The Eight Fold Path of Yoga :: 139

33
The Eight Fold Path of Yoga

33.1 Introduction
Some six thousands year back, our forefathers discovered the science of Yoga. About
two thousand years back (300 hundred years B.C.) a Rishi sage called Patanjali compiled
all knowledge about Yoga in a concise form. He organized this knowledge methodically
and made a book of it.
The book of Patanjali studies the nature of human mind and its different operations. It
analyses the causes of its turbulence and suggests the ways of organizing it systematically
and concentrating it. It also tells us how to replace the negative reactions by positive and
healthy responses to the situations. Ultimately the book enlightens us on how to reach the
state of oneness with the Energy or Supreme consciousness that pervades the universe.We
are studying the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali as a part of our study of Psychology because
they are directly related with our physical and intellectual development.

33.2 Objectives
After reading this lesson you will be able to

explain the Yoga Sutras ;

list the eight steps of Yoga given by Patanjali ;

elaborate five Yamas and Niyamas ;

analyse how observing Yamas and Niyamas helps in our daily life.

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33.3 The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

Sutras are like formulae which are brief statements of the theories or facts. The book of
Yoga Sutras contains 196 Sutras. The book is divided in four parts. The first part speaks
about what is Yoga and what is to be achieved through Yoga. It also deals with states of
mind how to control the mind. The second part deals with the eight-fold path of Yoga. It
also tells you about the obstacles in the path and how to overcome them. The third part
elaborates the amazing effects of Yoga on human body, mind and intellect. It gives the
nature of super powers that can be achieved through Yoga. The fourth part describes the
person who has achieved the ultimate goal of Yoga and gives finer descriptions of the
stages through which a person reaches the stage of union with God.
All these four parts are comprised of Sutras. Sutra is the briefest statement of a principle,
a fact or a thought almost like a formula in science or mathematics which help us remember
the contents of the subject. Patanjali has capsuled all Yogic wisdom of our forefathers in
the form of Sutras. His book of sutras is the universally accepted treatise on Yoga. In the
second part of Patanjalis book the eight-fold path of Yoga has been given. The first two
steps in the eight fold path tell us the rules and attitudes we should have as guides our life.
There is no use to gather milk in a bucket if the bucket has holes in it. In the same way
practise of Yoga doesnt have meaning if we do not observe the dos and donts given by
the sages. The next three steps cover the process of harnessing our Pranic energy
(Pranayama) and finally by withdrawing energy from the senses (Pratyahara). This leads
to state of complete concentration i.e. Dharana. When we hold this state of complete
concentration, we become one with God. Our concsiousness merges with all creation,
and this stage is known as Samadhi.

In Yoga Sutras, mental faculties are grouped under four heading according to their functions
1.
2.
3.
4.

Mana
Buddhi
Ahankar
Chitta

These our are together are called Antahkaran. Mana or Mind makes sankalp (Ill do this)
and Vikalp (What. If this does not work?) Budhi or Intellect makes decision in the light of
previous knowledge and wisdom. Ahankar or ego is the center around which all emotion,
memories and thoughts are organized Chitta is that consciousness on which the waves and
ripples of various reactions are generated. In Yoga, mind has a specific function of
sankalpa and vikalpa and chitta or consciousness is seen as the birth plae of all mental
reactions.

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INTEXT QUESTIONS 33.1

State whether the following statemens as True or False :
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

The period of Sage Patanjali was two thousand and years back.
Sutras are detailed statements.
The second part of the Yoga Sutra elaboratesthe amazing effects of Yoga on
body.
The book of Yoga Sutra contains 196 Sutras.
In the state of Samadhi, our consciousness merges with all creation.

33.4 Ever-changing States of Mind

Our mind is found in the following ever-changing states:
1)

2)

3)

4)

Kshipt : Most of the time our mind is thrown out to some object of interest in the
process of experiencing the world. Such totally outgoing mind is called as Kshipt
(Literally-thrown out).
Vikshipt : Our consciousness or awareness sometimes goes outward and with
effort, in turns inside. But again it goes out. So, in Vikshipt state our mind plays in
and out.
Moodha : When the faculties of our awareness are not alert, it is clouded and
appears to be non-functioning. This state is Moodha. A person out of his mind, in
coma or in a fit has Moodha mind.
Ekagra : While practicing Yoga, you learn to concentrate your awareness on a
particular object. Here the state of consciousness is Ekagra which is very useful for
day-to-day functioning and for higher goals. When mind becomes Ekagra, it is
major achievmenet.

Relatively Steady States of Mind

Besides the everchanging states of consciousness, there are some relatively steady and
regular states as well.
1.
2.
3.
4.

Jagriti : Full awareness with conscience (Vivek) active all the time.
Swapna : A state of dream where some people play wish fulfillment game.
Sushupti : Deep dreamless sleep.
Tureeya : Besides these three relatively steady states of consciousness there is
one more state called Tureeya where, in deep mediation, a person becomes
oblivious of space and time. Suppose he sits for meditation and enters Tureeya
level of consciousness, he will not know where he is sitting or how long he is
sitting. But during that period, his sonsciousness becomes one with the divine or
universal consciousness. As a result of that he receives energies unheart of. If he

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learns to get into this kind of consciousness and to be there steady for sometime.
Then the level of consciousness at which he usually functions undergoes significant
change.

33.6 Steps in Yoga

There are eight steps that you have to follow if you want to reach the goal of yoga, So
these steps are called eight fold pat of Yoga. Following are the eight steps of Yoga and
their brief descriptions.
1. Yamas : Yamas are five rules of behaviour which purify ones mind and behaviour.
They also have social relevance.
(i) The first Yama is Ahimsa i.e. not to hurt anyone including animals, plants and the so
called non-living being like things you use. You must learn to respect everyone and everything
around you. Jainism and Buddhism give great importance to Ahimsa. Mahatma Gandhi
was a worshipper of Ahimsa. Angulimal a seasoned murderer underwent magical
transformation when he came in contact with Buddha. Christ, when he was crucified, said,
God forgive them for they do not know what they are doing. Only brave people can
observe Ahimsa. Cowards can not practice it.
(ii) The second Yama is Satya i.e. to speak truth. We should mean what we say. Our
words should be gentre and free from deception. They should be uttered with the desire to
do good to others. We see many types of deception in society. It takes the form of corruption
and adulteration. Malpractices in Medicine can cause deaths of innocent people. Selling
the secrets of our country to enemy countries all these are the forms of Asatya behaviour.
It is socially harmful and indidually dangerous to ones integrity. So all Asatya in speech
and behaviour is to be avoided.
(iii) The third yama is Asteya i.e. not to steal. Some times there is temptation to grab
money which does not belong to you. There is tendancy in some people to take bribes.
They take money for what they are already paid. Some people steal credit of others,
happiness of others. All this is Steya i.e. theft. To keep away from all these temptations is
Asteya or non stealing. Sometimes one tends to steal the credit of the other person. A
senior research officer takes the credit of the discovery made by his junior researcher.
That also is Steya. To give everyone his or her due share of credit is also Asteya. When
Vikram Sarabhai space center sent a satellite in space, the whole world congratulated the
leader. But he gratefully recognized the indebtedness to the last man on the ladder. That is
Asteya.
(iv) The fourth Yama is Brahmacharya i.e. As there are emptations of money, there are
temptations of indulging into joys related to opposite sex. Wasting time in seeing provocative
movies, thinking of and dreaming about opposite sex by dresses, talk and behaviour
consumes a lot of ones energy. In fact this energy can be fruitfully used for ones personality
development i.e. development of ones physical prowess and mental faculties. This is

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Brahmacharya. This way you channelize your energy for individually satisfying and socially
useful purposes.
Marriage and householders life can be equally pure if its sanctity is taken care of . Husband
and wife should be loyal to each other. Thoughtless sex can invite incurable diseases like
AIDS and some youths in our country are falling prey to this dreadful disease.
So, sage Patanjali very rightly emphasizes the importance of Brahmacharya restraint in
sex behaviour.
(v) The fifth yama is Aparigraha i.e. keeping away from receiving money or things from
people. All kinds of receiving limits your freedom, you become obliged to those who give
you money or things, even emotional support. There is nothing wrong in healthy giving and
receiving but when receiving makes you obliged to please the giver then it soils your soul.
Aparigraha also means not to store more than what you need, because by doing that you
may be depriving those who are in genuine need of the object.
We often see that grocers hoard sugar, oil and other eatables and sell them at high cost
when a festival approaches. He certainly has his fair share. But unfair hoarding is against
Aparigraha. At the time of natural calamities helps pours in from all directions. But it hardly
reaches the grassroot level. But there are generous souls who are ready to spend the last
Paisa in their hands for the calamity-stricken. This is Aparigraha

INTEXT QUESTIONS 33.2

Match the following :
1.
Satya
2.
Asteya
3.
Aparigraha
4.
Ahimsa
5.
Brahmcharya

(b)
(d)
(e)

(a)
Restrain on sex-desire
Non-violence
(c)
Truth
Non-hoarding
Non-stealing

2. Niyamas : Niyamas are mainly for purifying the body and mind. They are practiced on
individual basis. The first Niyama is Shauch i.e. keeping your body and mind clean.
Tkaning bath everyday, cleaning your teeth, drinking pure water helps you keep your
body clean. Healthy food including grains, fresh green vegetables provide all the necessary
ingradients like starch, fats, vitamins, salts and minerals give stamina and strength to your
body. So Yoga advises to each healthy food. It also expects you to be regular in your toilet
habits so that your body is free of toxins (harmfull substances).
Shauch also means purity of mind. Our sages have recognized six enemies that make our
minds impure. Kama excessive desire, Krodha anger, Lobha greed, Moha
temptation, Meda ego, Matsar jealousy. Shauch means keeping away from these six
enemiesand filling ones mind whith noble thoughts.
The second Niyama is Santosh which means contentment. You should do your best in

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every undertaking and be happy with that. There are certain factors which are beyond
your control so if you achieve the expected success, that is fine and if you do not achieve
the expected success that also is fine. Joy is in doing thework itself and not in its outer fruit.
Inner fruit is Santosh.
When Geeta says deZ.;sokfkdkjLrs ek Qys"kq dnkpuAit means the same. The inner fruit,
Santosh is always ours. We should not expect the outer fruit. Suppose you are are playing
a match with a strong team. You do your level best but lose the game. Be sport and
congratulate the captain of the other team. A real winner never loses. It is the winning spirit
that matters. The heart which is full of hope is the contented heart. It knows to strive hard
but its joy does not rest in the result of the game.
The third Niyama is Tapa. The literal meaning of Tapa is penance. When our exams
approach we generally give up seeing movies and T.V. We do not waste time in chatting
with friends. To achieve a goal we have to make hard effort, and give up certain pleasures.
This is Tapa. While treading the path of Yoga we have to control our desires and concentrate
our mind on the Yogic practices which is Tapa. Geeta recognizes three types of Tapa.
(1)

Kayik Tapa : The Tapa we do with our body. Fasting is basically is Kayik Tapa.
Regular exercise is also Kayik Tapa.

(2)

Vachik Tapa : Here we control our speech, we do not talk unnecessarily, and do
not use language in a wrong way. We speak truth and the expression of truth is
gentle.

(3)

Manasik Tapa : This Tapa is for purification of mind. Our mind gets clouded by
negative, depressing thoughts. They have a weakening effect on mind. Selfishness
makes mind narrow. Only noble thoughts can purify and strengthen the mind. Keeping
away negative and narrow thoughts and learning to see the whole world as our
family is Manasik Tapa.

The forth Niyama is Swadhyayay which literally means self-study. Here it means studying
the principles related to Yoga. If we do not understand it all by ourself, we may seek
guidance from experts. Swadhyaya not only means reading literature related to Yoga but
also includes contemplating on the principles of Yoga and go into the depths of their meaning.
Unless we engage with learning and Yogic experiencing, we will not be able to understand
it.
The fifth and the last Niyama is Ishwar Pranidhan which means being in constant contact
with God by chanting or by keeping in mind all the time that this whole creation everything
we see is created by God. Everything we do is the worship of the Lord. Lord is the
witness of everything we see, do and experience. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, when he would
see ocean, would start dancing with joy saying that the blue waters of the ocean depicted
his Lord Krishna.

The Eight Fold Path of Yoga :: 145

3. Asana : Sage Patanjali defines Asana as that posture in which we can sit comfortably
for the Yogic practices, with our head, neck and back in a straight line. Since Yoga is
vitally related to our nervous system, our spinal chord should be in the right position.
Squatting on a mat or sitting on your knees usually prescribed for yogic practice (Sukhasan,
Sahajasan or Vajrasan)
The yogic tradition gives us 84 Asanas to keep our body and nerves supple. Yoga sees
body as an instrument to achieve union with God. As we take care of our vehicles and
instruments, so we must take care of body. We must give it proper exercise. Hence the
need to do Asanas They build our resistance to diseases and keep us fit.
4. Pranayama : Pranayama is getting control on our Pranic energy through the control on
our breathing. Inhaling air is called as Poorak in Yoga. Exhaling air out is called as
Rechak. Stopping for a few seconds before exhalation is called internal Kumbhak and
stopping after exhalation is called external Kumbhak. Kumbhak should not be done for
more than five seconds. Pranayama should be done under expert guidance. Otherwise,
instead of being useful, it can become harmful.
Alongwith air we also take in the vital energy in the atmosphere which is cealled Prana or
the life-force, Breathing rhythmically improves your blood circulation and circulation of
Pranic or vital energy in our body.
5. Pratyahara : Pratyahara literally means withdrawing. In Pratyahara we withdraw the
senses from their external objects and turn them inward. We have five main senses which
are sight, smell, hearing, touch and taste. Our eyes see, our nose smells, our ears hear, our
skin touches and our tongue tastes. Visible things are sense objects for eyes. Fragrant
things are objects for nose. Sounds are sense objects for ears, soft, hard and other materials
are for skin and different tastes are for tongue. In Yoga we train our sense organs to remain
quiet without outer stimulation.Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayam and Pratyahara are called
external aids to Yoga. For the next steps you have go still deeper. So they are called as
internal aids.
6. Dharana : Dharana is focusing of mind on a particular object. The object may be a
part of our body like the midpoint of our eye-brows or it may be outside our body like a
flame of a candle or moon or an image of the Lord or a saint. Our attention should be
focused on either internal or external object. This practice improves concentration which
helps in studies and also helps in improving our memory.
7. Dhyana : When one learns to maintain Dharana or attention on a single object for
relatively longer periods, that steady contemplation is called Dhyana or meditation. In
Dhyana, we are aware that we are a witness to what is happening in our mind. But we are
not emotionally or intellectually involved in what our mind is doing.This is also called
Meditation.

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8. Samadhi : In Samadhi, the mind is so deeply absorbed in the object of contemplation

that it loses itself in the object and has no awareness of itself. Only when one comes out of
Samadhi one realizes that it was a state of Samadhi where sense of time and place was
totally absent.
A person who progresses along this eight-fold path of Yoga successfully and becomes one
with the supreme reality becomes an evolved kind of human being. He or she is free from
anger, lust and other vices. S/he becomes a lover of the entire humanity.S/he does his/her
own duty with great excellence but is not at all proud of his/her achievements. S/he becomes
an instrument in the hands of the Lord.This eight fold path is not for a chosen few. Everybody
can tread on it and sooner or later he or she can reach the ultimate goal of Yoga that is
union with God or the supreme energy that mobilizes us and the cosmos.

INTEXT QUESTIONS 33.3

Match the following
1.

Contentment

(a)

Ishwarpranidhan

2.

Purity

(b)

Shauch

3.

Self Study

(c)

Tapa

4.

Penance

(d)

Santosh

5.

Constant contact with God

(e)

Swadhyaya

33.7 What you have learnt

Sage Patanjali defines Yoga as that state of consiousness where there are no ripples of
thoughts or emotions. In this state your little mind becomes one with the universal mind.
Ptanjali compiled all knowledge of Yoga in consise form. In 196 Sutras, he explained the
nature of mental faculties and eight-fold path of Yoga.
The eight-fold Path is as follows :
1)

Yamas :

Attitudes and rules for Yogic life in social context.

2)

Niyamas :

Attitudes and rules for individual purity.

3)

Asana :

Right posture for meditation.

4)

Pranayama :

Controlling the in going and out goind pranic energy through

breathing.

5)

Pratyahara :

Shutting down the sense telephones and withdrawing inside.

6)

Dharana :

Concentration on a particular object.

The Eight Fold Path of Yoga :: 147

7)

Dhyan :

Staying there for a long time.

8)

Samadhi

Being one with the object of meditation.

This is the process of purification. In pure consiousness God is reflected. When this happens
there is a great change in ones life. Like Shri Ramkrishna Paramhansa, he is all the time in
communion with God. In this state he enjoys supreme joy and becomes an epitome of all
devine qualities like love, compassion etc.
Swami Ramateerth was a young Yogi. Once, while abroad, he saw people participating in
a marathon race. He too took part in marathon, reached the destination first and won the
race. The surprised lot asked him, How did you manage such a feat? Did you practice
very hard? When you practice Yoga, you get martery on you body and mind. Then,
nothing is impossible for you.

33.8 Terminal Exercise

1. Which are the relatively steady states of mind?
2. Describe Niyama.
3.Explain the types of tapa.

33.9 Key to Intext Questions

33.1
1.False
2.False
3.False
4.True
5.True
33.2
1. c.
2. e.
3. d.
4. b.
5. a