SHIVA AS 'YOGESHWARA' (THE LORD OF YOGA)

Perhaps the most perfect meditation image for the Yogi's altar is Shiva in his primary role as the 'Lord of Yoga' ('Yogeshwara'), a delight for the Shilpi artists to create in marble. His particular role as the patron Lord of all Yogis derives largely from the the Tantric schools of medieval India. It is from the Tantras that nearly all modern forms of yoga have derived; thus, Shiva is the patron divinity of Yoga to this day.
As Yogeshwara, Shiva is depicted in the most important pose for yoga practice: padmasana (lotus posture). He is the supreme meditator; as the Lord of Yoga, he forever immersed (samvesha) in his own divine nature, while serpent energy of the Goddess Kundalini-Shakti flows around and through his seemingly mortal frame.
But Yogeshvara is not to be seen as a figure to be merely worshipped. Rather, his divine countenance, radiating with the inner light (prakasha) of bliss and contentment, is to be discovered inwardly by all who seek yoga as the means to self-realization.
Yogeshwara sits with perfect control over his senses, represented as the serpents that draw our attention outside of the bliss of the inner Self. His left hand touches the earth ('bhumi-sparsha-mudra'), signifying the power of a true yogini to root in her heart space, in her own 'Shiva-consciousness,' when faced with obstacles. His right hand is raised in 'fearlessness pose,' teaching that we can be free of all fear and anxiety by discovering our true selves. Upon his elegantly braided hair, he bears the descent of the Goddess Ganga (the river) down to earth; his finely detailed lotus-mandala (halo) glows with the peace of his omnipresent awareness.

View our current collection of Shiva Sculptures.
Read more about the spiritual symbolism of Shiva, the ‘Lord of Yoga.’



View our current collection of Shiva Sculptures.

Read more about the spiritual symbolism of Shiva, the ‘Lord of Yoga.’

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