The Story Behind Yoga's Virabhadrasana (Warrior Poses)
The Warrior Poses are named after the fierce warrior, Virabhadra, a mythological Hindu warrior and incarnation of the god Shiva. Said to have a thousand arms and a body as dark as storm clouds, find out the history behind these powerful poses.
Have you ever wondered where the Warrior yoga poses got their name from? Well, buckle up, this is the story behind the three Warrior Poses - Virabhadrasana I, II and III. It’s a tragic story full of love, hate, anger, violence, sadness and forgiveness.
It begins with the marriage of Lord Shiva and Sati, against the consent of Daksha, Sati’s father. Daksha thought Shiva was an unorthodox hermit, with matted hair, consuming intoxicants, singing and dancing whenever he pleases. He was not a worthy husband for his daughter. You see, Daksha the Prajapati was one of the agents of creation, the upholder of civilisation. He thrived on rules and regulations.
After Sati had left her home to live with Shiva, Daksha organised a great party or yagna, where he invited all the members of the entire heavenly universe, except Shiva and Sati. Sati heard about this party and suggested to Shiva that they attend anyway. However Shiva was reluctant, "Why go, where we are not invited? I do not wish to incite your father's anger any more than I have already.” But Sati was hurt by her father's refusal to acknowledge her marriage, so she attended the party alone to confront her father why they had not been invited.
When she arrived, her father asked her why she was there and insulted her husband, calling him a wild animal. All the guests who were present laughed. Sati defended her husband, “He is one with nature and does not seek to control animals by bending them to his will. Society is artificial and exploits nature.” The guests were entertained by this exchange between father and daughter, but Sati was so saddened and humiliated by this public argument. When her father continued to taunt her, she remained silent. She became so angry and trembled with disgust and indignation and resolved to relinquish all family ties. She vowed to her father, “Since you have given me this body I no longer wish to be associated with it.”
She sat down and fell into a mystic trance. Going deep within herself, she began to increase her own inner fire through yogic exercises until her body burst into flames.
When Shiva heard about the death of his beloved Sati, he become so shocked, saddened and enraged that he tore his own hair out, and from his hair came the fiercest of warriors, Virabhadra (Vira = hero, Bhadra = friend). Virabhadra had a thousand arms, three fiery eyes, and a body as dark as storm clouds. He wore a garland of skulls and carried many terrifying weapons. Shiva commanded Virabhadra to go to the yagna and behead Daksha and all his guests.
Virabhadrasana I (Warrior I)
Virabhadrasana II (Warrior II)
Virabhadrasana III (Warrior III)
Virabhadra arrives at the party with sword in both hands, thrusting his way up through the earth from deep underground (Warrior I).
He makes his presence known to the guests and stands with his sword poised, ready to strike (Warrior II).
And moving swiftly and precisely, he takes his sword and cuts off Daksha’s head (Warrior III).
Later, Shiva arrives at the yagna and absorbs Virabhadra back into his own form. His anger dissolves and he is now filled with sorrow. His sorrow turns to compassion when he takes in the scene of destruction. Finding Daksha’s headless body, he gives him the head of a goat and brings him back to life. Daksha is overwhelmed with Shiva’s generous gesture and calls him Shankar, the kind and benevolent one. He bows to him in awe and humility and all the other gods and goddesses follow his lead to honour Shiva Shankar.
The story ends with Shiva walking away from the scene with the lifeless body of Sati in his arms.
The Warrior Poses are not there to celebrate the destruction shown in this story, but rather symbolises our own spiritual warrior fighting against our everyday battles - pride, ego, ignorance, false perceptions, and a distracted mind. Next time you are on the mat performing any of the Warrior poses, think back on this story and embody the fierceness of Virabhadra to fight your own internal battles.