Chapter 27 - The exposition on Mudrās and Bandhas

This chapter continues the exposition on mudrās and bandhas as it is given in the third chapter (vv.56-160) of the Haṭhayogapradīpikā.

In verses 1-49’ are described mūlabandha, uḍḍīyānabandha, jālandharabandha, viparītakaraṇī, vajrolī mudrā, amarolī mudrā and sahajolī mudrā.

Then Kuṇḍalinī -also called Kuṭilāṅgī, Bhujāṅgī, Śakti, Īśvarī and Arundhatī -is mentioned; as a door is opened by a key, so the yogi opens the door of enlightenment by means of Kuṇḍalinī; the Supreme Mistress (Parameśvarī) rests, closing with her mouth the door which leads to the place of the Absolute (brahmasthāna), where one becomes free from suffering. In this way Kuṇḍalinī is both the means of liberation for the yogi and of bondage for the ignorant. Just as the serpent Śeṣa is the support of continents, mountains and waters, in the same way Kuṇḍalinī is the support of all yantras and Tantras. Kuṇḍalinī is said to be coiled as a snake: one who makes this śakti flow attains liberation. The nāḍī iḍā is the river Gaṅgā, piṅgala is Yamunā and between them is the austere young widow Sarasvatī; by seizing the tail of the Kuṇḍalinī serpent, she is awakened and rises up (vv.49"-57).

Thus different methods to cause the moving of Kuṇḍalinī are mentioned in verses 58-79’.

The second part of the chapter deals with samādhi (vv.79"-182) as it is explained in the forth chapter of the Haṭhayogapradīpikā.

The teaching on samadhi opens by giving homage to Śiva, who is the Guru and whose essence is nāda, bindu and kalā: it is said that one who is wholly devoted to them attains the stainless (nirañjana) state (v. 183). Thus the samādhi krama is described, through which one eliminates death and attains the supreme bliss of the Absolute. The state of samādhi is also called rajayoga, unmanī, manonmanī, amaratva, laya, tattva, śūnyāśūnya, parampada, amanaska, advaita, nirālamba, nirañjana, jivanmukti, sahājā and turyā, which are all synonymous terms (79-83’).

In verses 83"-87 is explained that the union of the soul with the mind, which are like salt in the sea, is called samādhi. In the same way, the union of the individual soul with the Supreme Soul is called samādhi, where all conceptions (saṃkalpa) are destroyed. But without the compassion of the True Guru, renunciation, perception of the Truth and sahajāvasthā are unobtainable.

Verse 88 warns that one should speak about this knowledge only after having some sort of realization, otherwise he is indulging in hypocrisy and falsity.

The process of samādhi is explained at length in verses 89-110.

Verses 111-118 speak about the śāmbhavī mudrā.

Verses 119-132 explain the khecarī mudrā.

Verses 133-139 describe the state of samādhi.

Verses 140-184 explain nāda anusandhāna, which has been revealed by Ādinātha to attain laya.