In this episode of “5 Minutes,” Dr. Robert Svoboda explores the meaning and purpose of the Yamas and Niyamas, the ethical and practical disciplines that form the foundation of Yoga.
Those who are familiar with the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali will likely think of the five Yamas and five Niyamas described there. This is certainly an important and appropriate list to study, although the classical Sanskrit texts contain more than fifty different lists of Yamas and Niyamas.
The word Yama is often translated as “restraint.” Originally, it referred to a rein, such as the reins used to guide a horse or another draft animal. The purpose of a Yama is to rein us in, preventing us from moving in directions that are harmful. The word Yama is also the name of the god of death, who permanently reins in the personality at the end of this lifetime. As a group, the Yamas describe actions and tendencies that should be restrained or avoided.
The five Yamas described by Patanjali are Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truthfulness), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (conduct appropriate to the pursuit of the Supreme Reality), and Aparigraha (non-covetousness or non-possessiveness). Of these, many regard Ahimsa as the most fundamental. In Sanskrit there is a saying, Ahimsa paramo dharmah – non-violence is the highest dharma. This means non-violence toward yourself, toward others, and toward the universe as a whole. The remaining Yamas can be understood as natural extensions of this principle. Asteya and Aparigraha help prevent us from encroaching upon what belongs to others, while Satya reminds us to uphold truth, even though expressing ultimate truth through ordinary human speech is often difficult. Brahmacharya literally means living in a manner appropriate to Brahman, the Supreme Reality. Although it is often interpreted as regulating sexual conduct, its broader meaning is to live in a way that supports spiritual realization.
The Yamas encourage us to restrain ourselves, preventing us from rushing ahead in ways that are ultimately harmful to ourselves or to others.
The Niyamas, by contrast, are positive observances. The prefix ni suggests moving inward, so the Niyamas encourage us to cultivate qualities within ourselves that support spiritual growth.
Patanjali lists five Niyamas: Shaucha (purity), Santosha (contentment), Tapas (disciplined effort or penance), Svadhyaya (self-study), and Ishvara Pranidhana (surrender to the Supreme). Other traditional lists also include practices such as Dana (generosity), Astikya (faith), and Hri (modesty), emphasizing humility, generosity, and recognition of one’s own limitations.
Among the Niyamas, Santosha, or contentment, is especially important. When we are content, we are less likely to be driven by raga (craving) or dvesha (aversion). Contentment creates the stability needed for genuine spiritual progress.
If we were to focus on only one Yama and one Niyama, Dr. Svoboda suggests choosing Ahimsa, non-violence, and Santosha, contentment. Together, these two principles alone can move us steadily in a positive direction.