SHIVA SAMHITA, AN ANCIENT YOGIC TEXT
7 Jan 2021 HYN Himalayan Yoga Academy
DEFINITION OF SHIVA SAMHITA:
The “Shiva Samhita” is an ancient Sanskrit text about yoga and the aspect of Spiritualism. The name translates to English as “Shiva’s Compendium.”
The author of this text is unknown and the date of its writing is disputed. The most recent examinations have concluded that it was probably written before 1500 C.E. in around the Himavat Kshetra (Himalayan Belt) and Mahabhaarata Hills.
Shiva Samhita in Sanskrit, शिव संहिता:was composed more than five centuries ago and is considered a fundamental text of Hatha Yoga. Recording beautiful spiritual teachings found nowhere. Featuring photographs of the asanas and mudras described by the text, the Shiva Samhita is a strongly recommended, core addition to personal, academic, and community library Hinduism Studies, Yoga Studies, and World Religion Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.
SHIVA SAMHITA AND ITS MESSAGE:
Shiva Samhita is an ancient sacred text based on Raj Yoga viewed by the Aadi Yogi or Aadi Natha Shiva. Samhita is the applied yogic text of ultimate truth throughout the acts of ethical path motive to unite with supreme power, not only the realization. Paramatma (supreme soul) with the state of Samadhi or Yoga viewed verbally the message to the Sages and seers who listened on the state of meditation.
Vedas, and Upanishadas are sources of whole knowledge in all disciplines and discoveries but it gives two central ideas as precious messages to all human beings that are “Satyam vada” and “Dharma chara”. These valuable sentences sort of the ultimate truth of Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Kriya yoga, and Raja Yoga as well. Sanatana rite begins from these versions. Satyam Vada expresses to speak truth, to listen the truth and to act the truth. The truth is pervasive, ultimate, universal, non-dual, and classical.
Dharma chara expresses the act of ultimate truth in order to initiate the human ethics and humors (Dharma) and Dharma aims the unification and the realization of the ultimate reality throughout the act of means and practice. The truth inspires us to achieve the ultimate knowledge from speech, listening, and inner campaign. Truth is the expression but not achievement. We need the act or karma to achieve this. The act for the achievement of ultimate truth is Dharma that is yoga. You will be enriched by this novel here at Himalayan Yoga Academy, Nepal.
SAMHITA AND YOGA:
The “Shiva Samhita” is written from the point of view of the Hindu god, Shiva, writing to his consort, Parvati, and is one of the oldest surviving texts based on Hatha yoga and Raja Yoga. It is regarded as being the most complete set of writings on Yogic novels.
Eighty-four asanas are mentioned in the text, although only four of them are written down in detail. It also covers five types of prana and subjects such as meditation, Tantra, mudras and yogic philosophy.Shiva Samhita and Yoga. The text is beautifully written as if the reader is listening to a conversation between Shiva and Parvati. Shiva is the symbolic representation of the creative and destructive power of the divine masculine. His consort, Parvati, represents the gentle feminine creative power of the universe. The Shiva Samhita discusses many of the esoteric details of the practice of Yoga. In fact, the text discusses eighty-four different asanas, four of which are described in detail, along with the benefits of mantra repetition, Yogic philosophy, and five different types of prana, tantric practices, and the art of meditation.
ASPECTS OF THE PRACTICE OF YOGA IN SAMHITA
The chapters of the Shiva Samhita cover various aspects of the practice of Yoga. The word “Yoga” means the union of a human soul with the divine. Some of the aspects that are covered in the chapters of the Shiva Samhita are several methods of liberation, eighty-four different asanas , the structure of our 72,864 nadis, types of prana and the awakening of the Kundalini Shakti energy. Additionally, the Shiva Samhita outlines the importance of having a true Guru who can awaken the Kundalini energy safely, as well as describing the subtle body and the movement of prana.
There is an explanation in the Shiva Samhita of hand mudras or sacred gestures, eleven of which may substantially support a Yoga student in reaching liberation. In the text, Shiva also clarifies obstacles that a seeker may encounter on the spiritual path and outlines techniques for working with both those obstacles and our shadow aspects. In addition, the Yoga of sacred sound or Nada Yoga is discussed along with the practice of mantra repetition as Mantra Yoga.
CONCLUSION:
The Shiva Samhita is one of three major surviving classical treatises on hatha yoga, the other two being Gheranda Samhita and Hatha Yoga Pradipika. It is considered the most comprehensive treatise on hatha yoga, one that recommends that all householders practice and benefit from yoga. Literally, it tends to Raja Yoga in depth. Even though the text discusses many esoteric aspects of practicing Yoga, Shiva himself emphasizes that even an ordinary individual, or family, living in the middle of the maelstrom of the world can benefit from a regular practice of different means of Yoga. Himalayan Yoga Academy is becoming an international commune as a yoga Family with motive to build the human hearts.Here Swami Yog Subodh will surely take the meaning of shiva samhita knowledge to your hearts