Chapter IV, Section I, Adhikarana VI

Adhikarana summary: One is to meditate sitting

 Sutra 4,1.7

आसीनः, संभवात् ॥ ७ ॥

āsīnaḥ, saṃbhavāt || 7 ||

āsīnaḥ—Sitting; saṃbhavāt—because of the possibility.

7. (One has to practise Upasana) sitting, because (in that way alone) it is possible.

As Upasana or contemplation is a mental affair, the posture of the body is immaterial—says the opponent. This Sutra says that one has to meditate sitting, for it is not possible to meditate while standing or lying down. In Upasana one has to concentrate one’s mind on a single object, and this is impossible if one is standing or lying.

 

 Sutra 4,1.8

ध्यानाच्च ॥ ८ ॥

dhyānācca || 8 ||

dhyānāt—On account of meditation (implying that); ca—and.

8. And on account of meditation (implying that).

The word ‘Upasana’ also means exactly what meditation means, viz. concentrating on a single object, with fixed look, and without any movement of the limbs. This is possible only in a sitting posture.

 

 Sutra 4,1.9

अचलत्वं चापेक्ष्य ॥ ९ ॥

acalatvaṃ cāpekṣya || 9 ||

acalatvam—Immobility; ca—and; apekṣya—referring to.

9. And referring to (its) immobility {the scriptures attribute meditativeness to the earth).

“The earth meditates as it were”—in such statements meditativeness is ascribed to the earth on account of its immobility or steadiness. So we learn that steadiness is a concomittance of meditation, and that is possible only while sitting and not while standing or walking.

 

 Sutra 4,1.10

स्मरन्ति च ॥ १० ॥

smaranti ca || 10 ||

smaranti—The Smriti texts say; ca—also.

10. The Smriti texts also say (the same thing).

“Having made a firm seat for one’s self on a pure spot” etc. (Gita 6. 11)—in this text the sitting posture is prescribed for meditation.