discipline is the practice of right conduct in life. The two moral back-bones of Yoga are Yama and
Niyama, which the aspirant must practice in his daily life. These correspond roughly to the ten
commandments of Lord Jesus or to the noble eightfold path of Lord Buddha. Non-injuring
(Ahimsa), truthfulness (Satyam), non-stealing (Asteya), continence (Brahmacharya) and
non-covetousness (Aparigraha) are the component parts of Yama. Internal and external purification
(Saucha), contentment (Santosha), austerity (Tapas), study of religious and philosophical books
(Svadhyaya) and self-surrender to the Lord (Isvara-Pranidhana) come under Niyama. Practice of
Yama and Niyama will eradicate all the impurities of the mind. In fact, Yama and Niyama form the
corner-stones of Yoga philosophy.
Pre-eminence is given to abstention from injuring any living creature (Ahimsa) amongst all
other virtues. There must be non-injuring in thought, word and deed. Non-injuring is placed first
because it is the source of the following nine. The practice of universal love or brotherhood is
nothing but the practice of non-injuring. He who practices non-injuring will get quick success in
Yoga. The practitioner must abandon even harsh words and unkind looks. He must show goodwill
and friendliness to one and all. He must respect life. He must remember that one common Self
dwells in the hearts of all beings.
Truthfulness (Satyam) comes next in order. Thought must agree with word, and word with
action. This is truthfulness. These virtues are attainable only by the unselfish. Truth can hardly arise
unless there is pure motive behind all actions. The word of the Yogi must be a blessing to others.
Then comes non-stealing (Asteya). You must be satisfied with what you get by honest
means. The Law of Karma is inexorable. You will have to suffer for every wrong action of yours.
Action and reaction are equal and opposite. Amassing wealth is really theft. The whole wealth of all
the three worlds belongs to the Lord. You are only a caretaker of his wealth. You must willingly
share what you have with all and spend it in charity.
The fourth virtue is the practice of celibacy. That portion of human energy which is
expressed in sexual union when controlled, becomes transmuted into a form of special spiritual
energy called Ojas-Sakti and this is stored up in the brain. If you practice Yoga and at the same time
lead an impure, voluptuous and immoderate life, how can you expect progress in Yoga? All great
spiritual giants of the world have practiced celibacy and that is the reason why they were able to
thrill and electrify the whole world through the power of the special spiritual energy they had stored
up in their brains. A Yogi with an abundance of this energy keeps his audience spell-bound, as it were, and sways them even as a monarch sways his dominions. There is a peculiar charm in his
smile and power in the words emanating from his heart. He produces a very profound impression in
the minds of all with whom he comes in contact.------------- Remaining in the next post.
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