The meaning and purpose of Pantanjali’s Eight Limbs of Yoga

The eight limbs of yoga are said to be the stepping-stones to develop higher consciousness, to achieve the ultimate aim of yoga practice. That is to control the mind, all our mental activities from the deepest subconscious memories to the highest conscious insights. Only then can arise knowledge of the true Self (Atman) beyond manifestation.

In the Katha Upanisads it is explained:

The body is like a chariot of which soul (Atman) is the owner or passenger, the intellect is the driver; the mind plays the part of the reins, as for the horses-those are the senses, the world is their arena.

It is the intellect (the driver), which should lead the horses (senses) by using the reins (the mind) to take the chariot (the body) along with its owner (the soul) toward its ultimate goal (the Absolute). In order to achieve this ultimate goal Pantanjali compiled the classical yoga system called Raja Yoga, which covers asana, pranayama, mantra and many forms of meditation, as well as right attitudes, values and lifestyle practices.








The Eight Limbs of Yoga

1. Yama Behaviour or Social Conduct
2. Niyama Life-style development
3. Asana Yoga postures
4. Pranayama Control of breath
5. Pratyahara Control of senses
6. Dharana Concentration
7. Dhyana Meditation
8. Samadhi Realisation

Yama and Niyama purifies the individual's actions.
Yamas are the dharmic or dutiful principles by which we should live on a social level. They are nonviolence (ahimsa), truthfulness (satya), control of sexual energy (brahmacharya), not to steal (asteya) and not covet, i.e. not enjoying just for oneself (aparigraha). Niyama refers to proper rules of personal conduct. Its effects develop from following the social conduct taught through yama.

Niyamas are purity of the body and mind (shaucha), contentment and modesty (santosha), self-discipline (tapas), self-study (svadhyaya), and surrender or service to God. Inner purity is increased desire to imbibe higher spiritual teachings and ultimately inner surrender to the Supreme energy of Godhead.

Asana gives the individual control over the physical body and makes it a temple to house the soul. B.K.S. Iyenger says “ The yogi conquers the body by the practice of asanas and makes it a fit vehicle for the spirit. He knows that it is a necessary vehicle for the spirit.” At the same time it forms the foundation of the grand structure of Antaranga Sadhana, or the Inner Yoga-process.

Pranayama helps to cleanse and purify the body. It is also understood, that to control the breath is to control the mind. By slowing the breath we can quiet the mind and regain clarity and insight into its motive force, the senses! The benefits gained teach us how to direct our vital energy, the life force within us called “prana”. In Chinese medicine this vital force is referred to as “chi”.

Pratyahara severs the link between the mind and senses; they withdraw, because the mind is completely focused on one particular thing, usually the breath or a visual meditation. At this stage there begins equanimity and freedom from the anxieties that most people running the “rat race” of the material world are subject to feeling. It is a turning within, rather than looking to external stimulus for pleasure. Once achieving this stage of peace, strength and control we are now ready for the next stage.

Dharana is complete concentration of the mind on one thing and deep focus on this one point can create the right conditions to make this concentration become ever more intense and the mind is held in check. Artists and writers often experience this without even knowing. So absorbed in their work they will hear or see nothing else. They will not feel hunger or know how much time has elapsed.

Dhyana means meditation and proper reflection and direction of our concentration and attention gained through dharana. Real meditation means you can control the mind and senses first. If the mind is constantly flitting from one thing to the next and hasn’t been properly trained, it is not possible to truly meditate. One must be calm, peaceful and have the mind and senses under control first in order to be able to meditate. Meditation takes our consciousness through the dimensional layers of the universe and brings us to the transcendental plane. This is what we are all seeking, whether we realize it or not. No material gains, facility or acquisitions can bring such peace, bliss and total satisfaction of the soul. Dharana made the contact and Dhyana is the connection. Now the consciousness, which had so long been flowing outward, collects itself and flows back into its source.

Samadhi means “to merge”. The mind blends and becomes one with the object of meditation, namely Spirit. At this point one has fully mastered full control of the mind and body. We have correct vision and understanding of the world we live in and the existence of so many other worlds and dimensions of existence, be they temporary, material planes or those that never dissipate or are subject to destruction.

In samadhi we are not only unperturbed by events around us, but become fully enlightened in spiritual truth and self-realization. This stage is the final stage one passes through toward entrance into the spiritual dimensions from where one never returns to the material world’s cycle of repeated birth and death in so many forms of life, be they human, animal, plants, etc.

It should not be imagined that we have only to sit in meditation and enter into this. It is said that even after years of practice we will find we have not progressed an inch forward, because the mind can be so difficult to tame. Pantanjali advises us to be humble and make a searching analysis of our hearts and minds. To think of ourselves as an aspirant of the lowest class and practice the eightfold Sadhana prescribed by Raja Yoga. The more time we spend in the first two steps, viz., Yama and Niyama, the less will be the time needed to attain perfection in meditation. It is the preparation that takes very long. Once we are incorporating Yama and Niyama in our lives and at the same time practicing Asana, Pranayama and Pratyahara, the last three steps (Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi) will automatically follow.

So Ashtanga is a scientific process by which we can all attain Samadhi, if not in this life time, then maybe the next! Lord Krishna says to Arjuna in the Bhagavad-Gita, ‘Because of his former study, practice and struggle which drive him ever onwards, the yogi ever strives with a soul cleansed of sin, attains perfection through many lives and reaches the supreme goal. The yogi goes beyond those who only follow the path of austerity, knowledge or service. Therefore, Arjuna, be thou a yogi. The greatest of all yogis is he who adores Me with faith and who’s heart abides me’ (Bhagavad Gita, chapter VI, verses 38 to 47)

In practicing yoga with a view to eventually achieve the highest goals of human existence we gain so many benefits that enrich our lives in the here and now, as well as the lives of those with whom we associate, our families and friends. First there is a purification of the body. Then there is purification of the mind and a change in our desires toward higher human qualities of love and compassion. Through the pranayama breathing the vital force within us is strengthened.

Our intelligence becomes sharpened and reoriented while the false ego and false identification with temporary matter is dissolved. At that point our minds become focused and internalized bringing greater control of the bodily senses. Ultimately the consciousness becomes calm and emptied of all material consideration, having been filled with knowledge of the “self”.

In the “Bhagavad-Gita”, chapter 2 verse 13, it says ”As the embodied soul continuously passes, in this body, from boyhood to youth to old age, the soul similarly passes into another body at death. A sober person is not bewildered by such a change”.

Yoga is a scientific process that raises our level of awareness so that we act in accordance with proper principles that keep our bodies and minds healthy. It raises our consciousness so that we act in ways that allow us to have meaningful relationships together. One who sincerely practices yoga, developing self-discipline, then begins to gain a higher awareness on a spiritual, cosmic level. From this point one’s path in life becomes very clear. With a healthy mind, body and spirit we can all go forward, healing ourselves, our relationships and all that is out of balance on this planet today.