The Hatha Yoga Mantra is a sacred sound formula used in the practice of Hatha Yoga, a system of physical and spiritual discipline aimed at the union of the sun (ha) and moon (tha) energies within the body. The term 'Hatha' itself is a bija mantra, where 'ha' represents the solar, masculine, and heating energy (pingala nadi), and 'tha' represents the lunar, feminine, and cooling energy (ida nadi). According to the Hatha Yoga Pradipika (1.1), Hatha Yoga is described as a 'forceful' practice that prepares the body for higher meditative states by balancing these dual energies.
The mantra is often chanted as 'Om Hatha Yogaya Namah' or 'Om Adinathaya Namah', invoking the primordial teacher Adinath (Shiva) and the lineage of Gorakhnath. The Gheranda Samhita (5.1-2) explains that the union of prana and apana, rajas and retas, and sun and moon leads to the awakening of kundalini. The beej-akshara 'Hrim' is sometimes added to enhance the mantra's transformative power.
Traditional purposes include purification of nadis, stabilization of prana, and activation of the chakras. The mantra is typically chanted during asana practice, pranayama, or meditation, ideally at sunrise or sunset, with a count of 108 repetitions using a rudraksha mala. Cautions include avoiding chanting without proper guidance, as it can stimulate intense energy flows; it is recommended to practice under a qualified guru.
The Shiva Samhita (5.1-2) also emphasizes that mantra repetition should be accompanied by breath control and postures for maximum effect. This mantra is not merely a tool for physical health but a means to attain samadhi, as stated in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika (4.1).
Salutations to the forceful union (Hatha Yoga).
The mantra contains the seed-syllable 'Ha' (solar, pingala) and 'Tha' (lunar, ida), representing the balancing of dual energies. 'Hrim' is sometimes added as a beej for transformation.