Gheranda Samhita

It is said that Gheraṇda Samhita was composed in the Seventeenth Century by Sage Gheraṇda. Not so much is known regarding his time and place of birth. His system of yoga is called 'Saptaṅga Yoga' i.e. the yoga of seven limbs or parts. We know 'Astaṅga Yoga' (i.e. the eight limbs of yoga) by Sage Patañjali and 'Sadaṅga 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 Gheraṇda Samhita is satkarma, 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 praṇa and retain and circulate it within the body. The fourth aspect of practice he talked is pratyahara.According to Sage Gheraṇda, when body is purified through satkarma, it is made firm and stable by asana and praṇa 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 Gheraṇda Samhita is dhyana. The state of dhyana arises naturally when the body is pure, firm and stable, praṇa is controlled and the mind is withdrawn within itself.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 Gheraṇda Samhita is samadhi. Its achievement is the final goal of yoga.