Yama and Niyama

The principles of Yama and Niyama are the base for the practice of Yoga. Without Yama and Niyama it is impossible to practice Yoga. This is a short introduction to these principles. They are the

1. Yama and Niyama
Yogic Principles for Yogic Principles for
Mental Harmony and Mental Harmony and
Social PeaceSocial Peace
Photo by Takako Nakasu
By Dada Rainjitananda

2. What is the purpose of human
life?
Not only happiness and Not only happiness and
peacepeace
But infinite happiness and But infinite happiness and
infinite peaceinfinite peace
 or Bliss or Bliss
in the Yoga philosophy it is in the Yoga philosophy it is
called “called “AnandaAnanda””

3. How does the human structure
function?
It transforms physical matter into mental It transforms physical matter into mental
substance and mental substance into substance and mental substance into
spiritual consciousnessspiritual consciousness

4. How does the human structure
function?
Food is transformed into various elements Food is transformed into various elements
in the body: in the body:

Rasa (chyle, fluid essence of digested Rasa (chyle, fluid essence of digested
food) –> blood –> flesh –> fat –> bone –food) –> blood –> flesh –> fat –> bone –
> bone marrow -> shukra (the final > bone marrow -> shukra (the final
essence of food)essence of food)

5. How does the human structure
function?
Shukra nourishes the brain, strengthen the Shukra nourishes the brain, strengthen the
nerves, and provides vitality to the bodynerves, and provides vitality to the body
Shukra is also transformed into semen and Shukra is also transformed into semen and
other tissues and fluids used for other tissues and fluids used for
reproductionreproduction
Excess sexual activity may deplete the Excess sexual activity may deplete the
organism of shukraorganism of shukra

6. How does the human structure
function?
After food reaches its subtlest physical After food reaches its subtlest physical
transformation, then it is further transformation, then it is further
transformed into mental substance called transformed into mental substance called
“Ectoplasm”. “Ectoplasm”.
If one meditates and encourages spiritual If one meditates and encourages spiritual
thoughts then Ectoplasm is further thoughts then Ectoplasm is further
transformed into Consciousness (“Spiritual transformed into Consciousness (“Spiritual
substance”)substance”)

7. How does the human structure
function?
When ectoplasm becomes consciousness When ectoplasm becomes consciousness
one experiences blissone experiences bliss

8. Our daily life
It is what we do during the 24 hours of our It is what we do during the 24 hours of our
day that determines the quality of our lifeday that determines the quality of our life
““As we think so we become” is an ancient As we think so we become” is an ancient
Yogic proverbYogic proverb
How to choose what to do from How to choose what to do from
what not to do? How to control our what not to do? How to control our
thoughts?thoughts?

9. The User’s Guide for Humans
Part 1 – YamaPart 1 – Yama
Part 2 - NiyamaPart 2 - Niyama

10. Progress
Physical Sphere – there is only relative Physical Sphere – there is only relative
progress (pros and cons) progress (pros and cons)
Mental Sphere – also only relative progress, Mental Sphere – also only relative progress,
the mind eventually deterioratesthe mind eventually deteriorates
Spiritual Sphere – the only permanent Spiritual Sphere – the only permanent
progress is in this sphereprogress is in this sphere

11. Mental Equilibrium
Our energy is drained by disharmony within Our energy is drained by disharmony within
ourselves and with those around usourselves and with those around us
The first level of the mind is the Conscious The first level of the mind is the Conscious
Mind which relates through the senses with Mind which relates through the senses with
the external world.the external world.
Mental Equilibrium is the first step to move Mental Equilibrium is the first step to move
towards higher realization.towards higher realization.

12. Interconnectedness of all creation
Although human beings are becoming more Although human beings are becoming more
aware, our value system does not yet reflect aware, our value system does not yet reflect
this realization of the Oneness of allthis realization of the Oneness of all
Still based on dogmatic ideas of sin and Still based on dogmatic ideas of sin and
absolute virtueabsolute virtue
Vague ideas of ethical relativism – anything Vague ideas of ethical relativism – anything
goes since everything, after all, is relativegoes since everything, after all, is relative

13. Yama and Niyama
Principles for self-controlPrinciples for self-control
Towards oneself and towards othersTowards oneself and towards others
There are five kinds of yama and five kinds
of niyama whose very purpose is to regulate
the external and internal behaviour of
human beings according to the highest
principles.

14. Sanskrit
The inner language of the human body.The inner language of the human body.
The philosophy of Yoga is given in Sanskrit The philosophy of Yoga is given in Sanskrit
termsterms

15. 5 Principles of Yama
AhimAhim’’sasa’’- not to inflict pain or hurt anyone- not to inflict pain or hurt anyone
Satya – benevolent use of mind and wordsSatya – benevolent use of mind and words
Asteya – non-stealingAsteya – non-stealing
Brahmacarya – remain absorbed in Brahmacarya – remain absorbed in
Supreme ConsciousnessSupreme Consciousness
Aparigraha – non accumulationAparigraha – non accumulation
Yama

16. 1. Ahim’sa’
ManovaManova’’kkayaeh kkayaeh
sarvabhusarvabhu’’tanatana’’mapiidamapiida’’namahimnamahim’’sasa
Not inflicting pain or hurt anybody by Not inflicting pain or hurt anybody by
thought, word or actionthought, word or action

17. Suppose you are alone in the universe, Suppose you are alone in the universe,
would you be able to follow Ahimwould you be able to follow Ahim’’sasa’’??

18. Historical definitions of Ahim’sa’
There were many impractical interpretations of There were many impractical interpretations of
Ahim’sa Ahim’sa
In the Post-vedic age not only killing was In the Post-vedic age not only killing was
prohibited but even to fight a defensive fightprohibited but even to fight a defensive fight
Tilling the land was not allowed because it causes Tilling the land was not allowed because it causes
death to insects and sugar must be poured to the death to insects and sugar must be poured to the
ants even though humans starvedants even though humans starved
Breathing causes death of microbes so people Breathing causes death of microbes so people
were prescribed maskswere prescribed masks

19. Historical definitions of Ahim’sa’
Many became selfish atheists which created a Many became selfish atheists which created a
problem for societyproblem for society
AhimAhim’’sasa’’ influenced philosophy/religion became influenced philosophy/religion became
impractical and impotent in natureimpractical and impotent in nature

20. A second definition
It was HimIt was Him’’sasa’’ to cause pain to living beings to cause pain to living beings
but slaughter animals for food was acceptedbut slaughter animals for food was accepted

21. A more recent interpretation
Non-violence or non-application of forceNon-violence or non-application of force
Possibly the most distortedPossibly the most distorted
Life develops through the medium of forceLife develops through the medium of force
Non-application of force is contrary to the Non-application of force is contrary to the
fundamentals of naturefundamentals of nature
It makes people passiveIt makes people passive

22. The Yogic meaning
One will have to guide oneOne will have to guide one’’s conduct s conduct
carefully to ensure that onecarefully to ensure that one’’s thoughts or s thoughts or
actions cause pain to nobody and are unjust actions cause pain to nobody and are unjust
to none.to none.
Food is to be selected from amongst the Food is to be selected from amongst the
beings with the least developed beings with the least developed
consciousnessconsciousness

23. A’tata’yii
There are enemiesThere are enemies
Against enemies one will need to apply forceAgainst enemies one will need to apply force

24. A’tata’yii
Anyone who, by the use of brute force:Anyone who, by the use of brute force:

Wants to take possession of your propertyWants to take possession of your property

Abducts your spouseAbducts your spouse

Comes with a weapon to murder youComes with a weapon to murder you

Wants to snatch away wealthWants to snatch away wealth

Sets fire to housesSets fire to houses

Wants to take life by administering poisonWants to take life by administering poison

25. Use of force
The use of force against an aggressor is The use of force against an aggressor is
valor and desisting from such use of force is valor and desisting from such use of force is
cowardice.cowardice.

26. Strategy
But the weak person must assess his But the weak person must assess his
strength before indulging in violent conflict strength before indulging in violent conflict
with a powerful aggressorwith a powerful aggressor

27. Forgive but …
To pardon the aggressor without correcting To pardon the aggressor without correcting
his/her nature would mean encouraging his/her nature would mean encouraging
injustice.injustice.

28. Think about the following
actions in relation to Ahim’sa
SuicideSuicide
AbortionAbortion
Eating animalsEating animals
Defending yourselfDefending yourself
The use of drugsThe use of drugs
DisarmamentDisarmament

29. 2. Satya
This practice implies proper action of mind This practice implies proper action of mind
and right use of the words with the spirit of and right use of the words with the spirit of
collective welfare.collective welfare.
No English synonym. Truth is translated in No English synonym. Truth is translated in
Sanskrit as Sanskrit as ““RtaRta””
Satya is deeper than Rta as it requires Satya is deeper than Rta as it requires
benevolencebenevolence
One has to develop the proper mental One has to develop the proper mental
attitude towards external objects or peopleattitude towards external objects or people

30. Satya
Where there is no propagation of Satya
people indulge in individual selfishness or
group selfishness
Their only object becomes to establish
oneself in this material world by means of
the use of well-knit language and
cunningness

31. Hope
Through Satya hope is Through Satya hope is
encouraged and it encouraged and it
strengthens humanitystrengthens humanity

32. 3. Asteya
Not to take possession of what belongs to Not to take possession of what belongs to
othersothers
Non-stealingNon-stealing

33. 4 types of stealing
1. Physical theft of any material1. Physical theft of any material
2. Planning in the mind to take possession2. Planning in the mind to take possession
3. Depriving others of what is their due3. Depriving others of what is their due
4. Planning in the mind to deprive others4. Planning in the mind to deprive others

34. Asteya – non-stealing
Indirect ways of stealing: Indirect ways of stealing:
Adulterated goodsAdulterated goods
BribingBribing
CorruptionCorruption
ExploitationExploitation

35. 4. Brahmacarya
To remain attached to the Universal To remain attached to the Universal
ConsciousnessConsciousness
Treat the objects as different expressions of Treat the objects as different expressions of
that Universal Consciousness.that Universal Consciousness.
To feel the Cosmic Entity in every material To feel the Cosmic Entity in every material
objectobject
Does not mean celibacyDoes not mean celibacy

36. 5. Aparigraha
Non-indulgence in the enjoyment of such Non-indulgence in the enjoyment of such
amenities and comforts which are amenities and comforts which are
superfluous for life.superfluous for life.
Non-accumulationNon-accumulation
Control over the subjectivity is Control over the subjectivity is
Brahmacarya and control over the Brahmacarya and control over the
objectivity is Aparigrahaobjectivity is Aparigraha

37. Minimum requirements
Vary according to time, space and personVary according to time, space and person
Can, to some extent, be determined by the Can, to some extent, be determined by the
societysociety
Maximum amenities Maximum amenities

38. How to live in the Society
The establishment of a Society depends on The establishment of a Society depends on
the mutual help of the members and their the mutual help of the members and their
co-operative behavior. co-operative behavior.
The principles of Yama and NiyamaThe principles of Yama and Niyama
It is necessary some control of society over It is necessary some control of society over
an individualan individual’’s conduct and expenditures conduct and expenditure

39. Niyama
Principles for harmony within oneselfPrinciples for harmony within oneself
It depends on oneIt depends on one’’s relationship with s relationship with
oneselfoneself

40. 5 Principles of Niyama
Shaoca – purity of body and mindShaoca – purity of body and mind
SantosSantos’’a – contentmenta – contentment
Tapah – to undergo hardships to attain the Tapah – to undergo hardships to attain the
goalgoal
Svadhyaya – study of philosophy/scripturesSvadhyaya – study of philosophy/scriptures
Iishvara Pranidhana - meditation Iishvara Pranidhana - meditation

41. Shaoca - cleanliness
PhysicalPhysical

External – body and environmentExternal – body and environment

Internal - foodInternal - food
PsychicPsychic

External – control over inferencesExternal – control over inferences

Internal – mental tendenciesInternal – mental tendencies

42. External Psychic Shaoca
Suppose someone is very happy, one feels jealous. Suppose someone is very happy, one feels jealous.
Impose an opposite idea – friendlinessImpose an opposite idea – friendliness
One will also feel happy when a friend is happyOne will also feel happy when a friend is happy
Somebody is in trouble, one feels he deserved itSomebody is in trouble, one feels he deserved it
Be compassionateBe compassionate
Somebody is prospering, progressing, one feels Somebody is prospering, progressing, one feels
envyenvy
Encourage themEncourage them

43. A pure mind
If an acquaintance earns name, fame, If an acquaintance earns name, fame,
gathers much knowledge, many will have a gathers much knowledge, many will have a
feeling of jealousy against him/herfeeling of jealousy against him/her
When self interest is hamperedWhen self interest is hampered
Cleansing the mind is far more difficult Cleansing the mind is far more difficult
than cleansing the body and environmentthan cleansing the body and environment

44. 2. Santos’a - contentment
Can not be achieved when running after Can not be achieved when running after
material objectsmaterial objects
Achievements of desired objects may give Achievements of desired objects may give
pleasure for an hour and one will run in pleasure for an hour and one will run in
pursuit of new objectspursuit of new objects
Human desire knows no endHuman desire knows no end

45. Santos’a
Auto-suggestion – take thoughts which are Auto-suggestion – take thoughts which are
contrary to mean tendenciescontrary to mean tendencies

46. 3. Tapah
To undergo hardship to reach the goal.To undergo hardship to reach the goal.
To undergo physical discomfort with a view To undergo physical discomfort with a view
to benefit humanityto benefit humanity
To be above selfishnessTo be above selfishness
Look upon the served ones as an expression Look upon the served ones as an expression
of the Cosmos and look after their comforts of the Cosmos and look after their comforts
selflesslyselflessly

47. Buddha
Buddha says:Buddha says:

Win the miser by charityWin the miser by charity

Win the liar by speaking the truthWin the liar by speaking the truth
There is need of knowledge to follow TapahThere is need of knowledge to follow Tapah

48. Sva’dhya’ya
Clear understanding of spiritual subjectsClear understanding of spiritual subjects
Not only understanding of the subject by Not only understanding of the subject by
reading or hearing but also to understand its reading or hearing but also to understand its
significance – the underlying idea.significance – the underlying idea.
Those of vested interest want to keep the Those of vested interest want to keep the
public away from the spirit of scriptures to public away from the spirit of scriptures to
exploitexploit

49. Iishvara Pranidha’na
Iishvara means the controller of the Iishvara means the controller of the
universeuniverse
The one who controls the thought waves of The one who controls the thought waves of
this universethis universe
PranidhaPranidha’’na means to understand clearly or na means to understand clearly or
to adopt something as a shelterto adopt something as a shelter

50. Iishvara Pranidha’na
To set up oneself in Cosmic IdeaTo set up oneself in Cosmic Idea
To accept Iishvara as the only ideal of lifeTo accept Iishvara as the only ideal of life
It is a pure mental effort based absolutely It is a pure mental effort based absolutely
on feelingon feeling
Shouting at the top of oneShouting at the top of one’’s voice or beating s voice or beating
drums will not do, Iishvara is not deaf.drums will not do, Iishvara is not deaf.

51. Iishvara Pranidha’na
One will have to detach the mind from the One will have to detach the mind from the
external objectsexternal objects
Then withdraw the mind from oneThen withdraw the mind from one’’s internal s internal
physicalityphysicality
Concentrate it at a fixed pointConcentrate it at a fixed point
Keep the thought of the Macrocosm around Keep the thought of the Macrocosm around
that point with the help of its conception that point with the help of its conception
based on a mantrabased on a mantra

52. 3 Types of Mantra repetition
Reciting prayers in loud tones is Reciting prayers in loud tones is
meaningless. Better to recite a verse or a meaningless. Better to recite a verse or a
song.song.
Psalms uttered in low tone are better but not Psalms uttered in low tone are better but not
idealideal
Mental ideation should be expressed Mental ideation should be expressed
mentally. Mental use of Mantra is the best.mentally. Mental use of Mantra is the best.

53. Collective Iishvara Pranidhana
The combined mental efforts work togetherThe combined mental efforts work together
There is tremendous benefit to the meditatorThere is tremendous benefit to the meditator
The strong mental force aroused will help in The strong mental force aroused will help in
solving any problems small or big on thie solving any problems small or big on thie
Earth.Earth.

54. Don’t just sit there, meditate.

55. Kiirtan
Kiirtan is spiritual chanting using mantraKiirtan is spiritual chanting using mantra
It can be accompanied by danceIt can be accompanied by dance
It engages the mind and body in spiritual It engages the mind and body in spiritual
practicepractice

56. Baba Nam
Kevalam
Love is All there is.
Universal mantra