Patanjali Yogasutra 2.46
(asana)
स्थिरसुखम् आसनम् ॥ २.४६ ॥
"The posture (asana) should be steady and comfortable."
In this Sutra, Patanjali defines the essence of asana practice as not merely a physical exercise but an inner state of steadiness (sthira) and ease (sukha). The dual qualities of stability and comfort in a posture are essential for achieving the calm and focused mind necessary for higher yogic practices such as meditation and pranayama. The emphasis here is on cultivating a balanced position, free from unnecessary tension or strain, which facilitates mental stillness.
The term sthira refers to steadiness or firmness, implying that the posture should be held without shakiness or distraction. It suggests a foundation of strength, where the body becomes stable like a mountain, and this physical stability reflects mental equanimity. On the other hand, sukha, meaning ease or comfort, points to a state of relaxation and comfort in the body. This is crucial because undue tension or discomfort can agitate the mind and hinder the ability to concentrate. Thus, this Sutra emphasizes finding a balance between effort and relaxation.
Beyond the physical aspect, asana in this context refers to the ability to maintain a meditative position without distraction from the body. Patanjali suggests that only when the body is no longer a source of disturbance can the mind turn inward toward deeper layers of concentration and awareness. This Sutra, therefore, lays the foundation for the physical and mental preparation required for higher yogic practices such as pranayama (breath control) and dhyana (meditation).
Swami Vivekanand said:
"Now comes Asana, posture. Until you can get a firm seat you cannot practice the breathing and other exercises. The seat being firm means that you do not feel the body at all; then alone it has become firm. But, in the ordinary way, you will find that as soon as you sit for a few minutes all sorts of disturbances come into the body; but when you have got beyond the idea of a concrete body you will lose all sense of the body. You will feel neither pleasure nor pain. And when you take your body up again it will feel so rested; it is the only perfect rest that you can give to the body. When you have succeeded in conquering the body and keeping it firm, your practice will remain firm, but while you are disturbed by the body your nerves become disturbed, and you cannot concentrate the mind. We can make the seat firm by thinking of the infinite. We cannot think of the Absolute Infinite, but we can think of the infinite sky."
Comparison with Similar Verses from Vedic Texts
Bhagavad Gita 6.13
समं कायशिरोग्रीवं धारयन्नचलं स्थिरः ।
सम्प्रेक्ष्य नासिकाग्रं स्वं दिशश्चानवलोकयन् ॥ ६.१३ ॥
"One should hold the body, head, and neck erect, and remain firm, focusing on the tip of the nose, without gazing in any direction."
In this verse, Lord Krishna instructs Arjuna on the importance of a steady posture during meditation. Similar to Patanjali’s concept of sthira and sukha, the Bhagavad Gita emphasizes the necessity of an unwavering posture for concentration. The steadiness of the body reflects mental steadiness, and focusing on a single point, such as the nose tip, ensures that the mind does not wander. Here, steadiness is also tied to the yogic goal of achieving mental control.
Hatha Yoga Pradipika 1.33
प्रयत्नशैथिल्यानन्तसमापत्तिभ्याम् ।
ततो द्वन्द्वानभिघातः ॥ १.३३ ॥
"By relaxation of effort and meditation on the infinite, one overcomes the dualities."
The Hatha Yoga Pradipika highlights the balance between effort and ease in posture, much like Patanjali’s call for sthira (steadiness) and sukha (comfort). This text further explains that when physical effort is relaxed and the mind is focused on the infinite, the practitioner transcends the dualities of existence, such as pain and pleasure. This complements Patanjali's focus on the meditative aspect of *asana,* as both stress the mental state cultivated through the body’s posture.
Yoga Vashistha 6.1.59
आसीनः सममायतवदनः स्थिरसुखेन चेतसा स्वात्मविचारवान् ।
यदा भवेत्परमात्मनि लीयते तदा तदासनमित्यभिधीयते ॥ ६.१.५९ ॥
"Sitting with the body aligned, the mind steady and comfortable, one should contemplate the Self. When the mind merges in the Supreme, that is said to be the true posture."
This verse from the Yoga Vashistha offers a profound connection to Patanjali’s sthira-sukham asanam. It explains that true asana is not merely about physical alignment but also about the state of the mind. When the body is steady, and the mind is comfortable and fixed in contemplation of the Self, the posture becomes perfect. The merging of the mind with the Supreme is the ultimate aim of yogic postures, aligning with Patanjali’s deeper goals of meditation and Self-Realization.
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