Daksa once celebrated a great sacrifice, but he did not invite his
daughter Sati nor her husband Siva, the chief of the gods. Sati,
however, went to the sacrifice, but being greatly humiliated and
insulted threw herself into the fire and perished.

When Siva heard
this he was gravely provoked, tore a hair from his matted locks and
threw it to the ground. A powerful hero named Virabhadra rose up
and awaited his orders. He was told to lead Siva’s army against
Daksa and destroy his sacrifice.

Virabhadra and his army appeared
in the midst of Daksa’s assembly like a hurricane and destroyed the
sacrifice, routed the other gods and priests and beheaded Daksa.

Siva in grief for Sati withdrew to Kailas and plunged into meditation.
Sati was born again as Uma in the house of Himalaya. She strove
once more for the love of Siva and ultimately won his heart. The story
is told by Kalidasa in his great poem Kumara sambhava (The Birthof the War-Lord).

This asana is dedicated to the powerful hero created by Siva from
his matted hair.

Technique

Stand in Tadasana.

Raise both arms above the head; stretch up and join the palms.

Take a deep inhalation and with a
jump spread the legs apart sideways 4 to 4 and half feet.

Exhale, turn to the right. Simultaneously turn the right foot
90 degrees to the right and the left foot slightly to the right. Flex the right knee till the right thigh is parallel to the floor and
the right shin perpendicular to the floor, forming a right angle
between the right thigh and the right calf. The bent knee should not
extend beyond the ankle, but should be in line with the heel.

Stretch out the left leg and tighten at the knee.

The face, chest and right knee should face the same way as the
right foot, as illustrated. Throw the head up, stretch the spine from
the coccyx and gaze at the joined palms.

Hold the pose from 20 seconds to half a minute with normal
breathing.

Repeat on the left side as in positions 4 to 6, reversing all processes.

Exhale and jump back to Tadasana.

*** All standing poses are strenuous, this pose in particular. It
should not be tried by persons with a weak heart. Even people who
are fairly strong should not stay long in this asana.

Effects

In this pose the chest is fully expanded and this helps deep breathing.
It relieves stiffness .in shoulders and back, tones up the ankles and
knees and cures stiffness of the neck. It also reduces fat round the
hips.