In Hinduism

Yoga (school of philosophy)

Source: Wisdom Library: Yoga

Haṃsāsana (हंसासन) is one of the eighty-four āsanas (postures) taught by Śiva, according to the Haṭharatnāvalī 3.7-20. It is said that Ādinātha (Śiva) hand-picked 84 yoga postures from 84,00,000 living beings and taught them for the purpose of introducing physical health and well-being to the human body. The compound haṃsāsana translates to haṃsa (swan) and āsana (posture).

The 17th-century Haṭharatnāvalī is a Sanskrit reference book dealing with these āsanas (e.g., haṃsāsana) which form a major constituent of the haṭhayoga practice. It was written by Śrīnivāsa.

Source: archive.org: Yoga Tradition of the Mysore Palace

Haṃsāsana (हंसासन) is a type of posture (āsana), according to verse 45 of the Śrītattvanidhi.—Accordingly, “Take the kukkuṭāsana position. Bring the thighs to the shoulders. This is haṃsāsana, the goose”.

The 19th-century Śrītattvanidhi is a sanskrit treatise describing 80 primary āsanas, or ‘posture’ (e.g., haṃsa-āsana) and several additional ones.

The name is found in Iyengar but the āsana illustrated is different. This āsana form is called kukkuṭāsana in Iyengar.

context information

Yoga is originally considered a branch of Hindu philosophy (astika), but both ancient and modern Yoga combine the physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga teaches various physical techniques also known as āsanas (postures), used for various purposes (eg., meditation, contemplation, relaxation).

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: archive.org: Trisastisalakapurusacaritra

Haṃsāsana (हंसासन) or simply Haṃsa is the name of a posture (āsana), according to chapter 2.1 [ajitanātha-caritra] of Hemacandra’s 11th century Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra: an ancient Sanskrit epic poem narrating the history and legends of sixty-three illustrious persons in Jainism.

Accordingly, “the elephant of kings (i.e., Vimalavāhana) dismounted from the elephant’s shoulder and entered the garden, like a lion a mountain-cave. [...] He saw monks there, too, some in the [viz., haṃsāsana-posture, ...] some engaged in kāyotsarga, and some in ukṣa-posture, indifferent to the body, who had carried out their vows in the midst of numerous attacks, like soldiers in battles, victorious over internal enemies, enduring trials, powerful from penance and meditation [...] The King, with devotion sprouted in the guise of horripilation, as it were, approached Ācārya Arindama and paid homage to him”.

context information

Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Asana, Hamsa.

Full-text: Dvishirshasana, Hamsa.

Relevant text

Search found 1 books and stories containing Hamsasana, Hamsa-asana, Haṃsa-āsana, Haṃsāsana; (plurals include: Hamsasanas, asanas, āsanas, Haṃsāsanas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Bhagavati-sutra (Viyaha-pannatti) (by K. C. Lalwani)

Part 2 - Life of Mahābala < [Chapter 11]

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