summary
- Shiva and Sati fell in love
- Dad didn’t like it, planned a party and snubbed Shiva!
- Sati could not bare with her dads disapproval and left the earth dramatically
- Shiva’s hair created a warrior to destroy Daddy’s ego
Virabhadra Warrior Myth
How did these asanas come to be called warrior poses?
Virabhadra Is the story of how your ego can keep you from embracing the people who you love and hurt them in ways you would never expect. It also has a solution to the pesky ego–off with the head of it! Then will love to be free of expectation This is my retelling of Virabhadra’s story, I hope you enjoy it.
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Shiva was in love with Sati.
Who wouldn’t, really, she was a woman so pure of heart and beautiful, she found eyes on her from all corners of the world? Shiva, destroyer, and supreme being god, asked her to marry him. Jealous!
Sati’s dad, Daksha, was a stubborn man who felt he deserved respect. He was also one of Shiva’s 9 brothers(citation needed), so the marriage was a huge surprise.
Daksha’s point of view was that of a creator, as he was Sati’s father. Talk about a big ego! When Shiva and Sati married without asking him first, the man lost it. He decided he would exclude the honeymooners from his next bonfire, the most ballin’ parties in the land. Everyone was going to be there; it would be the throwdown of all throwdowns. It was called the annual Yajna party. Complete with a ritual sacrifice by fire, the signature party trick of a Yajna.
The day of the party Gods all started coming around catching Sati’s attention. She said to Shiva, ‘what the heck I didn’t know there was a party tonight, you want to check it out?’
The day of the party Gods all started coming around catching Sati’s attention. She said to Shiva, ‘what the heck I didn’t know there was a party tonight, you want to check it out?’
Shiva said, naw, it will only make a scene and I already get the message. Not worth it. My bro has always been unmoving in his opinions.
but once he got to know their love was pure her dad would change his mind… right?
Sati was unconvinced, however. Having such a high respect for her father, Sati believed she could level with him. She understood he was upset, but once he got to know their love was pure her dad would change his mind… right?
Not so much. Sati’s father sneered at the sight of her daughter and made some pot shots at Shiva for being a long-haired hippie and goblin king.
I do not know what Daksha expected from this, but the result was Sati losing total respect for the guy.
She was humiliated and heartbroken, a massive boulder of respect shattering within her heart. Once you come down from that pedestal there is no going back up, dad. Her fearful reaction led her to set herself ablaze in the ritual fire of the Yajna. She would live and die on her own terms, and not be made small by her father.
This is where Virabhadra comes into the story.
Once Shiva found out of his wife’s death, he ripped out some of his long, luscious hair locks and threw them to the ground covering them with dirt. If Daksha were going to make trouble, Shiva would make a warrior and an entire army to bring down his bro once and for all.
Out popped Virabhadra, a creation manifested from Shiva’s desire to avenge his wife’s untimely death. They got an army, Shiva picked out some swords ready and they rode to the Yajna where Virabhadra showed off his insanely cool moves. The moves were:
Virabhadrasana I (warrior I) – Upon the arrival at the yagna, Virabhadra placed the sword in both hands and thrusts his way upwards through the earth.
Virabhadrasana II (warrior II) – a preparatory pose used to size up Daksha and ready a counterattack.
Virabhadrasana III (warrior III) – the final blow, a fierce chop with his sword, beheading Shiva’s father-in-law, and brothers.
Shiva had the choice of Daksha’s fate in his hands. Virabhadra backed away and Shiva came forth with a goat’s head. “This is your head now, bro, enjoy baaaahing for the rest of your life, everyone will know you are a fool. PEACE OUT DUDE” and he dropped the mic.
Shiva and Sati were reunited in her next reincarnation, Parvati. Parvati was imbued with the wisdom of Sati, who had learned a huge lesson.
A) the ego will cause you to do some embarrassing and dramatic things
B) Shiva will always be able to help cut loose the ego and
C) The ego was attached to what other people thought, and she could let go
This knowledge made her the goddess of love