138 Light on Yoga
IIIfoul breath, the tongue becomes cleaner and words are enunciated
more clearly. It is, therefore, recommended to persons who stammer.
The asana relieves a pai nful coccyx and helps to set it when dis
placed.
- Matsyasana Five* (Plate II3)
Matsya means a fish. This posture is dedicated to Matsya the Fish
Incarnation of Vi�I)U, the source and maintainer of the universe and
of all things. It is related that once upon a time the whole earth had
become corrupt and was about to be overwhelmed by a universal
flood. Vi�I).U took the form of a fish and warned Manu (the Hindu
Adam) of the impending disaster. The fish then carried Manu, his
family and the seven great sages in a ship, fastened to a horn on his
head. It also saved the Vedas from the flood.
Technique
I. Sit in Padmasana. (Plate I 04)- Lie flat on the back with the legs on the floor.
3· Exhale, arch the back by lifting the neck and the chest, take the
head back and rest the crown on the floor. Drag the head further
back by holding the crossed legs with the hands and increase the
back arch. (Plate II 2)4· Now take the hands from the legs, bend the arms, hold the elbows
with the hands and rest the forearms on the floor behind the head
(Plate I I 3)