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Illustration for the Haṭha Pradīpikā section “HP 1.11: Secrecy”.
Illustration for the Haṭha Pradīpikā section “HP 1.11: Secrecy”.

Haṭha Pradīpikā 1.11: Secrecy of the Haṭha Teaching

The teaching is to be transmitted with care because indiscriminate disclosure weakens its efficacy.

Dr. Ronald Steiner Dr. Ronald Steiner
Haṭha Pradīpikā 1.11
हठविद्या परं गोप्या योगिनां सिद्धिमिच्छताम् |
haṭha-vidyā paraṃ gopyā; yogināṃ siddhim icchatām | Analysis ▾ Analysis ▴
haṭha
tatpuruṣa-compound genitive
haṭha
substantive masculine
 Haṭha
vidyā
nominative singular
vidyā
substantive feminine
 knowledge, teaching
param
param
adverb
 supremely, completely
gopyā
nominative singular feminine future participle passive
gup
verbal root
 to be guarded, kept secret
yoginām
genitive plural
yogin
substantive masculine
 of yogins
siddhim
accusative singular
siddhi
substantive feminine
 success, perfection
icchatām
genitive plural masculine present participle active
iṣ
verbal root
 of those who desire
भवेद्वीर्यवती गुप्ता निर्वीर्या तु प्रकाशिता ||11||
bhaved vīryavatī guptā; nirvīryā tu prakāśitā ||11|| Analysis ▾ Analysis ▴
bhavet
3rd person singular aktive optative
bhū
verbal root
 she becomes
vīryavatī
nominative singular feminine
vīryavat
adjective
 potent, effective
guptā
nominative singular feminine past participle passive
gup
verbal root
 protected, secret
nirvīryā
nominative singular feminine
nir-vīrya
adjective
 powerless
tu
tu
particle
 but
prakāśitā
nominative singular feminine past participle passive
pra
previx
kāś
verbal root
 revealed, published
Metre: Anuṣṭubh
The system of Haṭha (haṭha-vidyā | nom sg) is to be guarded (gopyā | nom sg f pfp) most carefully (param) by yogis (yoginām | gen pl) who desire (icchatām | gen pl m pca) success (siddhim | acc sg); protected (guptā | nom sg f ppp), it becomes potent (vīryavatī | nom sg f), but (tu), when revealed (prakāśitā | nom sg f ppp), it becomes powerless (nirvīryā | nom sg f).
Dr. Ronald Steiner - 2026 - historically literal
The teaching of Haṭha should not be scattered indiscriminately. Protected, it retains its power; put on display, it loses its effectiveness.
Dr. Ronald Steiner - 2026 - modern transfer

For Brahmānanda, Siddhi can mean both extraordinary powers and consummation in Kaivalya. Secrecy preserves the efficacy of the teaching; transmitting it in an unsuitable setting is said to weaken it.

He describes as suitable a person who fulfills duties without selfish intention, practises Yama and Niyama, masters anger and attachments, serves the guru, and genuinely seeks liberation. External yogic dress or mere interest is explicitly insufficient.

Brahmānanda's Jyotsnā - 19th c.
yogināṃ siddhim icchatām MBHDL2026 ] yoginā siddhim icchatā NS1882
Critical Apparatus
A Yogî desirous of success should keep the knowledge of Haṭha Yoga secret; for it becomes potent by concealing, and impotent by exposing.
Pancham Sinh - 1915
The Yogi desirous of obtaining Siddhi should keep the Hathayoga very secret. For it is effectual only when it is kept secret and becomes vain when injudiciously revealed.
Srinivasa Iyangar - 1893
Von dem Yogin, der nach Vollendung strebt, muss die Kenntniss des Hathayoga sorgfältig geheim gehalten werden; geheimgehalten ist sie wirksam, kundgegeben aber wirkungslos.
Hermann Walter - 1893

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Dr. Ronald Steiner

Dr. Ronald Steiner

From 89075 Ulm

The "Yoga Doc" - Dr. Ronald Steiner is the founder of the AYI method. This method links traditional Ashtanga Yoga with innovative Yogatherapy and living Philosophy. This forms a practice that is personal for each and... more ›

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