Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga, often referred to as the Yoga of the Eight Limbs, provides a comprehensive framework for spiritual growth, self-discovery, and holistic well-being. Rooted in ancient Indian philosophy, Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras offer a roadmap for navigating life’s challenges and uncovering the true essence of existence. In this article, we will delve into the depths of Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga, exploring each of its limbs and their significance in pursuing inner peace and self-realisation.
Contents
Yama
यम –Yama: Ethical and Moral Principles for a Harmonious Life
The first limb of Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga is Yama, which consists of five ethical principles or moral restraints:
- Ahimsa (अहिंसा – ahiṁsā – Non-violence): emphasises compassion and refraining from harm towards all living beings. Practising ahimsa means cultivating kindness, empathy, and respect for oneself and others.
- Satya (सत्य – Sincerity): encourages honesty, integrity, and authenticity in thoughts, words, and actions. By aligning yourself with the truth, you foster genuine connections and deepen your understanding of yourself and the surrounding world.
- Asteya (अस्तेय – Non-Stealing): promotes non-stealing in all its forms, including material possessions, time, and energy. Cultivating contentment and gratitude mitigates the desire for acquisition and the craving for possession, fostering a sense of abundance and generosity.
- Brahmacharya (ब्रह्मचर्य – Moderation): recommends moderation and balance in all aspects of life, including physical, emotional, and mental ones.
However, it is important to note that Brahmacharya traditionally implies more than mere moderation; it often encompasses concepts of abstinence, celibacy, or sexual self-control. The term “moderation” alone may not fully capture its depth.
If the concept of abstinence concerns you at this moment, do not let it hinder you. There is no immediate need to embrace it in your practice. The principle of Brahmacharya guides practitioners to conserve vital energy, harness vitality, and cultivate inner harmony through self-discipline. - Aparigraha (अपरिग्रह – Non-attachment): encourages the practice of non-attachment, urging practitioners to let go of their grasp on material possessions and desires that often end up overwhelming us. By embracing simplicity and detachment, you free yourself from the chains of accumulation, finding liberation in the spaciousness of the present moment. By renouncing the need for excess, you pave the way for a deeper connection with yourself and the surrounding world, cultivating a contentment that transcends fleeting desires and anchors you firmly in the present.
SIDENOTE ON BRAHMACHARYA
The Sanskrit term Brahmacharya (ब्रह्मचर्य) has an etymology composed of two key elements:
Brahman (ब्रह्मन्) – the universal principle, the absolute, or the divine. It refers to the ultimate reality, eternal truth, or the concept of infinity.
Charya (चर्य) – derived from the verbal root char (चर्), meaning “to move,” “to walk,” “to follow,” or “to lead a life.”
Brahmacharya signifies a way of living in harmony with the principles of Brahman, the ultimate reality. As one of the Yama in yoga philosophy, it translates into a lifestyle grounded in moderation and discipline, where physical, mental, and emotional energies are consciously channelled to support yoga practice and spiritual growth.
This practical principle directly reflects its etymological meaning: living (charya) in alignment with the divine (Brahman). Moderation thus becomes a tool to tread the “path towards Brahman,” preventing the dissipation of inner resources through excesses that distract from the ultimate goal of yoga.
Niyama
नियम – Niyama: Personal Observances for Self-discipline and Spiritual Growth
The second limb of Ashtanga Yoga is Niyama, which includes five personal observances or self-discipline practices:
- Saucha (शौच – śauca – Purity): involves the purification of the body, mind, and environment to cultivate clarity, harmony, and balance. Practices such as cleanliness, healthy eating, and mental stabilization through meditation support the purification process.
By caring for the cleanliness of your physical environment, nourishing your body with wholesome foods, and dedicating yourself to practices that calm the mind, you create a sacred space within and around you—a foundational starting point for your practice. - Santosha (सन्तोष – santoṣa – Contentment): is the cultivation of contentment and gratitude for the present moment, regardless of external circumstances. By embracing acceptance and letting go of expectations, you find inner peace and a sense of fulfillment.
- Tapas (तपस् – Discipline): refers to self-discipline and austerity, harnessing inner fire and determination to overcome obstacles and achieve spiritual growth. Through consistent practice and perseverance, you can cultivate strength, resilience, and self-mastery.
- Svadhyaya (स्वाध्याय – svādhyāya – Self-Study): involves self-reflection, introspection, and the study of sacred texts to deepen self-awareness and spiritual understanding. By examining your thoughts, emotions, and beliefs, you gain insights into your true nature, thereby cultivating wisdom.
- Isvara-pranidhana (ईश्वरप्रणिधान – īśvara-praṇidhāna – Surrender to the Divine): involves surrendering the ego and aligning with divine will, universal intelligence, or the law of karma. By relinquishing control and trusting in a higher power, you experience a profound sense of connection, purpose, and inner peace.
Embracing the concept of surrendering to something greater can be challenging and may not feel immediately acceptable. If that is the case, it is enough to acknowledge our current limitations in comprehending the entirety of existence—our lack of omniscience (I think none of us struggle with this 😉). Accepting that the underlying mechanisms and logic are beyond our present understanding is a step towards integrating this principle.
SIDENOTE ON YAMA AND NIYAMA
The internal foundations established through the principles of Yama and Niyama are not merely optional; they are essential. They serve as fertile ground for spiritual growth and self-discovery, nurturing the seeds of wisdom and compassion so that they may flourish.
In simple terms, without a solid foundation, it is impossible to build a solid house.
Asana
आसन – Āsana: Cultivating Physical Stability and Mental Equanimity
The third limb of Ashtanga Yoga is Āsana, which refers to physical postures designed to promote strength, flexibility, and balance in the body. While modern yoga often focuses primarily on the physical aspect of the asana practice, Patanjali emphasises the importance of cultivating mental equanimity and awareness during the execution of each posture. By practicing asana with mindfulness, you develop concentration and awareness of a deeper connection between body, breath, and mind. The asanas serve as a tool to calm disturbances within the body, facilitating a deeper exploration of the self.
Patanjali mentions asana only in two sutras, specifically Sutra 2.46 and Sutra 2.47, where he outlines the qualities and objectives of the posture.
Pranayama
प्राणायाम – Prāṇāyāma: Harnessing the Power of Breath for Vitality and Inner Transformation
Literal Translation: “Prana” (प्राण – prāṇa) means life force or breath, and “Ayama” (आयाम – āyāma) means control or expansion.
The fourth limb of Ashtanga Yoga is Pranayama, which involves breath control techniques aimed at regulating and channeling the energy of the life force (prana) within the body. Pranayama practices such as Ujjayi (Victorious Breath), Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breathing), and Kapalabhati (Skull Shining Breath) promote physical health, mental clarity, and emotional balance. By harmonizing the breath, practitioners cultivate vitality, balance, and a deeper awareness of the subtle energy body.
Pratyahara
प्रत्याहार – Pratyāhāra: Turning Inward and Withdrawal of the Senses
The fifth limb of Ashtanga Yoga is Pratyahara, which involves withdrawing the senses from external stimuli and turning inward. By practicing sensory detachment and introspection, you cultivate inner calm, concentration, and an enhanced awareness of the mind-body connection. Pratyahara serves as a gateway to deeper states of meditation and self-realisation.
SIDENOTE ON INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL YOGA
Traditionally, the eight limbs are divided into ‘external’ and ‘internal’ stages, a distinction not found in the classical texts but rather stemming from the oral transmission of teachings.
External Phases – Bahiranga Yoga (बाहिरङ्ग योग – Bāhiraṅga Yoga)
- Yama
- Niyama
- Asana
- Pranayama
Internal Phases – Antaranga Yoga (अन्तरङ्ग योग – Antaraṅga Yoga)
- Pratyahara
- Dharana
- Dhyana
- Samadhi
Here it is clear how Pratyahara acts as a fundamental transition from the external phases to the internal phases of yoga, facilitating deep inner exploration and spiritual growth.
Although this categorisation provides a way to understand the branches based on their external or internal focus, it is essential to recognize that the eight limbs are interconnected and work together synergistically to guide practitioners along the path of yoga.
Dharana
धारणा – Dhāraṇā: Cultivating Concentration and Single-Pointed Focus
The sixth limb of Ashtanga Yoga is Dharana, which involves cultivating concentration and single-pointed focus on a specific object, a mantra, or a visualization. By training the mind to remain stable and focused, practitioners develop mental clarity, inner strength, and the ability to overcome distractions and obstacles on the path of spiritual evolution.
In the practice of Dharana, the mind becomes a powerful tool, capable of penetrating the veils of illusion and unveiling inner truth.
Dhyana
ध्यान – Dhyāna: Cultivating Meditation and Transcending the Self
The seventh limb of Ashtanga Yoga is Dhyana, which involves cultivating meditation and deepening the state of absorption or flow. Through sustained meditative practice, practitioners enter states of expanded consciousness, inner peace, and union with the divine.
In this state of deep absorption, the mind becomes a clear mirror reflecting the eternal truths of existence, free from the distortions of egoic identification.
Samadhi
समाधि – Samādhi: Achieving Union and Ultimate Liberation
The eighth and final limb of Ashtanga Yoga is Samadhi, which represents the ultimate goal of yoga: the attainment of union with the divine and liberation from the cycle of birth and death. In the state of Samadhi, the practitioner experiences profound bliss, unity, and a sense of oneness with the universe. Samadhi represents the pinnacle of the yogic journey and the realization of the highest human potential.
SIDENOTE ON “THE DIVINE”
The concept of “the divine” in the context of yoga and spirituality refers to an ultimate and transcendent reality that is beyond the realm of ordinary perception and understanding. It encompasses the highest and most sacred aspects of existence, including qualities such as unlimited love, wisdom, and creativity.
In various religious and philosophical traditions, the divine can be understood and described in different ways. For instance, in Hinduism, it may be identified with concepts such as Brahman (the ultimate reality), Ishvara (the personal aspect of God), or various deities that represent different aspects of the divine. In Buddhism, the divine can be interpreted as the intrinsic Buddha Nature present in all beings or as the ultimate state of Enlightenment and Liberation.
Overall, the concept of the divine represents the highest and most sublime aspects of reality, and achieving union with the divine is often considered the ultimate goal of spiritual practice in many traditions.
Conclusion
Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga offers a comprehensive path to holistic well-being, spiritual growth, and self-realisation. By incorporating ethical principles, personal observances, physical postures, breath control techniques, and meditative practices, you can cultivate harmony, balance, and inner peace at all levels of your existence.
As we walk the path of Ashtanga Yoga, let us remember that each step we take is not just a physical movement, but a conscious choice towards greater alignment with our true self. With every breath, every posture, and every moment of stillness, we are invited to delve into the mysteries of our being and awaken to the radiant light that resides within us. May our practice be infused with intention, grace, and a sense of wonder as we journey towards the realisation of our fullest potential.
Be Rooted in the Earth, Open to the Sky.
