Raja Yoga Foundations: Yama-Niyama

Yama

‘Yama’ represents the foundational limb in Ashtanga Yoga. Yamas are intricately linked to moral duties and social responsibility, which lead to peace with surroundings. By diligently adhering to the principles of ‘Yama’, one not only nurtures their individual progress but also contributes to the creation of a more harmonious and ethical society. The primary aim of ‘Yama’ is to cultivate self-discipline by exercising restraint over the senses and achieving mastery over the mind. This concept, as elucidated by Sage Patanjali in Chapter 2, ‘Sadhana Pada,’ 30th Sutra of his seminal work, ‘Patanjali Yoga Sutras,’ encompasses five fundamental moral principles (Tomar, 2024).

Yama is the first limb of Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga and represents social or ethical discipline. It consists of five principles: Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truthfulness), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (sense control or celibacy), and Aparigraha (non-possessiveness). These aim to transform negative human tendencies into positive traits and promote harmony in society and personal life (Srinivasan, 2016). Practicing Yama helps in developing virtues that influence both individual personality and social well-being. It restrains negative behaviors and thought patterns to foster a disciplined and ethical lifestyle. This contributes to personal growth as well as social harmony and ethical conduct (Srinivasan, 2016). Yama is critical for building a good society and is foundational for spiritual and moral development in yoga. The ethical practices involved in Yama lead to positive social and personal outcomes such as reducing hostility, increasing responsibility, and promoting peace and integrity. Yama in modern times, emphasizing that without practicing Yama, yoga practice is superficial. Yama fosters individual respect in society, reduces anxiety, and supports long, healthy, harmonious living.

Niyama

In Ashtanga Yoga, the second limb is Niyama. Niyamas are intrapersonal observations that lead to internal improvement and peace with oneself. Niyamas cultivate a harmonious personality with purity, karma, happiness, determination, vision, and humility. Sage Patanjali outlined five niyamas in the 32nd sutra of the second chapter, Sadhanapada, in his book Patanjali Yoga Sutras.

Yanas and Niyamas entail the integration of these 10 principles into our daily lives with unwavering commitment. Any irregularity in their practice can gradually obscure the path of yoga. Adhering to the Yamas and Niyamas fosters both inner and outer harmony and peace, maintaining a steady and purposeful progression along the yogic journey, It is widely recognised that where there is steadiness, there is advancement (Tomar, 2024).

Niyama is the second limb of Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga, which comprises five key principles for building individual discipline and fostering spiritual development: Shauch (purity), Santosh (contentment), Tapas (austerity), Swadhyaya (self-study), and Ishwar Pranidhan (surrender to God) (Thapliyal et al., 2023).

Asteya (Non-Stealing) Profiling

“With the freedom from desire, refusal for any improper appropriation of oneself, for others’ things.” – Vyasa Maharaj.

In broader terms, the principle of refraining from taking or appropriating anything without permission, whether through thoughts, words, or actions, is known as ‘Asteya” in the ethical framework. Within societal structures, all resources are typically owned by individuals or entities. Hence, respecting their ownership and refraining from taking anything without explicit consent from the rightful owner constitutes the practice of ‘Asteya’. 

“Stealing cannot exist in those whose desire has been cut off.” – Adi Shankaracharya (Tomar, 2024).

Asteya, often understood as not taking what is not freely given, goes beyond avoiding theft to include recognizing and responsibly using unearned privilege. While traditional rule-based ethics help explain the idea of not stealing, understanding systemic oppression and privilege calls for virtue and consequential ethics. In social work, this means challenging exploitation and social injustice through actions like policy change, advocacy, and organizing to promote equity. On a personal level, asteya encourages social workers to resist oppressive power dynamics, maintain egalitarian and dialogical relationships with service users, and avoid using their work for self-promotion or professional gain. It also involves practicing humility, letting go of attachment to recognition, and not overworking in ways that harm both oneself and those served. Overall, asteya deepens social work ethics by fostering fairness, self-awareness, and a commitment to social justice (Dylan & Muncaster, 2021).

Consequences of Asteya (Non-Stealing) 

An ethical education group, which practiced Asteya as part of its core curriculum, showed the greatest improvements in psychological well-being, gratitude, and self-restraint. Practicing Asteya directly strengthens feelings of abundance and reduces anxiety caused by fear of loss or covetousness. Asteya supports a more positive sense of self-worth and increases harmony in social interactions because it diminishes competitive and possessive tendencies (Matko et al., 2021). Another study also reveals that practicing Asteya leads to emotional stability, lowers stress, promotes healthy, trusting relationships, reducing envy and greed, making individuals feel more content and less anxious. It also promotes group cohesion and ethical awareness in communities by reinforcing respect for others’ boundaries (Alam et al., 2024).

Absence of Asteya (Non-Stealing)

The absence of asteya, in Gandhi’s view, shows up as any form of selfish taking, misuse, or overconsumption. It includes openly or secretly taking what belongs to others, using common property for personal gratification, or even claiming something that seems ownerless. It also extends to indulging in unnecessary commodities, extravagance, or waste beyond what is needed for a simple and natural life. When a person lives without humility, vigilance, and simplicity, allowing greed or self-interest to guide their actions, they fall into the absence of asteya. Its absence increases anxiety, distrust, a decline in moral standards, leading to widespread social distrust, increased hostility, and loss of interpersonal harmony. Ethical norms break down, resulting in the deterioration of social values and escalation of criminal or deceitful behaviors. In professional settings, neglecting Asteya fosters environments of competition, exploitation, and mental distress (Parmar, 2014).

Overall Score Indicator 

Score Wise Category Description (High)

A high Asteya score reflects a deep commitment to fairness, respect for boundaries, and non-appropriation in thought, word, and deed. Individuals at this level live with humility and vigilance, ensuring that their choices do not exploit or harm others. They naturally avoid overconsumption, extravagance, and selfish use of resources, cultivating simplicity and gratitude instead. Rooted in Gandhi’s vision of non-stealing, they embody restraint, contentment, and ethical responsibility. Such individuals strengthen trust in relationships, contribute to social harmony, and inspire others through their integrity and sense of justice. Their practice of Asteya not only prevents harm but also actively promotes equity and collective well-being.

Score Wise Category Description (Moderate)

A moderate Asteya score indicates a developing awareness and practice of non-stealing. Individuals in this category generally respect others’ property and boundaries but may struggle with subtle forms of appropriation, such as indulgence in unnecessary consumption, overlooking privilege, or occasional competitive tendencies. Their intentions are sincere, yet inconsistencies can emerge under pressure, social influence, or personal desire. While they uphold fairness in many areas, lapses may weaken alignment with the deeper spirit of Asteya. This stage represents an important growth phase, where conscious reflection, self-discipline, and cultivating simplicity can gradually strengthen their capacity to live in harmony with this value.

Score Wise Category Description (Low)

A low Asteya score suggests difficulty in practicing restraint and respect for others’ rights and resources. Individuals in this category may display tendencies toward selfish appropriation, misuse of common property, wastefulness, or greed. Such behaviors undermine trust, contribute to interpersonal conflict, and reflect a lack of humility and vigilance. The absence of Asteya at this level often results in heightened anxiety, social distrust, and environments of competition and exploitation. While they may recognize the principle of non-stealing intellectually, consistent application remains weak. This stage calls for deliberate self-reflection, cultivation of simplicity, and conscious efforts to redirect desire and consumption patterns toward balance, fairness, and respect for others.

Note: Score indicators for Asteya (Non-Stealing) Profiling were referred from Dylan & Muncaster, 2021; Parmar, 2014.

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