I love a great story and in yoga each pose comes with its own story and life lesson, over the next few months I will give be giving you the story of some of my favourite poses with the help of the book Myths of the Asanas by Alanna Kaivalya and Arjuna van der Kooij an excellent and insightful read and present for anyone interested in learning more.
The great Buddha was meditating under the sacred Bodhi tree, a group of cobra’s gathered nearby, lulled by the Buddha’s quiet calm and inner confidence. The Buddha sensed the cobra’s presence but had no fear, and this fearlessness assured the snakes that he would remain still. His stillness was like a balm to their minds, and so they stayed close to him to protect him. People began to gather amazed by the spectacle.
It began to rain, the people became distressed about the Buddha’s soaking head, but they dared not go near to cover him. The cobra’s in gratitude for the Buddha from the rain. The King of the cobra’s slithered up behind him and drew up as tall as he could be, which was difficult given his limbless nature. He opened his great hood and created a large canopy.
The people gasped in awe at the generosity of the cobra, as well as the steadiness of the mediating Buddha.
Snakes have no external ears, they must hear by using internal vibrations only. It is important that we also look within to our internal vibrations when practising yoga and that we practise in calmness. These abilities are important to master.