Yoga Cudamani Upanishad

By Swami Vishnuswaroop

Yoga Cūḍāmaṇi Upaniṣad belongs to Samaveda tradition. It is an invaluable yogic text for a sincere and dedicated yoga practitioner. A complete guideline is presented in it for gaining spiritual wisdom through yoga sādhanā (spiritual practice).

In the beginning, the text describes the six limbs of yoga that are āsana, prāṇāyāma, pratyāhāra, dhāraṇā, dhyāna and Samādhi. With the objective of attaining perfection in yoga, it describes various topics directly related to the theory and practice of yoga. The main topics described in this text are essential knowledge of the body elements, knowledge of the six cakras (energy centers), sixteen ādhāras (foundations), three lakṣyas (aims), visualization of light at yonisthāna, prānic channels, location of prānic channels, circulation of vital energy in the prānic pathways and their functions, momentum of jīva (embodied self) along with prāṇa.

The text further explains the exploration of ajapā gāyatri, penetration of the door to liberation by kuṇḍalini, the three bandhas, khecari mudrā, sign of vajroli, nature of mahāmudrā, process of the praṇava japa, oneness of praṇava and Brahma, meaning of the praṇava and its syllables, practice of the turiya oṅkāra, praṇava and haṃsa sādhanā and pranava japa for self-realization.

Finally, the text discusses the victory over prāna, praṇava mantra sādhanā, perfection in prāṇāyāma by the purification of the nādis (prāṇic channels/pathways), the specific result of perfection and harmony from each limb of yoga, and the expression of nāda (the spontaneous unstruck sound) through the practice of saṇmukhi mudrā, practice of prāṇāyāma, practice of controlling prāṇa, prāṇa the destroyer of all diseases, and withdrawing of senses from their respective sense-objects.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Divine Yoga Institute, Kathmandu, Nepal
• Release date: Jun 10, 2024
• ISBN: 9798227411105

Swami Vishnuswaroop

Swami Vishnuswaroop (Thakur Krishna Uprety), B. A. (Majored in English & Economics), M. A. in Theravada Buddhism, received his Diploma in Yogic Studies (First Class) from Bihar Yoga Bharati, Munger, Bihar, India. He was formally trained under the direct guidance and supervision of Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati in the Guru Kula tradition of the Bihar School of Yoga. His guru gave his spiritual name 'Vishnuswaroop' when he was initiated into the sannyasa tradition. Divine Yoga Institute has published nine books on classical yoga, meditation, and tantra. He has taught Nepalese and foreign nationals the theory and practice of traditional yoga and the yogic way of life for more than twenty-five years.

Book preview

Dedication

This book is dedicated to my Guru Swami Satyananda Saraswani,

Founder of Bihar School of Yoga,

Munger, India.

Contents

Dedication

Gratitude

Introduction

Śānti Pāṭha

A Key to Transliteration

Also by This Author

Gratitude

First of all I would like to express my heartfelt salutations to Adinatha (the Primordial Master) and my Guru Swami Satyananda Saraswati for their unwavering inspiration and guidance I have received for my work. I realize that my firm faith and belief in God and Guru is a motivational gift for me in completing this work. I could never have done it without their blessings.

I am always thankful to Ms. Bhawani Uprety for her untiring support she has provided me during my involvement in writing and translating various classical texts on yoga. My due thanks goes to her forever.

On the occasion of the Guru Purnima Day I wish that may God and Guru inspire us to tread the path of yoga in order to achieve the ultimate goal of human life!

- Swami Vishnuswaroop

Introduction

Yoga Cūḍāmaṇi Upaniṣad belongs to Samaveda tradition. It is an invaluable yogic text for a sincere and dedicated yoga practitioner. A complete guideline is presented in it for gaining spiritual wisdom through yoga sādhanā (spiritual practice).

In the beginning, the text describes the six limbs of yoga that are āsana, prāṇāyāma, pratyāhāra, dhāraṇā, dhyāna and Samādhi. With the objective of attaining perfection in yoga, it describes various topics directly related to the theory and practice of yoga. The main topics described in this text are essential knowledge of the body elements, knowledge of the six cakras (energy centers), sixteen ādhāras (foundations), three lakṣyas (aims), visualization of light at yonisthāna, prānic channels, location of prānic channels, circulation of vital energy in the prānic pathways and their functions, momentum of jīva (embodied self) along with prāṇa.

The text further explains the exploration of ajapā gāyatri, penetration of the door to liberation by kuṇḍalini, the three bandhas, khecari mudrā, sign of vajroli, nature of mahāmudrā, process of the praṇava japa, oneness of praṇava and Brahma, meaning of the praṇava and its syllables, practice of the turiya oṅkāra, praṇava and haṃsa sādhanā and pranava japa for self-realization.

Finally, the text discusses the victory over prāna, praṇava mantra sādhanā, perfection in prāṇāyāma by the purification of the nādis (prāṇic channels/pathways), the specific result of perfection and harmony from each limb of yoga, and the expression of nāda (the spontaneous unstruck sound) through the practice of saṇmukhi mudrā, practice of prāṇāyāma, practice of controlling prāṇa, prāṇa the destroyer of all diseases, and withdrawing of senses from their respective sense-objects.

Publisher

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योगचूडामणि उपनिषद्

Yogacūḍāmaṇi Upaniṣad

Śānti Pāṭha

शान्ति पाठ:

ॐ आप्यायन्तु ममाङ्गानि वाक्प्राणश्चक्षुः

श्रोत्रमथो बलमिन्द्रियाणि च सर्वाणि ।

सर्वं ब्रह्मोपनिषदं माहं ब्रह्म

निराकुर्यां मा मा ब्रह्म निराकरोत्

अनिराकरणं अस्त्वनिराकरणं मेऽस्तु ।

तदात्मनि निरते य उपनिषत्सु धर्मः

ते मयि सन्तु ते मयि सन्तु ॥

ॐ शान्ति: शान्ति: शान्ति: ॥

om āpyāyantu mamāṅgāni vāk prāṇaścakṣuḥ

śrotramatho balamindriyāṇi ca sarvāṇi ‖

sarvaṃ brahmaupaniṣadaṃ māhaṃ brahma

nirākuryāṃ mā mā brahma