Healing Practice
Mahabandha
Sanskrit: Mahābandha
The "Great Lock" — combining the three principal bandhas during breath retention, described in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika as directing prana upward through the central channel.
- Tradition
- Yogic Tradition
Introduction
Mahabandha combines all three major bandhas — Mula, Uddiyana and Jalandhara — performed together during breath retention, following on from or alongside Mahamudra in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika's sequence. The text describes it as drawing prana upward through the central channel (sushumna nadi).
As with Mahamudra, the Hatha Yoga Pradipika treats this as an advanced, traditionally closely held practice. It is best approached only after each of the three component bandhas has been learned individually under a qualified teacher, not combined from a written description alone.
Sources & References
- The Hatha Yoga Pradipika — Svatmarama; trans. Pancham Sinh, The Panini Office (Sacred Books of the Hindus, vol. XV) (1914) · Link
Public domain. Classical c. 15th-century Sanskrit hatha yoga text; this early-20th-century English translation is the standard public-domain edition consulted for these entries.