हठयोग प्रदीपिका (योगी स्वात्माराम - ज्योत्स्ना टीका सहित सटीक)

6 HAṬHAYOGAPRADĪPIKĀ
and the ādhibhautika, those caused by creatures like tigers,
serpents, etc.
11. The Yogin desirous of obtaining siddhi should
keep the Haṭha-yoga very secret. For it is potent
when kept secret and ineffective when [injudiciously]
revealed.
In this book, the author describes these processes in detail,
but still he says that the Yogin should keep them secret. So it is
plain that everything is not revealed and the most important
processes are to be learnt direct from the Guru. It follows that
he who begins to practise Haṭha-yoga after a theoretical study of
it and without a Guru will come to harm. The adhikārin or
candidate should have the following qualifications: He should
perform his duties, and be free of personal motives and attach-
ments. He should have perfected himself in Yama and Niyama, to
be described later, and cultivated the intellect. He should have
conquered anger. He should be entirely devoted to his Guru and
the Brahmavidyā. No wonder that the Masters refuse to admit
all candidates indiscriminately and say that an adept is the rare
efflorescence of an age.
Siddhi refers either to the eight siddhi-s or psychical powers,
or to Kaivalya or Nirvāṇa, which is the attainment of spiritual
perfection. The eight siddhi-s are: aṇiman, the power to assume a
minute form; mahiman, the power to assume an extensive form;
gariman, the power to become weighty; laghiman, the power to
become light; prāpti, the power to reach the proximity of even
distant objects; prākāmya, the power to obtain what is desired;
īśitā, the power to shape anything as desired; and vaśitva, the
power to control anything.
12. He who practises Haṭha-yoga should live
alone in a small maṭha (monastery) situated in a place
free from rocks, water and fire to the extent of a bow's