Bodily perfection consists of beauty of form, grace, strength, and diamond-like hardness.

Rūpa is form. Lāvaṇya is grace, charm. Bala is strength. Vajra is diamond, thunderbolt. Saṃhananatva is compactness, solidity. Kāyasampat is bodily perfection.

This sutra details what it means to have a perfect body according to yoga:

Rūpa: beautiful form, proportionate, pleasing to the eye. Lāvaṇya: grace in movement, natural elegance. Bala: physical strength, vitality, endurance. Vajrasaṃhananatva: diamond-like solidity, hardness that resists damage.

This is not the bodybuilder’s or model’s body. It is a functional, harmonious, resilient body.

Yoga does not despise the body. It perfects it as an instrument. A good instrument produces better music.

This perfection arises naturally from mastery of the elements and sustained practice of āsana, prāṇāyāma, and meditation.

Haṭha yogīs specifically seek this perfect body as a foundation for higher practices.

It is a body that does not fall ill, does not age prematurely, does not limit practice.