Introduction
All religious movements, spiritual disciplines, and mystic advancements are founded on the understanding of Dharma or the ethical value of life. It is Dharma that sustains all forms of human self-effort towards material security (Artha) and vital pleasures (Kama) in human life. And finally, it enables a person to reach out for the ultimate goal of existence, Moksha or Liberation which is the Infinite Spiritual Value of life. Therefore, it is very important for an aspirant to understand the subtle implications of practising the basic ethical qualities that are universally adopted by all religions of the world. Yamas Raja Yoga Sutras of Patanjali Maharshi present in brief aphorisms the basic ethical qualities which every aspirant must practise in his day to day life. These qualities are described in two groups (restraints) and Niyamas (observances). These two groups form the basic foundation of the advanced practices of Yoga in the form of Asana (physical posture), Pranayama (control of vital forces), Pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation) and Samadhi (superconsciousness). Yamas emphasize the negation of immoral traits in human personality such as violence, falsehood, passion, greed and craving, by the practice of Ahimsa (non-violence), Satyam (truthfulness), Brahmacharya (control of passion or sex-sublimation), Asteya (non-stealing), and Aparigraha (non-covetousness). Niyamas emphasize the affirmation of positive moral virtues such as Shaucha (physical and mental purity), Santosh (contentment), Tapas (austerity), Swadhyaya (study of scriptures and repetition of Divine Name), and Ishwar Pranidhana (surrender to God). These Yamas and Niyamas constitute the basis for all ethical principles that enable a person to grow into a divine personality. All religious practices and mystic realizations are founded on these profound ethical qualities. They form the foundation not only for Raja Yoga (Yoga of Meditation), but also for all other Yogas, such as Jnana Yoga (Yoga of Wisdom), Bhakti Yoga (Yoga of Devotion), and Karma Yoga (Yoga of Action). Righteousness creates harmony in family, promotes success and prosperity in one's professional life, and establishes a higher form of culture and civilization for humanity. Different forms of moralities such as family morality, social morality, national morality, international morality, political morality, professional morality, and many others are founded on these basic principles of Dharma (righteousness) as enunciated in Yamas and Niyamas.
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