Mula Bandha

The Mula Bandha Explained

TYPE:Technique

PRAMANA：Śāstra Pramāṇa - शास्त्र प्रमाण

Sastra Pramana Source：Yoga-Sikh upanishad (104-105)

Original Verse：

"गुदं पार्ष्ण्या तु संपीड्य वायुमाकुञ्चयेद् बलात् ।

वारं वारं यथा चोर्ध्वं समायाति समीरणः ॥ १०४ ॥

प्राणापान्औ नान्दबिन्दू मूलबन्धेन च्ऐकताम् ।

गत्वा योगस्य संसिद्धिं यच्छतो नात्र संशयः ॥ १०५ ॥"

Transliteration：

"gudaṃ pārṣṇyā tu saṃpīḍya vāyumākuñcayed balāt |

vāraṃ vāraṃ yathā cordhvaṃ samāyāti samīraṇaḥ ॥ 104 ॥

prāṇāpānau nāndabindū mūlabandhena caikatām |

gatvā Yogasya saṃsiddhiṃ yacchato nātra saṃśayaḥ ॥ 105 ॥"

Translation：

"Pressing the anus with the heel, (the practitioner) should forcibly draw up the vital air in such a way that the air would move upwards stage by stage. The Prana and Apana (vital airs),as also the Nada (Intellect)and the Bindu (mind), becoming one by means of the Mula-bandha, bestow the successful accomplishment of Yoga.Herein there is no doubt."

Apta Pramana Source：Haṭhapradīpikā of Svātmārāma V.79

Original Verse：

"अथ मूल-मुद्रा

पार्ष्णीभागेन सम्पीड्य योनिमाकुञ्चयेद् गुदम् ॥

अपानमूर्ध्वम्-आकृष्य मूलबन्धोऽयमुच्यते ॥७९॥"

Transliteration：

"atha mūla-mudrā

pārṣṇībhāgena sampīḍya yonimākuñcayed gudam ॥

apānamūrdhvam-ākṛṣya mūlabandho'yamucyate ॥79॥"

Translation：

"Press the perineum with the heel, contract the anus and raise the apana upwards. This is called Mula-Bandha. 79"

The Mula-bandha - for True Yogis!

TYPE:Description PRAMANA：Śāstra Pramāṇa - शास्त्र प्रमाण

Sastra Pramana Source：Yoga Kundali-Upanishad (1, 42-46)

Original Verse： "अधोगतिमपानं व्ऐ ऊर्ध्वगं कुरुते बलात् । आकुञ्चनेन तं प्राहुर्मूलबन्धोऽयमुच्यते ॥ ४२ ॥ अपाने चोर्ध्वगे याते संप्राप्ते वह्निमण्डले । ततोऽनलशिखा दीर्घा वर्धते वायुना हता ॥ ४३ ॥ ततो यात्औ वह्न्यपान्औ प्राणमुष्णस्वरूपकम् । तेनात्यन्तप्रदीप्तेन ज्वलनो देहजस्तथा ॥ ४४ ॥ तेन कुण्डलिनी सुप्ता संतप्ता संप्रबुध्यते । दण्डाहतभुजङ्गीव निश्वस्य ऋजुतां व्रजेत् ॥ ४५ ॥ बिलप्रवेशतो यत्र ब्रह्मनाड्यन्तरं ब्रजेत् । तस्मान्नित्यं मूलबन्धः कर्तव्यो योगिभिः सदा ॥ ४६ ॥"

Transliteration：

"adhogatimapānaṃ vai ūrdhvagaṃ kurute balāt | ākuñcanena taṃ prāhurmūlabandho'yamucyate ॥ 42 ॥ apāne cordhvage yāte saṃprāpte vahnimaṇḍale | tato'nalaśikhā dīrghā vardhate vāyunā hatā ॥ 43 ॥ tato yātau vahnyapānau prāṇamuṣṇasvarūpakam | tenātyantapradīptena jvalano dehajastathā ॥ 44 ॥ tena kuṇḍalinī suptā saṃtaptā saṃprabudhyate | daṇḍāhatabhujaṅgīva niśvasya ṛjutāṃ vrajet ॥ 45 ॥ bilapraveśato yatra brahmanāḍyantaraṃ brajet | tasmānnityaṃ mūlabandhaḥ kartavyo Yogibhiḥ sadā ॥ 46 ॥ "

Translation：

When one makes the Apana with the downward course move upwards by force, by constriction (of the sphincter-muscle of the rectum) as they call it, this is known as Mula-bandha. When the Apana coursing upwards reaches the region of fire, then the flame of fire, caused by the vital air to move up, increases in its height. When the fire and the Apana reach the heated Prana (vital air), then by that (Prapa) in an overheated condition is a flame generated in the body. By that flame the sleeping Kundalini, being very much heated, is roused and like a snake belaboured with a stick, becomes erect with hissing and by way of entering its hole, reaches the interior of the Brahma-nadi - Hence should always be practiced the Mula-bandha by the Yogins.

Mula Bandha

TYPE:Technique PRAMANA：Śāstra Pramāṇa - शास्त्र प्रमाण

Sastra Pramana Source： Dhyana-bindu Upanisad (73-74)

Original Verse： "अपानप्राणयोर्ऐक्यं क्षयान्मूत्रपुरीषयोः ॥ ७३ ॥ युवा भवति वृद्धोऽपि सततं मूलबन्धनात् । पार्ष्णिभागेन संपीड्य योनिमाकुञ्चयेद्गुदम् ॥ ७४ ॥"

Transliteration： "apānaprāṇayoraikyaṃ kṣayānmūtrapurīṣayoḥ ॥ 73 ॥ yuvā bhavati vṛddho'pi satataṃ mūlabandhanāt | pārṣṇibhāgena saṃpīḍya yonimākuñcayedgudam ॥ 74 ॥ "

Translation： By the diminution of urine and fences is attained the union of the Prana and the Apana vital airs. By performing Mula-bandha always, even an old man becomes young. By pressing the genitals with the heels, (the Yogin) should contract the anus, by drawing the Apana upwards: This is known as Mulabandha.

Opening the Susumna by Kumbhaka

TYPE:Technique PRAMANA：Śāstra Pramāṇa - शास्त्र प्रमाण

Sastra Pramana Source： Sandilyopanishad VI. 36.1 -36.4

Original Verse： "आकुञ्चनेन कुण्डलिन्याः कवाटमुद्घाट्य मोक्षद्वारं विभेदयेत् ॥ ३६-१ ॥ येन मार्गेण गन्तव्यं तद्द्वारं मुखेनाच्छाद्य​ प्रसुप्ता कुण्डलिनी कुटिलाकारा सर्पवद्वेष्टिता भवति ॥ ३६-२ ॥ सा शक्तिर्येन चालिता स्यात् स तु मुक्तो भवति । सा कुण्डलिनी कण्ठोर्ध्वभागे सुप्ता चेद्योगिनां मुक्तये भवति । बन्धनायाधो मूढानाम् ॥ ३६-३ ॥ इडादिमार्गद्वयं विहाय सुषुम्नामार्गेण​ गच्छेत् तद्विष्णोः परमं पदम् ॥ ३६-४ ॥"

Transliteration： "ākuñcanena kuṇḍalinyāḥ kavāṭamudghāṭya mokṣadvāraṃ vibhedayet ॥ 36-1 ॥ yena mārgeṇa gantavyaṃ taddvāraṃ mukhenācchādya prasuptā kuṇḍalinī kuṭilākārā sarpavadveṣṭitā bhavati ॥ 36-2 ॥ sāśaktiryena cālitā syāt sa tu mukto bhavati | sā kuṇḍalinī kaṇṭhordhvabhāge suptā cedYogināṃ muktaye bhavati | bandhanāyādho mūḍhānām ॥ 36-3 ॥ iḍādimārgadvayaṃ vihāya suṣumnāmārgeṇa gacchet tadviṣṇoḥ paramaṃ padam ॥ 36-4 ॥"

Translation： "Forcing open the door of the Kundalini, by constriction (of the anus), (the Yogin) should burst through the door of liberation the Kundalini, sleeping with its face covering the very door through which (the Yogin) has to move upwards, is encoiled with a crooked form like a serpent. By whomsoever that power is roused, he is verily liberated. Should that power sleep in the portion above the throat, that will conduce to the liberation of the Yogin-s. Should it be below (the throat), that will be for the bondage of the ignorant. Should he adopt the Susumna course, giving up the two courses of the Ida (and the Pingala), then (would he reach), the highest state of Visnu."

Destroyer of decay and death - MulaBandha

TYPE:Description PRAMANA： Śāstra Pramāṇa - शास्त्र प्रमाण Sastra Pramana Source： Shiva Samhita(BA)-IV.41 Original Verse：

"अथ मूलबन्धः । पादमूलेन संपीड्य गुदमार्गं सुयन्त्रितम् । कल्पितोऽयं मूलबन्धो जरामरणनाशनः ॥ ४१ ॥ "

Transliteration： "atha mūlabandhaḥ । pādamūlena saṃpīḍya gudamārgaṃ suyantritam । kalpito'yaṃ mūlabandho jarāmaraṇanāśanaḥ ॥ 41 ॥"

Translation：

Pressing well the anus with the heel, forcibly draw upwards the apana vayu slowly by practice. This is described as the Mula-Bandha - destroyer of decay and death.

MulaBandha becomes Yoni-Mudra once Apana and Prana Vayus Unite

TYPE:Description PRAMANA： Śāstra Pramāṇa - शास्त्र प्रमाण Sastra Pramana Source： Shiva Samhita(BA)-IV.42

Original Verse： "अपानप्राणयोरैक्यं प्रकरोत्यधिकल्पितम् । बन्धेनानेन सुतरां योनिमुद्रा प्रसिद्धयति ॥ ४२ ॥ "

Transliteration：

"apānaprāṇayoraikyaṃ prakarotyadhikalpitam । bandhenānena sutarāṃ yonimudrā prasiddhayati ॥ 42 ॥"

Translation：

If, in the course of the practice of the Bandha, the Yogi can unite the apana with the prana vayu, then it becomes of course the Yoni-Mudra.

Yoni Mudra: levitation and Moves in Air

TYPE:Benefit PRAMANA：Śāstra Pramāṇa - शास्त्र प्रमाण

Sastra Pramana Source： Shiva Samhita(BA)-IV.43

Original Verse： "सिद्धायां योनिमुद्रायां किं न सिध्यति भूतले । बन्धस्यास्य प्रसादेन गगने विजितालसः ॥ पद्मासने स्थितो योगी भुवमुत्सृज्य वर्तते ॥ ४३ ॥ "

Transliteration： "siddhāyāṃ yonimudrāyāṃ kiṃ na sidhyati bhūtale । bandhasyāsya prasādena gagane vijitālasaḥ ॥ padmāsane sthito yogī bhuvamutsṛjya vartate ॥ 43 ॥"

Translation： He who has acomplished Yoni-Mudra, what can he not accomplish in this world. Sitting in the padmasana posture, free from idleness, the Yogi, leaving the ground, moves through the air, by virture of this Mudra.

Secretly Practise Mulabhadha

TYPE:Description PRAMANA： Śāstra Pramāṇa - शास्त्र प्रमाण

Sastra Pramana Source： Shiva Samhita(BA)-IV.44

Original Verse： "सुगुप्ते निर्जने देशे बन्धमेनं समभ्यसेत् । संसारसागरं तर्तुं यदीच्छेद्योगि पुंगवः ॥ ४४ ॥ "

Transliteration： "sugupte nirjane deśe bandhamenaṃ samabhyaset । saṃsārasāgaraṃ tartuṃ yadīcchedYogi puṃgavaḥ ॥ 44 ॥ "

Translation： If the wise Yogi is desirous of crossing the ocean of the world, let him practise this Bandha in secret, in a retired place.

Mula Bandha - Key to Anti-Aging

TYPE:Technique PRAMANA： Āpta Pramāṇa - आप्त प्रमाण

Apta Pramana Source： Goraksh Paddhati I.81-82

Original Verse： "पार्ष्णिभागेन संपीड्य योनिमाकुञ्चयेग्दुदम्। अपान्मूर्ध्वमाकृष्य मूलबन्धो विधीयते॥ ८१ ॥ अपानप्राणयोरैक्यात् क्षयो मूत्रपुरीषयोः । युवा भवति वृद्धोपि सततं मूलबन्धनात् ॥ ८२ ॥"

Transliteration： "pārṣṇibhāgena saṃpīḍya yonimākuñcayegdudam। apānmūrdhvamākṛṣya mūlabandho vidhīyate॥ 81 ॥ apānaprāṇayoraikyāt kṣayo mūtrapurīṣayoḥ । yuvā bhavati vṛddhopi satataṃ mūlabandhanāt ॥ 82 ॥"

Translation： "Pressing the left heel against the perineum, [the Yogin] should contract the anus while pulling the apâna [life force] upward. [Thus] is the “root lock” (Mûla-bandha) to be performed. (1.81) By unifying apâna and prâna, urine and faeces are reduced. Even if he is old, he becomes young again through the constant [practice of] the root lock. (1.82)"

Mula Bandha Brings Success in Yoga

PRAMANA：Āpta Pramāṇa - आप्त प्रमाण

Apta Pramana Source： "Haṭhapradīpikā of Svātmārāma V.82 "

Original Verse：

"प्राणापानौ नादबिन्दू मूलबन्धेन चैकताम् ॥ ततो योगस्य संसिद्धिं कुरुते नात्र संशयः ॥८२॥ "

Transliteration： "prāṇāpānau nādabindū mūlabandhena caikatām ॥ tato Yogasya saṃsiddhiṃ kurute nātra saṃśayaḥ ॥82॥ "

Translation： "Mūla-bandha leads to the union of prāṇa and apāna, nāda and bindu, which brings success in Yoga, in which there is no doubt. 82. "

=="Anti Aging Through Mula Bandha "==

PRAMANA：Āpta Pramāṇa - आप्त प्रमाण

Apta Pramana Source：Haṭhapradīpikā of Svātmārāma V.83

Original Verse：

"अपानप्राणयोर्-ऐक्यात् क्षयान्-मूत्रपूरीषयोः ॥ युवा भवति वृद्धो ऽपि सततं मूलबन्धनात् ॥ ८३ ॥ "

Transliteration：

"apānaprāṇayor-aikyāt kṣayān-mūtrapūrīṣayoḥ ॥ yuvā bhavati vṛddho 'pi satataṃ mūlabandhanāt ॥ 83 ॥ "

Translation：

"Through consistent practice of Mūla-bandha, as a result, an old becomes young. 83. "

=="The Science Behind Mula Bandha "==

PRAMANA：Āpta Pramāṇa - आप्त प्रमाण

Apta Pramana Source：Haṭhapradīpikā of Svātmārāma V.84-85

Original Verse： "अपाने चोर्ध्वगे जाते सम्प्राप्ते वह्निमण्डले ॥ तदानलशिखा दीर्घा वर्धते वायुनाहता ॥८४॥ ततो यातौ वह्न्यपानौ प्राणम्-उष्णस्वरूपकम् ॥ तेनाभितः प्रदीप्तस्तु कुतो देहस्य संक्षयः ॥८५॥ "

Transliteration：

"apāne cordhvage jāte samprāpte vahnimaṇḍale ॥ tadānalaśikhā dīrghā vardhate vāyunāhatā ॥84॥ tato yātau vahnyapānau prāṇam-uṣṇasvarūpakam ॥ tenābhitaḥ pradīptastu kuto dehasya saṃkṣayaḥ ॥85॥ "

Translation： "When the apāna rises up and reaches the region of fire (navel region), the flame of the fire blazes forth, being stimulated by vāyu. 84. Then the fire and the apāna approach the prāṇa, which is hot by nature, the heat of the body is intensified altogether and the body does not come to decay. 85."

=="Kundalini Awakening Through Mula Bandha "==

PRAMANA：Āpta Pramāṇa - आप्त प्रमाण

Apta Pramana Source：Haṭhapradīpikā of Svātmārāma V.86-87

Original Verse：

"तेन कुण्दलिनी सुप्ता सम्प्रबोध्यते॥ दण्डाहता भुजङ्गीव निश्चितं ऋजुतां व्रजेंं ॥८६॥ बिलं प्रवेशिता सा तु ब्रह्मनाड्यन्तरे व्रजेत् ॥ तस्मान्नित्यं मूलबन्धः कर्त्तव्यो योगिभिः सदा ॥८७॥ "

Transliteration：

"tena kuṇdalinī suptā samprabodhyate॥ daṇḍāhatā bhujaṅgīva niścitaṃ ṛjutāṃ vrajeṃṃ ॥86॥ bilaṃ praveśitā sā tu brahmanāḍyantare vrajet ॥ tasmānnityaṃ mūlabandhaḥ karttavyo Yogibhiḥ sadā ॥87॥ "

Translation： "Thus, the unmanifest kuṇdalinī, being agitated, gets awakened like a snake beaten with a stick certainly becomes straight. 86. Then, just as a serpent enters into a hole, she (kuṇdalī) enters the brahma-ñadi (suṣumnā). Therefore, a Yogī should always practice Mūla-bandha. 87."

Yogi Becomes Immortal Through Mula Bandha

PRAMANA：Āpta Pramāṇa - आप्त प्रमाण

Apta Pramana Source：Haṭhapradīpikā of Svātmārāma V.88

Original Verse： "बन्धं मूलबिलं येन तेन विघ्नो विदारितः ॥ अजरामरतां याति यथा पञ्चमुखो हरः ॥८८॥ "

Transliteration： "bandhaṃ mūlabilaṃ yena tena vighno vidāritaḥ ॥ ajarāmaratāṃ yāti yathā pañcamukho haraḥ ॥88॥ "

Translation：

"One, who has successfully applied Mūla-bandha, overcomes obstacles. He, like five headed Hara (epithet of Sīvaī), overcomes old age and becomes immortal. 88. "

Yogi Attains Powers After Three Years

PRAMANA：

Apta Pramana Source：Haṭhapradīpikā of Svātmārāma V.89

Original Verse：

"अमृतापूर्ण-देहस्य योगिनो द्वित्रिवत्सरात् ॥ ऊर्ध्वं प्रवर्तिते रेतो ह्यणिमादि-गुणोदयात् ॥८९॥ "

Transliteration：

"amṛtāpūrṇa-dehasya Yogino dvitrivatsarāt ॥ ūrdhvaṃ pravartite reto hyaṇimādi-guṇodayāt ॥89॥ "

Translation： In two to three years time, as the body of a Yogī fills up with nectar, and as the energy channelizes upwards, he attains supernatural powers like aṇimā etc. 89.

Rise of Kundalini through Mūlabandha

TYPE:Technique PRAMANA：Āpta Pramāṇa - आप्त प्रमाण

Apta Pramana Source：Haṭharatnāvalī II.58-65

Original Verse： "पार्ष्णिभ्गेन सम्पीड्य योनिमाकुञ्चयेद् गुदम् ॥ अपानमूर्ध्वमाकुञ्च्य मूलबन्धो ´यमुच्यते ॥ ५८ ॥

अधोगतिमपानं व्ऐ ऊर्ध्वगं कुरुते बलात् ॥ आकुञ्चनेन तं प्राहुर्मूलबन्धं हि योगिनः ॥ ५९ ॥

गुदं पार्ष्ण्या च सम्पीड्य वायुमाकुञ्चयेद् बलात् ॥ वारं वारं यथा चोर्ध्वं समायाति समीरणः ॥ ६० ॥

प्राणापान्औ नादबिन्दू मूलबन्धेन च्ऐकताम् ॥ गत्औ तदा योगसिद्धिं प्राप्नोत्येव न संशयः ॥ ६१ ॥

अपानप्राणयोर्ऐक्यं क्षयो मूत्रपुरीषयोः ॥ युवा भवति वृद्धो ´पि सततं मूलबन्धनात् ॥ ६२ ॥

अपाने चोर्ध्वगे जाते प्रयाते वह्निमण्डले ॥ तथानलशिखादीप्तिर्वायुना पेरिर्ता यथा ॥ ६३ ॥

यातायात्औ वह्न्यपान्औ मूलरूपस्वरूपक्औ ॥ तेनाभ्यन्तः प्रदीप्तस्तु ज्वलनो देहजस्तथा ॥ ६४ ॥

दण्दाहता भुजङ्गीव निश्चितं ऋजुतामियात् ॥ बिलं प्रविष्टेव ततो ब्रह्मनाड्यन्तरं व्रजेत् ॥ तस्मान्नित्यं मूलबन्धः कर्तव्यो योगिभिः सदा ॥ ६५ ॥"

Transliteration： "pārṣṇibhgena sampīḍya yonimākuñcayed gudam ll apānamūrdhvamākuñcya mūlabandho ´yamucyate ll 58 ll

adhogatimapānaṃ vai ūrdhvagaṃ kurute balāt ll ākuñcanena taṃ prāhurmūlabandhaṃ hi Yoginaḥ ll 59 ll

gudaṃ pārṣṇyā ca sampīḍya vāyumākuñcayed balāt ll vāraṃ vāraṃ yathā cordhvaṃ samāyāti samīraṇaḥ ll 60 ll

prāṇāpānau nādabindū mūlabandhena caikatām ll gatau tadā Yogasiddhiṃ prāpnotyeva na saṃśayaḥ ll 61 ll

apānaprāṇayoraikyaṃ kṣayo mūtrapurīṣayoḥ ll yuvā bhavati vṛddho ´pi satataṃ mūlabandhanāt ll 62 ll

apāne cordhvage jāte prayāte vahnimaṇḍale ll tathānalaśikhādīptirvāyunā perirtā yathā ll 63 ll

yātāyātau vahnyapānau mūlarūpasvarūpakau ll tenābhyantaḥ pradīptastu jvalano dehajastathā ll 64 ll

daṇdāhatā bhujaṅgīva niścitaṃ ṛjutāmiyāt ll bilaṃ praviṣṭeva tato brahmanāḍyantaraṃ vrajet ll tasmānnityaṃ mūlabandhaḥ kartavyo Yogibhiḥ sadā ll 65 ll "

Translation： "Press the perineum with the heel, contract the anal sphincters and pull the apāna vāyu upwards. This is Mūlabandha. 58 Apāna, which has a downward movement, is forcefully raised upwards by contraction. Yogīs call this Mūlabandha. 59 Press the anus with the heel and forcefully contract apāna vāyu repeatedly, so that the vāyu moves upwards. 60 Thus, with the practice of Mūlabandha, prāṇa and apāna, nāda and bindu are united. Then one certainly attains success in Yoga. 61 As a result of consistent practice of Mūlabandha, Apāna and prāṇa are unified, urine and faeces are reduced and even an old person becomes young. 62 When Apāna rises up and reaches the region of fire (Navel region), the flame of the fire blazes forth, being fanned by vāyu. 63 Then the fire and Apāna take their original form, which intensify the bodily fire. 64 These verses give a rationale of arousal of kuṇḍalinī by the practice of Mūlabandha 65."