Amrita

“Immortal”, “nectar”. A subtle substance that, according to haṭha yoga texts, is secreted from bindu (a point at the back of the skull) and normally descends toward the digestive fire, where it is consumed.

The HYP describes how to preserve amṛta:

• Khecarī mudrā (tongue turned toward the nasal cavity)
• Viparītakaraṇī (inverted postures)
• Jālandhara bandha (closes the descending passage)

When amṛta is retained:

• The yogi does not age
• The body becomes radiant
• Death (mṛtyu) is conquered

Interpretations:

• Literal: an actual hormonal secretion
• Symbolic: pure consciousness that is normally “consumed” in mundane activity
• Alchemical: transmutation of gross matter into subtle