Ruth Perini Shandilya Upanishad: Timeless Teachings on the Eightfold Path of Yoga

Shandilya Upanishad is the sixth volume of the Yoga Upanishads series. The Sa¿¿ilya Upani¿ad is connected with the Atharva Veda. It commences with the yogin invoking Rama to guide him along the eightfold path of yoga to liberation.In the first verse of chapter one, Sa¿¿ilya asks Atharvan to instruct him in the eight limbed path of yoga, with the aim of reaching the true Self. Sa¿¿ilya himself was a Rishi with many disciples, and was the progenitor of the Sa¿¿ilya lineage. Atharvan was a Vedic rishi, who, together with Angiras, is said to have revealed the Atharva Veda, and was the first to perform yagña, fire oblations. The first two sections describe the foundations of yoga, yama and niyama, external and internal restraints. Section three describes the eight asanas, which, as well as having physical, mental and energic benefits, prepare the body for sitting still for a long time in meditation without discomfort.Later sections describe the fourteen main na¿is, ten vayus, ma¿ipura cakra and ku¿¿alini of the subtle or pranic body. The methods of purification of the na¿is are described in great detail, as purification is considered necessary for the higher stages of concentration (dhara¿a) and meditation (dhyana). The prerequisites for yoga practice are listed. A meditation on agni ma¿¿ala is given. Pra¿ayama is defined as AUM, and the practice of na¿i sodhana pra¿ayama with emphasis on kumbhaka and the effects of the practice are described in detail.Teachings are then given on khecari and vai¿¿avi mudra, control of pra¿a, awakening ku¿¿alini, sa¿yama, pratyahara¿, dhara¿a, dhyana and samadhi. The necessity of both yoga and jñana for liberation is emphasised.Chapter two has sections on knowledge of Brahman, creation of the universe, the names of Brahman, and Dattatreya.