Course Description
The fourth chapter of the Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā is where Svātmārāma reveals what all of haṭha yoga has been pointing toward.
Āsana steadied the body. Prāṇāyāma refined the breath. Mudrā and bandha turned awareness inward. Now, in this final chapter, the text moves into the terrain that cannot be practiced — only entered: Samādhi.
Guided by Vedic scholar and priest Dr. Vigneshwar Bhat, this ten-class study explores Chapter 4 verse by verse, in the spirit of traditional śāstra study — unhurried, precise, and alive with the understanding that comes from a lifetime of practice and transmission.
This course is open to all sincere seekers. Whether you are a yoga teacher deepening your philosophical foundation, a long-term practitioner curious about where the path leads, or someone new to classical texts, you are welcome here.
What you will learn
Samādhi and its relationship to both Haṭha Yoga and Rāja Yoga
The connection between Prāṇa and Citta — how breath and mind are not separate. Laya: the dissolution of the mind and what this means in practice
Śāmbhavī Mudrā and Khecarī Mudrā as gateways to meditative absorption
Unmanī Avasthā — the transcendental state beyond ordinary awareness
Nāda Yoga and Nāda-Anusandhāna: meditation on the inner sound
The progression from gross to subtle inner sounds, and what the sādhaka listens for
Pratyāhāra and the deepening of sensory withdrawal
The culmination of yogic practice in Samādhi and Mokṣa
Each verse is explored in its original Sanskrit with traditional commentary. Dr. Bhat brings to this study not only textual mastery but the lived integrity of a Vedic priest who has spent his life within this tradition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this course for?
This course is for anyone genuinely curious about yoga — its deeper philosophy, its classical texts, and what the tradition actually teaches beyond the physical practice. You do not need to be a yoga teacher or have prior experience with Sanskrit or classical texts. If you are drawn to study, you belong here.
Do I need prior knowledge of the Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā to join?
No prior study of the text is required. Each class explores the verses with full context, so you can join this series without having attended Parts I, II, or III. That said, students who have studied the earlier chapters will find this a natural and deeply satisfying continuation.
Who is Dr. Vigneshwar Bhat?
Dr. Vigneshwar Bhat is a Vedic priest, scholar, and author of The Splendor of Mantra and What is God. He brings over four decades of immersion in Sanskrit, Vedic tradition, and classical yogic texts. His teaching is precise, accessible, and rooted in living transmission rather than academic abstraction.
What is Nāda Yoga, and why does it appear in the HYP?
Nāda Yoga — the yoga of inner sound — is one of the primary vehicles for Samādhi described in Chapter 4. Svātmārāma teaches that by progressively attending to subtler and subtler internal sounds, the mind dissolves into stillness. The Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā presents Nāda-Anusandhāna (sustained inner listening) as one of the most direct methods available to the sādhaka.
What is the difference between Haṭha Yoga and Rāja Yoga as described in this chapter?
In Chapter 4, Svātmārāma makes clear that Haṭha Yoga and Rāja Yoga are not competing systems — they are complementary. Haṭha works through the body and breath to prepare the conditions in which Rāja Yoga — the yoga of the mind and Samādhi — becomes possible. This chapter is where the two streams explicitly converge.
What is Samādhi, and is it something practitioners can achieve?
Samādhi is described in the text not as a state to be attained by force but as what remains when the usual fluctuations of mind and prāṇa come to rest. The HYP describes multiple stages and approaches to this dissolution. This course explores what the text actually says — without reducing Samādhi to something simpler than it is, or making it more remote than it needs to be.
Will sessions be recorded?
Yes. All live classes will be recorded and available for a limited time following each session, so you can revisit the material or catch up if you miss a class.
How do I join?
Simply register using the button below. You will receive joining details ahead of the first class.
