Life lead in fancy without any code of ethics ensue the birth taken in the world completely unworthy. An integrated framework of discipline is quintessential for mankind to make his/her existence worthwhile and procure victory in anything one wishes for. The well known thirukural "Discipline gives greatness, henceforth it should be preserved more carefully than life" elucidates the prominence of discipline. Correspondingly, The yogic science has devised the code conduct under the name of Yamas(moral restraint) and Niyamas(self discipline), as a prerequisite for the yogic practioner.We will be discussing about only Yamas in this article.
Yamas list down the set of restraints or control, the yogic Practitioner should exercise. It is of cardinal responsibility for a yogi/ yogini to perform righteous actions by keeping away from derogatory deeds. Question may arise why yamas occupies first step in Ashtanga yoga. Abstaining from vice will better equip the yogic practioner to follow the principles of nyamas(Self Discipline). Sage Thirumoolar compares yamas with rain which can be intepreted in two ways. The first one is the good dose of rain nurturing earth and corroborating a wealthy society is due to the good Karmas performed by our anscestors. Similarly, everyone should tirelessly carry out yamas for the well being of the world. The other interpretation is rain fall is poured equally on the earth without any differences say rich or poor, good or bad, drainage or a pristine clean river water. Like wise, yamas should be performed without any bias towards a particular gender, community or society.
Five yamas are mentioned in the Yoga sutras of Patanjali where as other Yogic literatures such as Thirumandiram, Yajnavalkya Smriti, Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Trishiki Brahmnopanishad,Dharshanopanishad, Vashishtha Samhita and many other yogic texts explains yamas of ten number.
AHIMSA
The act of not injuring any living or non living things through thought, word and deed is Ahimsa. Harming one's own self for dissatisfied body posture,developing hatred towards the kind of person they are, accumulation of irrelevant and conflicting thought patterns should be dissolved altogether and cultivate self love which will eventually pave the way for exercising non-violence towards others.Killing or performing any gruel actions in opposition to animals for leisure activity and food is not judicious. Clean vegetarian food is the most suitable diet for yoga. In no way portray yourself superior over any animate and inanimate things as each and everything is created for a purpose. Understanding this very essence will circumvent aggression and develop a sense of gratitude towards them.
SATYA
Satya is being truthful in speech, action and gesture. Initiating a false statement or pretending to be a false person would trigger a second lie to protect the first one, which will keep on multiplying into an avalanche of fallacy. The entire life will turn into deception and peace of mind will be lost. Therefore, Yogic practioners should always stay away from uttering half backed and deceptive affirmations, fictitious promises, performing falsity, deluding notions and company of beguiling people.
ASTEYA
Asteya is the action of non stealing.The contemplation as well as the activity of snatching other's commodity, provoking others to steal, reception of gifts from unauthorized person, purchasing and trading illegal products, vending cheap and artificial products under the name of expensive articles,cheating others by selling goods with false measurements and weights are all come under the category of stealing.A yogi should shun away from conducing the above acts.
DHRITI
Dhriti means steadfast, unwavering and single minded. Inability and fear to take firm decision, lack of conviction to stand by the decision taken, incompatible and confused thoughts, inferiority complex ought to be completely avoided. Speech should be clear and concise delivering the purpose without any unnecessary phrases and diplomacy. In addition to that, Yogic practioner should completely destroy the roots of procrastination and always align with discharging the duty vigorously.
DAYA
Daya is being compassionate, benevolent and kind hearted towards all beings. One should always empathize the emotions and feelings of others as if responding to one's own feeling while doing any activity. It is of prime importance for every yogic practitioner to show sympathy towards weak, impoverished, old people and the needy who is in distressed state. Daya can also be put in a beautiful phrase " Unconditional love" , the manouveir of expressing fondness from the depth of heart without any leaps and bounds, with zero expectations is believed to be the highest gesture of mankind. Also cultivate the deed of forgiving others who has ever harmed you in life and restrain from callous, cruel and brutal actions and impressions.
KSHAMA
Kshama is patience, forbearance and calmness. Patience is one of the important quality, a yogic practitioner should possess while travelling in the path of yoga. Never ever hurry up in doing any work rather give in your hard work and time to accomplish it. Develop the attitude of tolerating pain and ill words from others, abstain from anger and be equanimous even in a disagreeable situation. Do not dominate others instead give them equal chance to showcase their expertise. Actively listen to your opponent in any conversation and think twice or thrice before delivering your opinion.
ARJAVA
Arjava is honesty and straightforwardness. Evade illegal, unlawful and inlegitimate actions. Abide by the rules and regulations of the society invariably. Be upright in your actions and do not give up your genuinity under any circumstances. Avoid backbiting instead tell face to face, the forbidden and wrong conduct of others.Always be bold to showcase your true self in any situation and shy away from being psuedo and pretentious.
MITAHAR
Mitahar is moderation from eating and building a healthy relationship with food. Yogic practitioner should elude cold, stale, rotten, highly pungent, half cooked and very heavy food as it demands wastage of large amount of energy to digest, leading to ailments. A fresh and wholesome vegetarian diet vitalising and energising the body as well as pleasing the senses is recommended. Also, it is advisable to eat only when you are hungry. Hatha yoga prathipika says, one should eat food in such a way that half of the stomach is filled with solid food, next quarter with water and the remaining quarter left empty.
SAUCHA
Saucha is keeping one's physical, energy and mental body pure, flawless and unadulterated. Bath twice a day, wear laundered clothes and maintain personal hygiene for a clean physique. Also, verbally abstain from using harsh foul words. Practice Yoga kriyas and pranayama to clear the energy channel(nadis). Declutter gratuitous contemplation of mind by pondering over virtuous happenings, listening to vedic scriptures and practising meditation. On top of that, one should maintain a spic and span environment.
BRAMHACHARY
Bramhachary means a divine disciplinarian with vitality and vigour. Bachelors /spinster should not waste the vital energy by engaging in promiscuous actions. After marriage, life force should be utilised for the welfare and growth of the family. Loss of energy can be further cut down by avoiding superfluous and loud chit chats, Indulging in over exaggerated activities, lamentable company and wreckless travel.
Trishiki Brahmanopanishad says yama is 'Vairagya bhavana' which means ' a sense of conviction/ detachment' . Vigourous commitment and consistent application of yama is essential to achieve success.
Hari Om!
Yamas list down the set of restraints or control, the yogic Practitioner should exercise. It is of cardinal responsibility for a yogi/ yogini to perform righteous actions by keeping away from derogatory deeds. Question may arise why yamas occupies first step in Ashtanga yoga. Abstaining from vice will better equip the yogic practioner to follow the principles of nyamas(Self Discipline). Sage Thirumoolar compares yamas with rain which can be intepreted in two ways. The first one is the good dose of rain nurturing earth and corroborating a wealthy society is due to the good Karmas performed by our anscestors. Similarly, everyone should tirelessly carry out yamas for the well being of the world. The other interpretation is rain fall is poured equally on the earth without any differences say rich or poor, good or bad, drainage or a pristine clean river water. Like wise, yamas should be performed without any bias towards a particular gender, community or society.
Five yamas are mentioned in the Yoga sutras of Patanjali where as other Yogic literatures such as Thirumandiram, Yajnavalkya Smriti, Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Trishiki Brahmnopanishad,Dharshanopanishad, Vashishtha Samhita and many other yogic texts explains yamas of ten number.
AHIMSA
The act of not injuring any living or non living things through thought, word and deed is Ahimsa. Harming one's own self for dissatisfied body posture,developing hatred towards the kind of person they are, accumulation of irrelevant and conflicting thought patterns should be dissolved altogether and cultivate self love which will eventually pave the way for exercising non-violence towards others.Killing or performing any gruel actions in opposition to animals for leisure activity and food is not judicious. Clean vegetarian food is the most suitable diet for yoga. In no way portray yourself superior over any animate and inanimate things as each and everything is created for a purpose. Understanding this very essence will circumvent aggression and develop a sense of gratitude towards them.
SATYA
Satya is being truthful in speech, action and gesture. Initiating a false statement or pretending to be a false person would trigger a second lie to protect the first one, which will keep on multiplying into an avalanche of fallacy. The entire life will turn into deception and peace of mind will be lost. Therefore, Yogic practioners should always stay away from uttering half backed and deceptive affirmations, fictitious promises, performing falsity, deluding notions and company of beguiling people.
ASTEYA
Asteya is the action of non stealing.The contemplation as well as the activity of snatching other's commodity, provoking others to steal, reception of gifts from unauthorized person, purchasing and trading illegal products, vending cheap and artificial products under the name of expensive articles,cheating others by selling goods with false measurements and weights are all come under the category of stealing.A yogi should shun away from conducing the above acts.
DHRITI
Dhriti means steadfast, unwavering and single minded. Inability and fear to take firm decision, lack of conviction to stand by the decision taken, incompatible and confused thoughts, inferiority complex ought to be completely avoided. Speech should be clear and concise delivering the purpose without any unnecessary phrases and diplomacy. In addition to that, Yogic practioner should completely destroy the roots of procrastination and always align with discharging the duty vigorously.
DAYA
Daya is being compassionate, benevolent and kind hearted towards all beings. One should always empathize the emotions and feelings of others as if responding to one's own feeling while doing any activity. It is of prime importance for every yogic practitioner to show sympathy towards weak, impoverished, old people and the needy who is in distressed state. Daya can also be put in a beautiful phrase " Unconditional love" , the manouveir of expressing fondness from the depth of heart without any leaps and bounds, with zero expectations is believed to be the highest gesture of mankind. Also cultivate the deed of forgiving others who has ever harmed you in life and restrain from callous, cruel and brutal actions and impressions.
KSHAMA
Kshama is patience, forbearance and calmness. Patience is one of the important quality, a yogic practitioner should possess while travelling in the path of yoga. Never ever hurry up in doing any work rather give in your hard work and time to accomplish it. Develop the attitude of tolerating pain and ill words from others, abstain from anger and be equanimous even in a disagreeable situation. Do not dominate others instead give them equal chance to showcase their expertise. Actively listen to your opponent in any conversation and think twice or thrice before delivering your opinion.
ARJAVA
Arjava is honesty and straightforwardness. Evade illegal, unlawful and inlegitimate actions. Abide by the rules and regulations of the society invariably. Be upright in your actions and do not give up your genuinity under any circumstances. Avoid backbiting instead tell face to face, the forbidden and wrong conduct of others.Always be bold to showcase your true self in any situation and shy away from being psuedo and pretentious.
MITAHAR
Mitahar is moderation from eating and building a healthy relationship with food. Yogic practitioner should elude cold, stale, rotten, highly pungent, half cooked and very heavy food as it demands wastage of large amount of energy to digest, leading to ailments. A fresh and wholesome vegetarian diet vitalising and energising the body as well as pleasing the senses is recommended. Also, it is advisable to eat only when you are hungry. Hatha yoga prathipika says, one should eat food in such a way that half of the stomach is filled with solid food, next quarter with water and the remaining quarter left empty.
SAUCHA
Saucha is keeping one's physical, energy and mental body pure, flawless and unadulterated. Bath twice a day, wear laundered clothes and maintain personal hygiene for a clean physique. Also, verbally abstain from using harsh foul words. Practice Yoga kriyas and pranayama to clear the energy channel(nadis). Declutter gratuitous contemplation of mind by pondering over virtuous happenings, listening to vedic scriptures and practising meditation. On top of that, one should maintain a spic and span environment.
BRAMHACHARY
Bramhachary means a divine disciplinarian with vitality and vigour. Bachelors /spinster should not waste the vital energy by engaging in promiscuous actions. After marriage, life force should be utilised for the welfare and growth of the family. Loss of energy can be further cut down by avoiding superfluous and loud chit chats, Indulging in over exaggerated activities, lamentable company and wreckless travel.
Trishiki Brahmanopanishad says yama is 'Vairagya bhavana' which means ' a sense of conviction/ detachment' . Vigourous commitment and consistent application of yama is essential to achieve success.
Hari Om!
