Classic Yoga

Introduction

Swastikasana, (Swastik Asana) also spelled as Svastikasana, is one of the seated yoga postures used for meditation. It is easier to perform when compared to Adept Posture and Lotus Posture, yet provides most of the benefits one can get from those yoga postures.

When performed, this posture resembles Half Lotus Pose and Adept Pose, but the leg positions are somewhere in between the two Asanas.

One of the earliest of evidence of this posture is found in the yoga text Vimanarcanakalpa of Tenth-Century CE. It means the posture was in practice well before Hatha Yoga Pradipika.

Swastikasana Information

Swastikasana Meaning

This Sanskrit term is the combination of two terms: Swastika and Asana. Swastika means auspicious and Asana means a seat or posture. Therefore in English, it is called the Auspicious Pose.

When performed, the position of the feet resembles the mark of Swastika. Hence it gets this name. It should be rightly called Auspicious Symbol Pose. Some people call this Prosperous Pose.

Swastikasana Practice Procedure

The practice routine of Auspicious Posture includes safety and precautions, preparatory poses, step-by-step procedures, and follow-up poses.

Safety and Precautions

the Auspicious Pose is a basic level pose. Therefore there are no big risks in practice. However, one who has sciatica pain and other issues that restrict normal sitting should avoid this posture.

Preparatory Poses

The practice of following postures helps attain mastery over Auspicious Pose.

• Easy Pose
• Half Lotus Pose

Swastikasana Steps

Step 1

Sit on the floor with your legs stretched out.

Step 2

Fold the left leg and place the sole of the left foot against the inner side of the right thigh, so that there is a gap between the perineum and the left heel.

Step 3

Bend the right leg and place the right foot in between the calf muscles and left thigh. Similarly, on the right side, pull the toes up to correctly place the sole of the left leg in between the right thigh and calf muscles of the right leg. Now adjust the feet to be uniformly placed.

Step 4

Sit erect so that the trunk, neck, and head are in a straight line. Place the hands on the lap or in Chin Mudra or Jnana Mudra. Close the eyes. Fix your mind in between the eyebrows.

Duration

The position may be retained from five minutes to three hours according to one’s capacity.

Advanced Pose Considerations

After mastering this posture, one may go for Siddhasana or Padmasana wherein one can perform Bandhas. In the Auspicious Pose, one cannot perform Mula-Bandha and Uddiyana Bandha correctly.

Swastikasana Benefits

• It is a very good posture for Meditation and Pranayama. This posture serves as an alternative to poses like Siddhasana and Padmasana which are difficult to master over.
• It is good for the varicose vein.
• This posture restricts the blood flow to the legs and hence more blood is directed to the abdomen region which improves the functions of the organs inside the abdomen, especially digestion.

Swastikasana in Yoga Texts

Svastikasana in Hatha Yoga Pradipika

This text describes fifteen yoga postures. Svastikasana is the first yoga posture it describes.

Placing both the soles of the feet on the inner side of the thighs, sit straight and erect. This is Svastikasana.

– Hatha Yoga Pradipika 1.19

Svastikasana in Gheranda Samhita

This Yoga text describes 34 yoga postures. The sixth one it describes is this yoga position.

Bring the legs and thighs together and place the feet under them. Sit straight and keep the body at ease. This constitutes Auspicious Pose.

– Gheranda Samhita 2.13

Swastikasana in Siva Samhita

It describes only four yoga poses including this posture. According to this yoga text, Easy Pose and Auspicious Pose are one and the same.

Place the soles of the feet completely under the thighs and keep the body straight and at ease. This is called Auspicious Pose.

In this way, one should practice the control of Prana. He will not get any diseases. He attains control over the vital air.

This yoga position is also known as Sukhasana or Easy Posture. One should keep this health-giving yoga posture a secret.

– Siva Samhita 3.95 ,3.96, and 3.97.

Swastikasana in Hatha Ratnavali

This text advocates three yoga positions for performing Pranayama: Adept Pose, Bound Lotus Pose, and Auspicious Pose. (Verse 3.83)

Arrange both the soles of the feet between the thighs and shanks. This is auspicious Pose.

– Hatha Ratnavali 3.52

Svastikasana in Hatha Tattva Kaumudi

Here comes Auspicious Posture that begets success in yoga and the stability of the mind.

Arrange the soles in between the thighs and shanks. Sit erect and balanced. This constitutes Swastikasana that regulates the Prana.

It removes anxiety and depression. Moreover, it brings happiness and peace. It is auspicious and brings success in all kinds of yoga.

Hatha Tattva Kaumudi 7.44, 7.45, and 7.46.