Patanjali's Ashtanga Yoga

Patanjali's Raja Yoga is generally termed the Ashtanga Yoga or the Yoga of Eight Limbs, through the practice of which freedom is achieved. These eight limbs are:

1) Yama or Eternal Vows:

• Ahimsa (non-violence)
• Satya (truth)
• Asteya (non-stealing)
• Brahmacharya (continence) and
• Aparigraha (non-avariciousness)

2) Niyama or Observances:

• Saucha (purity)
• Santosha (contentment)
• Tapas (austerities)
• Svadhyaya (study) and
• Ishvarapranidhana (surrender to God)

3) Asana (firm, comfortable meditative posture)

4) Pranayama (the regulation of the Vital Force)

5) Pratyahara (abstraction of the senses and mind from objects)

6) Dharana (concentration)

7) Dhyana (meditation) and

8) Samadhi (superconscious state or trance)

These eight limbs have been scientifically arranged and dealt with. They are the natural steps in the ladder which takes man from his human to the real divine nature. From the gross to the subtle, all the chords that bind the Purusha to Prakriti are cut asunder. This snapping of the ties releases the Purusha to enjoy his Independence, Kaivalya Moksha.