“Suryabheda destroys decrepitude and death.”
The verse: Gheranda Samhita 5.68
The quote above is our paraphrase. This is the verse as it reads in the Srisa Chandra Vasu translation (1915):
“The Surya-bheda Kumbhaka destroys decay and death, awakens the Kundali sakti, increases the bodily fire.”
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
- “The yogi should visualize a sublime ocean of nectar in his heart.”
- “By means of dhyana Yoga, the soul becomes directly perceptible.”
- “Paschimottanasana relieves ailments and purifies the nadis.”
- “There is no fetter like illusion, no force greater than Yoga, no friend greater than knowledge, and no enemy greater than ego.”
- “Just as he might open a door with a key, so should the yogi forcefully awaken Kundalini and break open the gateway of Brahman.”
- “The glorious Mayurasana turns to ash all excess, unwholesome food and digests lethal poison.”