Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga: The Eight Limbs Of Yoga Explained
Patanjali describes yoga as having 8 limbs, namely, yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana and samadhi. According to Patanjali, yoga is an eight-fold path, following which, one can lead a purposeful life. The 8 limbs when seen serially, pave the way from one’s outer self to his/her inner self, thereby helping the practitioner achieve good physical health, emotional well-being, and ultimately, attain the highest state of consciousness.
Yamas
They are restraints, vows or disciplines which include Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya and Aparigraha. According to BKS Iyengar, Yamas are unconditioned by time, place and class, which means irrespective of factors like who we are, where we come from or how much yoga we practice, we can still imbibe the yamas within us. Ahimsa means non-violence. Satya means truthfulness. Asteya is non-stealing. Brahmacharya refers to the correct use of energy and Aparigraha refers to the absence of greed or the practice of refraining from hoarding.
Niyamas
They are positive duties or observances. Ni in niyama refers to ‘inward’ which is why niyama translates to internal duties or our duties towards the self. There are 5 niyamas which include saucha, santosha, tapas, swadhyaya and iswarapranidaha.
Saucha is cleanliness. Santosha means contentment. Tapas is the burning of one’s desires. Swadhyaya refers to the study of self or attaining self-realization through the study of spiritual texts. Iswarapranidaha refers to the act of surrendering oneself to the higher power. Niyamas are linked with koshas which are the layers that lead us from our outer physical body towards our inner self. Inculcating the niyamas in ourselves can help us understand the truth within.
Asanas
Although asanas commonly refer to yoga poses, asana as a limb of yoga refers to ‘seating’, which according to Patanjali, should be comfortable, a position in which you can sit comfortably and motionless, a position which is ideal for meditation. Various sources say that Virasana or Padmasana are suitable for meditation. However, Patanjali states that the ideal position for meditation is the sthira sukham asanam (a posture in which you are steady and comfortable). While meditating, the idea is to take a position in which you can sit still for some time, so the aim should not be to achieve a particular difficult posture.
Pratyahara
Pratya means ‘to withdraw’ and ahara means ‘to take in or consume’. The act of withdrawing refers to looking inward which may mean focusing on one’s breathing. Pratyahara should not be misinterpreted as losing the ability to take in through our senses. It is rather the ability to focus within, without being bothered by what is outside, which includes people or things in our surroundings. One could also understand pratyahara as being so present in the moment that external factors do not distract the mind.
Dharana
This term means focused concentration. The term translates to collection or concentration of the mind. It is a step ahead of Pratyahara, and refers to ekagrata or single-pointed concentration and focus. It is the first step of deep concentration meditation wherein the object being focused on is held in mind without letting the consciousness get distracted from it. According to Patanjali, this sixth limb of yoga refers to concentration of the mind by fixing the mind on a certain external object like a symbol or deity or internal concentration on a chakra or a mantra. Through the practice of dharana, one gains mental strength that is useful in attaining the further steps of Dhyana and Samadhi.
Dhyana
This is the 7th limb of yoga and translates to meditation. It is a meditative practice that requires great concentration. It builds upon the earlier limbs of yoga, and at its final stage, the practitioner does not identify it as meditation, but is rather so greatly absorbed in the act, that he/she is unable to differentiate the self from it. Practising dhyana helps in increasing concentration, boosting memory and confidence, and reduces fatigue.
Samadhi
This is the 8th limb of yoga, during which the practitioner attains complete stillness of the mind and unites with the universal consciousness. In this final stage of Ashtanga yoga, the individual unifies with the cosmic, which means that the self, the mind and the object of meditation merge into one.
Samadhi is referred to as the highest state of consciousness that one can achieve and while practicing it, the individual achieves spiritual enlightenment. In Hindu texts, it has been said that samadhi can be experienced in three stages, namely Laja samadhi, Savikalpa samadhi and Nirvikalpa samadhi. Laja samadhi is a trance-like state of deep meditation. In savikalpa samadhi, the practitioner has the power to control his/her thoughts without being affected by them. In nirvikalpa samadhi, the practitioner is totally absorbed and experiences the unification of the body, mind and the object of meditation.
The 8 limbs of yoga described by Patanjali in Yoga Sutra, entail the principles of righteous behaviour and serve as guidelines on how to lead a meaningful life. Ashtanga Yoga (the 8 limbs of yoga) reflect Patanjali’s wisdom is integrating a broad range of values like self-discipline, ethical conduct, attainment of overall health through exercise and achievement of self-realization through meditation. Thus, the eight limbs explained in Yoga Sutra aptly capture the real essence of a fulfilling life.