Pandoraspace

Virabhadrasana

I am not privy the to nuances of Hindu religion and myth.  My thoughts about the story of Virabhadra do not, therefore, purport to be those of one who is well-versed with Hinduism, but rather, of one who is grappling with the experience of this bus ride called Yoga.

Virabhadrasana is a pose that is named after the Hindu warrior, Virabhadra (which literally means warrior-friend).

From what I have read and what was told to me by my Yoga teachers, Virabhadra was created by the Hindu god Shiva in his rage, sorrow and frustration over the loss of his beloved wife Sati. Sati’s rage and humiliation at her father Daksha’s deliberate refusal to invite Shiva to an important feast, caused her to “self-combust” and die. Virabhadra was created by Shiva to kill Daksha and avenge Sati’s death. While Virabhadra did kill Daksha, he was later reborn to make his peace with Shiva. Sati was likewise reborn as Parvati, Shiva’s second wife. (more…)