Yama and Niyama Yoga define as positive and negative aspects of the behavior of the individual. Traditional texts mention ten and ten niyamas yamas but Patanjali’s Yogasutra, considered the original treatise on yoga, defines five yamas and five niyamas. It has been mentioned that in Manusmirti that is more important to follow yamas from niyamas. Here we give a brief explanation on yamas and niyamas to be followed:
• Ahimsa (non-violence): this is one of the leading yamas. This means a lack of intent to harm others. The intention is not to just physical, but also includes mental and emotional cruelty. Here the attitude is more important than the actual act of killing. You may not even have the intention to offend anyone else.
• Satya (Truthfulness): this quality implies honesty and sincerity in thoughts, words and deeds. This is possible only when one has conquered greed and ambition, because these are the two main causes that bring you far from the truth.
• Asteya (Non-theft): in Sanskrit, “steya” shows pleasure or in accordance with myself the things that are not legally theirs. This is basically the act of stealing or theft. A person inclined to steal only if she did not love and have some selfish motives. A yogi or yoga students have basic needs very little. He has studied the art of loving herself and others. Hence he does not feel the need to exploit or steal from others.
• Brahmacharya (Celibacy): sex has been established as one of the vital needs of human existence. It ranks next only to food. Since ancient times, very few people who have been able to control their sexual urges. If not satisfied, is urging a person to the revocation and develop psychotic tendencies. Yoga puts great pressure on celibacy that. This does not only consider the sex act itself as sexual but even to think, speak and see the opposite sex as part of sex and therefore should be avoided. Patanjali has stated that brahmacharya enhance mental strength also called veerya in a person.
• Aparigraha (Non-gathering): Yama means not going to accumulate wealth and objects just for fun. Yoga teaches a person to accumulate wealth and objects just to satisfy the main requirement. This is important because of greed causing a disturbance and thus leads to increased tension in the mind and body.
The deal points mentioned above with Vairagya or negative aspects of a person’s behavior. Now we see some niyamas or positive aspects of behavior as described by yoga:
• Shoucha (Hygiene): This includes cleanliness of mind and body. Yoga describes a clean mind as one free from prejudice, false beliefs, ignorance and ego. In general, all yamas come under this Niyama since they deal with eliminating some or other impurities.
• Santosha (Satisfaction): yogi is taught to be happy and satisfied with his fate. He does not need to achieve any ambition.
• Tapas (Religious austerities): Niyama describes the rituals like fasting: is needed to strengthen the mind. Yoga believes that this increase endurance and make your body and mind stronger and thus you can effectively deal with adverse conditions.
• Swadhyaya (Reading of religious literature): This practice is very useful to overcome the ignorance and face the misfortune to live in peace. It helps to fill your mind with peace.
• Ishwarpranidhana (Devotion): It teaches you to rely on divine will and consider the effects your actions to the maintenance of divine. This is a very useful habit to cultivate because you can accept all things as God’s will and can achieve peace of mind. This eliminates the fear and worry.