Vichara Sangraham - Sri Bhagavan to Gambhiram Seshayyar:
Devotee: What are the limbs of Yoga?
Maharshi: Yama, Niyama, Asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana and Samadhi. Of these -
1. Yama - This stands for the cultivation of such principles of good conduct as non violence (ahimsa), truth (satya),
non stealiing (asteya), celibacy (brahmacharya) and no possession (apoari-graha).
2. Niyama: This stands for the observance of such rules of good conduct, (saucha), contentment (santosha), austerity
(tapas), study of sacred texts (svadhyaya) and devotion to God (Isvara pranidhana).
3. Asana - Of the different postures, eighty four are the main ones. Of these, again, four viz., simha, bhadra, padma and siddha
are said to be excellent. Of these too, it is only siddha, that is most excellent.
4. Pranayama - According to the measures prescribed in the sacred texts, exhaling the vital air is rechaka, inhaling is puraka
and retaining it in the heart is kumbhaka. As regards 'measure' some texts say that rechaka and puraka should be equal in
measures, and kumbhaka twice that measure, while other texts say that if rechaka is one measure, puraka should be of two
measures, and kumbhaka of four. By measures what is meant is the time that would be taken for the utterance of Gayatri
Mantra once. Thus pranayama consisting of rechaka, puraka and kumbhaka should be practiced daily according to ability,
slowly and gradually. Then, there would arise for the mind to desire to rest in happiness without moving. After this, one should
practice pratyahara.
contd.,
Arunachala Siva.