Submitted by Armen Hareyan on Sep 10th, 2004
Yoga is one among the six systems of Indian orthodox philosophy. Maharishi Patanjali, rightly called as the "Father of Yoga" compiled and refined various aspects of Yoga systematically in his "Yoga Sutras" (aphorisms). He advocated the eight fold path of Yoga, popularly known as "Ashtanga Yoga" for all-round development of human personality.
They are Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi. These eight limbs are so perfectly designed that there is absolutely no scope for any addition or alteration since these are formulated on the basis of multifarious psychological understanding of human personality.
The practice of Yamas Niyamas i.e. harmlessness towards all living beings, truthfulness, honesty, celibacy, non-hoarding of wordly objects, cleanliness, contentment, austerity, control of lust, anger and infatuation, study of holy books and practice of Japa and selfless action. All these pave way for increasing the power of concentration, mental purity and steadiness.
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Dept. of AYUSH
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India
Source:
AYUSH, India 