Hatha Yoga, often misunderstood as a mere physical regimen, is a profound psychospiritual discipline rooted in the esoteric traditions of Tantra and the Nath Sampradaya. This article provides a comprehensive historical and textual analysis of foundational Hatha Yoga scriptures, including the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Shiva Samhita, Gheranda Samhita, Hatharatnavali, and Shivayogadipika. Tracing its origins from early Shaiva and Tantric influences, the study explores how Hatha Yoga emerged as an embodied path toward spiritual realization, emphasizing purification, breath regulation, energy mastery, and meditative absorption.

Each core text is examined in terms of its unique philosophical orientation, technical emphasis, and pedagogical structure. The article highlights the convergences and divergences across texts through comparative tables and doctrinal analysis, revealing a rich diversity within the tradition. Additionally, it addresses the transformation of Hatha Yoga in modern contexts—its adaptation in global health models, dilution into physical fitness, and ongoing revival in Indian institutions and therapeutic frameworks.