The innate nature of life is joy but we all experience pain and suffering. Haṭhayoga’s ultimate aim is to relieve the pain and open the path towards self-realization. While discussing Haṭhayoga’s role in alleviating pain, a verse from the Haṭha Pradipika is important.
अशेष्ह-ताप-तप्तानां समाश्रय-मठो हठः | अशेष्ह-योग-युक्तानामाधार-कमठो हठः || १० ||
This verse indicates the importance of Haṭha Yoga as a refuge from suffering and also signifies the importance of Haṭha Yoga in the path of spirituality.
Let’s discuss this verse in detail to see the deep meaning enshrined in it.
Three Types of Pain
This verse uses the term Tapa to indicate pain. Before delving deeper, let’s understand different types of pain. There are three types of pain:
Adhyatmika (Spiritual): This arises from our bodies and minds, such as physical discomfort, unfulfilled desires, and negative emotions.
Adhi Bautika (Physical): This is caused by other bhutas (living beings). Troubles caused by wild animals, and venomous creatures all fall under this category.
Adhi Daivika (Environmental): This is caused by natural circumstances, disasters, or other events beyond our control.
Among these three pains, internal pain is the most troubling.
How Haṭha Yoga Protects Us from Pain
Haṭha yoga is a holistic system that works on the whole person, including the body, mind, and energy systems. It addresses the underlying issues behind pain and suffering and helps practitioners overcome pain and live a more fulfilling and meaningful life. Here are some ways Haṭha yoga can help:
Improves physical health: Yoga practices such as asanas strengthen the body and prevent pain caused by illness or injury. Cleansing techniques improve health. According to Gheranda Samhita, Haṭha yogic practices make one stronger as a clay pot baked in fire.
Develops mental strength: Yoga practices cultivate qualities like patience, endurance, and resilience, which help us cope with difficult situations.
Increases self-awareness: Yoga helps us understand the root causes of our suffering, such as attachment and desires, thus developing awareness that results in better management of pain.
Moving Beyond Pain
True freedom from pain comes from realizing our true selves. Pain is caused by our inability to accept situations that are unpleasant or uncomfortable for us. When we identify ourselves with our bodies, minds, or certain events, we experience pain. If we attribute high value to the external environment, we are bound to suffer.
Yoga helps us maintain a calm and steady mind, regardless of external storms. By detaching us from the sources of suffering, we liberate ourselves from the pain and sorrow arising from it. Enriching the mind with yoga practices helps us cleanse the body and mind of impurities, enabling us to reach a state of perfect detachment.
Carefully Structured Practice
Haṭha yoga provides various practices to overcome the difficulties we face. From Asanas and Pranayama to advanced practices like mudras and bandhas, Haṭha Yoga progresses from physical levels to more subtle levels involving various faculties to control life force, ultimately aiming to bring out one’s highest potential.
By liberating us from troubling thought patterns and unhealthy emotions and attachments, Haṭha yoga simplifies life. With elevated thoughts and a steady mind, we can enjoy a beautiful life unperturbed by outer chaos.
Haṭha Yoga: The Foundation for Spiritual Growth
The second part of the verse compares Haṭha Yoga with a tortoise that provides sheltering support to all practitioners. Here, the tortoise symbolizes patience and endurance. This analogy can be read along with the significance of the tortoise in different schools of thought. Tortoise is seen as carrying the earth on its back, which can be likened to Haṭha Yoga, which supports all spiritual practitioners of yoga.
The analogy can be further interpreted by observing the behavior of a tortoise while it is in danger. It brings its limbs inward, protecting the body inside the strong shell. Likewise, practitioners of yoga can control the senses, look towards themselves, and understand their true nature.
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