If you’ve ever taken a Yoga class, chances are that your teacher guided you to position your body in a shape called Warrior pose. Today I’m going to try something new: I’ll teach you the history behind the names of these 3 iconic postures – Warrior 1, Warrior 2, and Warrior 3.
The roots of the Warrior derive from ancient Hindu mythology. It is a tale of love, pride, shame, revenge, sadness, and compassion. So, sit back, relax, and let me tell you a little story.
The Tale of the Warrior
The main characters of the drama are Lord Shiva, his bride Sati, and her father Daksa. Daksa was the worldly creator. He was the “upholder of civilization” and “thrived on rules and regulations.” Lord Shiva was his antithesis. He was a hermit with long matted hair, imbibed on intoxicants, and sang and danced at inopportune moments.
Daksa did not approve of Lord Shiva as a son-in-law. After the marriage, Daksa held a party and denied them an invitation. This hurt Sati, and she asked Shiva to attend anyway. Shiva replied, “Why go, when we were not invited? I do not wish to incite your father’s anger more than I have already.”
Sati decided to attend alone, and when she arrived, she asked Daksa why they were not invited. Daksa sneered at her and called her husband the “Lord of the Beasts.” Sati defended Shiva, saying “He is one with nature and does not seek to control animals by bending them to his will. Society is artificial and exploits nature.” Daksa continues to humiliate Sati in front of the party guests and she is saddened.
Finally, Sati trembles with disgust at having been so cruelly let down by the one man she should have been able to rely on. She made a resolve to relinquish all family ties. She said, “Since you have given me this body, I no longer wish to be associated with it.” As the story goes, she sat in a meditative seat, fell into a trance, and “began to increase her own inner fire through yogic exercises until her body burst into flames.”
When news of Sati’s death reached Shiva, he was shocked, saddened, then enraged. He tore his hair out. And from this hair, the fiercest warrior emerged. Shiva named this warrior Virabahdra. Vira meaning hero, and Bahdra meaning friend. He commanded Virabahdra to go and destroy Daksa.
Warrior 1
Virabahdra enters the scene of the party with sword in both hands thrusting his way through the earth from deep underground. This is the visual behind Warrior 1 Pose. Warrior 1 is also known as Virabahdra-asana in Sanskrit. Asana means Posture, therefore, posture of Virabahdra.
Warrior 2
The fierce warrior surely makes an entrance! After establishing his arrival for all the party-goes to behold, he then sets his sight on his opponent. Virabahdra shifts his sword angles in opposition, pointing one toward Daksa.
Warrior 3
Virabahdra then lunges forward, into his grand finale – Warrior 3 posture – and cuts off Daksa’s head with his outstretched swords.
Denouement
Shiva arrives at the palace. After witnessing the destruction, he absorbs Virabhadra back into his lifeform, and becomes known as Hare, the ravisher. Witnessing his crimes, Shiva is filled with remorse, which turns into compassion. He finds Daksa’s headless body, gives it the head of a goat, and brings Daksa back to life.
Daksa, grateful, names Shiva Shankar, the kind and benevolent one, and bows in humility to Shiva Shankar.
The story ends with Shiva carrying his deceased beloved wife away, to an isolated destination to mourn.
Meaning
By now you’re probably thinking, “Wow, Leila, what an uplifting story!” Or maybe, “I thought yogis were supposed to practice ‘ahimsa’ non-harming?” These are all good questions.
But the beauty of these vague ancient texts, is that they exist to tell a story so the reader may perceive his or her own meaning, or life lesson.
- Sati exhibited honor and stood up for her husband and herself. Could you respectfully defend yourself or someone else, perhaps against gossip?
- Shiva took action against injustice. Perhaps you could resonate (nonviolently) with social injustice.
- Daksa showed remorse, and bowed to Shiva. Can you humbly admit to someone when you’re wrong?
Lots of food for thought, right?
Origin
Lastly, I’ll just include where this story came from. Though the origin is not perfectly clear (at least to me), the legend appears to derive from the Puranas, a genre of Hindu literature. These texts include topics such as cosmology, gods, goddesses, kings, heroes, sages, theology, and philosophy to name just a few.
While some practicing Hindus may consider these religious texts and may worship these gods and goddesses, others (myself included) may read these texts as one would read Roman or Greek mythology for fictional enjoyment or to ponder self-reflection through the escapades and lessons-learned of/by the characters.
Well, friends, that wraps up our first Yoga Pose Story. Type in a comment below if you found a personal meaning in this drama, or if you enjoyed the yoga history, and would like me to focus more on these types of articles.
Thank you for reading!
PS, I am citing the following websites below, where I researched, paraphrased, and enjoyed learning these author’s take on yoga history.
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