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Significance of Asana

Asana is a multifaceted term primarily associated with physical postures in yoga, crucial for promoting health, stability, and preparation for meditation. It serves as the third limb of yoga practice, encompassing various postures that enhance physical and mental well-being. Beyond yoga, Asana also refers to strategic concepts in literature and politics, such as remaining inactive during opportune moments and withdrawing from conflicts. In traditional texts like Purana and Dharmashastra, Asana is vital for achieving stability and concentration during meditation.1
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Synonyms: Posture, Position

In Dutch: Asana; In German: Asana; In Finnish: Asana; In Spanish: Asana; In Swedish: Asana; In Malay: Asana; In French: Asana

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Hindu concept of 'Asana'

Hinduism Books

Asana in Hinduism denotes physical postures in Yoga crucial for stability and meditation, aiding concentration and promoting health. It is recognized as the third limb of Yoga, essential for achieving a serene meditative state.

Significance in Vedanta (school of philosophy):
Vedanta Books

From: Thirty minor Upanishads

(1) Postures or positions in yoga that promote physical stability and mental focus.[1] (2) Physical postures in yoga, chiefly eight in number, including svastika, gomukha, and padma.[2] (3) The practice of sitting in a pleasant posture, typically associated with yoga.[3] (4) Physical posture essential for yoga practice.[4] (5) Asanas are specific postures in yoga practice designed to enhance physical, mental, and spiritual health, preparing the practitioner for meditation.[5]

Vedanta refers to a school of orthodox Hindu philosophy (astika), drawing its subject-matter from the Upanishads. There are a number of sub-schools of Vedanta, however all of them expound on the basic teaching of the ultimate reality (brahman) and liberation (moksha) of the individual soul (atman).

Significance in Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma):
Vaishnavism Books

From: Chaitanya Bhagavata

(1) A seat or position that is offered by Sanatana Mishra to Kashinatha.[6]

From: Garga Samhita (English)

(1) A particular type of plant related to the abundance of flora in the area.[7]

From: Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu

(1) Physical postures or exercises in yoga utilized to prepare the body for meditation.[8]

Vaishnava or vaishnavism (vaishnavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (鈥榯en avatars of Vishnu鈥�).

Significance in Dharmashastra (religious law):
Dharmashastra Books

From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi

(1) The physical postures in Yoga that promote stability and comfort in meditation.[9] (2) Halting, described as the act of remaining within one's own territories without engaging in conflict.[10]

Dharmashastra contains the instructions (shastra) regarding religious conduct of livelihood (dharma), ceremonies, jurisprudence (study of law) and more. It is categorized as smriti, an important and authoritative selection of books dealing with the Hindu lifestyle.

Significance in Purana and Itihasa (epic history):
Purana Books

From: Yoga Vasistha [English], Volume 1-4

(1) The third stage of external practices in Yoga, focusing on bodily posture to assist meditation.[11]

From: Devi Bhagavata Purana

(1) Postures in Yoga, where five commendable postures are described: Padmasan, Svastikasan, Bhadrasan, Vajrasan, and Virasan.[12]

The Purana refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India鈥檚 vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Significance in Arthashastra (politics and welfare):
Arthashastra Books

From: Kautilya Arthashastra

(1) Withdrawals from hostility, indicating a strategic retreat or disengagement from conflict for one's own interest.[13]

Arthashastra literature concerns itself with the teachings (shastra) of economic prosperity (artha) statecraft, politics and military tactics. The term arthashastra refers to both the name of these scientific teachings, as well as the name of a Sanskrit work included in such literature. This book was written (3rd century BCE) by by Kautilya, who flourished in the 4th century BCE.

Significance in Yoga (school of philosophy):
Yoga Books

From: Yoga-sutras (with Vyasa and Vachaspati Mishra)

(1) The physical postures practiced in yoga that promote health and concentration, being a critical component of the yogic path.[14]

Yoga is originally considered a branch of Hindu philosophy (astika), but both ancient and modern Yoga combine the physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga teaches various physical techniques also known as asanas (postures), used for various purposes (eg., meditation, contemplation, relaxation).

Significance in Vastushastra (architecture):
Vastushastra Books

From: Samarangana-sutradhara (Summary)

(1) Seats and their parts that are described following the details of the cots.[15]

Vastushastra refers to the ancient Indian science (shastra) of architecture (vastu), dealing with topics such architecture, sculpture, town-building, fort building and various other constructions. Vastu also deals with the philosophy of the architectural relation with the cosmic universe.

Jain concept of 'Asana'

Jainism Books

In Jainism, Asana may refer to the structural components associated with elephants, such as 'withers' or a 'howdah,' highlighting its cultural and ceremonial significance within the tradition.

Significance in Jainism (general):

From: Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra

(1) A noun referring to 'withers of an elephant' or 'howdah,' noted along with its details.[16]

Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, 鈥榮elf-reliance鈥�) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

The concept of Asana in local and regional sources

History Books

Asana relates to both yoga postures for healing and transformation and signifies a chair in Oj, serving dual meanings in physical discipline and meditation support, reflecting a connection to steadiness and readiness in various contexts.

Significance in India history and geography:

From: Triveni Journal

(1) The third step of yoga defining postures necessary for meditation, ensuring bodily stillness to support mental focus.[17] (2) The posture of war or a strategic withdrawal in the face of danger, indicating readiness without full engagement in combat.[18] (3) Yoga postures that Chalam engages in as a part of his healing and transformation process, indicating a shift towards physical discipline.[19]

From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda

(1) Asana, or posture, is a step in Raja-Yoga, involving maintaining a straight posture, allowing the body to be free and relaxed.[20] (2) This is the third step, which refers to posture and involves physical and mental exercises performed daily to achieve elevated states of being, necessitating a comfortable and enduring posture.[21] (3) This refers to the external parts of the three practices: Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi, and is practiced before them.[22]

From: History of Science in South Asia

(1) This is the first auxiliary of Hatha-yoga, which results in steadiness, freedom from disease, and lightness of limbs.[23]

From: Sanskrit Words In Southeast Asian Languages

(1) This term, originating from Oj, represents a piece of furniture designed for sitting, which is often called a chair.[24]

Plural form: Asanas.