Sage Patanjali narrates what constitutes right action – wisdom of ancient teachers of Hinduism
1) Non-violence
2) Truthfulness
3) Non-stealing
4) Sexual
continence in thought, word and deed – control of the senses
5) Non-possessiveness
(not being greedy and selfish)
6) Purity
– cleanliness
7) Contentment
– peacefulness
8) Austerity
– spiritual discipline
9) Introspective
– self study
10)
Offering of one’s life to God
The above list reflects the essence of the teachings of Sage Patanjali, an ancient Hindu sage who is most renowned for authoring the Yoga Sutras, a classical text of Yoga philosophy. These ten virtues or ethical principles are foundational to Raja Yoga, especially the first two limbs of the eightfold path, known as Yama (restraints) and Niyama (observances). These guidelines are essential for leading a life of moral integrity, inner peace, and spiritual growth. Below, I will expand on each concept with symbolism, additional thoughts, and examples from Hindu scriptures and everyday life.
1) Non-Violence (Ahimsa)
- Symbolism: Ahimsa is the foundation of ethical living in Hinduism. It means not causing harm through thoughts, words, or actions.
- Importance: Non-violence goes beyond physical harm to include non-harmful thoughts and emotions. It is not just about refraining from causing pain but actively promoting peace and love.
- Scriptural Example: In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna teaches Arjuna that violence should be avoided except when it becomes necessary in the pursuit of dharma (righteousness). Gandhi adopted Ahimsa as the core of his political movement.
- Modern-Day Relevance: In daily life, Ahimsa can be practiced by being kind, avoiding harsh speech, respecting others' feelings, and fostering compassion.
2) Truthfulness (Satya)
- Symbolism: Satya signifies being truthful in thought, word, and deed. It emphasizes the power of honesty.
- Importance: Truth leads to clarity and trust in relationships, and it helps align individuals with their higher spiritual self.
- Scriptural Example: In the Ramayana, Lord Rama exemplifies truthfulness by upholding his father’s promise, even at great personal cost, demonstrating that truth often demands sacrifice.
- Modern-Day Relevance: Practicing Satya in modern life involves honesty in communication, integrity in work, and avoiding manipulation or deceit, fostering harmonious and authentic relationships.
3) Non-Stealing (Asteya)
- Symbolism: Asteya means not taking anything that does not belong to you, whether it is physical or intangible, like someone’s time, attention, or ideas.
- Importance: This principle cultivates respect for others’ property and rights, and helps reduce greed and envy.
- Scriptural Example: In the Mahabharata, King Yudhishthira adhered to Asteya, even when faced with adversity, teaching that righteousness is more important than wealth or power.
- Modern-Day Relevance: In today’s context, non-stealing can be applied to respecting intellectual property, not taking undue credit, and ensuring fairness in all transactions.
4) Sexual Continence (Brahmacharya)
- Symbolism: Brahmacharya means control of the senses, especially in relation to sexual conduct, ensuring that sexuality is governed by higher principles and directed towards spiritual growth.
- Importance: This virtue promotes self-discipline and helps one conserve energy for higher purposes, such as spiritual pursuits or creative endeavors.
- Scriptural Example: In many Hindu texts, sages practice Brahmacharya to focus their energy on meditation and attaining spiritual wisdom.
- Modern-Day Relevance: In modern life, Brahmacharya encourages mindfulness in relationships, ensuring that sexual desires do not lead to exploitation, objectification, or distraction from personal growth.
5) Non-Possessiveness (Aparigraha)
- Symbolism: Aparigraha means not hoarding or being attached to material possessions, recognizing that excessive attachment breeds suffering.
- Importance: It fosters simplicity, contentment, and gratitude for what one has, freeing the mind from greed.
- Scriptural Example: In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna advises Arjuna to perform his duties without attachment to the results, practicing non-possessiveness towards material gains.
- Modern-Day Relevance: In daily life, Aparigraha is about avoiding consumerism, reducing dependency on material wealth, and sharing resources with others.
6) Purity (Shaucha)
- Symbolism: Shaucha refers to both external cleanliness and internal purity of mind and spirit. It emphasizes purification of the body, heart, and thoughts.
- Importance: Purity leads to mental clarity and physical well-being, creating the right conditions for spiritual practice.
- Scriptural Example: The Bhagavad Gita discusses how purity of mind is cultivated through selfless service, devotion, and meditation.
- Modern-Day Relevance: In contemporary life, purity can be applied by maintaining cleanliness in our environment, adopting a balanced diet, avoiding toxic influences (negative media or environments), and purifying thoughts through mindfulness.
7) Contentment (Santosha)
- Symbolism: Santosha signifies acceptance of one’s circumstances with a peaceful heart, understanding that true happiness comes from within, not external achievements.
- Importance: It leads to mental calm and inner fulfillment, reducing anxiety and envy.
- Scriptural Example: In Hindu mythology, sages like Rishi Narada practiced contentment and detachment from material wealth, focusing on devotion and inner joy.
- Modern-Day Relevance: In the fast-paced world, practicing Santosha involves gratitude, mindfulness, and the ability to find joy in everyday moments, rather than constantly seeking external validation.
8) Austerity (Tapas)
- Symbolism: Tapas refers to spiritual discipline, which includes self-restraint, self-discipline, and the endurance of hardships for spiritual progress.
- Importance: Tapas strengthens willpower and purifies the mind, preparing one for higher spiritual insights.
- Scriptural Example: Sage Vishwamitra performed intense Tapas for years to achieve wisdom and divine blessings, illustrating the power of discipline.
- Modern-Day Relevance: In modern life, Tapas can be seen in dedication to personal goals, overcoming laziness, and embracing challenges that foster personal growth, such as adopting healthy habits or cultivating patience.
9) Introspection (Svadhyaya)
- Symbolism: Svadhyaya means self-study or reflection, including the study of scriptures and observing one’s own thoughts, emotions, and actions to gain deeper understanding of the self.
- Importance: It leads to self-awareness, intellectual growth, and spiritual maturity, helping individuals connect with their true nature.
- Scriptural Example: In the Upanishads, it is advised that self-knowledge is the key to liberation, and constant self-inquiry is necessary for spiritual growth.
- Modern-Day Relevance: Introspection is crucial in daily life to ensure alignment between one’s values and actions, fostering personal growth and emotional intelligence.
10) Offering of One’s Life to God (Ishvara Pranidhana)
- Symbolism: Ishvara Pranidhana means surrendering the ego and dedicating one’s actions to a higher power or divine will. It promotes humility and devotion.
- Importance: By offering all actions to God, one relinquishes attachment to outcomes, resulting in peace and equanimity.
- Scriptural Example: In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna repeatedly teaches the importance of surrender to God, instructing Arjuna to act without attachment by offering his work to the Divine.
- Modern-Day Relevance: In daily life, surrendering to the divine can take the form of trusting in the process of life, remaining humble in success, and maintaining faith in challenging times.
These ten principles of Sage Patanjali are not only guidelines for spiritual seekers but are also profoundly applicable to daily life in modern times. Whether it is fostering non-violence and truth in personal relationships, practicing contentment amidst societal pressures, or offering one’s work to a higher purpose, these timeless teachings help cultivate a balanced, peaceful, and fulfilling life.
Story Example:
A famous story that illustrates Ahimsa and Satya is the tale of King Harishchandra, known for his unwavering commitment to truth. He endured extreme hardships, including losing his kingdom and family, yet never wavered in his adherence to truth and righteousness. His story exemplifies the power of truthfulness and non-violence, even when faced with severe trials, as his devotion ultimately brought divine grace and restoration.
These virtues, though ancient, remain highly relevant in today’s world where ethical living, mindfulness, and spiritual discipline can lead to both personal growth and collective harmony.