Yamas

Template:Short description Template:About Template:Hinduism Template:Contains special characters The Template:Transliteration (Template:Langx), and their complement, the niyamas, represent a series of "right living" or ethical rules within Yoga philosophy. The word Template:Transliteration means "reining in" or "control".<ref name=monierwilliamsyamas/> They are restraints for proper conduct given in the Vedas and the Yoga Sutras as moral imperatives, commandments, rules or goals. The Template:Transliteration are a "don't"s list of self-restraints, typically representing commitments that affect one's relations with others and self.<ref name=lasater42/> The complementary Template:Transliteration represent the "do"s. Together Template:Transliteration and Template:Transliteration are personal obligations to live well.<ref name=lasater42>Template:Cite journal</ref>

The earliest mention of Template:Transliteration is in the Rigveda. More than fifty texts of Hinduism, from its various traditions, discuss Template:Transliteration.<ref name=svb/> Patañjali lists five Template:Transliteration in his Yoga Sūtras. Ten yamas are codified as "the restraints" in numerous Hindu texts, including Yajnavalkya Smriti in verse 3.313,<ref name=monierwilliamsyamas/> the Śāṇḍilya and Vārāha Upanishads, the Hatha Yoga Pradipika by Svātmārāma,<ref name="svatmaram" /> and the Tirumantiram of Tirumular.<ref>Template:Multiref2</ref>

The Template:Transliteration apply broadly and include self-restraints in one's actions, words, and thoughts.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Etymology and meaning

The earliest mention of Template:Transliteration is found in the Hindu scripture Rigveda, such as in verse 5.61.2, and later in the Jain Agamas.<ref name=monierwilliamsyamas>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name=":1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Sanskrit: क्व वोऽश्वाः क्वाभीशवः कथं शेक कथा यय । पृष्ठे सदो नसोर्यमः ॥२॥ (ऋग्वेद: सूक्तं ५.६१ Rigveda, Wikisource)</ref> The word Template:Transliteration in the Rigveda means a "rein, curb", the act of checking or curbing, restraining such as by a charioteer or a driver.<ref name=monierwilliamsyamas/> The term evolves into a moral restraint and ethical duty in the Jain Agamas.<ref name=monierwilliamsyamas/><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The Template:Transliteration were explained in detail by Patañjali in the Yoga Sūtras of Patanjali as the first step of the eight-fold path of yogic philosophy and practice for attaining enlightenment and union of the mind, body and soul.<ref name=":1" />

Template:Transliteration means "restraint", particularly "from actions, words, or thoughts that may cause harm".<ref name=":0">Template:Cite book</ref>

Yamas by source

The number of Yamas varies with the source:

No.	5 Yamas Yogasūtra 2.30<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> cf. Ethics of Jainism	10 Yamas Śāṇḍilya Upanishad,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Svātmārāma<ref name=svatmaram>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Multiref2</ref>
1	Ahiṃsā (अहिंसा): Non-violence (literally "Non-harming")
2	Satya (सत्य): Truthfulness (Not lying); speech that is non-deceptive, non-distorted, and purposeful<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
3	Asteya (अस्तेय): Not stealing
4	Brahmacharya (ब्रह्मचर्य): Chastity,<ref name="ad">Template:Cite journal</ref> sexual restraint,<ref name="brahmacarya2">Template:Multiref2</ref> focus (not distracted)
5	Aparigraha (अपरिग्रहः): Non-avarice, non-possessiveness
6	—	Kṣamā (क्षमा): Patience, forgiveness.<ref name=ss>Template:Cite book</ref>
7	—	Dhrti (धृति): Fortitude, perseverance with the aim to reach the goal
8	—	Dayā (दया): Compassion<ref name=ss/>
9	—	Ārjava (आर्जव): Non-hypocrisy, sincerity<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
10	—	Mitāhāra (मिताहार): Measured diet

At least sixty ancient and medieval era Indian texts are known that discuss Template:Transliteration.<ref name=svb>Template:Cite book</ref> Most are in Sanskrit, but some are in regional Indian languages. Of the sixty, the lists in eleven of these texts are similar, but not the same, as that of Patanjali's.<ref name=svb/> Other texts list between one and ten Template:Transliteration; however, ten is the most common.<ref name=svb/>

The order of listed Template:Transliteration, the names and nature of each Template:Transliteration, as well as the relative emphasis vary between the texts. Some texts use the reverse of Template:Transliteration in other texts, as Template:Transliteration; for example, Template:Transliteration (dispassion from hedonism, somewhat reverse of the Template:Transliteration Template:Transliteration) is described in verse 33 of Trishikhi Brahmana Upanishad in its list of Template:Transliteration.<ref name=svb/> Many texts substitute one or more different concepts in their list of Template:Transliteration. For example, in the ten Template:Transliteration listed by Yatidharma Sangraha, Template:Transliteration (non-anger) is included as a Template:Transliteration.<ref name=svb/> Ahirbudhnya Samhita in verse 31.19 and Darshana Upanishad in verses 1.14-15 include Template:Transliteration as a Template:Transliteration, and explain it as the ethical restraint of not jumping to conclusions, being compassionate to every being, and considering suffering of others as one's own.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> In verse 31.21, Ahirbudhnya Samhita includes Template:Transliteration as the virtue of forgiveness and restraint from continued agitation from wrong others have done.<ref name=svb/> Mahakala Samhita in verses II.11.723 through II.11.738<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> lists many of the ten Template:Transliteration above, but explains why it is a virtue in a different way. For example, the text explains Template:Transliteration is an ethical precept and the restraint from too much and too little emotions. It suggests Template:Transliteration reflects one's inner state, is the expression of kindness towards kin, friend, stranger, and even a hostile person, and that one must remain good and kind no matter what the circumstances. This view of Template:Transliteration is shared in Shandilya Upanishad and Jabala Darshana Upanishad.<ref name=svb/><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Atri Samhita in verse 48, lists Template:Transliteration ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> as the restraint from cruelty to any living being by one's actions, words or in thoughts. Shivayoga Dipika in verse 2.9 substitutes Template:Transliteration for Template:Transliteration, defining Template:Transliteration as "sweet and true speech".<ref name=svb/>

See also

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Further reading

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