शुचौ देशे प्रतिष्ठाप्य स्थिरमासनमात्मनः | नात्युच्छ्रितं नातिनीचं चैलाजिनकुशोत्तरम् || ११ ||
śucau deśe pratiṣṭhāpya sthiram āsanam ātmanaḥ nāty-ucchritaṃ nāti-nīcaṃ cailājina-kuśottaram
śucau—in a sanctified; deśe—land; pratiṣṭhāpya—placing; sthiram—firm; āsanam—seat; ātmanaḥ—self-owned; na—not; ati—too; ucchritam—high; na—nor; ati—too; nīcam—low; caila-ajina—of soft cloth and deerskin; kuśa-uttaram—kusha grass uppermost.
“In a clean place, having established a firm seat — neither too high nor too low — covered with cloth, deerskin, and kusha grass,”
Verses 6.11 and 6.12 together prescribe the classic seat for meditation. The materials mentioned — kusha grass, deerskin, and cloth — represent insulation from earth energies, comfort, and cleanliness respectively. The key qualities are: the seat must be firm (no wobbling, no distraction from physical instability), in a clean location (material cleanliness supports inner cleanliness), and neither too elevated nor too low (avoiding pride and avoiding discomfort).
For modern practitioners, the prescription translates simply: find a firm, comfortable, clean seat at an appropriate height. A firm cushion on the floor or a straight-backed chair both work. What matters is stability and cleanliness — physical and metaphorical. Your meditation space should feel like a sanctuary.