The Hatha Yoga Pradipika

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Introduction
OVER THE last half millennium, one book has established itself as
the classic work on Hatha Yoga—the book you are holding in your
hands. An Indian yogi named Svatmarama wrote the Hatha Yoga
Pradipika in the fifteenth century C.E. Next to nothing is known
about him, although his name may provide a clue. It means “one
who delights in one’s Atman,” indicating the achievement of a
state of bliss. Drawing on his own experience and older works now
lost, he wrote this book for the student of Yoga. He wrote this
book for you.
You’ve no doubt heard of Hatha Yoga. The word pradipika
comes from the Sanskrit verb ¥˘ + Ƥ¥Î “to flame forth” and means a
light, lamp, or lantern. Its extended meaning, since one is throwing
light on a subject, is an explanation or commentary. Therefore, the
title means “An Explanation of Hatha Yoga.”
Even though I’ve worked hard to make it understandable,
this book, like Yoga itself, will require some effort from you. It is
chock-full of metaphors, synonyms, and analogies. (Perhaps it also
contains a bit of hyperbole.) It is not a smooth, modern narrative,
but rather an esoteric work, purposely oblique at times, from
medieval India. Furthermore, I recommend that you learn Hatha
Yoga under the guidance of an experienced teacher, not solely from
this book. Some practices in this book I don’t recommend at all.