Yam & Niyamas

Yam and Niyam are certain rules defined for the path of Sanatan Dharma.

These or not optional rules but essential for the upliftment of the Soul through upliftment of the Self. Thereby leading to a happy, prosperous and fulfilled life.

These are a set of principles to start upon the path of a disciplined life.

This is a step ahead of an unregulated modern way of life.

In Hindu philosophy, particularly in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, the Yama and Niyama form the first two limbs of the Ashtanga Yoga, the Eightfold Path of Yoga.

Ashtang Yoga on the other hand forms an inseparable Vedic Marg of Sanatan Dharma practices.

Thus Yama and Niyama become an integral part of the Sanatan Hindu way of life.  

They are the foundation of
living of a healthy society.
These further lead to purification of mind, body, and soul —
essential for spiritual progress and ultimately Self-realization Atma-Jnana.

These need to be followed not just if following Yogic techniques, but as a lifestyle.

Looking at the problems arising out of the uncontrolled western system of social order, following of these principles are not just essential but imperative. 

Let’s look at both in detail:

Yamas — Ethical Social Discipline

The Yamas are moral principles that guide our behavior within the society and the world. They are about self-control and socio-ecological harmony.

1. Always Speaking & Following Truth

• Meaning: Being truthful as also following truth in speech and action in all circumstances.

• Alignment of thought, word, and deed with truthfulness.

• Practice: Speaking what is real and truthful, without deceit, bias or exaggeration.

2. Ahimsa

• True Meaning: Not tormenting or killing INNOCENT living beings.

This is different from the generally understood meaning that Ahimsa is non-violence.

According to the definition of Ahimsa in ancient texts a person going against the laws of humanity needs to be punished.

Ahimsa is not resorting to complete non violence but to use violence when needed with wisdom.

Ahimsa is Cultivating universal love and compassion.

That is seeing God Almighty in all living beings. This is also a scientifically proven fact.

• Practice: Kindness, patience, and tolerance as also punishing the antihuman forces.

3. Asteya -Not Stealing Smallest of Objects Belonging to Others

• Meaning: Refraining from taking what is not yours — material or otherwise.

• Avoiding greed or jealousy over others’ achievements or possessions.

• Practice: Contentment and gratitude for what you have.

4. Brahmacharya - Celibacy

• True Meaning: Not indulging in sex before marriage and being faithful to your partner after marriage.

Life time before marriage is the learning and formative years for any human being. Sex is overwhelmingly powerful. If one gets involved in sex in the formative years, all his or her attention and energies are diverted to sex.

Therefore, as a youth you are unable to concentrate on learning and you are prone to waste your energies.

• This is directing energy towards building a spiritual and ethical foundation rather than getting into indulgence.

• Practice: Control over desires, mindful relationships, and devotion to higher ideals.

5. Aparigraha

• Meaning: Not usurping or grabbing properties belonging to others.

• True meaning - Trust in Divine provision. One should be satisfied in what one has and perform Karma as a duty.

• Practice: Living with only what is necessary and using wealth for higher purposes.

Niyamas — Personal Discipline

The Niyamas guide one’s relationship with oneself — practices of purification, discipline, and devotion.

1. Shaucha - Purity of Body

• Meaning: Cleanliness of the physical body.

 2. Santosha (Contentment)

• Meaning: Acceptance and satisfaction with what life brings.

• True meaning: Peaceful acceptance of Divine Will.

• Practice: Gratitude, inner joy, and freedom from constant desire for more.

3. Tapas - Developing Control Over Mind

• Meaning: Starting on the path of Dhyana. This needs to be followed by the path of Sadhanas.

• Truly it is developing and training your intelligence through the control of mind. This also develops the Power of Dhruti. The second core intelligence in humans.

• Practice: Developing control of mind through Dhyana according to true Vedic practice.

Further using this trained mind to develop powers to establish contact with the God Almighty and Devi Devatas through sadhanas to secure future and work towards salvation.

4. Swadhyaya - Self Study of Vedic and Puranic Texts

• Meaning: Regular study of scriptures. This develops true understanding of Vedic knowledge.

• Understanding one’s own nature & existence and connection with the Divine through the knowledge contained in the scriptures.

• Practice: Understanding Vedas through the reading of scriptures.

There are texts that should be read and understood. These include the Puranas, Shrimad Bhagwad Gita and the Ramayana etc.

There are other texts that contain material for recitations of Stotras and Mantras. 

Vedas contain both, the knowledge to be understood as well as devotional and recitable wealth of Mantras and Stotras to be recited to establish contact with the divine.

In the present times, people are reciting what needs to be understood and trying to understand what needs to be recited. Today all knowledge has been mixed up. 

5. Ishvara Pranidhana -
Realization of Existence of God

o Devotion and complete surrender to the Supreme Being through gaining indepth understanding of this cosmos and the existence. 

o Developing an understanding that Existence of God Almighty is not just logical but also completely scientific.

o Developing a scientific understanding of this existence, how it came about and how it is running and the role of Human Life in it.

 o Practice: Having developed an understanding of the true nature and existence of God Almighty and this existence, understanding the existence of Devi Devatas, the spark of true devotion is developed.

 o With this true devotion performing the Sadhanas and other Vedic practices. And work towards salvation.