YAMA AND NIYAMA
"When a yogin becomes qualified by practicing Yama and
Niyama, then the yogin can proceed to asana and the other
means." -Yoga Bhashya Vivarana (II.29)
Yama and Niyama are the ethical precepts set forth in Ashtanga - eight limbs of Yoga as the first and second of the eight limbs of yoga. They are the foundation of our practice without which no spiritual progress along the path of yoga can be made. Many people come to yoga initially as a physical exercise and only later begin to understand the profound spiritual effect it has on our lives. But to establish these spiritual effects firmly upon our mindstream, to embed them within our consciousness, they must be grounded on the bedrock of ethical behavior. Our practice begins with Yama and Niyama, and extends into asana and the other limbs of yoga.
Modern vertion according to Shrii Shii AnandaMurti
Precepts of Social Discipline - Yama
(i) Ahim'sa': Not to inflict pain or hurt on anybody by thought, word or action, is Ahim'sa'.
(ii) Satya: The benevolent use of mind and words is Satya.
(iii) Asteya: To renounce the desire to acquire or retain the wealth of others is Asteya. Asteya means " non-stealing."
(iv) Brahmacarya: To keep the mind always absorbed in Brahma is Brahmacarya.
(v) Aparigraha: To renounce everything excepting the necessities for the maintenance of the body is known as Aparigraha.
Precepts of Invididual Discipline - Niyama
(i) Shaoca is of two kinds - purity of the body and of the mind. The methods for mental purity are kindliness towards all creatures, charity, working for the welfare of others and being dutiful.
(ii) Santos'a Contentment with things received unasked-for is santos'a. It is essential to try to be cheerful always.
(iii) Tapah: To undergo physical hardship to attain the objective is known as Tapah. Upava'sa (fasting), serving the guru (preceptor), serving father and mother, and the four types of yajina, namely. pitr yajina, nr yajina, bhu'ta yajina and adhya'tma yajina (service to ancestors, to humanity, to lower beings and to Consciousness), are the other limbs of tapah. For students, study is the main tapah.
(iv) Sva'dhya'ya: The study, with proper understanding, of scriptures and philosophical books is sva'dhya'ya. Sva'dhya'ya is also done by attending dharmacakra (group meditation) regularly and having satsaunga (spiritual company), but this kind of sva'dhya'ya is intended only for those who are not capable of studying in the above manner.
(v) Iishvara pran'idha'na: This is to have firm faith in Iishvara (supreme consciousness) in pleasure and pain, prosperity and adversity, and to think of oneself as the instrument of divine, and not the wielder of the instrument, in all the affairs of life.
CLASSICAL VERSION
YAMA: Precepts of Social Discipline
Ahimsa Non-violence
Not harming other people or other sentient beings. Not harming onesself. Not harming the environment. Tolerance even for that which we dislike. Not speaking that which, even though truthful, would injure others.
Satya Truthfulness
Note that sometimes we may know our words are literally true, but do not convey what we know to be truthful. This is a child's game. Satya means not intending to deceive others in our thoughts, as well as our words and actions.
Asteya Non-stealing
Not taking that which is not given.
Brahmacarya Sexual responsibility
Regarding others as human beings rather than as male and female bodies. The spirit of this precept is conservation of energy for the purpose of spiritual practice. This includes not only sexual restraint, but protecting our energy for instance by avoiding endless chattering with no clear purpose.
Aparigraha Abstention from greed
Not coveting that which is not ours. Avoidance of unnecessary acquisition of objects not essential to maintaining life or spiritual study.
Niyama: Precepts of Invididual Discipline
Sauca Cleanliness
Not only external cleanliness of the body, but attending to internal cleanliness such as avoiding the impurities of anger and egoism. Moderation in diet.
Santosa Contentment
Not spiritual complacency, but acceptance of the external situation we are allotted in this life.
Tapas Austerity
Deep commitment to our yoga practice. "Blazing practice with religious fervor."
Svadhyaya Self-study/Spiritual self-education
Contemplation and application of the scriptures or sacred texts of our chosen path.
Isvara pranidhana Surrender of the self to God
Acknowledgement that there is a higher principle in the universe than one's own small self. Modesty. Humility.
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