EffectsYogasanas, Bandha and Kriya^135This asana strengthens the wrists, hands and abdominal walls.
49· Simhasana I One* (Plate 109)
Sirpha means a lion. This asana is dedicated to Narasirpha (Nara
=man: Sirpha=lion), the Man-Lion Incarnation of Vigm. It is
related that the demon king Hiral)ya Kasipu had obtained a boon
from Brahma ensuring that he would not be killed by day or night,
in or out of his house, on land or water, by God, man or beast. The
demon king then persecuted both gods and men, including his pious
son Prahlada, who was an ardent devotee of Vi�Qu. Prahlada was
subjected to a variety of cruelties and ordeals, but by the favour of
Vi�Qu he remained unscathed and preached with greater faith and
vigour the omnipresence, omniscience and omnipotence of Lord
Vi��u. In a fit of exasperation HiraJ?.ya Kasipu asked his son why, if
Vi�Qu was omnipresent, he could not see Him in the pillar of his
palace hall. The demon king contemptuously kicked the pillar to
convince his son of the absurdity of his faith. When Prahlada called
upon Vi�QU for help, the Lord burst from the pillar in a fearful form,
the top half being a lion and the lower half a man. It was then dusk,
when it was neither day nor night. The Lord lifted Hiral)ya Kasipu
in the air, seated Himself on the threshold, placed the demon king on
His thigh and tore him to pieces. Narasirpha Avatar is often depicted
in Indian sculpture and one such powerful group can be seen in the
Ellora caves.
There are two variations of this asana. The first, described in the
technique given below, follows the texts, whereas the second variation,
which is more strenuous to perform but which has greater beneficial
effects, is described later as Sirphasana II. (Plate uo)Te chnique- Sit on the floor, with the legs stretched straight in front. (Plate 77)
- Raise the seat, bend the right knee and place the right foot under
the left buttock. Then bend the left knee and place the left foot under
the right buttock. The left ankle should be kept under the right one.
3· Sit on the heels with the toes pointing back.
4· Then bring the weight of the body on the thighs and knees.5· Stretch the trunk forward and keep the back erect.
- Place the right palm on the right knee and the left palm on the