Do Hatha Yoga to Prepare for Raja Yoga

 Hatha Yoga Pradipika Chapter 1 Conclusion

Do Hatha Yoga to Prepare for Raja Yoga

Verse/Sloka 1.67 

"The various types of Kumbhakas (breath retentions), the many Karanas (actions like the Asanas), and other various means of illumination should all be practiced in the Hatha Yoga System until the fruit of Raja Yoga is attained.

In Sanskrit: 

"Pithani Kumbhakas chitra divyani karanani cha Sarvanyapi hathabhyase rajayoga phalavadhi"

Breakdown:

Kumbhaka -- Breath Renetion -- 8 kinds

Chitra -- many ways

Divyani -- Other Divine Means or Light. 

Karana -- actions, like Asana, Pranayama, Purfications, Mudras....

Sarvanap -- different 

Raja Yoga -- Royal Path -- Sutras. 

Phalavat/Phalavaf -- Fruits, profit, advantage 

Commentary

Swami Muktibodhananda says, in his commentary at the end of this First Chapter of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, that this verse reiterates that the purpose of Hatha Yoga is to prepare for Raja Yoga. He goes on to assert that Hatha Yoga is less concerned about the practices of Yama and Niyama than Raja Yoga is.  However, earlier we learned that the Hatha Yoga Pradipika says the greatest Yama and Niyama are a Mithira (a Moderate Way of Eating) and Ahimsa (Do the Opposite of Harming.)

He does highlight that "Until one reaches realization in raja yoga one has not achieved perfection in hatha yoga."

What is Raja Yoga?

Raja Yoga, is the Royal Path, codified by Patanjali. Patanjali is thought to have lived between 500 and 200 B.C.  The Yoga Sutras are much older than the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, circa 13th century

. 

There are 196 Sutras/Threads, aphorisms, or maxims about the practice of Yoga and 4 Books.

The 4 Books are: 

Samadhi pada: Defines yoga

Sadhana pada: Describes the Eight Limb Path of Yoga

Vibhuta pada: Describes and also warns against the temptations of the eight siddhis 

Kaivalya pada: Describes how to live in the world  beyond the influences of the three Gunas
(Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas).  We' ve seen that this is a large part of Hatha Yoga, the balancing of the Gunas.

Often when people think of Raja Yoga or the Yoga of the Yoga Sutras, they think of the 8 Limb path.  

The 8 Limb Path 

1. Yama -- Ways of Living -- (I like this translation over ethics or morals. "Yama (यम, “forbearance”) is a Sanskrit word referring to “respect for others”" 1

• Ahimsa: the opposite of violence. 
• Satya: Be truth. 
• Asteya: the opposite of stealing. 
• Brahmacharya: walking in the way of the divine. 
• Aparigraha: the opposite of hoarding. 

There are more Yama and Niyama in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika in chapter 1.16a. 

"Ahimsa satyam asteyam brahmacharyam kshama dhrtih dayarjavam mitaharah saucham chaiva yama dasa"

There are 10:

1. Non-violence, Ahimsa 
2. truth, satyam 
3. non-stealing, asteyam 
4. continence (being absorbed in a pure state of consciousness),brahmacharyam
5. forgiveness, kshama
6. endurance, dhrtih
7. compassion, daya
8. humility, arjavam
9. moderate/ pleasant diet  mitaharah
10. and cleanliness saucham 

are the ten rules of conduct (yama)

2. Niyama -- Self-care-- Niyama means Niyama (नियम, “religious restraint”) is a Sanskrit word referring to “respect for yourself”.1

Hatha Yoga Pradipika in chapter 1.16b.

 "Tapah santosha astikyam danamisvarapujanam siddhantavakyasravanam hrimati cha tapo hutam niyama dasa samprokta yogasastravisaradaih"

• Saucha: Cleanliness. 
• Santosha: Contentment. 
• Tapas: Self-discipline. 
• Svadhyaya: Self-study. 
• Ishvara pranidhana: Surrender to the Divine. 

In the Hatha Yoga Pradipika it is:

1. Self-discipline, Penance, Austerity, Tapah
2. contentment, santosha 
3. belief (faith) in the Supreme (God), astikyam
4. charity, dana
5. worship of God, isvarapujanam 
6. listening to the recitations of sacred scriptures, siddhantavakyasravanam
7. modesty, hri
8. a discerning intellect, mati 
9. (mantra repetition) japa  [connected to tapo (ascetic)?]
10. and sacrifice -- Hutam 

are the ten observances (niyama) --  These words are also included: Dasa (servant),  Samprokta (well spoken),  Astravisaradaih (Sun's charioteer).

So, which is it? 5 or 10.  The 5 is older and the 10 is later.  According to the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Hatha Yoga is in preparation for Raja which only lists the 5.  Perhaps, over time it was seen that people needed more advice on Ways to Live.  At the least, we, and others, could benefit from starting with 5 Yama and Niyama in the Yoga Sutras/Raja Yoga,  remembering the 10 Yama and Niyama are part of the Hatha Yoga system which is presented as the preparation for Raja Yoga.  Which ones speak to you?  Which ones do you already practice?  Which ones can you see would be a benefit to you and others? 

3. Asana

Asana is the physical practice of Yoga. Patanjali only devotes 3 versus to this.  Hatha Yoga delineates 15 poses. We covered these in our recent previous posts. 

4. Pranayama

Breath Expansion.  Often translated as Breath Work. It means Pra+na+ Ayama (Life Force+ the opposite of restraint.  Iyengar defined it as Breath Expansion).  We will cover the Hatha Yoga Pradipika versions of Pranayama soon.  According to Hatha Yoga Pradipika, before Pranayama, Purifications or Shatkarma is practiced if necessary (more of that next)

5. Pratyahara

Pratyahara is the practice of sensory withdrawal.

6. Dharana

Dharana means concentration. 

7. Dhyana

Dhyana is meditation.

8. Samadhi

Samadhi comes through sustained meditation or absorption and is the goal of Yoga.

Hatha Yoga and Raja Yoga are meant to go hand in hand, according to Hatha Yoga Pradipika. 

In fact, the very first verse/sloka says

"Salutations to the glorious primal (original) guru, Sri Adinath, who instructed the knowledge of Hatha Yoga which shines forth as a stairway for those who wish to ascend to the Highest stage of Yoga, Raja Yoga."

So, in order to practice the full system of Yoga and attain its benefits, its fruits, we are called to learn both the preparation, the Hatha Yoga of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika and have knowledge of the Raja Yoga of the Yoga Sutras.

What benefits have you found in Yoga? What benefits do you seek?

Learn More 

Explore our Online Courses

  Explore  Yoga Meditation 

  Explore Yoga Breathing 

Resources:

1.https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/yama 

 https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/niyama

https://archive.org/details/HathaYogaPradipika-SanskritTextWithEnglishTranslatlionAndNotes/page/n23/mode/2up

https://terebess.hu/english/Hatha-Yoga-Pradipika-Muktibodhananda.pdf

What Yoga Is / What Yoga Isn't

Is Yoga Accessible?  Many people feel they cannot "do" Yoga.  People say, " I am not flexible enough to do Yoga." "I am not young enough to do Yoga."  "I am not strong enough to do Yoga."  "I can't balance." " I can't relax". "I do not have the right Yoga Clothes, the fancy, expensive Yoga Pants." "I've tried reading Yoga Books and watching Yoga Videos on YouTube or Online but I don't really know how to 'do' Yoga." "I am worried I will do Yoga wrong."  "When people talk about Yoga it sounds woo woo or granola crunchy; it's just not me."  

If you are one of those people who feel any number of these ways you may give up on doing yoga even though you are drawn to the benefit of yoga.  Even though there are obstacles, you are till curious about Yoga.  Perhaps you come and go in a Yoga Practice. 

Today we have more challenges and obstacles to obtaining the benefits of Yoga by practicing.  There are all the Instagram images of people doing challenging Yoga Poses, like the one above, which can make us feel like Yoga is beyond what our body can do.  Yoga is more than just Yoga Poses or Asanas.  

These types of problems have existed in Yoga, even before it came to Western culture, even before this modern world's version of what Yoga is. 

Almost 700 years ago the Hatha Yoga Pradipika mentioned some of the same problems, some of the same misconceptions about Yoga we have today.  

The Hatha Yoga Pradipika which we are exploring says: 

"Whether young or old, very old, sick or feeble, one can attain perfection in all Yogas by practicing.  Anyone who practices can acquire Yoga.

Yoga's powers (Siddhis) are not obtained by merely reading textbooks.

Nor are they reached by wearing yoga garments

or by conversation about yoga,

but only through tireless practice does one become a Siddha.

This is the secret of success.

There is no doubt about it."

Hatha Yoga Pradipika  1.65-66

This concludes the first Chapter of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. There is one more verse which we will cover next time.  (Follow us on the right to make sure you always see the latest blog.)  

What does it mean to acquire Yoga? 

Yoga means union. Acquiring Yoga means to feel a sense of union with our most true self.  It means to acquire Siddhi/Perfection/ Accomplishment.  Some the initial Siddhis, Powers or Benefits of Yoga which can be acquired are:

1. Vitality, 
2. Good health, 
3. Mental/emotional equilibrium

Hatha Yoga seeks to balance our energies so that we feel more focused and energized, calm and collected, secure and grounded in order to help us become our best selves, our true selves which is also connected to the Divine, the Cosmic Consciousness, the Creative Energy of the Universe. . .

So, we can feel more Vitality, Good Health, Mental/Emotional Equilibrium or Balance the we practice Yoga.

See our previous post on Siddhasana to learn more about Siddhis.

What does it mean to practice Yoga?

The Hatha Yoga Pradipika teaches us that practicing Yoga Poses is just part of it, and that Yoga Clothes and just reading Yoga Books or have conversations about  Yoga won't help us find these benefits of Yoga.  

Mentioned already in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika and our posts:

1. Yoga Poses: The practice, we learn, is preparing the body though physical practices which includes the poses. However, note Hatha Yoga only cites 4 poses as the most important. These are: Siddhasana(Perfect/Adept's Pose), Padmasana (Lotus Pose), Simhasana (Lion's Pose) and Bhadrasana(Gracious Pose).
2. Eating Nourishing Food:  See our previous post about Yoga Food. Again, the main goal in a Yoga Diet/Yoga Way of Eating is to help balance our energies. 

Chapter 2-    We will cover these in future posts.  Follow by Email Link in the right column to get updates. 

1. Purifications/Preparations:  6 Actions called ShatKarmas.
2. Breath Practice:  the last verse in chapter one ,which we will cover next, mentions Breath Retention/Kumbhuka as part of this practice which helps one "acquire Yoga" or accomplish the benefits of Yoga. We will cover the Yoga Breath with you soon. 

Chapter 3 -- 

1. Mudras: A Mudra is a "seal."  Often people know of hand Mudras and sometimes people even define Mudras as hand gestures or yoga for the hands but this incorrect.  Some Mudras incorporate the whole body. 
2. Bandhas: Is sometimes called a lock.  It can also mean bond.

Chapter 4 --

1. Concentration: Meditation 
2. Samadhi: Absorption, Stages of Consciousness 

Conclusion 

There is much to learn and much to practice.  Many of the benefits of Yoga: Vitally, Good Health, and Equilibrium or Balance can be attained by practicing simple Yoga Poses, Balanced Eating, and Breath Practices. This is a great beginning.  You may choose to add or be inspired to add more like, Mudras and Meditation.  

Leave a comment about some the benefits you have experience from practicing Yoga.  Or tell us about what your are practicing now.  Are you experiencing obstacles you'd like to share?

Learn More 

Explore our Online Courses

  Explore  Yoga Meditation 

  Explore Yoga Breathing 

 Yoga Food

Is there such as thing as a Yogic Diet? 

You may be curious about Yoga Food and Yoga Food Recipes.  You may even have thought about a Yoga Diet Plan.  

Yoga Food or a Yoga Way of eating is not about diet culture though. The purpose is way more important than weight loss.  In fact, it isn't about weight at all. 

The Reason to follow the Yoga Food Recommendations in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika is if you are feeling mentally:

• Sluggish, Unfocused, Un- Motivated, Depressed (Kapha)
• Angry, Irritable,Critical, Low Self-Esteem (Pitta)
• Feeling Unmoored, Restless, Anxious (Vata)

Or you may physically feel or have:

• Congested, bloated, sleepiness, diabetic  (Kapha)
• Acidic, heartburn, hot, diarrhea (Pitta)
• Dry skin, arthritis, osteoporosis, insomnia, constipated, headaches (Vata)

Can a Yoga Way of Eating Help?

Perhaps.

Today we will explore Yoga Teachings on Food or Diet in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika which we've been exploring.  Our last series was on the  first 11 Hatha Yoga Poses, and the 4 most important  Hatha Yoga Poses  and Ha and Tha of Hatha Yoga.

What is a Yoga Diet? What is the Purpose?

Yoga Food recommendations are to create a Sattvic Diet.  Hatha Yoga is all about balancing our energies, our tendencies which are called Doshas in Yoga.  You can take our Dosha Test here. I unlocked three lessons for a limited time.  If you are reading this at a later date please contact me Kim@lifefullyoga.com

Hatha Yoga Pradipika explains the energies and how the purpose of Hatha Yoga is to balance them.  It first covers Yoga Poses or Asanas to help balance the energies.  The next section of Yoga Teachings is about Food and Purifications. 

The Three Energies are Kapha, Pitta, and Vata. You can see some of the mental and physical symptoms of when those energies are imbalanced above.  

We want to balance our Energies/Tendencies so that we can feel Peace/Bliss/Enlightened

After Yoga Poses, the Hatha Yoga Pradipika covers Yoga Food and Purifications  (ShatKarma/6 Actions).

In verse/sloka 1.38  discussing a seated pose says: 

Just as moderate diet is the most important way/ethic/habit and non-violence is the most important moral, Siddhasana is the most important pose.

After the all the 15 poses are covered the Hatha Yoga Pradipika goes on to cover the 

Importance of a moderate diet/way of eating and how to have a moderate way of eating.

I prefer to use the term "way of eating" rather than "diet" because Diet Culture has taken over the word "diet" and it is now a toxic triggering word for may people.  The word "diet" in its purest form just means the way one habitually eats.  The idea of "diet" as restriction and deprivation is not moderation.  

So much of Yoga is about a Way so We will talk about the Yoga Food Way or Way of Eating

Hatha Yoga Pradipika covers the Yoga Way of Eating in Chapter 1.57-63 and as we've seen the Yoga Way of Eating is mentioned through out the book. 

Chapter 1.57 says, One who is practicing Yoga as walking  in the Way of the Divine (Brahmachari) takes moderate and pure food,  (more on Brahmacarya here)

Chapter 1.58 says, The food is Mitahara meaning smooth, gentle, lovely (sometimes translated as sweet but not as ins sweets but like when we say "isn't that sweet" is pleasant).  Additionally 1/4 of the stomach is to remain free as an offering.

Swami Muktibodhananda, a commentator we've been using says:

"Mitahara means ‘sattwic food,’ light food which is easy to digest. ... A yogi should always regard food as a medicine which will purify and fuel the body and mind for the maintenance of life and progress in sadhana."

When we are Sattwic it means our energies are balanced as well, the purpose of Yoga.

Prohibited Foods

1.59 The foods which are prohibited (for the yogi) are those which are :

• bitter, 
• sour, 
• pungent, 
• salty, 
• heating, 
• green vegetables (other than those ordained below), 
• sour gruel, 
• oil, (greasy)
• sesame and mustard, 
• alcohol, 
• fish,
• flesh foods (meat), 
• curds, 
• buttermilk, 
• horse gram (a type of legume for horses), 
• fruit of jujube, 
• oil cakes, (cakes made with oil rather than butter)
• asafetida (like a cross between fennel and garlic) 
• and garlic.

1.60 Unhealthy diet should not be taken, that which is: 

• reheated after becoming cold, 
• which is dry (devoid of natural oil), 
• which is excessively salty or acidic, 
• stale or 
• has too many (mixed) vegetables.

1.61.  The part that applies to food says fasting should be avoided. 

Best Yoga Foods

1.62 The most conducive foods far the yogi are: 

• good grains, wheat, rice, barley, 
• milk, 
• ghee (clarified butter even found in local grocery stores now), 
• brown sugar, 
• sugar candy (crystallized sugar), 
• honey, 
• dry ginger, 
• patola fruit (species of cucumber), 
• five vegetables, (see below-- lots of research on these)
• mung and such pulses( mung beans, red lentils, legumes), 
• and pure water.

What are the 5 Vegetables? 

This is what I think based on the research below. 

1. Mallow -- balasaka
2. White Jute -- kalasaka
3. Squash or Gourd -- Patola 
4. Artificial Salt Powder -- vastaka 
5. Warm Bread fired in Ghee -- himalochika

Swami Muktibodhananda comments that in the Gherand Samhita/another sacred text (5:20) the "‘five vegetables’ are said to be balasaka, kalasaka, patolapatraka, vastaka and himalochika. These are – leafy vegetables which are similar to spinach."

1.63 The Yogi should take nourishing and pleasant/Mitahara/Sattwic food mixed with, ghee and milk; it should nourish the dhatus (basic body constituents) and be pleasing and suitable.

The Dhatus are: skin, flesh, blood, bone, marrow, fat and semen/ ova.

Chapter 1 ends with just a couple more verses about the importance of practice. 

Lets look at a couple of verses in Chapter 2.

2.1 Thus being established in asana (the poses) and having control (of the body), taking a balanced diet; pranayama should be practiced according to the instructions of the guru.

Here we learn how important, again, a balanced diet is.  It goes along with the physical poses and is even recommended to establish before practicing breath practice. 

2.14 In the beginning stages of practice, food, consisting of milk and ghee is recommended. Upon being established in the practice such restrictions are not necessary.

There is an acknowledgement that this Yoga Food Way can be restrictive but even that is in moderation.  Its purpose is to balance the mental and physical energies once the beginning stages of practice helps us feel more balanced restrictions are not needed.   

Main Goal of Yoga Food

The main goal in a Yoga Diet/Yoga Way of Eating is to help balance our energies.  I hope this is helpful in countering Diet Culture's way of deprivation for the sake of idealized body image.  A Counter-Diet Culture movement is to practice Intuitive Eating (see link below).  

This ancient Yoga list of Foods and Practices is, again, serving the purpose of Food as Medicine.  

My story

I know the effects all too well.  The short story is, I have a high IQ.  However, I made Cs, Ds, and even Fs in school and felt dizzy and tired all the time.  Turns out I had low blood sugar. I craved sugar because it brought me up.  But, then it slammed me down because I couldn't process it.  Once, I found out and changed they way I ate I couldn't believe a person could feel so good.  And, I started making As and Bs and ultimately went on to study at Harvard.  

Now, I also know I have gluten issues which was causing a whole other set of issues. I also know  I am a Vata/Kapha and I can help myself feel even better when I keep in mind the types of foods and times to eat that help me feel my best.  I do not believe in deprivation and I don't 100% believe in Intuitive Eating because my intuition told be to eats lots of sugar and wheat to feel better.  So, what I do believe is in moderation, balance, on all sides.  And, I believe Yoga Lifestyle Science helps with that so much.  

If you'd like to learn more or work with me please reach out. I provide Yoga and Wellness Coaching and have programs and courses too so that people can balance their energies through Yoga Poses, Meditation and Breath Practices, and Ways of Eating.  I love providing recipes and I will be working on some with these Yoga Food/ Sattwic Foods Recipes too.

You can leave a comment here or contact me with the form in the side bar or directly kim@lifefullyoga.com

Don't forget your unlocked sessions here to Test Your Type.

Unlocked Test

Yoga Philosophy: Tapas

 Yoga Philosophy

Tapas

Limbs or PrinciplesYama/Niyama (Ethics for Life)

Previously, we covered the Yama or Yamas. Today we will delve into one of the Niyama. In Raja Yoga of Patanjali's Sutras there are 5 of each. In the Hatha Yoga Pradipika there are 10 of each.

Tapas is often transalated into Self-Discipline. It also means austerity, deep meditation, and it can mean suffering and pain as well.

The Hatha Yoga Pradipika, which we've been studying, has some interesting insight into the meaning of Tapas.

Early in the HYP, before the Asanas/Poses are described it says,

"For those continually tempered by the heat of tapa (the three types of pain - spiritual, environmental and physical) hatha is like the hermitage giving protection from the heat. For those always united in yoga, Hatha is the basis acting like a tortoise who supports the world. (1.10) "

Swami Muktibodhananda in his commentary says:

"The Sanskrit word tapa has two meanings: one is ‘to heat,’ the other is ‘pain. Pain itself is a type of heat. It tempers and heats the mind, emotions and physical body. Pain is of three types: adhyatmik, ‘spiritual,’ adhidevik, ‘natural/environmental,’ and adhibhautik, ‘physical.’"

3 Types of Tapas/Pain

1. Spiritual
2. Natural/environmental
3. Physical

In HYP, Tapas is the first Niyama,  In Raja/the Yoga Sutras it is the third. 

Tapas as Heat

Swami Muktibodhananda in his commentary says:

"The first is tapah which means ‘to heat’ and also refers to austerities. There are three types of tapas: sharirik, physical; vachik, vocal; and manasik, mental; which may again be sattwic, rajasic or tamasic." 

3 Types of Heat/Austerities 

1. Physical
2. Vocal
3. Mental

He goes to explain how Tapas used to mean austerities like standing in a pose in cold water for a long time and that now it is different. He says:

"Austerities for people of this age involve doing those things which test the willpower and strength of mind and body." (p61)

More about Sattwic, Rajasic, and Tamasic soon. 

Yoga Sutras on Tapa/Tapah

Tapas is part of a 3 part Yoga of Action

Sutra 2.1 tapah svadhyaya ishvara-pranidhana kriya-yogah

Tapah -- Self-discipline, austerities 

Svadhyaya -- another Niyama, Self-Study

Ishvarpranidhana -- another Niyama, -- Respectful behavior to, contemplation or meditation on the Supreme Sou or Collective Consciousnessl.

Is the Kirya Yoga -- Yoga of Action. 

This Sutra is saying that Tapas/discipline goes with Self Study and contemplation on the Supreme Soul as a Yoga of Action.

In Yoga Sutra 2.32 Patanjlai list all five Niyama which adds Cleanliness/Purification-- Shaucha and Contentment -- Santosha. 

Sutra 2.43 elaborates on Tapas kaya indriya siddhih ashuddhi kshayat tapasah

Kaya  -- the body

Indriya -- the senses, belonging to the Perceiver 

Siddhih -- perfection

Ashuddhi -- opposite of perfection

Kshayat -- ruled over, destroyed

Tapasah -- discipline, austerities

Tapas destroys or rules over the imperfections of the body and the mind.

Conclusion 

So, Tapas can be a type of pain from which Yoga can give us refuge and it can also be a discipline of practice when combined with Self Study and Contemplation on the Cosmic Consciousness can help destroy our imperfections and lead us to perfection/Siddhi. 

References

https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/pranidhana

https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/indriya

4 Most Important Hatha Yoga Poses part 2

The Last 2 of the 4 Most Important Hatha Yoga Poses

Simhasana and Bhadrasana

3.

Simhasana

Simhagarjanasana (roaring lion pose)

How to

From the Hatha Yoga Pradipika:

1.50 Place the ankles below the scrotum, right ankle on the left side, left ankle on the right side of the perineum. 

1.51 Place the palms on the knees, fingers spread apart, keep the mouth open and gaze at the nose tip with a concentrated mind.

1.52 This is Simhasana, held in great esteem by the highest yogis. This most excellent asana facilitates the three bandhas.

Swami Muktibodhananda describes a second variation: 

Simhagarjanasana (roaring lion pose)

Raise the chin two or three inches, practice shambhavi mudra, extend the tongue as far as is comfortable. Inhale deeply through the nose and exhale making a roaring sound like a lion – ‘aaahhhh.’

The sound should not be forceful, nor should it irritate the throat.

To stimulate the throat more, move the tongue from side to side.2

The Story

The story to explore here is about Narasimha.  Nara (person/man) and Simha (Lion).  Narasimha is a destroyer of obstacles/ evil/ demons/ injustice/ duality.  Here are spinets of the story from the Padma Prana and the Vishnu Purana which has the story of Parhlada, the son of Hiranyakasipu .  

Hiranyakasipu is the father of Prahlada.  He is not happy with Prahlada studying the philosophy of Yoga.   Prahlada means "joyful excitement, delight, refreshing."  Prahalda is an example of Bhakti Yoga, Devotional Yoga.  Hiranyakasipu means "one who is wrapped in gold.  He becomes haughty because of the grant of a boon from he gods and represents Ego.  He looks for the external world to validate him while all along he has the Lotus in his heart.  See previous post on the Lotus Pose. 

I Love this quote from the Bhagvata Purana.  Perfect for today's world as well: 

Text 9:Prahlāda Mahārāja continued: My dear father, please give up your demoniac mentality. Do not discriminate in your heart between enemies and friends; make your mind equipoised toward everyone. Except for the uncontrolled and misguided mind, there is no enemy within this world. When one sees everyone on the platform of equality, one then comes to the position of worshiping the Lord perfectly .5

This last line translates more directly to "the position of of respecting the infinite/unlimited perfectly."  

"anantasya (respect, strength, endless roaring -- lion connection, infinite, unlimited ) mahat (great, large) samarhaṇam (respect, reverence, honor)

What Narasimha looks like

Half Man/ Half Lion and ...

The Padma Purana (by N.A. Deshpande)

Chapter 140 - Hiraṇyāsaṅgama-tīrtha < [Section 6 - Uttara-Khaṇḍa (Concluding Section)]

Chapter 45 - The Manifesṭation of Narasiṃha 

92-93. With us you are surrounded by the hosts of demons. O king, this your assembly crowded with hundreds of splendid rooms, also all the three worlds, the eternal dharma of the worlds, and this entire world are seen in Narasiṃha.

94-95. Here (i.e. in Narasiṃha’s body are seen) the creator, the great-souled Manu, planets and (their) conjunctions, the earth and the sky, the time of portents, and Dhṛti (courage), Mati (intellect), Rati (pleasure), Satya (truth), Tapas (penance) and Dama (restraint), Sanatkumāra of great prowess, Viśvedeva^[6], and all sages, Krodha (anger), Kāma (desire), Harṣa (joy), Darpa (pride), Moha (delusion) and all the dead ancestors.3

The Story of Prahlada 3 and 4

The Vishnu Purana (abridged)

The Story of Prahlada < [First Section]

25.1 Hiranyakasipu--- who tried to kill his son many ways.  He got angry when he said the divine was in everything and started wielding his sword at everything and hit a tower. Narasimha came out of the tower and roared.  The simha garjanai (roar of the lion) of Narasimha was very fearsome and terrible indeed!

He saw this frightening and mysterious form with a lion’s head and human body and wondered what this form was and his mind was totally agitated.

Hiranyakasipu tries to attack Narashimba and, Narashimba kills him/destorys him and drinks his blood out of his chest where the Lotus was.. 4

Narashimba also killed many of his followers, other personifications of obstacles.

9.6 By the touch of Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva’s hand on Prahlāda Mahārāja’s head, Prahlāda was completely freed of all material contaminations and desires, as if he had been thoroughly cleansed. Therefore he at once became transcendentally situated, and all the symptoms of ecstasy became manifest in his body. His heart filled with love, and his eyes with tears, and thus he was able to completely capture the lotus feet of the Lord within the core of his heart.

9.9 Prahlāda Mahārāja continued: One may possess wealth, an aristocratic family, beauty, austerity, education, sensory expertise, luster, influence, physical strength, diligence, intelligence and mystic yogic power, but I think that even by all these qualifications one cannot satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead. However, one can satisfy the Lord simply by devotional service. Gajendra did this, and thus the Lord was satisfied with him.

Benefits

Swami Muktibodhananda says:

Simhasana is useful for

• alleviating numerous throat, mouth, nose and even ear diseases. 
• Technique 2 is particularly good for toning the throat and eradicating stammering. 
• It also helps to externalize introverted people. 
• This asana is more effective when performed outside in front of the rising sun.

There are also various benefit of engaging the three major Bandhas which we will cover in a operate post. 

1. Hatha Yoga Pradipika Light on Hatha Yoga Including the original Sanskrit text of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika with translation in English Commentary by Swami Muktibodhananda Under the Guidance of Swami Satyananda Saraswati Yoga Publications Trust, Munger, Bihar, India © Bihar School of Yoga 1985, 1993, 1998

2.Hatha Yoga Pradipika Introduction by B K S Iyengar Commentary by Hans Ulrich Rieker Translated by Elsy Becherer This edition published by The Aquarian Press 1992 13579108642 English translation © Herder and Herder, Inc., an imprint of Crossroad/Continuum, Inc. Illustrations by Stephen Sturgess

3. https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-padma-purana/d/doc364168.html

4. https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/7/8/  Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (Bhāgavata Purāṇa) » Canto 7: chapter 8 Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva Slays the King of the Demons

5.https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/7/8/9/