400Yogasanas, Bandha and Kri'ya^3137· Rest the right palm on the floor and come back to Uttanasana (Plate
47), take a few breaths and with an exhalation return to Ta9asana.
(Plate 1)EffectsThis asana strengthens the hands and relieves pain and stiffness in the
sacral region of the spine.
- Vi'sviimi'trasana Twenty* (Plate 403)
Visvamitra was the name of a celebrated sage. He was originally a
k�atriya (a member of the warrior caste), being the king of Kanyakubja.
One day while out hunting, he went to the hermitage of the sage
Vasi�!ha, and seeing there Kamadhenu (the Cow of Plenty), offered the
sage untold treasures in exchange for her. On being refused, the king
tried to take her by force. A long contest ensued in which the king was
defeated. Although sorely vexed, he was greatly impressed with the
power inherent in Brahmanism. The king devoted himself to the most
rigorous austerities until he successively achieved the status and titles
ofRaja�i (a royal sage, a saint-like prince), Ri�i (a sage or seer), Maha�i
(a great sage or patriarch of mankind) and finally Brahmarsi (a
Brahmanical sage), but he was not content until Vasi�!ha himself called
him Brahmarsi.. During his arduous. penance, the heavenly nymph
Menaka seduced him and conceived Sakuntala, the heroine of Kalidasa's
famous drama.
This asana is dedicated to Visvamitra.
Techni'que- Stand in Ta9asana. (Plate 1.) Bend forward, rest the palms on the