Sanskrit H

Question 1

Hamsa (“swan/gander”):

Answer 1

apart from the literal meaning, this term also refers to the breath (prana) as it moves within the body; the individuated consciousness (jiva) propelled by the breath; see jiva-atman; see also parama-hamsa

Question 2

Hatha Yoga (“Forceful Yoga”):

Answer 2

a major branch of yoga, developed by Goraksha and other adepts c. 1000 C.E., and emphasizing the physical aspects of the transformative path, notably postures (asana) and cleansing techniques (shodhana), but also breath control (pranayama)

Question 3

Hatha-Yoga-Pradipika (“Light on Hatha Yoga”)

Answer 3

one of three classical manuals on hatha yoga, authored by Svatmarama Yogendra in the fourteenth century

Question 4

Hiranyagarbha (“Golden Germ”)

Answer 4

the mythical founder of yoga; the first cosmological principle (tattva) to emerge out of the infinite Reality; also called Brahma