the Equinox - The Hermetic Library

THE TEMPLE OF SOLOMON THE KING
which is described at length by Swâtmârân Swami. But the
two most important exercise which all must undergo, should
success be desired, are those of A'sana and Prânâyâma. The
first consists of physical exercises which will gain for him who
practises them control over the muscles of the body, and the
second over the breath.
The A'sanas, or Positions.
According to the “Pradipika” and the “Shiva Sanhita,”
there are 84 A'sanas; but Goraksha says there are as many
A'sana as there are varieties of beings, and that Shiva has
counted eighty-four lacs of them.* The four most important
are: Siddhâsana, Padmâsana, Ugrâsana and Svastikâsana,
which are described in the Shiva Sanhita as follows:†
The Siddhâsana. By “pressing with care by the (left) heel the yoni,‡ the other
heel the Yogi should place on the lingam; he should fix his gaze upwards on the
space between the two eyebrows ... and restrain his senses."
The Padmâsana. By crossing the legs “carefully place the feet on the opposite
thighs (the left on the right thing and vice versâ, cross both hands and place them
similarly on the thighs; fix the sight on the tip of the nose.”
The Ugrâsana. “Stretch out both the legs and keep them apart; firmly take
hold of the head by the hands, and place it on the knees.”
The Svastikâsana. “Place the soles of the feet completely under the thighs, keep
the body straight and at ease.”
For the beginner that posture which continues for the
into the nostrils and pulling it out through the mouth, Trataka in steadying
the eyes, Nauli in moving the intestines, and Kapâlabhâti, which is of three
kinds, Vyât-krama, Vâma-krama, and Sit-krama, of drawing in wind or water
through the nostrils and expelling it by the mouth, and vice versâ. Also see
“Gheranda Sanhita,” pp. 2-10. This little book should be read in conjunction
with the “Hatha Yoga Pradipika.”
* The “Gheranda Sanhita” gives thirty-two postures.
† The “Shiva Sanhita,” pp. 25, 26.
‡ The imaginary “triangle of flesh” near the perinaeum.
83