“There is no fetter like illusion, no force greater than Yoga, no friend greater than knowledge, and no enemy greater than ego.”
The verse: Gheranda Samhita 1.4
The quote above is our paraphrase. This is the verse as it reads in the Srisa Chandra Vasu translation (1915):
“There are no fetters like those of Illusion (Maya), no strength like that which comes from discipline (Yoga), there is no friend higher than knowledge (Jnana), and no greater enemy than Egoism (Ahankara).”
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
- “Through union with the highest self, one can attain samadhi.”
- “Shitali kumbhaka is beneficial. One gets neither indigestion nor disorders of kapha and pitta.”
- “A condition arises that is accompanied by bliss, tears, and goose bumps. Samadhi arises, and manonmani follows on from it.”
- “Dhauti, Basti, Neti, Nauli, Trataka, and Kapalabhati — one should practice these six cleansing techniques.”
- “Sahita, Suryabheda, Ujjayi, Shitali, Bhastrika, Bhramari, Murccha, and Kevali are the eight kumbhakas.”
- “Ujjayi destroys constipation, consumption, and disorders of the spleen.”