The Courage of the Warrior: The Story of Vīrabhadra

In our practice, we often step into Virabhadrāsana—the warrior poses—feeling the strength and steadiness of our stance. Whether in Virabhadrāsana I, II, or III, our feet root into the earth, our arms extend, our hearts draw forward, and our dṛṣṭi (focal point) steadies. In these postures, we can feel our own power. Yet behind these shapes lies a tragic and beautiful story—one of dualities—that reminds us that courage and compassion are two sides of the same heart.

This is the story of Śiva and his beloved, Satī. When Satī’s father, Dakṣa, refused to accept their union, he held a grand yajña—a sacred fire ceremony—and deliberately excluded Śiva from the gathering. Heartbroken and humiliated by her father’s pride and arrogance, Satī threw herself into the sacrificial flames and was consumed by them.

When Śiva learned of his beloved’s death, his grief erupted into rage. From a single lock of his matted hair, he created the fierce warrior Vīrabhadra—a being born of both love and anguish. Vīrabhadra descended upon Dakṣa’s ceremony and unleashed his fury, decapitating Dakṣa in the chaos that followed.

Virabhadrāsana; Raj Balkaran's The Stories Behind the Poses

Once the fires of anger subsided, Śiva saw the destruction his wrath had caused. His anger gave way to deep remorse and grief for his lost soulmate. Overcome with sorrow, he resurrected Dakṣa by placing the head of a goat upon his body. In that moment, Dakṣa too saw his own ignorance and asked Śiva for forgiveness. Together, they grieved the loss of Sati. Balance was restored—not through vengeance, but through compassion, humility, and grace.

When we take our place in Virabhadrāsana, we embody this very story. The strength of the warrior is not in violence, but in awareness. It is the courage to face what arises—grief, anger, fear—and to transform it into understanding. Like Śiva, we must learn to rein in our wrath; and like Dakṣa, we must learn the value of humility.

As you stand in warrior pose, take a moment to compose yourself. Gather your breath. Let your gaze steady—not as one preparing for battle, but as one ready to meet life’s challenges with clarity and heart.

Like Śiva and Dakṣa, we will make mistakes—sometimes small, sometimes grave. There will be moments when our ego or ignorance take hold, when we act from pride, fear, or pain instead of presence. To overcome our own wrath or regret, we must first acknowledge what has happened and offer ourselves forgiveness. Through that self-compassion, we find the strength to rise again—wiser, softer, and more awake—carrying the lessons of our missteps into greater consciousness and purposeful action.

This month, I invite you to contemplate: What kind of Vīra am I (In this moment)?

Maheen in Warrior II

Are you that courageous one to forgive?

Are you that courageous one to love, to rise in love?

Are you that courageous one to give up everything?

Are you that courageous one who is going to fight the good fight?

What kind of Vīra am I?

May your practice remind you that true strength is tender, and true courage is kind.

Mantra for the Courageous Heart: 

May I stand strong and act with compassion

May I meet challenge with grace and respond with love

May my courage serve peace

This mythical story, as explored in Dr. Raj Balkaran’s The Stories Behind the Poses, offers a glimpse into the wisdom encoded in each asana. This story, among many others, invites us to honor the ancient traditions, to practice with awareness, and to respect yoga’s true origins.