"Our ancients, the great rishis, followers of their sanatana dharma (ancient eternal path) from the beginning of time, became experts in yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, and samadhi, stopped all external movements of the mind, and through the path of raja yoga attained a high state of happiness in this world and beyond. And they continue until this day to experience this. But during ancient times, all were skilled yoga practitioners and therefore had good health and strength, were blessed with a long life and were able to serve society".
Krishnamacharya Yoga Makaranda (Mysore 1934).
*
'Originally there were five series: Primary, Intermediate, Advanced A, Advanced B, and the fifth was the “rishi” series'.
Nancy Gilgoff 'Yoga as it was'
See the Rishi Series page at the top of the blog exploring fifty breaths (or 25 each side) in each of the Ashtanga Primary and Intermediate series asana.
Ashtanga Rishi Blog post series
Ashtanga Rishi Approach, first day Paschimottanasana to Janu sirsasana A
Ashtanga Rishi Approach, second day Janu Sirsasana B to Navasana
Ashtanga Rishi Approach, third day Bhuja pindasana to badha konasana
Ashtanga Rishi Approach, fourth day Upavishta konasana to Supta bandhasana
Ashtanga Rishi Approach, fifth day Pasasana to Kapotasana
Ashtanga Rishi Approach, sixth day Supta vajrasana to Ardha Matsyendrasana
Ashtanga Rishi Approach, Seventh Day Eka pada sirsasana to Tittibhasana C
Ashtanga Rishi Approach, Eighth day to seven headstands
Rishi series made from asana named after Rishi An alternative take on the Rishi series
See also Srivatsa Ramaswami's December 2012 newsletter for more on the Rishis
This interesting comment on one of my Rishi series posts this morning
"Astanga Yoga practitioners can recognise the names of these Rishis as many positions are named in his honor. My mentor, Manju Jois, explained the practice of a series called "Rishi Sequence", a separate series of Vinyasa in which postures are practiced only with names of Rishis."
from http://www.vaidika.com/?p=1631 (in Spanish)
So here are some pictures related to the Rishi/Sage, I chose my favourite picture from those that google image search had to offer, most link below the picture to an interesting website with one version of a story relating to the Sage.
The Introductions to each Rishi are from Wikipedia with links for more info.
Admittedly the leg behind head postures are a bit tricky but most of the others are doable perhaps if you can manage a half lotus. I've chosen Marchi H just to make a change but standard marichyasana is relatively straight forward as is the half matsyendrasana. Kashyapasana is awkward but then you can do an unbound version, sure the Rishi won't mind too much.
The Introductions to each Rishi are from Wikipedia with links for more info.
Admittedly the leg behind head postures are a bit tricky but most of the others are doable perhaps if you can manage a half lotus. I've chosen Marchi H just to make a change but standard marichyasana is relatively straight forward as is the half matsyendrasana. Kashyapasana is awkward but then you can do an unbound version, sure the Rishi won't mind too much.
The Rishi picture is followed by the posture named after the Sage.
RISHIS
from Srivatsa Ramaswami's December 2012 Newsletter
"During my long studentship with Sri Krishnamacharya, he taught several
asanas and vinyasas normally not well known at that time. Some bore
the names of renowned sages or rishis. I had known about rishis being
associated with a few asanas even earlier but these were mostly seated
poses, basically meditative postures like Vajrasana also known as
Dadhichi asana about which I had written earlier. But Sri
Krishnamacharya taught several new asanas I had not known, not even
heard of before. These were also featured in his book Yoga Makaranda.
Some like Bhardwajasana, Marichyasana are simple seated poses but many
others are more difficult ones and one may wonder if the rishi would
be able to stay for a long time in those postures and also meditate.
Of course some of the asanas were one legged poses like Bhagiratasana
and Durvasasana but I had heard and also read in some puranas that
such one legged standing poses were resorted to by several tapasvins
to get the blessings of the Lord. The asanas named after rishis and
taught by my Guru can be classifies into simple seated meditative
poses like Dadhichi asana (vajrasana), more involved seated poses like
Bharadvajasana, Matsyendrasana, Marichyasana and others. Then we have
a few poses which can form a group like the 'side plank' poses such as
Vashishtasana, Viswamitrasana, Kasyapasana and others. Then we have a
series of poses centered around 'ekapada sirsasana' like Kapilasana.
Krishnamacharya thus taught many asanas bearing the names of well
known rishis—many of which I had not heard of, before I came to study
with him.
These Rishis were well known though, not necessarily for their
yogasana capabilities. There is a view that the entire vedas was
called Arsha or the creation of rishis, even though Sri
Krishnamacharya would say, quoting the vedas, that the vedas are
apourusheya or not created by human beings. The view is that the vedas
were created by creator Brahma when creation took place but were
dormant. The rishis with their deep contemplation were able to tune in
with the hidden vedic mantras and then gave it to human beings for
proper use and understanding. So the rishis were known as “seers of
mantras”, as Yaska the vedic etymologist would say “Rishayah
Mantradrashtarah”. But then vedas were considered revelation of the
absolute truth so another definition of a Rishi as quoted by Sri
Krishnamacharya from a well known Sanskrit thesaurus “Amarakosa” is
that Rishis are revealers of Truth (Rishayah Satyavachasah). Of course
both the definitions could amount to the same. So we can say Rishis
are those who reveal the absolute truth after they experience the
truth through the discovery of vedic mantras. Some scholars indicate
that the words Rishi, Rtam (truth), Rju (proof), Rk( vedic mantra),
Arjava (straightforwardness) can be traced to one sanskrit root “rj'
meaning 'to be straight'" .
RISHIS
from Srivatsa Ramaswami's December 2012 Newsletter
"During my long studentship with Sri Krishnamacharya, he taught several
asanas and vinyasas normally not well known at that time. Some bore
the names of renowned sages or rishis. I had known about rishis being
associated with a few asanas even earlier but these were mostly seated
poses, basically meditative postures like Vajrasana also known as
Dadhichi asana about which I had written earlier. But Sri
Krishnamacharya taught several new asanas I had not known, not even
heard of before. These were also featured in his book Yoga Makaranda.
Some like Bhardwajasana, Marichyasana are simple seated poses but many
others are more difficult ones and one may wonder if the rishi would
be able to stay for a long time in those postures and also meditate.
Of course some of the asanas were one legged poses like Bhagiratasana
and Durvasasana but I had heard and also read in some puranas that
such one legged standing poses were resorted to by several tapasvins
to get the blessings of the Lord. The asanas named after rishis and
taught by my Guru can be classifies into simple seated meditative
poses like Dadhichi asana (vajrasana), more involved seated poses like
Bharadvajasana, Matsyendrasana, Marichyasana and others. Then we have
a few poses which can form a group like the 'side plank' poses such as
Vashishtasana, Viswamitrasana, Kasyapasana and others. Then we have a
series of poses centered around 'ekapada sirsasana' like Kapilasana.
Krishnamacharya thus taught many asanas bearing the names of well
known rishis—many of which I had not heard of, before I came to study
with him.
These Rishis were well known though, not necessarily for their
yogasana capabilities. There is a view that the entire vedas was
called Arsha or the creation of rishis, even though Sri
Krishnamacharya would say, quoting the vedas, that the vedas are
apourusheya or not created by human beings. The view is that the vedas
were created by creator Brahma when creation took place but were
dormant. The rishis with their deep contemplation were able to tune in
with the hidden vedic mantras and then gave it to human beings for
proper use and understanding. So the rishis were known as “seers of
mantras”, as Yaska the vedic etymologist would say “Rishayah
Mantradrashtarah”. But then vedas were considered revelation of the
absolute truth so another definition of a Rishi as quoted by Sri
Krishnamacharya from a well known Sanskrit thesaurus “Amarakosa” is
that Rishis are revealers of Truth (Rishayah Satyavachasah). Of course
both the definitions could amount to the same. So we can say Rishis
are those who reveal the absolute truth after they experience the
truth through the discovery of vedic mantras. Some scholars indicate
that the words Rishi, Rtam (truth), Rju (proof), Rk( vedic mantra),
Arjava (straightforwardness) can be traced to one sanskrit root “rj'
meaning 'to be straight'" .
Bhagiratha (Sanskrit: भगीरथ, bhagīratha) was a great king in Hindu mythology who brought the River Ganges, personified as the river goddess Ganga, to Earth from the heavens.
 |
| picture from here |
 |
| Bhagirathasana |
Rishi Marichi or Mareechi or Marishi (ṛṣi Marīci, ऋषि मरीचि) (meaning a ray of light) is the son of Brahma, the cosmic creator, and also one of theSaptarshi (Seven Great Sages Rishi), in the First Manvantara, with others being Atri, Angiras, Pulaha, Kratu, Pulastya, and Vashishtha.[1]
 |
| Picture from here |
 |
| Marichyasana H |
Kashyapa (Sanskrit कश्यप kaśyapa) was an ancient sage (rishis), who is one of the Saptarshis in the present Manvantara; with others being Atri, Vashishtha, Vishvamitra, Gautama, Jamadagni,Bharadwaja [1]
 |
| picture from here |
 |
| Kashyapasana |
"Maharshi Kashypa is another well known vedic rishi. Reference of
Kashyapa is found in some Buddhist literature also. Rishi Kashypa is
mentioned along with the understanding of the solar system in the well
known Surynamaskara portion of the vedas. ”Kashyapaf pashyako
bhavati”. He is said to be the son of Marichi (does it ring a bell?)
who was believed to be one of the ten 'mind children' (manasputras) of
Brahma. Here is an interesting story about how different species were
created. Kashyapaa married 13 women and through them were born so many
offspring/progeny that the whole universe was filled different beings.
Divine beings like the 12 suns (adityas), several creeds of demons,
tigers and lions, birds like garuda (eagle), then snakes and other
reptiles all were born to these women, each set of species to
different wives. Kashyapa thus became the father of all beings and all
beings of the universe were considered to be related to one another
(not just the human beings) through a common forefather Kashyapa. Thus
not only other human beings but all the beings belonging to all the
species were considered kith and kin. Many families in India still
carry his name".
from Srivatsa Ramaswami's Dec 2012 Newsletter
BHARADVAJA Vedic sage
Bharadwaja (Sanskrit: भरद्वाज, IAST Bharadvāja, also spelled Bhardwaj) was one of the greatest Hindu sages (Maharshis) descendant of rishi Angirasa, whose accomplishments are detailed in the Puranas. He is one of the Saptarshis (Seven Great Sages Rishi) in the present Manvantara; with others being Atri, Vashishtha, Vishvamitra, Gautama, Jamadagni, Kashyapa.[1]
 |
| picture from here |
 |
| Bharadwajrasana |
"Sage Bharadwaja is another renowned vedic rishi. He is considered to
be a great vedic scholar and teacher. An episode found in the Kaataka
portion of the Taittiriya sakha of Yajur Veda would be of interest.
Bharadwaja was so much concentrating in studying the vedas that even
as the life was coming to an end he was still continuing with his
studies. Indra, the Lord appeared before him and reminded him that it
was almost the end of his life. He told Bharadwaj, “Bharadwaja!! If I
give you another human life what would you like to do?” Back came the
reply, “I will study the Vedas further”. Upon that, the Lord asked him
to look at the three huge mountains the Lord created and took out from
each one of them a handful of earth and placed them before Bharadwaja
and said, “These mountains represent the three vedas and the three
handfuls of dirt in front of you represent the vedas you have studied
so far. You see the vedas are innumerable and infinite (ananta vai
vedaH) and any number of births would not be sufficient to exhaust all
the vedas. You try to understand the essence of the vedas, the source
of all the Universe, the Brahman.” And Bharadwaja became a great
spiritual teacher of the vedas. Again many families carry the
Bharadwaja name".
from Srivatsa Ramaswami's Dec 2012 Newsletter
Matsyendra or Matsyendranatha ( Sanskrit : मत्स्येन्द्र, Matsyendra m;. Pali : Macchanda; Hindi: Macchendranath) is a legendary Indian saint and founder of the Kaula Tantra . He was the teacher of Goraksha and probably lived in the 6th or 7 Century, but possibly also in the 10th After one century Matsyendra is Asana named: the Matsyendrasana , a simplified version of it is the Ardha Matsyendrasana .
 |
| picture from here |
 |
| Purna matsyendrasana |
Vashishta (Sanskrit: वशिष्ठ, Thai: Vasit) is one of the Saptarishis (Seven Great Sages Rishi) in the seventh, i.e. the present Manvantara,.[1] Vashista is a manasputra of God Brahma. He had in his possession the divine cow Kamadhenu, and Nandini her child, who could grant anything to their owners. Arundhati is the name of the wife of Vashista.
 |
| picture from here |
 |
| Vashishtasana |
The illustrious son of Chyavana, celebrated by the name of Richika, of the race of Bhrigu, endued with austere penances, sought the hand of this lady. Gadhi, the destroyer of his enemies, thinking him to be poor, did not bestow her in marriage upon the high-souled Richika
 |
| picture from this charming Ramayana website |
 |
| Richikasana also called Skandasana |
Kapila (Hindi: /Nepali कपिल ऋषि) was a Vedic sage and an incarnation of Supreme Godhead Vishnu, credited as one of the founders of the Samkhyaschool of philosophy. He is prominent in the Bhagavata Purana, which features a theistic version of his Samkhya philosophy.[1] Traditional Hindusources describe him as a descendant of Manu, a grandson of Brahma. The Bhagavad Gita depicts Kapila as a yogi hermit with highly developedsiddhis, or spiritual powers.
 |
| picture from here |
 |
| Kapilasana |
"Kapila was a vedic rishi, and still some Indian families carry his
name. According to Bhgavata purana he was the avatar of Lord Narayana
Himself. His discussions and advice to his mother on spiritual matters
known as “Kapila-devaahuti samvada” is very well known. He is credited
with the formalization of the Samkhya philosophy. It was also known as
Seswar Samkhya. He is also credited with the Samkhya Sutras one of the
earliest works on Samkhya even as Iswarakrishna's Samkhyakarika became
the standard text for Samkhya philosophy. Kapila also is associated
with the story of how the Ganga was brought to earth from the lofty
heights of the Himalayas by Bhagirata. Please read the story of
Bhagirata in an earlier Newsletter".
from Srivatsa Ramaswami's Dec 2012 Newsletter
In Hindu mythology, Durvasa (दुर्वास in Devanagari or durvāsa in IAST, pronounced [d̪urʋɑːsɐ] in classical Sanskrit), or Durvasas, was an ancient sage, the son of Atri and Anasuya. He is supposed to be an incarnation of Shiva.[1][2][3][4][5] He is known for his short temper. Hence, wherever he went, he was received with great reverence from humans and Devas alike.[1]
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| Picture from here |
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| Durvasana |
Ashtavakra (Sanskrit: अष्टावक्रः, IAST Aṣṭāvakra) is a sage mentioned in Hindu scriptures. He is described as one born with deformities in eight limbs of the body (two feet, two knees, two hands, the chest and the head). In Sanskrit, Ashtavakra means "one having eight bends". Ashta (IAST Aṣṭa) means eight, while Vakra means bend or deformity. Ashtavakra is the author of the work Ashtavakra Gita, also known as Ashtavakra Samhita, a treatise on the instruction by Ashtavakra to Janaka about the Self. Ashtavakra is the Guru of the king Janaka and the sage Yajnavalkya.
 |
| picture from here |
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| Ashtvakrasana |
Supposedly the Rishi series as explained to David Williams by Shri K Pattabhi Jois was ten postures held for a longer period than usual.
Here are some extra arm balances named after sages, these are in Iyengar but not Ramaswami, familiar to Ashtangi's however.
Brahmarshi Vishvamitra (Sanskrit: विश्वामित्र viśvā-mitra "friend of the world"; Kannada: ವಿಶ್ವಾಮಿತ್ರ; Malayalam: വിശ്വാമിത്രൻ; Telugu: విశ్వామిత్ర; Tamil:விஸ்வாமித்திரன் Visvāmittiraṉ; Thai: Swamit; Burmese: Bodaw; Javanese: Wiswamitra) is one of the most venerated rishis or sages of ancient times inIndia. He is also credited as the author of most of Mandala 3 of the Rigveda, including the Gayatri Mantra.
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| picture from here |
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| Visvamitrasana |
"Vasishta and Viswamitra are two renowned vedic rishis. I have already
written about these two in an earlier article “Yogagate”. Viswamitra
is credited with revealing one of the most important mantras of the
vedas, the Gayatri which is used by thousands everyday and is the
mantra used lifelong by many. Viswamitra also is credited with
teaching a pair of important mantras to Lord Rama (and Lakshmana),
known as balaa and atibalaa mantras in the Ramayana. If one masters
the bala mantra one would not tire during a war and the atibala would
protect the disciple from thirst and hunger while on the battlefield.
Again many families still carry the name of Vasishta and Viswamitra's
earlier name Kausika".
from Srivatsa Ramaswami's Dec 2012 Newsletter
Kaundinya (Sanskrit: कौण्डिन्य, Kauṇḍinya, Pali: Kondañña) also known as Ajnata Kaundinya (Sanskrit: अज्ञात कौण्डिन्य, Ājñātakauṇḍinya, Pali: Añña Kondañña) was a Buddhist bhikkhu in the sangha of Gautama Buddha and the first to become an arahant. He lived during the 6th century BCE in what is now Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, India.
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| picture from here |
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| Koundinyasana B |
And put altogether on one sheet. Not keen on spending twenty-five to fifty breaths in all these but then as I wrote in my reply to the comment, perhaps Manju was joking, or his father was or perhaps Krishnamacharya teasing or perhaps they were all seeking to silence the yoga student asking 'What next' after Advanced B
Still, can't wait to give it a try tomorrow no doubt with a few Sury's and some standing followed by a finishing sequence along the lines of Krishnamacharya's 'Life saving' sequence.
----------------------
see also this
Richard Rosen article on names of postures
http://www.piedmontyoga.com/uploads/1/0/6/6/10664798/rosen_asana_names_hindu_gods.pdf
UPDATE
Anon has commented on this post ( and I'm guessing the original quote at the beginning of the post is from the same Anon), pointing out that many of the asana in the Krishnamacharya's Yogasanagalu are named after Rishi and Deities.
UPDATE
Anon has commented on this post ( and I'm guessing the original quote at the beginning of the post is from the same Anon), pointing out that many of the asana in the Krishnamacharya's Yogasanagalu are named after Rishi and Deities.
in said yogasanagulu
bairangha external sadhana
antarangha internal sadhana
paratmanga sadhana is only one
might want to say about aspiring to be yoga rishi
hold this position deve be deve difiil good health is to teach Krishnamacharya could generate the interest and devotion to the rishi and meditate on the personal deity
and bring the state
Perhaps this was the intention of the outer KRISHANAMCHARYA to peace only one end?"