Asana Definition in Yoga Sutras - sthira-sukham-āsanam ॥46॥ - Part A

स्थिरसुखमासनम् ॥४६॥ sthira-sukham-āsanam ॥46॥

Parsva Dandasana

There are so many translations on this Sutra! The problem is that for me (and please any suggestion or correction is acceptable, with open heart) as accepting the Ashtanga perception, lot of them seems to me that taking a lot of discussion.

sthira = steady, stable, motionless

sukham = comfortable, ease filled

asanam = meditation posture (from the root ~as, which means "to sit")

Practicing yoga with strength and in a relaxed manner gives rise to harmony with the physical body (asana). ||46|| https://www.ashtangayoga.info/

Asana is a steady, comfortable posture.  – Sri Swami Satchidananda

Asana must have the dual qualities of alertness and relaxation. – T.K.V. Desikachar

Steady and comfortable should be the posture. – Swami Satyananda Saraswati

The natural comfort and joy of our being is expressed when the body becomes steady (asana). – Nischala Joy Devi

Practicing yoga with strength and in a relaxed manner gives rise to harmony with the physical body (asana). – AshtangaYoga.info

Posture (asana) is to be seated in a position which is firm but relaxed. – Swami 

Prabhavananda (YogaSutraStudy.info)

That posture which is steady and comfortable is āsana. http://www.artofliving.org/

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Lets start with  स्थिर       sthira. What are the meaning of it?

स्थिर     sthira     adj.: fixed, stable, trustworthy, lasting, strong, ascertained, stern, still, firmly resolved to, constant [Phys.], settled, durable, compact, not wavering or tottering, hard-hearted, unfluctuating, certain, steadfast, solid, motionless 

        

स्थिरक {sthirak} = Stabilizer (noun)

स्थिरता {sthirata} = Stability, calm, steadiness, stickness, fixity

According to the above, sthira is not meaning only: steady, stable, motionless, but also:  lasting, strong, ascertained, stern, constant [Phys.], durable, compact, certain, solid.

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We must go to the next word  सुखम् sukham. Which is adverb and means: pleasantly, willingly, joyfully, easily, comfortably, happiness, pleasure.  Adjective: Well-being.  Noun: Comfort, Enjoyment, Refreshment, Satisfaction, Snug, Weal, Well being. Aw a Name means: good fortune, pleasure, contentment, joy the quality or state of being happy.

Astrological associated with Sukham the Planet: Saturn, the Tattva or Element: Air or Vayu Symbol: 1000 stars, Empty circle, One thousand flowers Deity: Varuna or God of cosmic, sky, earth and waters. Lord or Graha: Rahu.

I don’t have something against the word comfortable, but according to a search in web I found: What is meaning comfortable?

“The adjective comfortable describes something that makes you feel relaxed, like a comfortable couch that makes you want to curl up on it and take a nap.

In addition to describing things that feel good, like shoes that don't hurt your feet, comfortable can mean "feeling free from stress or worry." If you are comfortable around people, you can be yourself. It can also mean "secure" — a family that, though not rich, lives a comfortable lifestyle, meaning they have considerable savings, or you feeling comfortable speaking Spanish in Chile, meaning you trust your ability to communicate."

Comfortable means: complicated, concerned, conjoined, contented

Synonyms: comfy, cosy, cozy, snug, enjoy, easy, homelike, homely, homey, homy, having a feeling of home, affording physical relief.

According to the above I prefer the word “Pleasure”. Pleasure comes from effort without effort, comes when we create space, when we are present at Now. Pleasure comes when we are in contact with our Internal Been. Comfort for me is not the same.

Comfort zone ------------ Pleasure / Hedonic Point ------------- Pain Zone

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Next word is asana आसन and the meaning is as Noun: sitting, mode of sitting, posture, attitude, position, seat, place, stool, a small carpet or deer-skin on which Hindus sit during prayer, seat, chair, halting, stopping, encamping, abiding, dwelling, the withers of an elephant, the part where the driver sits, maintaining a post against an enemy, pew,  bottom.

Examples

The animal is restless and frequently changes postures .

जानवर बेचैन हो जाता है तथा बार बार आसन बदलता है .

Smaller selection means easier to find good music

छोटे चयन का मतलब हैं की अच्छा संगीत ढूँढना आसन हैं

He was given an undignified seat near the president .

अध्यक्ष के निकट एक अपमानजनक आसन उन्हें बैठने को दिया गया .

The Buddha was seated on an elevated platform .

गऋतम बुद्ध को एक ऊंचे आसन पर बिठाया गया .

These are called as sex positions

So the insist of some that asana is meaning sitting meditation posture only is not exactly correct. In Hatha Yoga Pradipika, we have exactly the meaning of asana and the position of Hatha Yoga in Yogic Staircase toward Samadhi. Sri Patanjali has not referred other asanas not because he rejects them, but because He was sure that to follow the path of Raja Yoga, you must first practice for years the asnas. This is and the reason that the text started with the word “Atha”.

“Prior to everything, asana is spoken of as the first part of hatha yoga. Having done asana one gets steadiness (firmness) of the body and mind; diseaselessness and lightness (flexibility) of the limbs.” Hatha Yoga Pradipika 1:17

The Yogic way of living is not a joyful and comfortable hour with jokes and smiles in a nice looking place, but an all life commitment in practice, practice, practice. Practice, first is Yamas and Niyamas, Practice, second is Asanas, Practice, third is Pranayama. This is the reason that we repeat this three times.

Namaskar

Garudananda