Sthira Sukham Asanam (Yoga Sutra 2.46)
स्थिरसुखमासनम् in English · English
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✦ Meaning
This brief yet profound sutra is Patanjali's entire definition of asana, the third limb of yoga: the posture should be both steady (sthira) and comfortable (sukha). It teaches that a true yogic seat balances firmness with ease — stable enough to hold without strain, relaxed enough to remain effortlessly. This is the guiding principle behind every yoga posture and the seat for meditation.
Origin & Story
Patanjali Yoga Sutras 2.46 · Patanjali · Classical (c. 2nd century BCE – 4th century CE)
This aphorism appears in the Sadhana Pada of Maharshi Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, where the eight limbs are described one by one. Reaching asana, the third limb, Patanjali defines it in just three words — sthira-sukham asanam — capturing the entire essence of yogic posture. The following sutras explain how such a posture is perfected. This verse is the philosophical root of all asana practice.
✦ As told in scripture
Practitioners discover that when a posture becomes truly steady and comfortable, the awareness of the body falls away entirely — and in that effortless stillness, the breath deepens and the mind grows quiet of its own accord, as Patanjali intended.
The Mantra
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Sthira-sukham asanam || 2.46 || (pada-patha — sthiram sukham asanam)
Meaning:Posture (asana) should be steady and comfortable.
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting स्थिरसुखमासनम्
Gives the timeless definition of asana — steady (sthira) and comfortable (sukha) — the key to every yoga posture.
Reminds practitioners that posture should balance firmness with relaxation, never forced or strained.
Provides the ideal seat for meditation: stable enough to forget the body, easy enough to sit long.
Promotes physical steadiness and bodily ease as a foundation for breath and meditation practice.
A guiding principle that protects against injury and tension in asana practice.
Often recited and reflected upon by yoga teachers and students as the heart of asana.
How to Chant स्थिरसुखमासनम्
Recite the sutra before settling into your posture, then find a seat that is both steady and at ease. Let stability and comfort guide every asana — firm but never strained, relaxed but never slack. It is meant to be embodied in the very way you sit, the sutra serving as a constant reminder of how a posture should feel.
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Read the full स्थिरसुखमासनम् with verse-by-verse meaning, or explore more sacred texts