The Eight Limbs of Raja Yoga
Sage Patanjali has classified the practice of Raja Yoga into eight limbs, known as Angas. The Angas of
Yoga include – Yama (restraints), Niyama (observances), Asana (posture), Pranayama (regulation of
Prana), Pratyahara (inner withdrawal), Dharana (contemplation), Dhyana (concentration), and
Samadhi (integration) [1]
The classification of the observances and practices of Yoga can be
understood in association with the functioning of Prana. Prana is the internal life-force energy that
revitalizes the entire existence, including all living and non-living entities in it. Prana comes from
Purusha into Prakriti, creating a disbalance in the three Gunas – Sattva, Rajas and Tamas – and
thereby leads to the formation of individualized consciousnesses (Ahamkara). The consciousness is
covered in the veil of Prakriti or Maya and, hence, has a false identification of the self. The purpose
of the eight Angas of Yoga is to help the practitioner (Sadhaka) realize the true nature of the self as
separate from Prakriti. This self-realization is the final stage of Samadhi, known as Kaivalya. The eight
limbs are now discussed in detail.
Yama – restraints
The Yamas refer to restraints that we must exercise to avoid the wastage of Prana. The word ‘Yama’
literally refers to control, and hence, it involves those practices that aim to voluntarily control certain
tendencies which are otherwise involuntarily expressed in a person. There are five Yamas, defined
primarily on the basis of the five ways by which Prana wastes out of the body. The Yamas are Ahimsa
(non-harming), Satya (truthfulness or non-lying), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (non-
sensuality), and Aparigraha (non-acquisitive) [2]
Though labelled external discipline, the Yamas must be applied at all levels – physical, mental, and
spiritual. Ahimsa refers to the practice of non-violence. Violence is incompatible with the Yogic path
and must be avoided at all levels. Acts such as physically or verbally hurting others, violating
promises, laws, and social order, and thinking harm to others all comprise of violence and must be
refrained from. Satya refers to the upkeep of truth. One must never try to misrepresent any truth,
feeling, emotion, or idea for one’s own benefit. It is better to remain silent on a situation rather than
to falsify it. The practice of Asteya exercises control over the tendency to steal physical objects,
ideas, or personality traits that are not one’s own. Such impersonation of others masks one’s true
nature and takes them away from the Yogic path. Brahmacharya regulates sensual pleasures from
physical objects, ideas, imaginations, and self-gratification. It refers to being situated in Brahman, to
identify oneself as the Seer and not with the sense organs, and this can only be achieved through the
practice of non-sensuality. Aparigraha shatters the chains of attachment to objects, living entities,
feelings, decisions, and emotions. The practice of Yama leads to an honourable and successful social
life. Shlokas 2.35-2.39 of Patanjali Yoga Sutras are dedicated to the benefits of practicing these
Yamas.
Niyama – observances
The Niyamas are the observances that remove blockages to the flow of Prana. The Niyamas are also
five in number: Shaucha (Cleanliness), Santosha (Contentment), Tapas (Discipline), Swadhyaya (Self-
study) and Ishwar-pranidhana (Devotional Surrender to Higher Power) [3]. The Niyamas make us
conscious of the influence of the three Gunas in our lives and empower us to get over their
influence. With continuous practice, the Niyamas decrease the Rajasic and Tamasic qualities in us
and enhance the Sattvic qualities, thereby leading us towards the state of stability or equipoise.
Ultimately, the Niyamas lead to an enriching personal life.
Shaucha refers to cleanliness, i.e., to discard all foreign impurities (Tamas) and to achieve the pure
state of natural existence (Sattva). Shaucha can be practiced at all levels – physical, mental, and
spiritual. Gratitude and non-complaint are the two practices for the cultivation of Santosha. One
must be content with what one has and must not complain about what one does not have. This
observance vanquishes passion (Rajas) and situates us in Sattva. Tapas is any activity guided by rules
and regulations. It comes from the word ‘Tapa,’ which refers to Agni (fire), whose function is to
transform. Therefore, Tapas refers to the discipline that burns away Tamas (inaction or destructive
action), and binds Rajas (activity) to Sattva (steadiness). Swadhyaya is the study of our own life from
a third person’s view. A continuous practice of such self-reflective observance elevates one to the
state of the detached observer (Seer), which is the ultimate goal of the Yogic path. It provides a
platform for self-improvement by self-evaluating one’s past actions and learn one’s own
experiences. Practicing these Niyamas, especially Swadhyaya, a Sadhaka will come to realize the
presence of a Higher Power (Ishwara) and surrender unto the divine grace. This surrender, filled with
love and devotion, is known as Ishwar-pranidhana. It shatters the practitioner’s ego as one realizes
the insignificance of the individual self in front of the Supreme.
The Yamas and Niyamas bestow certain divine qualities or powers on the practitioner. Ahimsa and
Ishwar-pranidhana imbue Divine Love, Satya and Swadhyaya reflect Divine Truth, Asteya and
Santosha bestow Divine Grace, Brahmacharya and Tapas enhance Divine Strength and Aparigraha
and Shaucha lead to Divine Freedom.
Asana – physical postures
Asanas are physical postures that enable the smooth flow of Prana in our bodies. The postures of
Yoga should embody steadiness, stability, and comfort[4]. Such a perfect posture can be achieved by
relaxing or loosening of effort, and this allows our consciousness to merge with the infinite [5]. The
attainment of such a perfected posture leads to unimpeded freedom by raising us above the play of
opposites such as heat and cold, good and bad, or pain and pleasure[6]. The primary aim of any Asana
is to achieve one or more of these – a correct posture for relaxation, to increase flexibility of the
physical body, to improve balance, to strengthen the digestive and other systems, to strengthen the
spine, and to maintain a proper sitting posture. Various Asanas are proposed and practiced –
Bhujangasana, Tadasana, Paschimottasana, Uttasana, Halasana, and Shavasana are a notable few.
Asanas also include sitting postures. A perfect sitting posture is a pre-requisite for all the
forthcoming Angas; hence, it is crucial to achieve relaxation in sitting postures. Bhadrasana,
Vajrasana, Padmasana, Sukhasana, and Siddhasana are a few examples. Of these, Vajrasana stands
out as a unique Asana that can be practiced even after the consumption of meals, as it strengthens
the digestive system.
Pranayama – regulation of Prana
Pranayama is the mechanism to control the flow of Prana. With effort relaxing, the flow of inhalation
and exhalation can be brought to a standstill; this is called breath regulation through which one
achieves Pranayama[7]
. To achieve breath regulation, one must first understand the cycle of breath.
The cycle of breath has four stages: Purak (Inhalation), Antar-Kumbhak (Holding In), Rechak
(Exhalation), and Bahir-Kumbhak (Holding Out). Then, one must observe the various aspects during
this cycle - the flow of air through the air passage, the sound of breath, the duration of breath
among others. These can be observed with conscious effort, which makes breath slow and subtle[8]
.
With continued breath regulation, the distinction between breathing in and out also falls away, and
this lifts the veil from the luminosity of the mind, leading towards self-realization[9] [10]. With
continued practice, one achieves cessation of breath with ease, which helps in perceiving Prana as
separate from breath. Once Prana can be perceived, one can channel it to different parts of the
body, leading to Pranic healing and cleansing. Standard Pranayama techniques include Bhastrika
(Bellow Breathing), Anulom Vilom (Alternate Nostril Breathing), Bharamari (Sound of Bumble Bee
Exhalation), Kapalbhaati (Rapid Pulsed Exhalation) and Ujjayi (Sound of Wave Exhalation).
Pratyahara – inner withdrawal
Pratyahara refers to withdrawing Prana inwards by reversing the direction of our senses. When
consciousness interiorizes by uncoupling from external objects, the senses do likewise; this is called
Pratyahara[11]. Once Pratyahara is achieved, the senses reside utterly in the service of self-realization
[12]
. Once Pratyahara is achieved, one possesses the ability to recognize and contemplate objects in
the Astral and Causal planes. One is also able to perceive internal organs, perceive the mind as an
internal organ, and take consciousness near and within such organs. Ultimately, one perceives the
self as pure consciousness. Pratyahara also leads to the purification of the senses, heightening sense
perceptions and intuition. It also sharpens the discriminative power known as Viveka.
Dharana – contemplation
Dharana is the process of holding or fixing the mind's attention onto one object or place [13]. While it
is possible to contemplate on physical objects, one must go beyond and focus on spiritual objects in
the Astral and Causal planes to progress towards self-realization. In the astral level, one can
contemplate on objects like the Chakras and Nadis, patterns of Light, the Light Body of the Self, the
face or form of a deity, spiritual objects and symbols, and many others. Focusing on feelings of
peace, calmness, kindness, love, joy, non-attachment, contentment, and other aspects such as
wisdom, Divine Power, discrimination, and truthfulness constitute Dharana at the causal level.
Dhyana – concentration
Once an object has been contemplated in the inner space, it is necessary to hold on to it for some
time. Dhyana refers to the one-pointed concentration on the contemplated spiritual object. The
Yoga Sutras mention that the repeated continuation or uninterrupted stream of that one point of
focus is called absorption in meditation or concentration[14]. Through Dhyana, we aim to achieve a
single-pointed perception of the object of contemplation. Ultimately, we aim for absorption of the
self with the object of contemplation.
Any meditation technique combines the three Angas – Pratyahara, Dharana, and Dhyana.
Techniques such as Watching the Breath (Air Flow as the Object of Contemplation), Watching the
Light (Patterns of Light as the Object of Contemplation), Listening to Sound (Proceeding towards
subtler sounds), Being in the Present (Contemplating on only one moment in time without worries of
the past and future) and Perceiving the Self (Focussing on oneself as the observer of everything) are
commonly practiced by different schools of Yoga. Among these, the last two techniques are higher
forms of meditation that eventually lead to liberation.
Samadhi – integration
When one is meditatively absorbed with a contemplated object, the essence of that object shines
forth in the mind as if devoid even of its own form. This state of deep absorption is called integration
or Samadhi [15]. Samadhi is the stage when everything becomes known about the contemplated
object. The practitioner achieves complete freedom from all sorts of questions regarding that object.
In other words, that person achieves a ‘Union’ with that object. The ultimate form of Samadhi,
known as Kaivalya, refers to the absorption of the individual self into the Supreme Self. This is the
stage of self-realization, where the person realizes the true nature of self as separate from Prakriti.
Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi regarding a single object comprise the perfect discipline of
consciousness, known as Samyama[16]. Once Samyama has been mastered, wisdom dawns[17]. With
the practice of Samyama on successive moments of time, one receives an insight born of
discrimination (Viveka) [18]. Such discrimination helps to distinguish pure awareness as separate from
all the elements of Prakriti. When one situates one’s consciousness in this pure awareness, one is
able to be aware of the one who is aware, i.e., the observer can observe itself [19]. This leads to the
true identification of the self and leads to self-realization. The realized one becomes a pure Seer,
untainted by the transformations produced by the three Gunas[20] Prana is realized as the Power of Consciousness
(Chit-Shakti) that activates and illumines everything to the Observer (Purusha).
Citations
[1] Patanjali Yoga Sutras, Shloka 2.29
[2] Patanjali Yoga Sutras, Shloka 2.30
[3] Patanjali Yoga Sutras, Shloka 2.32
[4] Patanjali Yoga Sutras, Shloka 2.46
[5] Patanjali Yoga Sutras, Shloka 2.47
[6] Patanjali Yoga Sutras, Shloka 2.48
[7] Patanjali Yoga Sutras, Shloka 2.49
[8] Patanjali Yoga Sutras, Shloka 2.50
[9] Patanjali Yoga Sutras, Shloka 2.51
[10] Patanjali Yoga Sutras, Shloka 2.52
[11] Patanjali Yoga Sutras, Shloka 2.54
[12] Patanjali Yoga Sutras, Shloka 2.55
[13] Patanjali Yoga Sutras, Shloka 3.1
[14] Patanjali Yoga Sutras, Shloka 3.2
[15] Patanjali Yoga Sutras, Shloka 3.3
[16] Patanjali Yoga Sutras, Shloka 3.4
[17] Patanjali Yoga Sutras, Shloka 3.5
[18] Patanjali Yoga Sutras, Shloka 3.53
[19] Patanjali Yoga Sutras, Shloka 3.56
[20] Patanjali Yoga Sutras, Shloka 4.34