Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 6: The Path of Meditation

Bhagavad Gita 6.11

śucau deśe pratiṣṭhāpya sthiramāsanamātmanaḥ | nātyucchritaṃ nātinīcaṃ cailājinakuśottaram ||

In a clean place, having set up a firm seat for oneself, neither too high nor too low, covered with kusha grass, a deerskin, and a cloth,

Modern context

The instructions are humble and physical. Choose a clean place. Make a seat that is steady, neither too high nor too low. The traditional layering of grass, skin and cloth simply gave insulation from the cold, damp ground and some comfort. The principle is that the body should be stable and at ease, so that it does not keep demanding attention. A wobbly chair or a cluttered corner is a small distraction that repeats itself every minute.