Verse-11
Chapter 6 — Atma Sanyam Yoga
Verse 11
🕉 Original Sanskrit Shloka
śucau deśe pratiṣṭhāpya sthiramāsanamātmanaḥ
nātyucchritam nātinīcam chailājinakuśottaram
🕉 English Translation
Rakh kar kusha ghas shudh bhumi par,
Biccha mrigshala tab rakhe vastra.
Asan lagataa hai aisa hee woh,
Na uncha, na niche sthir hee jo ho.
📜 Translation
English
On a pure spot which is covered by the kusa grass,
deer skin and cloth,
which is neither too high nor too low,
by establishing his seat in such manner.
The Gita's preacher has described the best, thoughtful and scientific posture for sitting devotedly for meditation. Some of those who study the Gita, call this an ancient conservative viewpoint of the Gita. They also comment that there is a vast difference between that age and the present time. How is it possible now? The availability of means is a separate issue. One can find alternatives to it. But if one examines this thoughtfully then it will appear to be logical. There is nothing lacking in the assertion of the Blessed Lord. The matter is absolutely clear and apt.
Where one sits that place should be pure in any case. The bank of the Ganga river, any holy place of pilgrimage, any place which is sanctified by the austerity of any saint-seer-yogi of meditation or a place purified by using cow dung or the holy water of the Ganga. As the Kusa grass has originated from the Lord in the incarnation of Varaha (Boar) it is considered to be extremely holy. The deer's skin does not allow the electrical energy acquired through meditation to pass on to the ground. For this reason this is deer skin is to be used! To prevent the hair of the deers skin from piercing the skin, a piece of cotton cloth is used on the seat! In the absence of the Kusa grass and deer's skin, sack cloth or any warm cloth made of wool can also be used.
If the seat is too high then there is a risk of falling down and hurting oneself and if seat is on the ground then there is a possibility of it being disturbed by insects, worms and flies which are found on the earth. For this reason the seat should neither be too high nor too low-a firm seat; if the seat is shaky then the body will also shake. If to make curd, the milk is kept in a container which is not stable then how will the curd be made? If the body keeps on shaking then how will the mind remain firm?