ASANA

Asana literally means position or posture. Gods and saints take various postures for depicting various moods and for performing different activities. Many images of Gods are shown in Dhyanasan meaning the meditating posture. But there may be various meditating postures as well, in which the positions of legs and hands may be shown in different positions.  One very popular meditating position is known as padmasana, which means lotus (padma) position. In this position the legs are crossed closely locked with the soles of both feet visible. All Buddha’s and Bodhisattvas are found seated in this position. Another position, Bajrasana, involves sitting atop backwards-folded legs, thighs on shins with both knees touching the ground in front of the person while the soles lie in parallel to each other behind facing upwards. Many different postures have different styles and connotations in both Hindu and Buddhist scriptures. Depicted hereunder are some popular Asana’s or positions:

• Padmasana: The lotus position for meditation. This Asana also means a throne or a pedestal. If the pedestal of a lotus is arranged in a single petal row it is called Padmasana. If the lotus petals are arranged in a double row it is called Biswapadmasana.

• Singhasana: The pedestal supported by lions. 

• Kurmasana: The pedestal supported by the tortoise. 

• Sayana Asana: The sleeping pose of Hindu god Vishnu. 

• Nrityamurti Asana: A pose of dancing Shiva and other various tantric Gods are found in this position.

• Dhyana Asana: This meditative pose is also known as padmasana. In this position, the legs are crossed closely locked with the soles of both feet visible. All Buddhas and Bodhisattwas are found seated in this position. 

• Lalita Asana: A pose of ease, one leg pendant and often resting on a lotus flower. The other leg is in the usual position like that of the Buddha’s. Tara, the consort of Dhyani Buddha, Saraswati, Basundhara are found in this Asana. 

• Paryanka Asana, the seated position with knees apart and both legs pendent. This is the popular position of Maitriya Buddha. 

• Rajalila Asana: The position in which one is seated with right knee raised and left leg in the usual position like that of the Buddha’s. While sitting in this position, right arm is hanging loosely over the right knee. Several Hindu deities are often shown in this posture.

• Samapada Asana: The standing position either upright or in various degrees of flexion of body or legs. Boddisattwas are often found in this position. 

• Alidh Asana: Also the standing position, but stepping to the left with right leg. While doing so, the right leg shown straight and upright, but the left leg often bent. This is the aggressive form of a god or a Dakini. Many feroceous and wrathful deities are found in this position.