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The yamas (Sanskrit: यम, romanized: yama), and their complement, the niyamas, represent a series of "right living" or ethical rules within Yoga philosophy. The word yama means "reining in" or "control".[1] They are restraints for proper conduct given in the Vedas and the Yoga Sutras as moral imperatives, commandments, rules or goals. The yamas are a "don't"s list of self-restraints, typically representing commitments that affect one's relations with others and self.[2] The complementary niyamas represent the "do"s. Together yamas and niyamas are personal obligations to live well.[2]
The earliest mention of yamas is in the Rigveda. More than fifty texts of Hinduism, from its various traditions, discuss yamas.[3] Patañjali lists five yamas in his Yoga Sūtras. Ten yamas are codified as "the restraints" in numerous Hindu texts, including Yajnavalkya Smriti in verse 3.313,[1] the Śāṇḍilya and Vārāha Upanishads, the Hatha Yoga Pradipika by Svātmārāma,[4] and the Tirumantiram of Tirumular.[5]
The yamas apply broadly and include self-restraints in one's actions, words, and thoughts.[6]
- ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
monierwilliamsyamaswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b Lasater, Judith (November–December 1998). "Beginning the Journey". Yoga Journal: 42–48.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
svbwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
svatmaramwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^
- Ramaswami, Sŕivatsa (2001). Yoga for the three stages of life. Inner Traditions / Bear & Company. p. 229. ISBN 978-0892818204.
- Devanand, G. K. (2008). Teaching of Yoga. APH Publishing. p. 45. ISBN 978-8131301722.
Yama is a "moral restraint" or rule for living virtuously. Ten yamas are codified in numerous scriptures, including the Hatha Yoga Pradeepika compiled by Yogi Swatmarama, while Patanjali lists five yamas and five niyamas (disciplines) in the Yoga Sutras.
- ^ Weiss, Debra (2006). "Ahimsa: Nonviolence from a Yoga Perspective". Fellowship. 72 (1–2): 25.