Illustration for the Haṭha Pradīpikā section “HP 3.32: Preparation for Khecarī”.
Illustration for the Haṭha Pradīpikā section “HP 3.32: Preparation for Khecarī”.

Haṭha Pradīpikā 3.32: Preparation for Khecarī

The verse describes the lengthening and mobilization of the tongue over several months as a historical preparation for Khecarī.

Dr. Ronald Steiner Dr. Ronald Steiner
Haṭha Pradīpikā 3.32
छेदनचालनदोहैः कलां क्रमेण प्रवर्धयेत्तावत् |
chedana-cālana-dohaiḥ, kalāṃ krameṇa pravardhayet tāvat | Analysis ▾ Analysis ▴
chedana
dvandva-compound
substantive neuter
cutting
cālana
dvandva-compound
substantive neuter
moving
dohaiḥ
instrumental case plural
substantive neuter
milking, drawing
kalām
accusative singular
substantive neuter
tongue, part
krameṇa
instrumental case singular
substantive neuter
gradually
pravardhayet
3rd person singular causative optative
previx
verbal root
should lengthen, cause to grow
tāvat
adverb
until
सा यावद्भ्रूमध्यं स्पृशति तदा खेचरीसिद्धिः ||32||
sā yāvad bhrū-madhyaṃ, spṛśati tadā khecarī-siddhiḥ ||32|| Analysis ▾ Analysis ▴
sā
nominative singular feminine
pronoun
it
yāvat
adverb
up to
bhrū
tatpuruṣa-compound genitive
substantive feminine
eyebrow
madhyam
accusative singular
substantive neuter
middle
spṛśati
3rd person singular aktive present
verbal root
touches
tadā
adverb
then
khecarī
tatpuruṣa-compound genitive
substantive feminine
Khecarī
siddhiḥ
nominative singular
substantive feminine
success, perfection
Metre: Āryā
By cutting, moving, and milking (chedana-cālana-dohaiḥ | ins pl), one should gradually (krameṇa | ins sg) lengthen (pravardhayet | 3p sg caus opt) the tongue (kalām | acc sg) so long (tāvat), until (yāvat) it (sā | nom sg f) touches (spṛśati | 3p sg act pres) the middle of the brows (bhrū-madhyam | acc sg); then (tadā) perfection of Khecarī (khecarī-siddhiḥ | nom sg) is attained.
Dr. Ronald Steiner - 2026 - historically literal
For Khecarī, the tongue is gradually lengthened by cutting, moving, and pulling until it reaches the midpoint between the eyebrows.
Dr. Ronald Steiner - 2026 - modern transfer

For Khecarī, the tongue is to be lengthened through three procedures. Chedana is gradual cutting, Cālana is lateral movement between thumb and index finger, and Dohana is a milking pull with the same fingers. The criterion of success is that the tip of the tongue can reach the midpoint between the eyebrows from the outside.

Brahmānanda's Jyotsnā - 19th c.
chedanacālanadohaiḥ kalāṃ krameṇa pravardhayet tāvat sā yāvad bhrūmadhyaṃ spṛśati tadā khecarīsiddhiḥ MBHDL2026 ] transp. NS1882 post HP 3.33
Critical Apparatus
To accomplish this, the tongue is lengthened by cutting the frænum linguæ, moving, and pulling it. When it can touch the space between the eyebrows, then Khechari can be accomplished.
Pancham Sinh - 1915
Durch Schneiden, Hinundherbewegen und Melken verlängere man nach und nach die Zunge (kala == jihva, Com.). Wenn man dann im Stande ist, damit die Stelle zwischen den Augenbrauen (brûmadhyam) zu berühren, so ist die Khecarî (resp. die Vorbereitung dazu) vollbracht.
Hermann Walter - 1893

Continue with AYI Free

Illustrations: AI-generated.

Editor

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 ›

Messages and ratings
0 messages

Please log in to write a message. Go to login

No messages yet.