“By the realization that he is Brahman, nondual samadhi arises.”
The verses: Gheranda Samhita 7.12–13
The quote above is our paraphrase. These are the verses as they read in the Srisa Chandra Vasu translation (1915):
“Perform the Yoni-Mudra, and let him imagine that he is Sakti, and Paramatma is Purusha; and that both have been united in one. By this he becomes full of bliss, and realises Aham Brahma, ‘I am Brahma.’ This conduces to Advaita Samadhi.”
About the text: Gheranda Samhita
The Gheranda Samhita is a Sanskrit hatha yoga manual, probably from the late 17th century, framed as the sage Gheranda teaching a student named Chanda. Its seven chapters set out a sevenfold yoga, from cleansing practices and postures to breath control, meditation and samadhi.
More from the Gheranda Samhita
- “In the body, the self is consciousness. It is without a second, eternal, and supreme.”
- “Rotate the stomach quickly on both sides. This gets rid of all diseases and the bodily fire increases.”
- “Kevala kumbhaka is the breathless state that leads to complete control over the mind.”
- “The yogi who realizes the self becomes disinterested in worldly attachments and attains liberation.”
- “Hold the mind back from sounds, whether complimentary, rude, pleasant, or horrible, and bring it under control in the self.”
- “Like an unbaked pot in water, the body is always decaying. One should bake it with the fire of Yoga and make it pure.”