Uddyana Bandha

The Uddyana Bandha Explained

TYPE:Technique

PRAMANA：Śāstra Pramāṇa - शास्त्र प्रमाण

Sastra Pramana Source：

Yoga-Sikhopanishad (106-109)

Original Verse：

"कुम्भकान्ते रेचकाद्औ कर्तव्यस्तूड्डियाणकः ।

बन्धो येन सुषुम्नायां प्राणस्तूड्डीयते यतः ॥ १०६ ॥

तस्मादुड्डीयणाख्योऽयं योगिभिः समुदाहृतः ।

उड्डियाणं तु सहजं गुरुणा कथितं सदा ॥ १०७ ॥

अभ्यसेत् तदतन्द्रस्तु वृद्धोऽपि तरुणो भवेत् ।

नाभेरूर्ध्वमधश्चापि ताणं कुर्यात् प्रयत्नतः ॥ १०८ ॥

षाण्मासमभ्यसेन्मृत्युं जयत्येव न संशयः ।"

Transliteration：

"kumbhakānte recakādau kartavyastūḍḍiyāṇakaḥ |

bandho yena suṣumnāyāṃ prāṇastūḍḍīyate yataḥ ॥ 106 ॥

tasmāduḍḍīyaṇākhyo'yaṃ Yogibhiḥ samudāhṛtaḥ |

uḍḍiyāṇaṃ tu sahajaṃ guruṇā kathitaṃ sadā ॥ 107 ॥

abhyaset tadatandrastu vṛddho'pi taruṇo bhavet |

nābherūrdhvamadhaścāpi tāṇaṃ kuryāt prayatnataḥ ॥ 108 ॥

ṣāṇmāsamabhyasenmṛtyuṃ jayatyeva na saṃśayaḥ |"

Translation：

The Uddiyana-bandha should be performed at the close of the Kumbhaka and before the Recaka (expulsion of vital air).

For the reason that by (such Bandha) the Prana (vital air) would spring up in the Susumna, this is said to be what is called Uddiyana by Yogin-s.

Uddiyana is always communicated by the Guru in the natural course. (The practitioner) should practice it without sloth, (whereupon) even an old man would turn young.

He should, with effort, make constriction above and below the navel.

Should he practice it for six months, he will verily conquer death; there is no doubt (about it). (106-109)

Uddiyana Bandha: the Anti-Aging Technique

TYPE:Description

PRAMANA：Śāstra Pramāṇa - शास्त्र प्रमाण

Sastra Pramana Source：Śāstra Pramāṇa - शास्त्र प्रमाण

Original Verse：

"उड्याणं कुरुते यस्मादविश्रान्तं महाखगः ॥ ६ ॥

उड्यियाणं तदेव स्यात् तत्र बन्धोऽभिधीयते ।

उड्डियाणो ह्यस्औ बन्धो मृत्युमातङ्गकेसरी ॥ ७ ॥

तस्य भुक्तिस्तनोः कायात् तस्य बन्धो हि दुष्करः ।

अग्न्औ तु चलिते कुक्ष्औ वेदना जायते भृशम् ॥ ८ ॥

न कार्या क्षुधितेनापि नापि वुण्मूत्रवेगिना ।

हितं मितं च भोक्तव्यं स्तोकंस्तोकमनेकधा ॥ ९ ॥"

Transliteration：

"uḍyāṇaṃ kurute yasmādaviśrāntaṃ mahākhagaḥ ॥ 6 ॥

uḍyiyāṇaṃ tadeva syāt tatra bandho'bhidhīyate |

uḍḍiyāṇo hyasau bandho mṛtyumātaṅgakesarī ॥ 7 ॥

tasya bhuktistanoḥ kāyāt tasya bandho hi duṣkaraḥ |

agnau tu calite kukṣau vedanā jāyate bhṛśam ॥ 8 ॥

na kāryā kṣudhitenāpi nāpi vuṇmūtraveginā |

hitaṃ mitaṃ ca bhoktavyaṃ stokaṃstokamanekadhā ॥ 9 ॥"

Translation： "For the reason that the great bird performs soaring without fatigue, for that very reason,

there should be (the practice of Uddiyana. Thence the Bandha derives its name.

This Uddiyana-bandha is verily the Lion of the elephant of death. The release from that depends upon the virility of the body.

The Bandha of that description is difficult of accomplishment, (as it cannot be easily

performed at all times). When the fire in the belly is disturbed, intense pain is produced.

It should not be performed by a hungry man, nor by one who is given to sudden evacuation of

faeces and urine.

(Food) conducive to health and temperate, should be eaten, little by little and several times."

The Uddiyana Bandha Described by Sadashiva

TYPE:Description

PRAMANA：Śāstra Pramāṇa - शास्त्र प्रमाण

SastraPramana Source：Yoga Kundali-Upanishad (1, 47-50)

Original Verse：

"कुम्भकान्ते रेचकाद्औ कर्तव्यस्तूड्डियाणकः ।

बन्धो येन सुषुम्नायां प्राणस्तूड्डीयते यतः ॥ ४७ ॥

तस्मादुड्डीयणाख्योऽयं योगिभिः समुदाहृतः ।

सति वज्रासने पाद्औ कराभ्यां धारयेद् दृढम् ॥ ४८ ॥

गुल्फदेशसमीपे च कन्दं तत्र प्रपीडयेत् ।

पश्चिमं ताणमुदरे धारयेद्धृदये गले ॥ ४९ ॥

शन्ऐः शन्ऐर्यदा प्राणस्तुन्दसंधिं निगच्छति ।

तुन्ददोषं विनिर्धूय कर्तव्यं सततं शन्ऐः ॥ ५० ॥"

Transliteration：

"kumbhakānte recakādau kartavyastūḍḍiyāṇakaḥ |

bandho yena suṣumnāyāṃ prāṇastūḍḍīyate yataḥ ॥ 47 ॥

tasmāduḍḍīyaṇākhyo'yaṃ Yogibhiḥ samudāhṛtaḥ |

sati vajrāsane pādau karābhyāṃ dhārayed dṛḍham ॥ 48 ॥

gulphadeśasamīpe ca kandaṃ tatra prapīḍayet |

paścimaṃ tāṇamudare dhārayeddhṛdaye gale ॥ 49 ॥

śanaiḥ śanairyadā prāṇastundasaṃdhiṃ nigacchati |

tundadoṣaṃ vinirdhūya kartavyaṃ satataṃ śanaiḥ ॥ 50 ॥ "

Translation：

After the Kumbhaka and before expelling the vital air, the Uddiyanaka has to be performed,

by which Bandha the Prana (vital air), rises up into the Susumna Nadi and for that reason

this has been called by Yogins by the name of Uddiyana. While in the Vajrasana posture,

one should firmly hold with the two hands the two feet and press the knot near the region of

the ankles against them. Then he should resort to the Pascima-tana in the belly, the heart

and the neck whereby the Prana (vital air), would slowly and steadily reach the junction of

the belly. This should always be performed slowly, after shaking off all disorders of th belly.

How to Practice Uddiyana Bandha

TYPE:Technique

PRAMANA：Śāstra Pramāṇa - शास्त्र प्रमाण

Sastra Pramana Source：Dhyana-bindu Upanisad (75-77)

Original Verse：

"अपानमूर्ध्वमुत्कृष्य मूलबन्धोऽयमुच्यते ।

उड्याणं कुरुते यस्मादविश्रान्तमहाखगः ॥ ७५ ॥

उड्डियाणं तदेव स्यात्तत्र बन्धो विधीयते । उदरे पश्चिमं ताणं नाभेरूर्ध्वं तु कारयेत् ॥ ७६ ॥

उड्डियाणोऽप्यथं बन्धो मृत्युमातङ्गकेसरी ।

बध्नाति हि शिरोजातमधोगामिनभोजलम् ॥ ७७ ॥"

Transliteration：

"apānamūrdhvamutkṛṣya mūlabandho'yamucyate |

uḍyāṇaṃ kurute yasmādaviśrāntamahākhagaḥ ॥ 75 ॥

uḍḍiyāṇaṃ tadeva syāttatra bandho vidhīyate |

udare paścimaṃ tāṇaṃ nābherūrdhvaṃ tu kārayet ॥ 76 ॥

uḍḍiyāṇo'pyathaṃ bandho mṛtyumātaṅgakesarī |

badhnāti hi śirojātamadhogāminabhojalam ॥ 77 ॥"

Translation：

By what means a great bird soars up without rest, that alone is the Uddiyana and a Bandha

is prescribed therefor. One should assume the Pascima-tana (constricting the belly) posture

in the belly above the navel. This will be the Uddiyana-bandha, the lion which will quell the

elephant of Death, and which binds (the disease-generating) phlegm which is the water of

Ether having its origin at the (thousand petalled lotus of the) head, flowing downwards.

How to Execute Uddyana-Bandha

TYPE:Technique

PRAMANA：Śāstra Pramāṇa - शास्त्र प्रमाण

Sastra Pramana Source：Shiva Samhita(BA)-IV.48

Original Verse：

"नाभेरुर्ध्वमधश्चापि तानं पश्चिममाचरेत् ।

उड्डयानबंध एष स्यात्सर्वदुःखौघनाशनः ॥

उदरे पश्चिमं तानं नाभेरूर्ध्वं तु कारयेत् ।

उड्यानाख्योऽत्र बन्धोय​ऽ मृत्युमातङ्गकेसरी ॥ ४८ ॥"

Transliteration：

"nābherurdhvamadhaścāpi tānaṃ paścimamācaret ।

uḍḍayānabaṃdha eṣa syātsarvaduḥkhaughanāśanaḥ ॥

udare paścimaṃ tānaṃ nābherūrdhvaṃ tu kārayet ।

uḍyānākhyo'tra bandhoya​' mṛtyumātaṅgakesarī ॥ 48 ॥"

Translation：

When the intestines above and below the navel are brought to the left side, it is called

Uddyana-Bandha - the destroyer of all sins and sorrows. The left side viscera of the abdominal

cavity should be brought above the navel. This is Uddyana-Bandha, the lion of the elephant

of death.

Practise Uddyana-Bandha Four times a Day

TYPE:Description

PRAMANA：Śāstra Pramāṇa - शास्त्र प्रमाण

Sastra Pramana Source：Shiva Samhita(BA)-IV.49

Original Verse：

"नित्यं यः कुरुते योगी चतुर्वारं दिने दिने ।

तस्य नाभेस्तु स्याद्येन सिद्धो भवेन्मरुत् ॥ ४९ ॥"

Transliteration：

"nityaṃ yaḥ kurute yogī caturvāraṃ dine dine ।

tasya nābhestu syādyena siddho bhavenmarut ॥ 49 ॥"

Translation： The Yogi, who always practises it four times a day, purifies thereby his navel, through which

the winds are purified.

Conquer Death, by Practising Uddyana-Bandha for Six months

TYPE:Benefit

PRAMANA：Śāstra Pramāṇa - शास्त्र प्रमाण

Sastra Pramana Source：Shiva Samhita(BA)-IV.50

Original Verse：

"षण्मासमभ्यसन्योगी मृत्युं जयति निश्चितम् ।

तस्योदराग्निर्ज्वलति रसवृद्धिः प्रजायते ॥ ५० ॥"

Transliteration：

"ṣaṇmāsamabhyasanyogī mṛtyuṃ jayati niścitam ।

tasyodarāgnirjvalati rasavṛddhiḥ prajāyate ॥ 50 ॥"

Translation：

By practising it for six months, the Yogi certainly conquers death; the gastric fire is

kindled, and there takes place an increase of the fluids of the body.

Obtain Vigrahasiddhi, and Destroy All Diseases with Uddyana-Bandha

TYPE:Benefit

PRAMANA：Śāstra Pramāṇa - शास्त्र प्रमाण

Sastra Pramana Source：Shiva Samhita(BA)-IV.51

Original Verse：

"अनेन सुतरां सिद्धिर्विग्रहस्य प्रजायते ।

रोगाणां संक्षयश्चापि योगिनो भवति ध्रुवम् ॥ ५१ ॥"

Transliteration：

"anena sutarāṃ siddhirvigrahasya prajāyate । rogāṇāṃ saṃkṣayaścāpi Yogino bhavati dhruvam ॥ 51 ॥"

Translation：

Through this, consequently, the vigrahasiddhi is also obtained. All the diseases of the Yogi are certainly destroyed by it.

Most Inaccessible Bandha: Uddyana-Bandha

TYPE:Description

PRAMANA：Śāstra Pramāṇa - शास्त्र प्रमाण

Sastra Pramana Source：Shiva Samhita(BA)-IV.52

Original Verse：

"गुरोर्लब्ध्वा प्रयत्नेन साध्येत्तु विचक्षअणः ।

निर्जने सुस्थिते देशे बन्धं परम दुर्लभम् ॥ ५२ ॥"

Transliteration：

"gurorlabdhvā prayatnena sādhyettu vicakṣaaṇaḥ ।

nirjane susthite deśe bandhaṃ parama durlabham ॥ 52 ॥"

Translation： Having learnt the method from the Guru, the wise Yogi should practise it with great care.

This most inaccessible Bandha should be practised in a retired and undisturbed place.

Uddiyana Bandha

PRAMANA：Āpta Pramāṇa - आप्त प्रमाण

Apta Pramana Source：Nathamuni Yoga Rahasya I.64

Original Verse：

"स्थित्वोपविश्य वा कुर्याच्छयित्वाऽपि यथारुचि ।

अकृताहारः एव स्यात् उड्डीयानक बन्धने ॥"

Transliteration：

"sthitvopaviśya vā kuryācchayitvā'pi yathāruci ।

akṛtāhāraḥ eva syāt uḍḍīyānaka bandhane ॥ 64 ll"

Translation：

Uddiyana bandha can be done in standing, seated or even lying postures as per one’s

preference, but it must always be done only before taking food.

Uddiyana Bandha - Conquerer of Death

PRAMANA：Āpta Pramāṇa - आप्त प्रमाण

Apta Pramana Source：Goraksh Paddhati I.77-78

Original Verse：

"उड्यानं कुरुते यस्मादविश्रान्तं महाखगम् ।

उड्डीयानं तदेव स्यान्मृत्युमातङ्गकेसरी॥७७॥

उदरात्पश्चिमे भागे अधो नाभेर्निगद्यते ।

उड्डियानो ह्ययं बन्धस्तत्र बन्धो निगद्यते॥७८॥"

Transliteration：

"uḍyānaṃ kurute yasmādaviśrāntaṃ mahākhagam ।

uḍḍīyānaṃ tadeva syānmṛtyumātaṅgakesarī॥77॥

udarātpaścime bhāge adho nābhernigadyate ।

uḍḍiyāno hyayaṃ bandhastatra bandho nigadyate॥78॥"

Translation：

"Just as a great bird takes to flight untiringly, so his [practice of] Uddîyâna[-bandha]

becomes a lion to the elephant of death. (1.77)

This upward lock (Uddîyâna-bandha) is said [to be practiced] below the navel and at the back

portion of the abdomen. There the lock is said [to be applied]. (1.78)"

Uddiyana - The Energy That Rises

PRAMANA：Āpta Pramāṇa - आप्त प्रमाण

Apta Pramana Source："Haṭhapradīpikā of Svātmārāma V.90"

Original Verse：

"अथ उड्डियान-बन्धः

ऊर्ध्वं येन सुषुम्नायाः प्राणस्तूड्डियते यतः ॥

तस्मादुड्डियानाख्योऽयं योगिभिः समुदाहृऋतः ॥९०॥

उड्डिनं कुरुते यस्माद् अविश्रान्तो महाखगः ॥

उड्डियानं तदेव स्यात्तत्र बन्धो विधीयते ॥९१॥"

Transliteration：

"atha uḍḍiyāna-bandhaḥ

ūrdhvaṃ yena suṣumnāyāḥ prāṇastūḍḍiyate yataḥ ॥

tasmāduḍḍiyānākhyo'yaṃ Yogibhiḥ samudāhṛṛtaḥ ॥90॥

uḍḍinaṃ kurute yasmād aviśrānto mahākhagaḥ ॥

uḍḍiyānaṃ tadeva syāttatra bandho vidhīyate ॥91॥"

Translation：

"The practice, which channelizes the prāṇa through suṣumnā in the upward direction,

is called Uḍḍiyāna by the Yogīs. 90 The practice, which makes the great bird (prāṇa) always moving upwards incessantly,

is known as uḍḍiyāna. 91."

Uddiyana Bandha - The Lion That Overcomes Death

PRAMANA：Āpta Pramāṇa - आप्त प्रमाण

Apta Pramana Source："Haṭhapradīpikā of Svātmārāma V.92"

Original Verse：

"उदरे पश्चिमं तानं नाभेर्-ऊर्ध्वं च कारयेत्॥

उड्डियाणो ह्यसौ बन्धो मृत्युमातङ्ग-केसरी ॥९२॥"

Transliteration： "udare paścimaṃ tānaṃ nābher-ūrdhvaṃ ca kārayet॥

uḍḍiyāṇo hyasau bandho mṛtyumātaṅga-kesarī ॥92॥"

Translation：

"Retract the abdomen above the navel towards the back. This is uḍḍiyāna,

which overcomes death, like a lion killing an elephant. 92."

Uddiyana Bandha - Makes You Young Again

PRAMANA：Āpta Pramāṇa - आप्त प्रमाण

Apta Pramana Source："Haṭhapradīpikā of Svātmārāma V.93"

Original Verse：

"उड्डियाणं तु सहजं गुरुणा कथितं सदा॥

अभ्यसेत् सततं यस्तु वृद्धो ऽपि तरुणो भवेत् ॥९३॥"

Transliteration：

"uḍḍiyāṇaṃ tu sahajaṃ guruṇā kathitaṃ sadā॥

abhyaset satataṃ yastu vṛddho 'pi taruṇo bhavet ॥93॥"

Translation：

As a result of continuous practice of Uḍḍiyāna, as prescribed by Guru, even the old person becomes young. 93.

Technique to Awaken Kunalini

PRAMANA：Āpta Pramāṇa - आप्त प्रमाण

Apta Pramana Source："Haṭhapradīpikā of Svātmārāma V.95-96"

Original Verse：

"सति वज्रासने पादौ कराभ्यां धारयेद् दृढम् ॥

गुल्फदेशसमीपे च कन्दर्प तत्र पीदयेत् ॥95॥

पश्चिमं तानमुदरे कारयेच्चिबुक हृदि ॥

शनैः शनैर्-यथा प्राणः स्कन्ध-सङ्गेन गच्छति ॥96॥"

Transliteration：

"sati vajrāsane pādau karābhyāṃ dhārayed dṛḍham ॥

gulphadeśasamīpe ca kandarpa tatra pīdayet ॥95॥

paścimaṃ tānamudare kārayeccibuka hṛdi ॥

śanaiḥ śanair-yathā prāṇaḥ skandha-saṅgena gacchati ॥96॥"

Translation：

"Adopt vajrāsana, firmly hold the feet near the ankles with respective hands and press upon the genital at that spot. 95.

Contracting the abdomen towards the back, press the chin towards the chest in such a manner that the prāna gradually rises up along the shoulders. 96."

Most Powerful Bandha

PRAMANA：Āpta Pramāṇa - आप्त प्रमाण

Apta Pramana Source："Haṭhapradīpikā of Svātmārāma V.97"

Original Verse：

"सर्वेषामेव बन्धानाम्-उत्तमो ह्युड्डियानकः |

उड्डियाणे दृढे बन्धे मूलं स्वाभाविक भवेत् ॥९७॥"

Transliteration：

"sarveṣāmeva bandhānām-uttamo hyuḍḍiyānakaḥ |

uḍḍiyāṇe dṛḍhe bandhe mūlaṃ svābhāvika bhavet ॥97॥"

Translation：

Among all the bandhas, Uḍḍiyāna is the best. With firm application of Uḍḍiyāna, Mūla

(-bandha) is automatically formed. 97.

Uddiyanabandha

PRAMANA：Āpta Pramāṇa - आप्त प्रमाण

Apta Pramana Source：Nathamuni Yoga Rahasya I.62

Original Verse：

"स्थित्वोपविश्य वा कुर्याच्छयित्वाऽपि यथारुचि ।

अकृताहारः एव स्यात् उड्डीयानक बन्धने ॥"

"गुल्मप्लीहादिरोगाणां नाशकं शक्ति चालकम् ।

गुरूपदेशतो ज्ञात्वा नियमेनाभ्यसेदिदम् ॥"

"जालंधराख्यबन्धस्य मूलमुड्यान बन्धनम् ।

नियमेनोड्डीयानस्य बन्धस्याभ्यासतो दृढम् ।

नाडीचक्राणि शुद्धानि भवन्ति बलवन्ति च ॥"

"यकृत्प्लीहगतास्सर्वे मलाः शुष्यन्ति नित्यशः ।

जाठराग्निविवृद्धिश्च मूत्ररोगश्च नश्यति ॥"

"अपानकोपतो ये हि व्याधिसंघा उदीरिताः ।

मूलतो ते विनश्यन्ति लोहितस्सरलो भवेत् ॥"

"आलस्यमूलोच्छेदाय प्रभुरुड्यानबन्धनः ।

मितसत्वहिताहारसेवनात् सिद्धिमाप्नुयात् ॥"

Transliteration：

"sthitvopaviśya vā kuryācchayitvā'pi yathāruci ।

akṛtāhāraḥ eva syāt uḍḍīyānaka bandhane ॥ 62 ll"

"gulmaplīhādirogāṇāṃ nāśakaṃ śakti cālakam ।

gurūpadeśato jñātvā niyamenābhyasedidam ॥ 63 ll"

"jālaṃdharākhyabandhasya mūlamuḍyāna bandhanam ।

niyamenoḍḍīyānasya bandhasyābhyāsato dṛḍham ।

nāḍīcakrāṇi śuddhāni bhavanti balavanti ca ॥ 67 ll"

"yakṛtplīhagatāssarve malāḥ śuṣyanti nityaśaḥ ।

jāṭharāgnivivṛddhiśca mūtrarogaśca naśyati ॥ 68 ll"

"apānakopato ye hi vyādhisaṃghā udīritāḥ ।

mūlato te vinaśyanti lohitassaralo bhavet ॥ 69 ll"

"ālasyamūlocchedāya prabhuruḍyānabandhanaḥ ।

mitasatvahitāhārasevanāt siddhimāpnuyāt ॥ 70 ll"

Translation：

Uddiyana bandha can be done in standing, seated or even lying postures as per one’s preference, but it must always be done only before taking food.

This (Uddiyana) bandha destroys the diseases in the abdominal region. It helps in the movement of Prana in Susumna (sakti calakam). Having been learnt directly from a teacher, this bandha must be practiced with great discipline.

Uddiyana bandha is the basis for Jalamdhara bandha. Through regular and disciplined practice of Uddiyana bandha, the nadis and cakras become clean and strong.

"(With Uddiyanan bandha) The impurities that have entered the liver and spleen are regularly cleaned. Digestion improves and diseases of the urinary track are also destroyed."

(With Uddiyanan bandha) Those groups of diseases arising out of the vitiation of the apana vayu are totally eliminated and the blood also becomes clean.

Uddiyana bandha removes tiredness and fatigue. By eating limited sattvic food, its benefits are realized.