Niyama

Niyama

नियम, niyama

• restraint, restriction, vow, fasting;
• strict observance of vows and regulations;
• second part of ashtanga-yoga

In the context of the yogic discipline, niyama means the prescriptions for sadhana. Yogi must adhere to them, because without them, the practice of hatha-yoga can be harmful. Without observing these principles or considering them simply moral commandments that are not related to practice, there is very little chance that yoga sadhana will be holistic and the same asanas and pranayama will bring positive results in spiritual life. Therefore, one must adhere to the principles of yama-niyama and constantly ask Guru about the upadeshas associated with them. In this way, one can establish oneself in these principles and gain the siddhis that are mentioned in the "Yoga Sutras".

Niyamas:

• Tapas – ascetic practices;
• Santosha – contentment with what one has;
• Japa – repetition of a mantra;
• Mati – mental acuity;
• Astikya – faith in sacred texts, Gurus, all enlightened ones, saints and sages;
• Dana – donation;
• Ishvara Pujana – worshiping the deity with devotion;
• Siddhanta-vakya shravana – listening about siddhanta;
• Hri – a sense of conscience and the desire to correct one’s shortcomings;
• Homa (huta) – sacrifice, offering food, drink and objects of value to the deity.

Usually, Nathas add Guru-seva and Tirthadana to the above. In Natha tradition, niyamas are important because they teach you how to properly build yoga sadhana. Any explanation of something that is unclear in the practice is considered a niyama.

शौचसंतोषतपःस्वाध्यायेश्वरप्रणिधानानि नियमाः ॥ २.३२ ॥
śaucasaṃtoṣatapaḥsvādhyāyeśvarapraṇidhānāni niyamāḥ || 2.32 ||

II.32 Cleanliness, contentment, austerity (mental and physical discipline), svādhyāya (study of scriptures and chanting of mantras) and devotion to Ishvara are the niyamas (observances).

शौचात् स्वाङ्गजुगुप्सा परैरसंसर्गः ॥ २.४० ॥
śaucāt svāṅgajugupsā parairasaṃsargaḥ || 2.40 ||

II.40 From the practice of purification,  exiting of the body is, as well as the cessation of contact with other.

सत्त्वशुद्धिसौमनस्यैकाग्र्येन्द्रियजयात्मदर्शन-योग्यत्वानि च ॥ २.४१ ॥
sattvaśuddhisaumanasyaikāgryendriyajayātmadarśana-yogyatvāni ca || 2.41 ||

II.41 The result of satisfaction is purity of mind, one-pointedness, sense control and the ability to see the Atman.

संतोषादनुत्तमसुखलाभः ॥ २.४२ ॥
saṃtoṣādanuttamasukhalābhaḥ || 2.42 ||

II.42 The unsurpassed happiness is achieved through contentment (santosha).

कायेन्द्रियसिद्धिरशुद्धिक्षयात् तपसः ॥ २.४३ ॥
kāyendriyasiddhiraśuddhikṣayāt tapasaḥ || 2.43 ||

II.43 Through tapas (cleansing actions), as a result of the elimination of impurity, brings about perfection of the body and organs.

स्वाध्यायाद् इष्टदेवतासंप्रयोगः ॥ २.४४ ॥
svādhyāyād iṣṭadevatāsaṃprayogaḥ || 2.44 ||

II.44 Through study, there is a communion with the desired deity is established.

"Yoga-sutras" of Patanjali 

79. Asceticism, contentment, religiosity, charity, reverence for God, attention to the teachings of the perfect ones, modesty, intelligence, repetition of mantra, performing homa - these ten principles of niyamas are called skillful in yoga.

"Goraksha-vacana-sangraha"

33. Niyama is control of the activity of the mind, solitude, concentration, non-participation (in the world), satisfaction with what you receive, absence of negative emotions, devotion to the feet of the Guru - these are the qualities of niyama.

"Siddha-siddhanta paddhati"