Like
Yamas, Niyamas are also five in number and have been prescribed by Patanjali in
his Ashtangyoga or eight-fold path of yoga for ensuring personal discipline.
Niyamas tell the yogi how to interact with his/her own self. While the yamas
are negative in nature because they are consisted of prohibitions and
abstentions; niyamas are positive in nature.
Five
niyamas are as mentioned below:
Shauch
(Cleanliness): Cleanliness is of mainly of two types -- external and
internal. A yogi or a person who is on eight-fold path of yoga should be clean
internally by renouncing his/her sadistic and vicious desires as well as
externally by making an apt use of water and other cleansing agents like herbal
soap.
Santosh
(Contentment): Contentment means the absence of longing and craving to
possess more and more of material things. One should possess only those things
that are really necessary for preservation of life. It also implies that a
person should work sincerely as well as to one’s full competence and then be
content with the result of efforts. It is a state of mind that brings peace of
mind. Contentment is one of the greatest assets of yogis.
Tapa
(Austerity): Austerity is the capability to face all odds and complexities
in the performance of righteousness. It also implies that a person should have
the potency and courage to remain unaltered by the odds of life. In a nutshell,
the practice of good/moral conduct in the face of all odds and difficulties is
tapa/austerity.
Swadhyaya
(Study of Good Literature): Study of good literature means study of
scriptures and other religions text that guides a person towards moral values
and gives him/her the courage to follow the path of good conduct,
righteousness. It also implies study of the self because self analysis lets a
person know his/her weaknesses which in turn help the person lead a moral and
spiritual life.
Ishwar
Pranidhan (Surrender to the Almighty): It means a person should dedicate
his all actions, including thoughts and feelings, to the Almighty/God. In
implies absolute and unconditional faith in God. However, one has to first
understand the true concept of the Almighty, his nature and attributes and then
accept Him as his Guide to attain the ultimate goal – merging the self with the
Supreme.