestion.
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Uddiyana Bandha – Foremost bandha; lifts prana upward.
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Jalandhara Bandha – Success in yoga within six months.
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Moola Bandha – Controls Prana Vayu, grants Marut Siddhi.
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Maha Bandha – Destroys decay and death.
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Viparit Karani – Prevents loss of nectar and averts fear of death.
Each Bandha corresponds to a Granthi (psychic knot):
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Mulabandha → Brahma Granthi
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Uddiyana Bandha → Vishnu Granthi
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Jalandhara Bandha → Rudra Granthi
4. Pratyahara (Withdrawal of Senses)
Cultivates calmness and courage (Dhirta).
5. Pranayama (Breathing Techniques)
Purpose: Achieve lightness (Laghava).
Guidelines:
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Practice after purifying nadis.
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Seat: Kusha grass, deer skin, or blanket.
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Orientation: Face east or north.
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Avoid extreme seasonal conditions; best seasons are spring and autumn.
Ashta Kumbhaka (Eight Types):
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Sahita (with effort) – Sagarbha & Nirgarbha variations
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Surya Bheda
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Ujjayi
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Shitali
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Sheetali
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Bhastrika
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Bhramari
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Murchha
Also mentions Kevali Kumbhaka (effortless breath retention).
6. Dhyana (Meditation)
Referred to as perception (Pratyaksh).
Three Types:
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Sthula Dhyana – Gross meditation on a deity.
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Sukshma Dhyana – Subtle meditation on Brahman, Bindu, or Kundalini Shakti (considered the greatest).
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Jyotirmaya Dhyana – Meditation on the luminous supreme soul.
7. Samadhi (Superconscious State)
Ultimate goal: Isolation / Detachment (Nirliptam).
Six types are discussed in the text.
Ghata & Ghata Shuddhi
The human being is compared to a ‘Ghata’ (vessel) that must be purified (Ghata Shuddhi) to achieve the highest yogic state. Purification of bodily elements is vital for overall well-being.
Diet & Lifestyle Guidelines
Mitahara (Measured Food)
Balanced, pure, sweet, and cooling food.
Rule: Half stomach food, one-fourth water, one-fourth empty.
Avoid overeating.
Pathya (Conducive Foods)
Wheat, rice, barley, milk, ghee, honey, certain fruits/vegetables, mung beans, and pure water.
Apathya (Non-Conducive Foods)
Avoid bitter, sour, pungent, salty, stale, fermented, and incompatible foods (e.g., fish with milk, heated honey).
Alcohol is strictly prohibited.
Ayurvedic Integration
The Gheranda Samhita integrates Ayurvedic principles, emphasizing balance of:
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Tridoshas: Vata, Pitta, Kapha
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Saptadhatu: Seven body tissues
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Agni: Digestive fire
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Vayu: Air element
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Mala: Waste products
Proper yogic practice and lifestyle maintain equilibrium in these essential components.
Conclusion
The Gheranda Samhita stands as a profound manual of Saptanga Yoga, blending Hatha Yoga techniques, physical purification, mental discipline, and Ayurvedic wisdom. Its holistic system not only strengthens the body but also elevates consciousness, guiding practitioners toward self-realization.