It teaches only four of the asanas: siddhasana, padmasana, paschimottanasana, and svastikasana. The Shiva Samhita talks about the complex yoga physiology and names 84 different asanas. It discusses what prevents an individual's self-liberation, types of students, inner energies and sounds, a theory and description of chakras and mantras. The fifth chapter is the longest of five chapters in the text. The fourth chapter presents mudras and states that yoga practice can lead to special siddhis (powers) and awakening of the kundalini (inner dormant energy). Siva Samhita, 2.1, translated by Rai Vasu

There are rivers, seas, mountains, fields

In this body, the mount Meru – i.e., the vertebral column – The third chapter explains the importance of a guru (teacher, advisor), its various physiological theories including five elements that constitute the body, stages of yoga practice and a theory of asanas (postures). The second chapter describes how the external observable macro-phenomenon are internalized and have equivalents within one's body, how the outside world is within in the form of nadis (rivers, channels), fire, jiva and others. The opening chapter largely presents the Advaita Vedanta philosophy, but in the Sri Vidya tantra format and style. The first chapter starts with the statement, states Mallinson, that 'there is one eternal true knowledge', then discusses various doctrines of self liberation ( moksha) followed by asserting that Yoga is the highest path. Shiva Samhita declares itself to be a yoga text, but also refers to itself as a tantra in its five chapters. Siva Samhita, 1.53, translated by James Mallinson It is truth, consciousness and bliss ( satcitananda), The gods and everything else in the entire universeĪre totally pervaded by the self (atman). Over a dozen variant manuscripts of the text are known, and a critical edition of the text was published in 1999 by Kaivalya Dham Yoga Research Institute. It is considered the most comprehensive treatise on hatha yoga, one that recommends that all householders practice and benefit from yoga.

The Shiva Samhita is one of three major surviving classical treatises on hatha yoga, the other two being Gheranda Samhita and Hatha Yoga Pradipika. The remaining chapters discuss yoga, the importance of a guru (teacher) to a student, various asanas, mudras and siddhis (powers) attainable with yoga and tantra. The text consists of five chapters, with the first chapter a treatise that summarizes nondual Vedanta ( Advaita Vedanta) philosophy with influences from the Sri Vidya school of South India. The text is addressed by the Hindu god Shiva to his consort Parvati. Shiva Samhita ( IAST: śivasaṃhitā, also Siva Samhita, meaning 'Shiva's Compendium') is a Sanskrit text on yoga, written by an unknown author.

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