The Gheranda Samhita is one of the three classic texts of Hatha Yoga alongside the Hatha Yoga Pradipika and Shiva Samhita. Written in the late 17th century by sage Gheranda and presented as a dialogue between Gheranda and his disciple Chanda Kapali this Sanskrit text describes a systematic approach to yoga through seven chapters or stages.
The text outlines “Ghatastha Yoga” or “the yoga of the pot” where the human body is viewed as a clay pot that must be properly cleansed strengthened and refined through yogic practices. The seven stages or sadhanas described are: purification (shodhana) strengthening (dridhata) steadiness (sthirata) calmness (dhairya) lightness (laghava) perception (pratyaksha) and isolation/liberation (nirliptata).
Unlike other classical texts the Gheranda Samhita places special emphasis on purification techniques (kriyas) describing six specific methods in detail: neti (nasal cleansing) dhauti (cleansing of the digestive tract) nauli (abdominal massage) basti (colon cleansing) kapalbhati (skull-shining breath) and trataka (steady gazing).
The text describes 32 asanas 25 mudras (energy seals) techniques for pranayama (breath control) pratyahara (sense withdrawal) dhyana (meditation) and samadhi (highest absorption). It continues to be an influential resource for modern yoga practitioners seeking to connect with the traditional roots of Hatha Yoga.
