Svātmārāma, a dedicated yogic scholar, compiled the Hatha Yoga Pradipika in the 15th century CE. Drawing on earlier traditions—Gorakṣa, Matsyendra and their disciples—this text distilled centuries of practical guidance on asana, pranayama, mudra and the subtle art of kundalini awakening. Written around the 1400s, it landed at a time when the world was seeing the dawn of the Renaissance in Europe, yet India’s own spiritual renaissance was already in full swing.

Hatha Yoga Pradipika translates as “Light on Hatha Yoga,” and it did exactly that—shining insight on how breath, posture and locks of energy work together. Even today, during International Day of Yoga gatherings or the latest wellness retreats, its influence shows up in every sun salutation and energy-clearing kriya. For anyone tracing modern yoga’s roots in studios from New York to New Delhi, Svātmārāma’s 15th-century manual remains the cornerstone.