Gheraṇḍa Saṃhitā

The Gheraṇḍa Saṃhitā is a classical Hatha Yoga text presented as a dialogue between Gheraṇḍa and his disciple Cāṇḍa.

Overview

Composed in the late 17th century CE, probably in northeast India, this text is one of the three classic works of Hatha Yoga alongside the Hatha Yoga Pradīpikā and Śiva Saṃhitā. It is organized into seven chapters containing 351 verses, and is one of the most encyclopedic treatises in yoga.

Content

The text presents a seven-limbed path (saptāṅga): ṣaṭkarma (six purification acts), āsana, mudrā, pratyāhāra, prāṇāyāma, dhyāna, and samādhi. It emphasizes a systematic approach to physical and spiritual purification.

Significance

The Gheraṇḍa Saṃhitā preserves many practices that influenced later Tantric and yogic traditions. Its comprehensive approach makes it an important reference for understanding the full scope of classical Hatha Yoga.

Verification notes

The text’s dating and authorship remain subjects of scholarly discussion. The dialogue format is a common literary device in Indian philosophical literature.

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