Maharshi Patanjali is one of the most renowned sages of India. His life is dated to mid 2nd century BCE by both Western and Indian scholars. The Ashtanga Yoga or Eight Limbs of Yoga are given by Maharshi Patanjali in his Yogdarshana. It is the way of yoga recommended by Patanjali for ordinary people to achieve the highest goal i.e. Samadhi. However, practising these can lead us to a better lifestyle to start with!
According to Sage Patanjali:
“Yogaścittavṛttinirodhaḥ” (Yogas chitta vritti nirodha)
Meaning: Yoga is to control the modifications of the mind! Yoga is a continuous process of gaining control over the mind which helps us to reach our original state.
The Eight Limbs with classifications are as follows:
The Eight Limbs of Yoga – The Ashtanga Yoga:
- Yama : Universal morality (5 types)
- Niyama : Personal observances (5 types)
- Asanas : Body postures (2 main sutras)
- Pranayama : Breathing exercises, and control of prana
- Pratyahara : Control of the senses
- Dharana : Concentration and cultivating inner perceptual awareness
- Dhyana : Devotion, Meditation on the Divine
- Samadhi : Union with the Divine
Yama: Rules to be observed in the society.
- Ahimsa (Non-violence)
- Satya (Truth)
- Asteya (Non-stealing)
- Brahmacharya (Continence)
- Aparigraha (Non-Hoarding
Niyamas: Observances to be practiced to develop personal qualities.
- Saucha (Purity)
- Santosha (Contentment)
- Tapa (Penance)
- Swadhyaya (Self-Study)
- Ishwara Pranidhana (Surrender)
Asana:
Asanas are Psychosomatic Postures. Patanjali describes an asana as a steady and pleasurable posture to be attained with effortlessness – keeping the body and mind relaxed.
Asanas have a special significance for the maintenance of a healthy body and mind. They are the preparatory practices for Pranayamas. In Patanjali’s Yog Darshan some important interrelated principles regarding Asanas are given. Of which, Sthirasukhamasanam is the first one. It means Asanas are steady postures affording pleasure. In yogic asana, one should experience pleasure both physically and mentally. So now the question arises, how can one get pleasure out of the asana? For the same, Patanjali has given a very simple solution in the form of an answer. He suggested one should minimise the efforts i.e. practice Prayatnashaithilya.
So the two important sutras (definitions) are:
The key to success in this regard is practice with effort, which becomes progressively easier, combined with deep contemplation (samapatti).
Pranayama:
Disciplined Yogic Breathing
Pratyahara:
Withdrawal of the senses
Dharana:
Fixation of the mind on some limited area or the object, mostly breath
Dhyana:
Meditation
Samadhi:
Self-Realisation. The ultimate aim of yoga is Samadhi or liberation
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These were the Ashtanga Yoga or the Eight Limbs of Yoga by Maharishi Patanjali.
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