The practice of yoga was neither ‘invented’ nor ‘discovered’. It existed long before references to it first appeared in art and literature. Nature played an important role in rites and rituals, with ancient yogis drawing inspiration from the world around them. Almost all mythological figures were associated with at least one animal. It is no surprise, then, that many yoga poses are inspired by animals, insects and nature.
One such pose is the adho mukha svanasana . A careful study of the name tells us its meaning. ‘ Adho ’ = Down; ‘ Mukha ’ = Face; ‘ Svana ’ = Dog; ‘ Asana ’ = Pose.
A constant companion
When the war of Kurukshetra in the Mahabharata was over, the Pandavas made their way to heaven. Slowly and quietly, they ascended the mountain from where they would board the chariot to heaven. The eldest Pandava, Yudhishthira, led the way. He was followed by Bheema, Arjuna, Nakula, Sahadeva and Draupadi. A lone dog also followed them.
The journey up the mountain was long and arduous. They were all very tired. Soon, Draupadi collapsed and was unable to continue. The Pandavas looked at her with sorrow since she would not enter the kingdom of heaven. Throughout her life, Draupadi had secretly favoured Arjuna. This attachment to him had been her undoing.
The remaining Pandavas continued, even though their exhaustion increased with every step. The dog followed.
The next to collapse was Sahadeva. He had been proud of his own intellect and this vice kept him from the kingdom of heaven. The remaining Pandavas trudged on as the dog followed, wagging its tail.
Nakula collapsed next. ‘He was proud of his looks and wouldn’t stop admiring himself,’ explained Yudhishthira to the others. ‘That’s why he will also not make it to the kingdom of heaven. Let us continue.’ Yudhishthira had noticed the dog and had started to consider it a part of their entourage.
Arjuna collapsed next. He would also not make it to heaven. His failing was that he was overconfident and conceited.
The summit of the mountain was close, and though they mourned their siblings and wife, Bheema and Yudhishthira continued. The dog wagged its tail and followed them.
Finally, Bheema also collapsed. He was proud of his physical strength and ate too much, thought Yudhishthira. By now, he was almost delirious with hunger and thirst, but carried on. He was aware that it was only him and the dog now.
At the top of the mountain, Lord Indra descended with his chariot and invited Yudhishthira in to be flown to heaven. Yudhishthira was happy that the harrowing journey was finally coming to an end. But being righteous and just, he had one final request. ‘Lord Indra,’ Yudhishthira said, ‘I can only come to heaven if this dog comes with me. He has followed us from the base of the mountain, and has been with me as I lost every single one of my siblings and my beloved wife. He has been with me in sorrow, in happiness, in sadness and in bliss. He has seen me tired and hungry. Now, when I’m at the brink of heaven, I do not wish to abandon him.’ Lord Indra, of course, could not allow a dog into heaven, as dogs were considered inauspicious.
Yudhishthira found himself becoming increasingly emotional. ‘Lord Indra, the dog has done nothing to harm anyone or anything. It has shown only the utmost loyalty, faith and love. I’m afraid if he can’t enter heaven, then neither can I.’ So saying, he turned away from the celestial chariot and started to walk away.
Lord Indra stopped Yudhishthira. ‘Congratulations, Yudhishthira, you have passed the ultimate test,’ he said. ‘This dog is none other than Dharma, and you have shown that you have an intimate bond with Dharma. Welcome to heaven.’
As Yudhishthira boarded the chariot and flew to heaven, the dog turned into the God of Dharma.
Group of people doing yoga downward facing dog pose - Adho Mukha Svanasana on mats at studio
Significance and symbolism
Early yogis considered all life equal. If there are poses named after sages, then there are poses inspired by animals as well. Yogis observed a dog languidly extending the spine while keeping the rest of the body alert. They were curious about the benefits that humans could derive from this movement, and decided to mimic the natural movements of a dog.
A yoga pose is more than just a physical posture. While performing the adho mukha svanasana , we should think about the qualities that make the dog man’s best friend. While practising the downward dog pose, meditate upon the strength and courage of a dog. To be loyal and faithful in today’s world, we need to be strong in our relationships and have the courage to forgive. The decisions we make, and the manner in which we conduct our lives, should be reflective of this.
Excerpted and edited from Beyond Asanas: The Myths and Legends Behind Yogic Postures by Pragya Bhatt (Penguin Random House India)
