ASTANGAYOGA EIGHT LIMPS

ASTANGAYOGA EIGHT LIMPS

1. YAMA (Moral codes/Ethical disciplines)
The great commandments transcending creed, country, age and time, they are
i. Ahimsa (non-violence)
ii. Satya (Truth)
iii. Asteya (Non stealing)
iv. Brahmacharya (Continence)
v. Aparigraha(non covetousness)
These commandments are the rules of morality for society and the individual, which if not obeyed bring chaos, violence, untruth, stealing, dissipation and covetousness. The roots of these evils are the emotions of greed, desire and attachments, which may be mild, medium or excessive. They only bring pain and ignorance. Pathanjali strikes at the root of these evils by changing the direction of one's thinking along the five principles of yama.

2. NIYAMA (Self purification by discipline)
Niyama are the rules of conduct that apply to individual discipline while yama are universal in their applications. The five niyama such as
i Saucha (Purity)
ii Santosa (Contentment)
iii Tapas (Ardour or austerity)
iv Svadhyaya (Study of the self)
v Isvara pranidhana (Dedication to the lord)

3. ASANA (Physical posture)
Asana brings steadiness, health and lightness of limb. A steady and pleasant posture produces mental equilibrium and prevents fickleness of mind.
Asanas have been evolved over the centuries so as to exercise every muscle, nerve and glands in the body. They secure a fine physique, which is strong and elastic without being muscle-bound and they keep the body free from disease. They reduce fatigue and soothe the nerves. But their real importance lies in the way they train and discipline the mind.

4. PRANAYAMA(Prana+Ayama)Rhythmic control of breath
Just as the word yoga is one of wide import, so also is prana. Prana means breath, respiration, life, vitality wind, energy or strength. Pranayama thus connotes extension of breath and its control like inhalation, exhalation and Retention.

5. PRATYAHARA (Senses are brought under control)
If a man's reason succumbs to the pull of his senses he is lost, On the other hand, if there is rhythmic control of breath, the senses instead of running after external objects of desire turn inwards, and man is set free from their tyranny. This is pratyahara, where the senses are brought under control.

6. DHARANA (Concentration)
When the body has been tempered by asanas, when the mind has been refined by the fire of pranayama and when the senses have been brought under control by pratyahara, the sadhaka reaches the sixth stage called dharana. Here, "he is concentrated wholly on a single point or a task". In which he is completely engrossed. The mind has to be stilled in order to achieve this state of complete absorption.

7. DHYANA (Meditation)When oil is poured from one vessel to another, one can observe the steady constant flow. When the flow of concentration is uninterrupted, the state that arises is dhyana. As the filament in an electric bulb glows and illumines, when there is a regular uninterrupted current of electricity, the yogi's mind will be illumined by dhyana. His body, breath, senses, mind, reason and ego are all integrated in the object of his contemplation the universal spirit. He remains in a state of supreme bliss, like a streak lightening the yogi sees light that shines beyond the earth and the heavens. He sees the light that shines in his own heart. He becomes a light unto himself and others.

8. SAMADHI (A state of super consciousness)Samadhi is the end of the sadhaka's quest. At the peak of his meditation, he passes into the state of Samadhi where his body and senses are at rest as if he is asleep, his faculties of mind and reasons are alert as if he is awake yet he has gone beyond consciousne.