Brahma-Sūtra 4.1.7

English of translation of Brahmasutra 4.1.7 by Roma Bose:

“Sitting, on account of possibility.”

Nimbārka’s commentary (Vedānta-pārijāta-saurabha):

One should practise meditation “sitting” only, since meditation is possible only on the part of one who is sitting.

Śrīnivāsa’s commentary (Vedānta-kaustubha)

It has been proved above that meditation, the special cause of a direct vision of Brahman, is to be repeated more than once. Now, the problem is being considered as to whether it is to be practised somehow without following any restrictive rule, or only in a sitting posture.

On the doubt, viz. whether there is no restrictive rule how meditation is to be practised,—whether in a sitting posture, as lying down, walking or standing still; or whether there is a restrictive rule that it is to be practised in a sitting posture alone,—if the prima facie view be that there being no cause for such a restriction, there is no restriction,—

We reply: “sitting”. Why? “On account of possibility,” i.e. because meditation is possible on the part of a devotee who is sitting. One who is lying down may fall asleep, while one who is walking or standing still may have his attention diverted owing to his effort for holding the body up and so on, and as such no meditation is possible on their part.