Pascimatana asana
Description
Pascimatana asana: Asana
Asana Type:
Pramana
Śāstra Pramāṇa - शास्त्र प्रमाण
Sastra Pramana Source
Tri-shikhi-brahmanopanishad 51
Original Verse
"जानूपरि ललाटं तु पश्चिमं ताणमुच्यते । येन केन प्रकारेण सुखं धार्यं च जायते ॥ ५१ ॥ "
Transliteration
"jānūpari lalāṭaṃ tu paścimaṃ tāṇamucyate | yena kena prakāreṇa sukhaṃ dhāryaṃ ca jāyate ॥ 51 ॥ "
Translation
Stretching the leg on the ground, touching the big toes with the fore-arms and placing the face on the knees, is said to be the Pascimatana posture.
Apta Pramana Source
Hatharatnavali 3.66-67
Original Verse
"अथ पश्चिमतानासनम् प्रसार्य पादौ भुवि दण्डरुपौ दोर्भ्यां पादाग्रद्वितयं गृहीत्वा ॥ जानुपरि न्यस्तललतदेसो वसेदिदम् पश्चिमतानमाहुः ॥६६॥
Iति पश्चिमतानमसनग्र्यम् पवनम् पस्चिमवहिनम् करोति | उदरे कर्स्यमरोगतम् च पुम्सम् ॥ ६७ ॥"
Transliteration
"atha paścimatānāsanam prasārya pādau bhuvi daṇḍarupau dorbhyāṁ pādāgradvitayaṁ gṛhītvā ॥ jānupari nyastalalatadeso vasedidam paścimatānamāhuḥ ॥66॥
Iti paścimatānamasanagryam pavanam pascimavahinam karoti | udare karsyamarogatam ca pumsam ॥ 67 ॥"
Translation
"Stretch both legs on the ground. Hold the big toes by the respective hands and put forehead on the knees. 66
Pascimatana causes the currents of prana to flow through susumna, stimulates gastric fire, reduces the belly and brings good health to a person. 67."
Apta Additional References
Hathapradipika II.14-15, Joga Pradipika-III.69-77
Steps/Technique
1. Sit with the legs extended 2. Fold forward from the hips 3. Catch hold of the big toes 4. Bring the forehead to the knees
Atma Pramana Benefits
Stimulates gastric fire, reduces the belly, causes prana to flow through central channel, susumna. Tones up nerves supplying the pelvic organs. Brings good health. Improves the flexibility of of the hips, buttocks, hamstring, calves and back. Stretches the back side of the body from head to ankles. Contracts the muscles on the front of body. Engages the abdominals and thorax (neck to diaphragm) Improves respiration. Improves secretion of abdominal glands. Improves blood circulation in the back and tones spinal nerves. Activates Kundalini Shakti. Increases digestive fire. Reduces visceral fat. Purifies the nadis. Removes abdominal disorders like enlargement of the spleen, digestion issues, constipation, colitis and contributes to the feeling of well-being. Causes the current of prana to pass through the susumna (posterior path), increases gastric fire, reduces belly and offers good health to a person.
Sakshi Pramana Benefits
Through Pascimattanasana, the whole body and mind gets rejuvenated. Holding the posture for even 5 minutes minutes is equivalent to 1 hour sleep. Try it for youself!
Simple sketch
Pascimatanasana GhS-II.26.png