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Section 4

Shat Kriyā and the Hatha Yoga Pradipika

The Shat Kriyā’s are considered to be of great importance in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika.  These techniques are said to be important to gain perfection (siddhi).  They are preliminary steps to prepare the body for deeper practices.

Kriyā yuktasya siddhiḥ syāda kriyasya kathaṁ bhavet|
Na śāstrapāṭhamātreṇa yoga siddhiḥ prajāyate||65|| 

Perfection (siddhiḥ) comes to the person who is deeply occupied in the action (kriyā) of practice. How might that perfection spring up to someone who does not practice kriya (cleansing actions)? Perfection (siddhiḥ) in Yoga does not emanate by simply studying shastra (scriptures).

Chapter 2 Veres 65 Hatha Yoga Pradikpika   

The Hatha Yoga Pradipika goes on to explains Kriyā as a cleansing action.  The Kriyā’s are used as preparation for deeper sadhana and preparation for Raja Yoga and awakening Kundalini. 

The one...