Yama and Niyama: Universal Laws of Morality

The first time those morality laws were written in Sanskrit – very widely understood language, that hard-to understand simple interpretation. Also, every practitioner can understand it by himself. Here you will find one way to understand it.

Yama – compilation of principles that determines relationship with the external world, talk about human behavior rules with his surroundings, and includes those principles:

1. Ahimsa – non-violence, non-harm to the surrounding world and all living beings in thoughts, speech, and action. Liberation from anger, aggression, and negative emotions, ability to realize and accept the world as it is.

2. Satya – truthfulness in thoughts and speech, orienting the mind to self-development.

3. Asteya – non-stealing, satisfaction of material situation.

4. Aparigraha – non-greed, non-hoarding, non-accepting gifts and undeserved welfare.

5. Brahmacharya – being free from sensual pleasures.

Niyama – compilation of principles that determines relationship with inner world, talk about human behavior rules with himself, it includes those principles:

1. Saucha – cleanliness, practice of physical cleansing. The cleaner the physical body, the fewer obstacles and limits for more subtle bodies. It also includes cleansing of speech and thoughts.

2. Santosha – satisfaction, inner peace, and positive thinking gives freedom for mind – no need to worry, gives spiritual freedom.

3. Tapasya – concentration of will and energy to reach a goal, overcoming spiritual and physical ignorance, and going out of one’s comfort zone for spiritual growth. Tapas also means askesis, patience.

4. Svadhyaya – consciousness, self-knowledge through knowledge from the external world and using that knowledge in regular personal practice, and knowledge of the external world through self-knowledge.

5. Ishvara-pranidhana – self dedication to reach unity with the Highest, unity of human (atman) and god.

Yama and Niyama principles help to expand, get freedom and harmony, inner peace and wisdom, and cure physical diseases – that’s the reason why people come to yoga.

Who wants to start personal growth, it’s essential to follow those principles. The same as it is impossible to build a good house without a foundation, so adequate spiritual growth is impossible without following moral principles.

Author: E. Vatolina