Yama

Definition

Pronunciation: YAH-mah

Restraint; ethical discipline; self-control

About Yama

The yamas are the five ethical restraints that form the first limb of Patanjali's eight-limbed yoga. They are: *ahimsa* (non-violence), *satya* (truthfulness), *asteya* (non-stealing), *brahmacharya* (wise use of energy), and *aparigraha* (non-possessiveness).

These are not arbitrary rules but practical guidelines for reducing conflict and cultivating inner peace. When we harm others, lie, steal, waste vital energy, or grasp excessively, we create mental agitation that disturbs meditation. The yamas create the stable foundation needed for deeper practice.

The yamas are called the *maha vrata* - the great vows - meant to be practiced universally regardless of place, time, or circumstance. They are not situational ethics but absolute principles. Mastery of the yamas is said to bring specific powers (*siddhis*), reflecting the deep transformation that ethical practice creates.