The five yamas
- Ahimsa. Non-violence in thought, word and deed.
- Satya. Truthfulness.
- Asteya. Not stealing — not taking what is not freely given.
- Brahmacharya. Self-restraint and right use of energy.
- Aparigraha. Non-possessiveness, not grasping.
Yoga Sutra 2.30
अहिंसासत्यास्तेयब्रह्मचर्यापरिग्रहा यमाः ॥
ahiṃsā-satya-asteya-brahmacarya-aparigrahā yamāḥ ||
Non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, self-restraint and non-possessiveness are the yamas.
The five niyamas
- Shaucha. Cleanliness of body and mind.
- Santosha. Contentment.
- Tapas. Discipline, the heat of steady effort.
- Svadhyaya. Self-study and study of scripture.
- Ishvara pranidhana. Surrender to God.
Yoga Sutra 2.32
शौचसन्तोषतपःस्वाध्यायेश्वरप्रणिधानानि नियमाः ॥
śauca-santoṣa-tapaḥ-svādhyāya-īśvarapraṇidhānāni niyamāḥ ||
Cleanliness, contentment, discipline, self-study and surrender to God are the niyamas.
Why ethics comes first
Patanjali calls the yamas a "great vow" (mahavrata) valid at all times and places (2.31). A mind troubled by violence, lies or greed cannot become still, so yoga begins with how we live. He also describes the fruits: when non-violence is established, enmity falls away in one's presence (2.35); when contentment is established, supreme happiness follows (2.42).
Frequently asked questions
How many yamas and niyamas are there?
Five each in the Yoga Sutras; some later texts list ten of each.
Which is the most important yama?
Ahimsa, non-violence, is considered the root of all the others.