The warrior poses in hatha yoga are some of the most well-known, empowering poses that can help us build strength and confidence.
But have you ever wondered where its name comes from and what it has to do with warriors?
The origins of Virabhadrasana trace back to ancient Hindu mythology. The pose is named after Virabhadra, a fierce warrior created by the god Shiva. According to some, he had a thousand arms and a dark body resembling storm clouds.
Here’s How [One Version of] the Story Goes…
Sati, the daughter of King Daksha, was deeply devoted to Lord Shiva, but her father disapproved of their marriage. Daksha was a powerful and proud king who considered Shiva unworthy of his daughter because Shiva lived an ascetic life, often seen meditating on cremation grounds and wearing animal skins.
One day, Daksha decided to perform a grand yagna (sacrificial ritual) and invited all the gods, sages, and important personalities, except for Shiva and Sati. But Sati, driven by her curiosity and devotion to her father, decided to still attend the yagna. She hoped that her presence might soften her father's heart and mend the relationship.
However, she was mistaken. When Sati arrived, she was met with disdain and humiliation. Daksha openly insulted Shiva, calling him names and mocking his appearance and lifestyle.
Deeply hurt and unable to bear the disrespect towards her beloved husband, Sati was consumed by sorrow and anger. In an act of self-immolation, she invoked her inner fire and sacrificed herself, hoping to rid the world of the shame her father had caused.

When news of Sati's death reached Shiva, he was devastated and enraged. In his grief, he tore out his hair and threw it to the ground. From his hair, a powerful and fearsome warrior named Virabhadra emerged. Virabhadra was created to avenge Sati's death and punish Daksha for his arrogance and cruelty.
And that’s what happened. Armed and fierce, Virabhadra led Shiva's army to Daksha's yagna. They stormed the ceremony, causing chaos and destruction. Virabhadra, the warrior, confronted Daksha, and in a fit of righteous fury, he beheaded him.
This act of vengeance was a demonstration of Shiva's overwhelming power and the lengths to which he would go to defend his honor and the love he had lost.
But, there’s more…
After Daksha was killed, other gods and sages pleaded with Shiva to calm his wrath. Shiva, though still grieving, showed mercy and compassion. He restored Daksha to life, replacing his severed head with that of a goat, symbolizing a transformation and a lesson in humility.
The Significance Behind the Three Warrior Variations
The three warrior poses in yoga commemorate Virabhadra's creation and fight.

When news of Sati's death reached Shiva, he was devastated and enraged. In his grief, he tore out his hair and threw it to the ground. From his hair, a powerful and fearsome warrior named Virabhadra emerged. Virabhadra was created to avenge Sati's death and punish Daksha for his arrogance and cruelty.
And that’s what happened. Armed and fierce, Virabhadra led Shiva's army to Daksha's yagna. They stormed the ceremony, causing chaos and destruction. Virabhadra, the warrior, confronted Daksha, and in a fit of righteous fury, he beheaded him.
This act of vengeance was a demonstration of Shiva's overwhelming power and the lengths to which he would go to defend his honor and the love he had lost.
But, there’s more…
After Daksha was killed, other gods and sages pleaded with Shiva to calm his wrath. Shiva, though still grieving, showed mercy and compassion. He restored Daksha to life, replacing his severed head with that of a goat, symbolizing a transformation and a lesson in humility.
The Significance Behind the Three Warrior Variations
The three warrior poses in yoga commemorate Virabhadra's creation and fight.

The Symbolism and Psychology Behind Virabhadra’s Story
Born Out of Anger
Virabhadra’s creation is a powerful metaphor for the intense emotions that can arise in the most desperate moments of our lives. He emerged as a reaction to Shiva’s overwhelming sorrow and anger at the loss of his beloved Sati. This mirrors how in our own lives we can sometimes be driven by raw, intense emotions when faced with pain or injustice.
Just like Virabhadra, our anger can feel like a mighty warrior rising within us, ready to act on our impulses. It's a natural human response to want to defend ourselves or those we care about.
The Consequences of Intense Emotions
But…and this is a big BUT…
Virabhadra’s story also serves as a cautionary tale. The destruction he wrought at Daksha’s yagna is a stark reminder of the potential consequences of acting on our most intense emotions without restraint.
When we let our emotions, especially anger, overpower us, we inevitably cause harm to those around us, as well as to ourselves. Our unchecked emotions can damage relationships, create conflict, and lead to regretful decisions.
Therefore, the moral of the story teaches us the importance of finding constructive ways to channel and release our emotions rather than letting them dictate our actions.

Facing And Accepting Our Darkest Selves
The conclusion of Virabhadra’s tale brings a message of transformation and introspection.
After his mission of vengeance was complete, Virabhadra was absorbed back into Shiva. This symbolizes the integration of our darkest, most primal selves back into our whole being.
In many ways, Virabhadra represents the darkest parts of Shiva—the parts driven by grief and anger. We all have these aspects within us, and acknowledging them is crucial for our personal growth.
The story teaches us that even emotions born from intense love can lead to darkness. While these feelings are valid, we need to learn to accept them and channel their energy into something constructive, like an intense session of vinyasa yoga!

How to Perform the Three Warrior Poses?
The best way to learn this pose is to follow fellow yoga warriors.
For Warrior I, you can let Fiji lead, teaching you how to perform the pose properly and safely. Then, if you’re ready to integrate it into your daily routine, you can check out Helen’s beginner-friendly Warrior I yoga practice.
For Warrior II, we recommend joining David as he dives deep into the pose and explains the concept of loops that teach us how to direct our energy more efficiently. Then, when you feel ready, let Helen show you how to flow in and out of the pose.
Finally, for Warrior III, we go back to Fiji again for a detailed pose breakdown.
And, if you like to give yourself a challenge, check out Tracy’s Warrior Integration class, for a 60-minute intense vinyasa flow.
Stay strong and mighty!
Comments
Existing Comments