Sūtra 2.46

Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration and English translation of Sūtra 2.46:

स्थिरसुखम् आसनम् ॥ २.४६ ॥

sthirasukham āsanam || 2.46 ||

sthira—steady, sukham—easy. āsanam—posture.

46. Posture is steadily easy.—97.

The Sankhya-pravachana commentary of Vyasa

[English translation of the 7th century commentary by Vyāsa called the Sāṅkhya-pravacana, Vyāsabhāṣya or Yogabhāṣya]

[Sanskrit text for commentary available]

The restraints and observances have been described with attainments. We shall now describe the posture, &c. Of these, posture is steadily easy. Thus, for example, the Padmāsana, the Vīrāsana, the Bhadrāsana, the Svastika, the Daṇḍāsana, the Sopāśraya, the Paryaṅka, the Krauñcaniṣādana, the Hastīniṣādana, the Uṣṭraniṣādana, the Samasaṃsthāna, the Sthirasukha, the Yathāsukha and such others.—97.

The Gloss of Vachaspati Mishra

[English translation of the 9th century Tattvavaiśāradī by Vācaspatimiśra]

Introduces the next aphorism ‘The restraints and observances, &c.’ ‘Of these, posture is steadily easy.” Steadiness means absence of motion. The same must be easy. It must not cause trouble. Such should be the posture. This is the meaning of the aphorism. Posture is the way in which one sits. He mentions different postures:—As for example:—The Padmāsana is well-known. The Vīrāsana is that in which a sitting man has one foot in contact with the ground, and places the other over the partially inclined other knee.

The Bhadrāsana is that in which the sitting man places the soles of both feet joined together below the testicles, and places both hands with the fingers interlaced over that region.

The Svastika is that in which the left foot is placed, a little downward inclined between the right thigh and shank, and the right foot is placed in a similar position between the left thigh and shank.

The Daṇḍāsana is practised by sitting with thighs, shanks and feet stretched straight along the ground with the ankles joined together, but the toes kept apart.

The Paryaṅka is that in which the knees are extended and the arms are used to lie upon.

The Sopaśraya is that in which the tiger’s skin or the deer skin or some cloth is used to sit upon.

The Krauñcaniṣādana and others of the same class are to be imitated from the sitting postures of the Krauñca, the elephant, the camel.

The Samasaṃsthāna is that in which the feet are so placed that the heels and foreparts of both are joined together with the feet a little bent.

The Sthirasukha is whatever posture may secure steadiness and ease. This is approved by the writer of the aphorisms. It is also described as Yathāsukha. This means any position that may secure ease.—46.