Amrtasiddhi Six Vajra Instructions
Translator’s Note
This text is taken from the Prāṇāyāma section of Tārānāthā’s Shadanga Yoga text (I will post the entire Prāṇāyāma section, written in verses, in my next article). Tārānāthā says that there are three main transmission lineages of Prāṇāyāma instruction: The Dro lineage came down through Paṇḍita Somnāthā, the Ra lineage came down through Paṇḍita Samanta Shri, and the other through Shakya Shri. This following (approximate) Prāṇāyāma instruction is according to the teaching of Mahāpaṇḍita Shakya Shri. He says that the first four instructions relate to Prāṇāyāma Yoga Anga and the next two relate to Dharana Yoga anga. The term Amrtasiddhi here means attainment of immortality or deathless state, it does not refer to the Amrtasiddhi text or teachings of Virupa.
First cleanse the nāḍī passages with breathing technique using the vajra mantra Ōṃ (ༀ), Huṃ (ཧཱུྃ) and Aḥ (ཨཱཿ) simultaneously with inhalation, retention and exhalation respectively.
Next, after cleansing the nāḍī, the prāṇa (vāyu) is directed into the central channel using a gentle breathing technique of filling the air (breath in/down below your navel) and releasing the air (breath out).
Then, once the prāṇa (vāyu) enters the central channel, the prāṇa is bound within the central channel using the kumbhaka rough breathing technique.
If the prāṇa couldn't enter and bind in the central channel (through gentle breathing and kumbhaka rough breathing techniques), then apply Haṭhayoga (yoga of the forceful method) བཙན་ཐབས་སྦྱོར་བ་ by forcefully blocking the passage of the sun and moon (right and left channels). Once they are blocked, the lower orifices are forcibly stopped and lead to liberation through the upward path.
The relishing of the inner nectar (amrita) through the method of stirring the small tongue (lambikā).
The yoga/method of blazing the fire of tummo (caṇḍālī) mixes the prāṇa vāyu and apāna vāyu (into one taste).