FUTURE PROJECTS

1. Critical edition of Akulagama or Yogasastrasamuccaya

It is as yet unknown, unpublished text which describes six-fold Yoga. The special features of this text are discussion of technical terms used in various philosophical and religious traditions and their interpretations in the light of Yoga.

2. Traditional Asanas and their varieties

It will describe selected Asanas like Padmasana, Siddhasana, Mayurasana, Kurmasana, Dhanurasana, Virasana etc. and their varieties. The special feature will be description of over fifty variations of Padmasana. It will be released soon.

3. Yoga in Puranas

It will consist of information of various traditional Yogic practices and different approaches to Yoga scattered in various Puranas. The text is under preparation.

4. Catalogue of Yoga Manuscripts - Part II

Many of the Yoga treatises are still lying in the form of manuscripts deposited in various oriental libraries. This catalogue will provide information on such Yoga texts and their whereabouts for the enthusiastic research scholars in the field of Yoga.

5. Concordance of Asanas

Asanas have become so popular that hundreds of the books are being written and published in various parts of the world. They contain numerous permutations and combinations of selected Asanas. They are presented in the form of exercise system and modern principles of exercise are super-imposed on them. Thus, the original concept and techniques of Asanas as used in the traditions of Yoga are distorted.

It is necessary to understand the basic concept of Asanas and their purpose in the whole scheme of Yoga. Since the Asanas are traditional techniques of Yoga it is important to collect information from the traditional sources, which are scattered.

If we take a review of the Encyclopaedic literature it will be observed that no special efforts have been made to collect information about Asanas which form one of the most important techniques of Yoga. There are every fragmentary references to the subject of Asanas even in the Encyclopaedias devoted to Yoga.

Approach and Methodology

For this project the design of the study will be Historical Research in the field of Yoga literature. In addition to the collection of techniques of various Asanas from the traditional texts and manuscript material, the emphasis will be on the study of the historical development of Asanas. Any changes occurring in a chronological sub-division, regardless of the factors causing change will be noted since they will have some relationship with a condition of a pervious period.

Details of data collection

Primary materials concerning the techniques, effects, rationale of Asanas will be located from all possible sources like manuscripts, transcripts,
microfilms of the traditional texts on Yoga dealing with the technique of Asanas

An attempt will be made to collect necessary data by visiting various Oriental Libraries in the country, by obtaining Xerox copies or microfilms, if it is possible. For this preliminary information will be located from the catalogues of manuscripts of various Oriental Libraries.

The original quotations will be given in the Devanagari script as well as in Roman script with diacritical mark.

6. Yogic Anatomy and Physiology

The experts and scholars in the field of Yoga often get confused when they try to present various concepts, principles and processes of Yoga involving human anatomy and physiology in modern terminology. For example, Hatha concept of Cakra is grossly misunderstood and therefore translated as a plexus limiting a highly sophisticated functioning of elements in human body. It is forgotten that cakras do not have an anatomical structure.

Such problems call for clarity of concept. It will be highly commendable a job to correlate the ancient and alien understanding of human body and its functions in modern terms. It indeed will be a daunting task!! It will serve a great purpose by removing several misconceptions.

7. Notices of Manuscripts on Hathayoga

The Lonavla Yoga Institute (India) has very well been gaining recognition as a pioneering institute for its path-breaking work in the highly specialized field of traditional Yoga chosen by its founder Dr. M. L. Gharote. To augment this rare but noble objective of textual research for future times, the institute is planning to undertake an ambitious project based solely on Manuscripts of Hatha Yoga.

This project will list more than a thousand Manuscripts (preferably unpublished) along with all details including their sources and gist of subjects dealt therein. Such information will serve as a guideline. This will also work as a motivation for all future research works. It will also be a source book coming handy as a ready-reckoner.

8. Critical Edition of Goraksha Sataka

Critical edition of Goraksha Shataka, which The Lonavla Yoga Institute (India) is earmarking for future time, will be based on a number of Manuscripts containing approximately 200 verses and more than three commentaries on it authorship of which is ascribed to Goraksha Natha. Goraksha Natha has been one of the most respected of the Natha Siddha Yogis who spread the message of Hatha Yoga to all corners of Indian subcontinent. His work, therefore, should assume great importance.

It is expected that this edition of Goraksha Shataka will contain a detailed Introduction, English translation, transliteration in Roman characters, critical notes, foot notes, index, glossary, appendix, index of half-verses etc. in addition to many charts and graphs. These features will certainly make the text highly informative and acceptable to modern readers of Yoga