महा बन्ध

Mahā Bandha

The great lock

Sources: Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā 3.19-25 · Gheraṇḍa Saṃhitā 3.18-20

Meaning

Mahā (महा) means “great” or “supreme”. Bandha (बन्ध) is “lock” or “seal”. Mahā Bandha is “the great lock” —the simultaneous application of the three main bandhas: Mūla Bandha, Uḍḍīyāna Bandha and Jālandhara Bandha.

This practice combines the effects of the three energy locks, creating a complete sealing of the pranic body and directing all energy toward suṣumṇā nāḍī.

Technique

Preparation

Before practicing Mahā Bandha, it is essential to master each of the three bandhas separately. The practice requires:

  • Empty stomach (minimum 4-6 hours after eating)
  • Bowel evacuation
  • Familiarity with breath retentions (kumbhaka)

Classical practice

  1. Sit in Siddhāsana or Padmāsana, with the heel pressing against the perineum
  2. Place the palms on the knees
  3. Inhale deeply and completely through the nose
  4. Apply Jālandhara Bandha: lower the chin to the chest
  5. Apply Uḍḍīyāna Bandha: draw the abdomen toward the spine and upward
  6. Apply Mūla Bandha: contract the perineum upward
  7. The three bandhas are held simultaneously during retention
  8. Hold as long as comfortable, without forcing
  9. To release: free in reverse order — first Mūla, then Uḍḍīyāna, then Jālandhara
  10. Raise the head and exhale slowly

Variant with empty retention

Some texts describe Mahā Bandha with bāhya kumbhaka (retention with empty lungs):

  1. Exhale completely
  2. Apply the three bandhas
  3. Hold the empty retention
  4. Release the bandhas and inhale

Effects

Physical level

By combining the three bandhas:

  • Completely seals the upper and lower trunk
  • Creates intra-abdominal pressure that massages all internal organs
  • Simultaneously stimulates the thyroid, adrenal and reproductive glands
  • Strengthens the entire central support system of the body

Energetic level

  • Closes the upper and lower “gates” of the pranic body
  • Forces iḍā and piṅgalā to empty their prāṇa into suṣumṇā
  • Unites prāṇa (ascending) with apāna (descending) at maṇipūra
  • The heat generated awakens kuṇḍalinī śakti
  • Kuṇḍalinī enters suṣumṇā and begins its ascent

Effects mentioned in the texts

The HYP (3.25) states that Mahā Bandha:

  • Destroys old age and death
  • Grants fulfillment of all desires
  • Is the most secret practice of yogis

The Gheraṇḍa Saṃhitā calls it “the destroyer of decay and death”.

In practice

Mahā Bandha is an advanced practice requiring:

  • Prior mastery of the three individual bandhas
  • Experience in prāṇāyāma and kumbhaka
  • Guidance from a qualified teacher

It is traditionally practiced as:

  • Independent practice for kuṇḍalinī awakening
  • Part of Mahā Mudrā and Mahā Vedha
  • Culmination of intense prāṇāyāma sessions

The classical triad

In the Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā, Mahā Bandha forms part of a triad with:

  1. Mahā Mudrā — combines posture, prāṇāyāma and bandhas
  2. Mahā Bandha — the three locks in retention
  3. Mahā Vedha — gently striking the buttocks against the ground to “pierce” the granthis

These three practices together constitute one of the most powerful methods of classical Haṭha Yoga.

In the classical texts

“Just as the beauty and youth of a woman are useless without a man, so Mahā Mudrā and Mahā Bandha are useless without Mahā Vedha.” — Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā 3.26

“Pressing the left heel against the perineum, press the right heel over the pubis. Inhale deeply and retain the breath with Jālandhara Bandha.” — Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā 3.19

“This is Mahā Bandha, the destroyer of decay and death. Through its practice, the yogi attains all his objectives.” — Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā 3.25

“This Mahā Bandha is the granter of great siddhis. It must be kept secret and not revealed to everyone.” — Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā 3.20

“Contract the throat and place the chin on the chest. Contracting the perineum and forcing apāna upward, and uniting prāṇa with apāna, the yogi, through this practice of Mahā Bandha, attains liberation.” — Gheraṇḍa Saṃhitā 3.18-19

Precautions

All contraindications of the three individual bandhas apply here, including:

  • Hypertension or heart problems
  • Pregnancy
  • Hernias of any type
  • Glaucoma or intraocular pressure
  • Recent abdominal or pelvic surgery
  • Menstruation (avoid intense form)
  • Severe cervical problems
  • Full stomach

This is an advanced practice. Not recommended without adequate preparation and guidance from an experienced teacher. Long retentions with the three bandhas can be potent and should be approached with respect and graduality.