The Gheranda Samhita: The Original Sanskrit and an English Translation

by James Mallinson

Overview

This affordable, definitive edition of the Gheranda Samhita contains a new introduction, the original Sanskrit, a new English translation, and 39 full-page photographs. It's the most encyclopedic of the classic Yoga texts and teaches a unique sevenfold path to perfection of the person. This is the first edition to meet high academic, literary, and production standards. It's for people who practice Yoga and for anyone with an interest in health and fitness, philosophy, religion, spirituality, mysticism, or meditation.

From the Introduction
The book you are about to read, a manual of Yoga taught by Gheranda to Chanda, is the most encyclopedic of all the root texts of Hatha Yoga. At the beginning of the book, Chanda asks Gheranda to tell him about the Yoga of the body, which is the cause of knowledge of the Ultimate Reality. Gheranda assents and the book is thus called the Gheranda Samhita, or "The Collection [of Verses] of Gheranda."

It sets itself apart from other books on Hatha Yoga in two notable ways. Firstly, it calls its Yoga "ghata Yoga" or "ghatastha Yoga" and not Hatha Yoga. The usual meaning of ghata is "pot," but here it refers to the body, or rather the person, since the techniques taught by Gheranda work on both the body and the mind. Secondly, it is unique in teaching a sevenfold path to perfection of the person.

Excerpt
The yogi should visualize a sublime ocean of nectar in his heart, with an island of jewels in its middle whose sand is made of gemstones. In every direction there are kadamba trees with abundant flowers. Bees and cuckoos buzz and call there. He should steady himself and visualize a great jeweled pavilion . . .

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780971646636
Publisher:	Yogavidya.com
Publication date:	12/01/2004
Pages:	127
Product dimensions:	6.04(w) x 8.98(h) x 0.43(d)

About the Author

James Mallinson is a graduate of Eton and Oxford, holds a master's from the School of Oriental and African Studies, and returned to Oxford University for his doctorate.

Read an Excerpt

From Chapter Six
The yogi should visualize a sublime ocean of nectar in his heart, with an island of jewels in its middle whose sand is made of gemstones. In every direction there are kadamba trees with abundant flowers. Bees and cuckoos buzz and call there. He should steady himself and visualize a great jeweled pavilion . . .

Table of Contents

Introduction

Purification

Asanas

Mudras

Pratyahara

Pranayama

Dhyana

Samadhi

Editorial Reviews

"Smooth and accurate, this translation of the Gheranda Samhita is a very welcome addition to recent work on Yoga."
--George Cardona, University of Pennsylvania

"Mallinson's translation of the Gheranda Samhita includes the Sanskrit Devanagari script paired with clear, succinct English verses. The translation is lucid, making the threads of the teaching easy to understand. . . . For illumination, Mallinson includes a collection of full-page photographs demonstrating the asana or mudra as described in the text. These photos are an asset to this version. . . . This new translation of the Gheranda Samhita is invaluable for students seeking an accessible entry into the written tradition of Yoga practice."
--Felicia M. Tomasko, LA YOGA Magazine

"A first-rate primary source for anyone seeking to better understand the teachings and postures of Yoga."
--Midwest Book Review

From the Publisher

Mallinson’s translation of the Gheranda Samhita includes the Sanskrit Devanagari script paired with clear, succinct English verses. The translation is lucid, making the threads of the teaching easy to understand. . . . For illumination, Mallinson includes a collection of full-page photographs demonstrating the asana or mudra as described in the text. These photos are an asset to this version. . . . This new translation of the Gheranda Samhita is invaluable for students seeking an accessible entry into the written tradition of Yoga practice.
—LA YOGA Magazine

Felicia M. Tomasko

A first-rate primary source for anyone seeking to better understand the teachings and postures of Yoga.

Midwest Book Review

Smooth and accurate, this translation of the Gheranda Samhita is a very welcome addition to recent work on Yoga.
—University of Pennsylvania

George Cardona