हठयोग प्रदीपिका (योगी स्वात्माराम - ज्योत्स्ना टीका सहित सटीक)

HAṬHAYOGAPRADĪPIKĀ 7
length and in a virtuous, well-ruled kingdom, which is
prosperous and free of disturbances.
'Free from rocks, water and fire'—These are considerations
not to be passed over lightly by anyone who wishes to pursue the
arduous course of Yoga. By 'water' is meant here dampness or
wetness.
13. The maṭha should have a small door, and
should be without any windows; it should be level and
without any holes; it should be neither too high, too
low, nor too long. It should be very clean, being well
smeared with cowdung and free from all insects.
Outside, it should be attractive with a small hall
(maṇḍapa), a raised seat and a well, and surrounded by a
wall. These are the characteristics of a yoga-maṭha as laid
down by the Siddha-s who have practised Haṭha-yoga.
If it is very high there will be great difficulty in getting up;
and if very long the eye will wander far. Nandikeśvara adds to
this, 'The monastery should be surrounded by flower gardens
and groves so that the eye of the Yogin resting upon them might
become calm. On the walls of his room should be drawn pictures
of the cycles of existence and the attendant miseries. There
should be depicted a burning ground and the naraka-s, i.e. the hells
or places of purification after death, so that the mind of the Yogin
will conceive a dislike and distaste for worldly life.'
14. Living in such a monastery [the Yogin],
being free in mind of all cares, should practise only
Yoga all the time, in the way taught by his Guru.
The necessity of having a Guru by one's side when practising
Yoga is here strongly dwelt upon. The Yogabīja says: 'He who
wants to practise Yoga should have a competent Guru with him.