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=== योगे ॥ In Yoga ===

=== योगे ॥ In Yoga ===

Maharshi Patanjali has systematised the methods to remove various factors that distract the mind and has chalked out an eight-limbed process that slowly leads a person towards the ultimate state of samadhi. These eight limbs are:

Maharshi Patanjali has systematised the methods to remove various factors that distract the mind and has chalked out an eight-limbed process that slowly leads a person towards the ultimate state of samadhi. These eight limbs are:

 

yama, external discipline;

# Yama (external discipline)

 

# Niyama (internal discipline)

niyama, internal discipline;

 

# Pranayama (breath control)

# Pratyahara (withdrawal of the sense organs)

 

# Dharana (steadfast concentration)

pranayama, breath control;

# Dhyana (meditative absorption)

 

pratyahara, withdrawal of the sense organs;

 

dharana, steadfast concentration;

 

dhyana, meditative absorption; and

 

 

Yama and niyama are foundational without which the practice of asana or pranayama will never bear fruit. The tenets of yama and niyama are the tenets of samanya dharma and are universal and apply to everyone. Yama includes non-violence, truth, non-stealing, brahmacharya, and aparigraha, not holding more than what is necessary. Niyama includes cleanliness, cheerfulness, austerity, svadhyaya, and surrender to God. The practice of these tenets of samanya dharma will regulate one’s lifestyle, build character, remove mental distractions, and purify the mind. The purification of mind leads to stillness of the mind. Hence, when a person established in yama and niyama practises asana and pranayama, she or he will be able to withdraw the senses and attain one-pointed concentration which will ultimately lead to samadhi. Therefore, samanya dharma is an inseparable aspect of yoga, without which any practice of yoga would be fruitless.<ref name=":7" />

Yama and niyama are foundational without which the practice of asana or pranayama will never bear fruit. The tenets of yama and niyama are the tenets of samanya dharma and are universal and apply to everyone. Yama includes non-violence, truth, non-stealing, brahmacharya, and aparigraha, not holding more than what is necessary. Niyama includes cleanliness, cheerfulness, austerity, svadhyaya, and surrender to God. The practice of these tenets of samanya dharma will regulate one’s lifestyle, build character, remove mental distractions, and purify the mind. The purification of mind leads to stillness of the mind. Hence, when a person established in yama and niyama practises asana and pranayama, she or he will be able to withdraw the senses and attain one-pointed concentration which will ultimately lead to samadhi. Therefore, samanya dharma is an inseparable aspect of yoga, without which any practice of yoga would be fruitless.<ref name=":7" />