Vajrāsana: A Traditional Approach

Vajrāsana is one of the most common physical postures practiced by yoga practitioners. It is often used as a resting pose after difficult asanas. Asanas, often referred to as yoga postures, are a crucial part of yoga practice. However, they are often misunderstood as mere physical exercises. Before discussing Vajrāsana, let’s try to understand Asanas.

Asanas

Yogic texts like Hathayoga Pradipika and Patanjala Yoga Sutras emphasize the significance of asanas. Hathayoga Pradipika considers asana the first limb of Hatha Yoga, while Patanjali Yoga Sutras list it as the third limb out of eight limbs of yoga.

In today's world, due to lack of knowledge, asanas are often reduced to fitness routines. However, they hold a much deeper meaning. Asanas not only improve flexibility and strength, but they also promote physical and mental well-being. 

Five Elements of Asana Practice

For an asana to be truly effective, it should incorporate five key elements:

Vinyasa (Flow): This refers to the mindful movement of the body into and out of the pose.

Shwasa (Breath): Coordinating breath with body movements enhances flexibility.

Sthiti (Maintaining the Pose): Holding the final posture for a specific duration maximizes its benefits.

Drishti (Focal Point): Focusing on specific internal or external points improves body awareness and alertness.

Vishranti (Relaxation): A relaxed state of mind and body is essential while performing the pose.As you are acquainted with yoga, let’s try to understand Vajrāsana

Vajrasana

janghābhyamvajravatkṛtvā gudapārśve padavubhau

          Vajrāsanam bhavedetadyoginām siddhidāyakamBoth thighs should be tight, folding at the knee, place the legs on either side of the anus. This posture is called Vajrāsana. 

There are different explanations regarding the naming of the asana. Calf muscle area is firm and strong and may be equated with thunderbolt. Keeping both the legs by the two sides of the anus, the asana is practiced in a stiff position. This may have.caused it to be named so. The Sanskrit word Vajra means ‘weapon’ and it symbolizes the unique properties of diamond such as indestructibility, strength and stability. Vajra is also used to refer male reproductive organ. This practice stops the flow of blood in the lower region of the body and increases blood circulation from navel to anus, which is very favourable for the reproductive organ. Vajrāsana: Practice MethodVajrāsana, also known as the Thunderbolt Pose, should be practiced in the below given manner:

Sit comfortably on the floor with legs stretched out straight in front of you.

1. Gently bend your left knee and tuck the left foot underneath your left hip, keeping the heel close to your body.

2. Repeat this with the right side. Bend your right knee and place the right foot under your right hip and heel close to your body.

3. Stretch your arms, with elbows straight and keep the palms on the knees facing down.

4. Sit tall with your spine erect. Maintain a straight line from your torso through your neck and head.

5. Hold the posture for a comfortable amount of time. As you gain experience, you can gradually increase the duration.

6. To come out of the pose, release your right leg first, gently straightening it back out. Then, repeat with the left leg.

Benefits of Vajrāsana

Vajrāsana is a powerful asana for improving your physical, emotional and mental health. There are various benefits that come with the regular practice of Vajrāsana. This asana helps in digestion of food. Vajrāsana is the only asana that can be performed right after food. It has a direct impact on how the nadi, 'Vajra' functions. Controlling the vajra nadi allows the practitioner to control sexual energy. Practicing Vajrāsana with complete dedication is also said to bestow psychic abilities to the practitioner.

Bhutasuddhi - The Inner Purification

Many of us are familiar with 'Ashtanga' yoga, which refers to the Eightfold Path of Yoga. However, it is worth noting that the majority of Ashtanga yogasanas are also included in Hatha yoga. Hatha yoga is a kind of yoga that follows the principles of 'Chaturanga' yoga, which consists of four limbs. The whole explanation of this topic may be found in Swami Svatmarama's 'Hatha Yoga Pradipika', which is considered one of the most important works on Hatha yoga currently available. This work is highly relevant for anybody who is interested in understanding the precise scientific principles and techniques underlying Hatha yoga.The 'Gherenda Samhita' is  significant literature in Hatha Yoga that introduces the concept of 'Saptanga yoga' or the Seven limbs of yoga. It is written as a dialogue between Sage Gherenda and his disciple, Chanda Kapali.

Bahya Shuddi, or external cleaning, aims to remove pollutants that originate inwardly within the body. Antarika Shuddi refers to the process of purifying oneself inside by eliminating impurities that arise from external influences, namely the ignorance induced by the sense organs. The impurities of Antahkaranas are predominantly influenced and affected by the unfavorable circumstances that originate from external sources through the sense organs. The objective of inner cleansing is to enhance the quality of the Antahkaranas, which encompass the Manas (mind), Bhuddi (intellect), Ahankara (ego), and Chitta (self-consciousness). The concept of Antahkaranas holds greater significance and value compared to Bahya Shuddi, mostly due to its delicate and superior characteristics. Inner cleansing needs greater vigilance and endurance compared to exterior purification. While it is necessary to clean the exterior body on a regular basis, the purification of the antahkaranas, which pertains to the inner self, is much more important and necessary. The reason for this is that only by purifying one's Atahkaranas can one attain and enlighten their own Atma Chaintanyam, which refers to their inner light or self-consciousness. Hence, it is necessary to engage in frequent rituals to purify the Antahkaranas. Bhutashuddi, also known as Bhuta Samharam, is the practice of implementing and achieving inner cleansing objectives as outlined in the yoga sastras and tantra practices.

Gheranda Samhita - A Contemplation

Gheranda Samhita is considered as one of the important traditional texts representing Hathayoga. This text is based on the teachings of Gheranda Muni. Gheranda Samhita is a part of Prasthanatraya, the 3 classical texts of Hatha Yoga - the other two being Hatha Yoga Pradipika and Siva Samhita. Gheranda Samhita holds a special position in Hathayoga texts, though Gheranda Muni has not preferred to call it Hathayoga and opted to call it the Ghata Yoga or Ghatasta yoga. “Ghata” means earthern pot which has been equated with present condition of our body and “Stha” means residing in. He has compared the human body to an unbaked earthen pot and for attaining the highest state of yoga it is imperative that this unbaked body is seasoned through various practices of Yoga. Therefore, Ghatasta Yoga means Yoga for Jiva residing in the body.

Gheranda has enumerated seven limbs of Ghata Yoga. They are:

1. Shodhana Kriya- Cleansing processes

2. Asana - Posture

3. Mudra - Psychic gestures

4. Pratyahara - Withdrawal of senses

5. Pranayama - Breathing practice

6. Dhyana - Meditation

7. Samadhi - Equanimity

These practices sequentially bestow purification, strength, steadiness, patience, lightness, realization & isolation.

Gheranda Samhita is an extraordinary practice manual, and the total practices present in the text include:

• 21 Cleansing process

• 32 Asanas

• 25 Mudras

• 5 Pratyahara practices

• 11 Pranayama techniques

• 3 Dhyana methods

• 6 Techniques of attaining Samadhi

After elaborating on the cleansing processes and the asanas, in the third chapter, Gheranda muni explains about Mudras. Mudras result into stability. However other Yogic texts have indicated that Mudras are meant for the arousal of Kundalini.