Invented Sanskrit Word of the Day: layasana - the resting, dissolving pose

I propose layasana as a replacement for savasana or shavasana. There is no getting around what sava is - śava, mn. (ifc. f(ā). ; prob. fr. √1. śū , or śvi and orig. = " swollen ") a corpse , dead body. Sure the ancient yogis meditated in graveyards and went around coated in the cremation ashes of the dead. But that is clearly Vampire Chic. I’m not into it.

Consider the great Sanskrit word laya.

  • rest, repose
  • place of rest, residence , house , dwelling W.
  • [mental inactivity, spiritual indifference
  • sport, diversion, merriness
  • delight in anything
  • an embrace




layasana is less obnoxious than savasana, plus it has the obvious pun in it.

And more:

laya

  • m. the act of sticking or clinging to (loc.) , S3is. ?? (layaṃ √ gā with loc., " to become attached to any one " Kuval. )
  • lying down , cowering MBh.
  • melting , dissolution , disappearance or absorption in (loc. or comp.) Up. Kap. &c (layaṃ √ gam or yā " to disappear , be dissolved or absorbed " ; layaṃ saṃ- √gam , " to hide or conceal one's self ")
  • extinction , destruction , death MBh. Ka1v. &c (layaṃ √ yā , " to be destroyed , perish ")
  • rest , repose S3is3. BhP. (cf. a-laya)
  • place of rest , residence , house , dwelling W.
  • mental inactivity , spiritual indifference Kap. Veda7ntas.
  • sport , diversion , merriness Va1s.
  • delight in anything Harav.
  • an embrace L.
  • (in music) time (regarded as of 3 kinds , viz. druta , " quick " , madhya , " mean or moderate " , and vilambita , " slow ") , Ka1lid. Das3ar. Pan5cat. &c
  • a kind of measure Sam2gi1t.
  • the union of song , dance and instrumental music L.
  • a pause MW.
  • a partic. agricultural implement (perhaps a sort of harrow or hoe) VS.
  • a swoon L.
  • the quick (downward) movement of an arrow L.
  • n. the root of Andropogon Muricatus Bhpr.
  • laya [L=182773] mfn. making the mind inactive or indifferent BhP.