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and through. Finally, the mind and senses, mind and the other intermediaries we come across in hatha yoga like prana, mind and pinda must all come under our control. If we look at the opinions of Swatmarama regarding mind, specially concerning mind and prana, then we can say with a great conviction that Swatmarama gives hatha yoga an empirical base. How?
Mind is controlled by prana and if mind is controlled, then we move to a more subtle matter which is prana, because mind cannot be controlled by mind. In this way the hatha yogic principles have a scientific base, an empirical base. It is said that when mind calms down, then chitta also calms down. This way we get the scientific justification for prana.
Now we will discuss two more things, mind and body. Body is based on bindu and bindu depends on mind. All these verses are there in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. I am merely explaining the meaning. The stability of the body or the steadiness of pinda, which it is called, depends on the steadiness of bindu. Bindu is based on mind, so if we control the mind through pranayama then steadiness is achieved. Body steadiness as well as pinda steadiness and the secret of long life lies in this bindu steadiness.
Finally, the relation between the mind and senses, indriya nigraha as it is called, is nothing but subjugation of mind. So, if we look at the studies of Swatmarama on mind we can see that unless there is a proper understanding of the application of mind whether it be in hatha yoga or in raja yoga, our sadhana won't be successful.
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