Once upon a time, there was a being so ancient and wise that everyone knew him as Shiva, the originator of Yoga. Let me tell you his story.
Shiva is one of the principal deities in Hinduism and forms part of the sacred Trimūrti: Brahmā, the Creator; Viṣṇu, the Preserver; and Shiva, the Transformer. Although he is often referred to as “the Destroyer,” I prefer to think of him as the one who transforms the old into something new, vibrant, and full of life.
But how did Shiva become the source of Yoga? Imagine him high in the Himalayas, immersed in deep meditation beneath a star-filled sky. In a state of pure awareness, with the energy of the universe flowing through him, he became Ādiyogi, the first yogi. Through this profound experience, he came to understand the mysteries of existence and discovered how human beings could find peace and wisdom through the practice of Yoga.
Legend tells us that seven great sages, the Saptarishis, observed Shiva in meditation for many years. Moved by their dedication, he shared with them 112 paths to Self-Realization. They carried this wisdom across the world, planting the seeds of what would become the practice of Yoga.
Shiva is the life force that animates all existence. His very name is said to express this essence:
Sha represents the body,
Ee represents the life force,
Va represents movement.
Without this life force, the body becomes “Shava”, meaning a lifeless body or corpse. This is also the origin of Śavāsana, the posture of complete stillness and deep relaxation.
In this animation, Shiva appears as Nataraja, the Lord of the Cosmic Dance. He dances within a circle of flames, each movement symbolising the eternal cycle of creation, preservation, and transformation. In one hand he holds the damaru, the drum of creation; in another, the fire of transformation. One foot gently subdues Apasmara, the demon of ignorance, while the other points the way towards spiritual liberation.
Shiva is not only fierce as Rudra, but also compassionate as Bholenath, the Innocent Lord. He embodies the harmony of opposites: strength and gentleness, fire and water. Through him, we are reminded that life itself is a continuous dance of balance and transformation.
And so, Yoga was born – so that even in the midst of life’s storms, we may always find peace, strength, and joy.
Silvia