Āsana provides stability, health, and lightness of body.

This brief but essential verse defines the three fundamental benefits of āsana:

1. Sthairya — Stability, steadiness. Not only physical but also mental. The stable body fosters a stable mind.

2. Ārogya — Health, absence of illness. Regular practice of āsanas keeps the body free of ailments.

3. Aṅga-lāghava — Lightness of limbs. The body becomes agile and light, free from the heaviness that impedes meditation.

What is notable is what this verse does not mention: extreme flexibility, acrobatic postures, or impressive physical achievements. The objectives are much more practical and oriented toward meditation.

Compare with Yoga Sūtra II.46: sthira-sukham āsanam — āsana should be stable and comfortable. Both texts agree that stability, not complexity, is the goal.