Directions in Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga

When you practice Astanga Vinyasa Yoga and reading books about this Tradition, lot of times you can listen or found words like: dakshina, vama, paschima, poorva etc. What are exactly the meaning of these words? Sometimes we hear explanations like right side, left side, front side, back side and these are not wrong but we can search deeper explanations to their meanings.  

                                               

Directions in Kannada Language

English	Transliteration	Kannada
Directions	dikkagalu	ದಿಕ್ಕುಗಳು
East	poorva, mooDaNa	ಪೂರ್ವ, ಮೂಡಣ
West	paschima, paDuvaNa	ಪಶ್ಚಿಮ, ಪಡುವಣ
North	uttara, baDagaNa	ಉತ್ತರ, ಬಡಗಣ
South	dakshina, tenkaNa	ದಕ್ಷಿಣ, ತೆ೦ಕಣ

Names of Directions in Ramayana and Mahabharata

"In the beginning Brahma, the Creator, ordained this Mt. Sunrise to be the gateway for the earth to heaven, and even as the rising place for the Sun, as such this is verily said as the 'eastern quarter' of the compass.”  Ramayana kiskinda kanda 4/40/64 sloka

Here this direction is named ‘’poorvam” and is from where Sun starts giving light to the world.

“In by gone ages Surya Deva gave Guru ''Dakshina'' to Guru in this direction, so it is called Dakshina. Sun at the end of the day will do Visarjanam of sunrays, in this direction so it called Pascima. In which direction makarshis, yogis and the men in spiritual line do tapas etc for their uttarana is done, so this direction is called Uttaram. “ Mahabharatam

Dakṣiṇā may be derived from dakṣiṇa-ayanam — when the sun passes on the southern side. Dakshina is personified as a goddess along with Brahmanaspati, Indra and Soma in RV 1.18.5 and RV 10.103.8, and is the reputed authoress of RV 10.107 according to the Anukramani. In later literature, in the Manusmrti and in the Ramayana, the term acquires a more general meaning of "thanks" or "a gift".

Vastu Shastra Directions

According to Vaastu Shastra, the entire universe exists in endless space and has no direction whatsoever. However, on Earth our directions are defined with respect to the Sun. Vastu Shastra identifies eight cardinal directions on which all are activities are based, each of which has a particular significance.

The name of the direction itself suggests the nature of the direction. For example, East (purva) means preceding, West (Paschim) means after i.e. coming afterwards; North (Uttara) means where there is an answer to everything. South (Dakshin) means slowly weakening.

North (Uttara, ruled by Lord Kuber, God of Wealth)

South (Dakshina, ruled by Lord Yama, God of Death)

East (Purva, ruled by Lord Indra, King of Gods, and Lord Aditya/Surya, God of Sun/Energy)

West (Pashcima, ruled by Lord Varun, God of Rain/Water)

East (Purva): Ruled by the Sun God or Surya: The East, from where the Sun rises represents the essence of all beginnings. For every human-being day activities begin with sunrise. Sunrise means east, where the darkness disappears and light begins. Morning sunrays are fully be enriched with ultra-violet rays which are highly beneficial for human-body. East to direction is very advantageous prosperity oriented.

West (Paschima): Governed by the god of water, Varuna: As the sun dims we are reminded of endings, the unknown and darkness. This direction can be explained in a single word that is West = Waste. People living in this direction always face poverty, failure, lack of interest. They are always in debt and are always in it get success in selling this property or even giving a rent.

North (Uttar): Ruled by the god of wealth, Kubera which is beneficial for cash / treasury or valuable items. The North is also the direction of the Pole star, the fixed point in the sky that denotes stability and security. The ruling planet of this direction is mercury. This planet is favorable for business and intelligence. According to the scientific perspective north is a polarized center of positive ions of electro- of magnetic force of the earth. The effect of ultra violet rays in the morning sun rays is good over here. So it is best to have maximum open space and slope, in this direction. So that it absorbs maximum ultra violet rays and thus leads to a pure atmosphere which then leads to an excellent work and success. North means Lord Kubera abode which is beneficial for cash / treasury or valuable items. The door of the treasury should open towards North-East, East direction.

South (Dakshin): The direction of Yama, the god of death: The South represents the past and our ancestry. There is a tremendous fear psychosis about this direction. But in real sense it is not so, because the disadvantage one get from this direction are of extreme nature between these two phases there is a phase of stagnation which gives us alarming single to control ourselves.

The Seven Worlds

The seven words beginning with pūrva are kṛṣṇanāmas only when they signify direction, part, or time.

pūrva—east, prior, the front part

para—subsequent, superior, other

avara—west, subsequent, inferior

dakṣiṇa—south, right

uttara—north, subsequent, higher, superior

apara—west, subsequent, inferior, other

adhara—lower, inferior

The Three Tantrik Traditions

There are three distinct tantrik traditions - Dakshina, Vama and Madhyama. They represent the three "shaktis" or powers of Shiva and are characterised by the three "gunas" or qualities - "sattva", "rajas" and "tamas". The Dakshina tradition, characterised by the "sattva" branch of tantra is essentially for good purpose. The Madhyama, characterised by "rajas" is of mixed nature, while the Vama, characterised by "tamas" is the most impure or magical form of tantra.