Vajra(n.) = Thunder/ thunder bolt
Asana (n.) = posture
Vajra has a mythological meaning in India. It is the weapon of Indra - the king of gods. This particular weapon has a genesis. When Vritrasura became the king of Asuras (demons) he attacked the Suras (gods). Indra approached Vishnu for help who told him that the weapon that would kill Vritra would have to be manufactured from bones of a sage.
Sage Dadhichi (who was a king before he became a sage) consented to donate his bones of his rib cage. Dadhichi started to meditate intending to die; when he died, the gods collected his bones and thereafter Indra manufactured the thunder-weapon out of it.
Vajrasana can therefore be associated as an Asana which strengthens the bones.
Indeed, I have seen my Granma, who is close to 90 years, still walking about with no difficulty and no gout or other old-age related problems. She is used to sitting on the Vajrasana for an hour after every meal. Whereas her eldest daughter, who is about 20 years junior to her suffers from gout, and finds it difficult to move effortlessly.
Once you are adept at Vajrasana the next step is to proceed to Supta Vajrasana which does a lot of good to the thighs, to the lumbers and to the spine.
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