Upanishad for asana-siddhi:
In the previous article, we discussed the Advaya-taraka Upanishad. In this article, we will discuss Shandilya Upanishad.
This Upanishad is named after the Vedic-rishi “Shandilya”. It emphasizes on eight asanas and describes yogic practice in which core vedantic ideas are adopted. It goes on to explain ashtanga yoga (similar to Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga), kundalini, chakras…etc
Eight asanas as per Hathayoga Pradipika:
The Upanishad prescribes eight Asanas for meditation, the description for which is found in Hathayoga Pradipika – a central text to the Hatha Yoga tradition:
Svastikasana: In Svastikasana the cross-legged position resembles a swastika. “Swastika” indicates a posture of comfort & good feeling. It is explained as: “Having kept both the hands under both the thighs, with the body straight”. In popular culture, this asana is taught with Jnana mudra.
Gomukhasana: In Gomukhasana, the posture of the body resembles face of a cow. “Go” also indicates divine knowledge. It is explained as: “Placing the right ankle on the left side and the left ankle on the right side, makes Gomukhasana, having the appearance of a cow”. In popular culture one arm is raised overhead and other is bent behind the back, locking both hands together at the back of the body.
Padmasana: In Padmasana, the posture of the body resembles a lotus. “Padma” indicates the seat of creation and adobe of “chetana-prakiriti” (mother goddess – shakti). It is explained as: “Place the right foot on the left thigh and the left foot on the right thigh, and grasp the toes with the hands crossed over the back. Press the chin against the chest and gaze on the tip of the nose.” However, today this pose is known as “baddha padmasana”.
Virasana: In Virasana, the posture is designed to channelise adrenaline. Vira indicates courage, adventurism…etc. It is explained as: “One foot is to be placed on the thigh of the opposite side; and so also the other foot on the opposite thigh.” However, in popular culture, Virasana is seldom taught in this manner and different postures are taught as Virasana.
Simhasana: In Simhasana, the posture of the body resembles “lion”. The “Simha” emerges from “Hi-Si” which indicates – to outperform, to kill, to be cruel…etc. As per Panini sutra the letters interchange and morph into the term “simha”. It is explained as: “Press the heels on both sides of the seam of Perineum, in such a way that the left heel touches the right side and the right heel touches the left side of it. Place the hands on the thighs, with stretched fingers, and keeping the mouth open and the mind collected, gaze on the tip of the nose.” In popular culture this asana is taught with tongue stretching outside.
Bhadrasana: In Bhadrasana, both heals are locked with both hands and hence “bhaddha”. The term “bhaddha” indicates “bound”. It is explained as: “Place the heels on either side of the seam of the Perineum, keeping the left heel on the left side and the right one on the right side, hold the feet firmly joined to one another with both the hands.” In popular culture it is taught as “Bhaddha-konasana”.
Muktasana: In Hathayoga Pradipika, it is another name for Siddhasana. But in Gheranda Samhita, it is explained as: “Placing the left ankle below the anus and the right one above it, one should keep the head, the neck and the spine straight. “ In popular culture however, the terms Siddhasana and Muktasana are interchanged for the posture of Siddhasana.
Mayurasana: The term “Mayura” means peacock and in Mayurasana, the posture resembles a peacock. It is explained as “Place the palms of both the hands on the ground, and place the navel on both the elbows and balancing thus, the body should be stretched backward like a stick.”
Key takeaways:
– Study Shandilya Upanishad and understand its meaning from a scholars.
– Adopt appropriate Asana for meditation from learning from appropriate Hatha Yoga teacher.
In the next article, we will discuss – “Yogashikha Upanishad”.
Madhwesh K
Vedic Tribe
