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YOGA-TATWA UPANISHAD
215
of. Of four-faced one (Brahma)! Among (the duties of) Yama moderate eating forms a principle factor; and non-injury is most important in Niyama. (The chief postures are) four (viz.), Siddhâsana, Padmâsana, Simhâsana and Bhadrasana. During the early stages of practice the following obstacles take place (viz.), laziness, idle talk, association with bad characters acquisition of mantra, etc, playing with metals (alchemy) and women. A wise man, having found out these should abandon them by the force of his virtues. Then assuming Padmasana (posture) he should practise Prânâyâma. He should erect a beautiful monastery with a very small opening and with no crevices. It should be well pasted with cowdung or with white cement. It should be carefully freed from bugs, mosquitoes and lice. It should be swept well every day with a broom. It should be perfumed with good odours and fragrant resins should burn in it; having taken his seat on a cloth deerskin or Kusa grass spread neither too high nor too low, the wise man should assume the Padmásana (posture), and keeping his body erect and his hands folded in respect, should salute his tutelary deity. Then closing the right nostril with his right thumb, he should gradually draw in the air through the left nostril. Having restrained it as long as possible, he should again expel it through the right nostril slowly and not very fast. Then filling the stomach through the right nostril, he should retain it as long as he can and then expel if through the left nostril. Drawing the air through that nostril by which he
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