The Gheranda Samhita is a profound manual of yoga attributed to the sage Gheranda, imparted to his disciple Chanda. This text stands out from other Hatha Yoga scriptures by presenting a comprehensive sevenfold path of yoga.

It begins with Shatkarma, which focuses on purifying the body, followed by Asana for strengthening, Mudra for steadying, Pratyahara for calming the mind, Pranayama for attaining inner lightness, Dhyana for inner perception, and Samādhi for self-liberation and bliss.

Each of these aspects is elaborated upon in the seven chapters of the text, emphasizing the importance of Shatkarma.

The Gheranda Samhita is sometimes referred to as describing ghatastha yoga, contrasting with the eightfold path of Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali, which includes yama and niyama instead of shatkarma and mudra, with the addition of dharana.

The text provides unique insights into samadhi, offering methods distinct from those of Patanjali.