Krishjan

Chapter 3 — Third Khanda

Jabal Darshan

16 Shloka • Translation Only

Svastikāsana, Gomukhāsana, Padmāsana, Vīrāsana, Siṃhāsana, Bhadrāsana, Muktāsana, and Mayūrāsana— these are the Āsanas.

O foremost of sages, the ninth is known as Sukhāsana. Place both soles of the feet properly between the knees and the thighs.

Keeping the body, neck, and head aligned and erect, one should constantly practice Svastikāsana. Place the right ankle on the left side near the back of the body.

Similarly, placing the left ankle on the right side in the same manner is known as Gomukhāsana. One should then grasp the toes with the hands in a crossed manner.

O best of Brāhmaṇas, placing both feet upon the opposite thighs with the soles turned upward constitutes Padmāsana. The wise declare that this posture removes all fear of disease.

Placing the left foot upon the right thigh, and sitting with the body upright and straight— this is known as Vīrāsana.

Place the ankles beneath the testes, on either side of the perineal seam (Sīvanī). Position the right ankle on the left side and the left ankle on the right side in the corresponding manner.

Place the hands upon the knees and spread the fingers. With the mouth open, and the mind well composed, gaze steadily at the tip of the nose.

This is known as Siṃhāsana, a posture that has always been esteemed by Yogis.

Place the ankles beneath the testes, on either side of the perineal seam (Sīvanī). Then firmly grasp both feet with the hands and remain steady and unmoving. This is Bhadrāsana, which is said to destroy diseases and the effects of poisons.

Pressing the perineal seam (Sīvanī) gently with the left ankle, and then with the right ankle in the corresponding manner— this is known as Muktāsana.

O hermit! In 'Muktasana', one should place the left ankle on the genital organ and the right ankle on the left ankle.

O foremost of sages, place the elbows against the sides of the navel region. Rest both palms upon the ground, and with the mind fixed in one-pointed concentration...

Raising the body so that the head and feet are elevated, with the entire form held straight like a staff and supported above the ground— this is Mayūrāsana, which is said to destroy all sins.

Whatever posture produces comfort and steadiness by any suitable means— that is called Sukhāsana. One who is unable to practice the other postures should adopt this seat.

One who has mastered Āsana has, thereby, mastered the three worlds. Having become established in posture according to this method, one should always practice Prāṇāyāma.