Granthibhedasana
Description
Granthibhedasana: asana
Asana Type
Seated
PRAMANA
Śāstra Pramāṇa - शास्त्र प्रमाण
Sastra Pramana Source
Rudrayamala Tantra 23.79-82
Original Verse
"अथ वक्ष्ये नीलकण्ठ ग्रन्थिभेदासनं शुभम्। ज्ञात्वा रुद्रो भवेत् क्षिप्रं सूक्ष्मवायुनिषेवणात्॥२३.७९॥ कृत्वा पद्मासनं मन्त्री जङ्घयोः ह्र्दये करौ। कूर्परस्थानपर्यन्तं विभेद्य स्कन्धधारणम्॥२३.८०॥"
Transliteration
"atha vakṣye nīlakaṇṭha granthibhedāsanaṃ śubham। jñātvā rudro bhavet kṣipraṃ sūkṣmavāyuniṣevaṇāt॥23.79॥ kṛtvā padmāsanaṃ mantrī jaṅghayoḥ hrdaye karau। kūrparasthānaparyantaṃ vibhedya skandhadhāraṇam॥23.80॥
for extended verse see end of chapter"
Translation
"O! Neelkantha, now (I shall talk about) the beneficial granthibhedāsana; Knowing which one holds subtle breath and quickly becomes a rudra. (23.79) The practitioner (well-versed) in the mantras should sit in padmāsana (then) raising both legs take both hands (close to) to the chest through the elbows and rest them on the shoulders. (23.80) The practitioner (well-versed) in the mantras should (then) free himself from padmāsana and lower the head and bow five-hundred times holding the body firmly with the fingers; this is the well-known granthibheda āsana. Doing this one sees all the heavenly bodies. The practitioner of this āsana should dissolve the mind in the subtle breath and concentrate on parmātma. (23.81, 82)"
Steps/Technique
"1. Sit in Padmasana
2. Fold the legs onto the chest.
3. Wrap the arms around the leg
4. Keep the knees close to the shoulders"
Simple sketch
Granthibhedāsana.png