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The seven limbs of Hatha

The Gheranda Samhita's seven-limbed Yog, from cleansing to samadhi.

Awaiting subject reviewWritten from our source material and not yet checked by a teacher of this practice. Read it as reference, and learn the practice from someone who teaches it.

Philosophy

The Gheranda Samhita, a Hatha text, describes Yog in seven limbs, saptanga, rather than Patanjali's eight.

Shatkarma cleanses the body; asana makes it strong; mudra and bandha steady it; pratyahara calms the mind; pranayama brings lightness; dhyana brings direct perception; and samadhi brings freedom. Where Patanjali begins with conduct, Gheranda begins with the body.

Terms

Saptanga
Seven-limbed.

Further reading

  • Gheranda Samhita 1.10–1.11

Ideas behind it

Sources and tradition

  • YOG Union App Content Map, 2 November 2026, p. 3, Gheranda's saptanga
  • Gheranda Samhita, 1.10–1.11

Also known as Gheranda Samhita, Saptanga.

Awaiting subject review · revision 1 · updated 5 November 2026