Vajrāsana

Classical Description

The Gheraṇḍa Saṃhitā (2.12) instructs:

“Make the thighs firm like vajra (thunderbolt/diamond) and place the legs at the sides of the anus. This is Vajrāsana.”

Commentators interpret this as sitting on the heels with knees together, a posture of extraordinary stability and firmness.

Technique

1. Kneel on the floor with knees together
2. Sit on the heels, with the buttocks resting on them
3. The big toes touch, heels slightly separated
4. The hands rest on the thighs or knees
5. The spine remains erect and natural
6. Shoulders relaxed, chin parallel to the floor

Benefits According to the Texts

The texts attribute to Vajrāsana:

• Bodily firmness comparable to diamond (vajra)
• Strengthening of thighs and knees
• Stability for prāṇāyāma and dhāraṇā practices
• Activation of the vajrā nāḍī, associated with the urogenital system
• Improved digestion when practiced after meals
• Preparation for more advanced meditative postures

The Śiva Saṃhitā indicates that this posture confers special powers (siddhi) on the yogi when maintained for prolonged periods with mental concentration.

Notes

Vajra has multiple meanings: thunderbolt (Indra’s weapon), diamond, and also a specific nāḍī of the subtle body. All these meanings allude to hardness, indestructibility, and potency. It is one of the few āsanas that can be practiced immediately after eating, as it favors digestion. It is also the traditional prayer posture in various Asian traditions.