Author: Goraknath (Sri Gorakshanath, ~11-12th C). Founder of the Nath sampradaya. Disciple of Matsyendranath. Considered the originator of hatha-yoga proper.
Size: 101 verses (shataka = hundred). Sanskrit, anushtup metre.
Structure: Single chapter. Begins with the chakras + nadis, then asanas, then pranayama, then samadhi.
Uniqueness - The OLDEST surviving systematic exposition of hatha-yoga. Predates HYP by 3-4 centuries. Where HYP elaborates, Goraksha Shataka is concise + foundational.
Key teachings
6 chakras
Lists the 6 chakras (excluding Sahasrara which is the goal, not a chakra) - Muladhara, Svadhishthana, Manipura, Anahata, Vishuddha, Ajna. Each with petals + bija. Hatha-yoga's 6-chakra framework derives from this text.
Kundalini
"Sushupta-bhujangakara-kundali" - "the coiled serpent of the dormant kundalini". The first text to systematically describe kundalini-shakti at the muladhara as a sleeping serpent.
10 nadis
Names the 10 major nadis - Ida (left), Pingala (right), Sushumna (central), Gandhari, Hastijihva, Pusha, Yashashvini, Alambusha, Kuhuh, Shankhini. Of these, only 3 (ida, pingala, sushumna) are central to hatha practice.
Just 2 asanas listed
Goraksha emphasises only 2 asanas: Siddhasana + Padmasana. For hatha-yoga's ORIGINAL form, asana was not the focus - pranayama + concentration on chakras was.
Khechari mudra
The supreme tongue-mudra. Detailed instructions (cut the lingual frenulum gradually + extend the tongue back over the soft palate). Said to grant amrita (the nectar-drop above) + immortality.
Signature verse
चक्षुरादीनि कर्माणि श्रुतादीनि कुलेस्थितेः। आज्ञां विना न कुर्वन्ति न तरङ्गा यथापगाः॥
The senses + their objects + their faculties - like waves in a river - do not act without the master's command (the Self). Hatha-yoga = mastery over them.