Niyama
Definition: Observances or personal disciplines; the practice of cultivating positive habits and self-awareness.
Insights: Niyama comprises the five observances of personal discipline: purity, contentment, austerity, self-study, and surrender to a higher power. Practicing niyama develops inner strength and guides the yogin toward spiritual maturity.
Related Sutras
2.29
yamaniyamāsanaprāṇāyāmapratyāhāradhāraṇādhyānasamādhayo'ṣṭāvaṅgāni
Yama (abstinences), niyama (observances), āsana (posture), prāṇāyāma (breath control), pratyāhāra (sense withdrawal), dhāraṇā (concentration), dhyāna (meditation), and samādhi (absorption) are the eight limbs of Yoga.
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2.32
śaucasantoṣatapaḥsvādhyāyeśvarapraṇidhānāni niyamāḥ
Cleanliness (śauca), contentment (santoṣa), austerity (tapas), self-study (svādhyāya), and devotion to Īśvara (Īśvara praṇidhāna) are the niyamas.
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2.40
śaucātsvāṅgajugupsā parairasaṁsargaḥ
From cleanliness (śauca) arises disgust for one's own body and non-contact with others.
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2.41
sattvaśuddhisaumanasyaikāgryendriyajayātmadarśanayogyatvāni ca
Moreover, purification of the mind, cheerfulness, one-pointedness, control of the senses, and fitness for Self-realization (are attained).
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2.42
santoṣādanuttamaḥ sukhalābhaḥ
From contentment (santoṣa), unsurpassed happiness is gained.
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2.43
kāyendriyasiddhiraśuddhikṣayāttapasaḥ
From austerity (tapas), due to the destruction of impurities, comes perfection of the body and senses.
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2.44
svādhyāyādiṣṭadevatāsamprayogaḥ
From self-study (svādhyāya), communion with the desired deity is achieved.
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2.45
samādhisiddhirīśvarapraṇidhānāt
Perfection in samādhi is achieved through devotion to Īśvara.
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