Bhujanga (Serpent; snake; cobra in yoga pose names): Meaning and Definition

What does Bhujanga literally mean?

Bhujanga literally refers to a serpent or snake. Major Sanskrit lexicons treat this as the word’s primary meaning. The noun stem is Bhujanga, and its nominative singular form is Bhujangah.

Lexicographers connect Bhujanga with the Sanskrit root bhuj, meaning “to bend” or “to curve,” together with an element associated with going or moving. This supports the traditional explanatory sense of a creature that moves by bending or curving. The dependable translation remains “serpent” or “snake.”

• Primary meaning: serpent or snake
• Grammatical form: masculine a-stem noun
• Nominative singular: Bhujangah

Why is Bhujanga translated as cobra in yoga?

In yoga, Bhujanga appears in Bhujangasana, the Sanskrit name commonly translated as Cobra Pose. Bhujanga means serpent or snake, and Asana means seat, posture, or pose. The English name “Cobra Pose” reflects the shape associated with the posture, especially the lifted head and upper torso.

Bhujanga by itself does not exclusively name a cobra species. Translating the standalone word as “cobra” is narrower than the general Sanskrit meaning. Teachers can accurately explain Bhujangasana as “Serpent Pose,” while also noting that “Cobra Pose” is the established English name.

• Bhujanga: serpent or snake
• Asana: seat, posture, or pose
• Bhujangasana: Serpent Pose, commonly called Cobra Pose

How is Bhujanga used in classical hatha yoga?

The Gheranda Samhita describes Bhujangasana in verses 2.42 and 2.43. The practitioner lies face down, places the palms on the ground, and raises the head like a serpent. This textual description helps explain the posture’s animal name.

The following verse states that practice of Bhujangasana awakens the “serpent goddess.” Within Hatha yoga interpretation, this language is commonly associated with Kundalini, the coiled power described through serpent imagery. This is a specific symbolic and practice context. It does not mean that Bhujanga always translates as Kundalini.

Does Bhujanga have symbolic meaning?

Serpent imagery carries several meanings in Indian religious and yogic traditions, including latent power, protection, danger, renewal, and awakened spiritual energy. The intended meaning depends on the text and tradition.

In an asana name, Bhujanga primarily identifies the posture’s serpent-like form. Symbolic interpretations may enrich teaching, but they should be presented as contextual associations rather than as the basic dictionary definition.

How do you pronounce Bhujanga?

Bhujanga is pronounced approximately bhu-JUNG-guh. The initial bh is an aspirated or breathy b rather than an English f or v sound. The letter combination ng represents a velar nasal, like the sound at the end of “sing,” followed by a separately articulated hard g.

The standard Devanagari spelling uses the conjunct letters nga in भुजङ्ग. The simplified spelling Bhujang is common in modern English and Indian-language usage, especially when the final Sanskrit vowel is omitted.