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{{Short description|Ethical rules in Hinduism and Yoga}}
{{About|the concept in Hinduism|the deity|Yama|the police unit|Yamas (Israel Border Police unit)}}
{{Hinduism}}
{{Contains special characters|Indic}}
The '''Yamas''' ({{lang-sa|यम|translit=Yama}}), and their complement, the [[Niyama]]s, represent a series of "right living" or ethical rules within [[Yoga]] philosophy. It means "reining in" or "control". These are restraints for proper conduct as given in the [[Vedas]] and the [[Yoga Sutras]]. They are a form of moral imperatives, commandments, rules or goals. The Yamas are the "don't do these" list of self-restraints, typically representing commitments that affect one's relations with others and self.<ref name=lasater42/> The complementary Niyamas represent the "do these" list of observances, and together Yamas and Niyamas are personal [[Obligation|obligations]] to live well.<ref name=lasater42>[[Judith Lasater]] (1998), Beginning the Journey, ''[[Yoga Journal]]'', Nov-Dec Issue, pages 42-48</ref>

The earliest mention of ''Yamas'' is in the [[Rigveda]], and over fifty texts of Hinduism, from its various traditions, discuss Yamas.<ref name=svb/> [[Patanjali|Patañjali]] lists five yamas in his [[Yoga Sutras of Patanjali|Yoga Sūtras of Patanjali]]. Ten yamas are codified as "the restraints" in numerous Hindu texts, including Yajnavalkya Smriti in verse 3.313,<ref name=monierwilliamsyamas/> the Śāṇḍilya and [[Vārāha Upanishad]]s, the ''[[Hatha Yoga Pradipika]]'' by Svātmārāma,<ref name="svatmaram" /> and the [[Tirumantiram]] of [[Tirumular]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Yoga for the three stages of life|first=Sŕivatsa |last=Ramaswami|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sUzBl2k7Z98C|publisher=Inner Traditions / Bear & Company|year=2001|
isbn=978-0892818204 |page=229}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Teaching of Yoga |first=G. K. |last=Devanand |year=2008 |publisher=APH Publishing |isbn=978-8131301722|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=L3mBLHWxgPsC |page=45 |quote=Yama is a "moral restraint" or rule for living virtuously. Ten yamas are codified in numerous scriptures, including the Hatha Yoga Pradeepika compiled by Yogi Swatmarama, while Patanjali lists five yamas and five niyamas (disciplines) in the Yoga Sutras.}}</ref>

The most often mentioned Yamas are [[Ahimsa]] (non-violence), [[Satya]] (non-falsehood, truthfulness), [[Asteya]] (non-stealing), [[Mitahara]] (non-excess in food, moderation in food), [[Kshama|Kṣamā]] (non-agitation about suffering, forgiveness), and [[Compassion#Hinduism|Dayā]] (non-prejudgment, compassion).<ref name=svb/> The Yamas apply broadly and include self-restraints in one's actions, words and thoughts.<ref>Debra Weiss (2006), Ahimsa: Nonviolence from a Yoga Perspective, ''Fellowship'', Vol. 72, Issue 1-2, page 25</ref>

==Etymology and meaning==

The earliest mention of Yamas is found in the Hindu scripture Rigveda, such as in verse 5.61.2, and later in the [[Jain literature|Jain Agamas]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|date=June 30, 2021|title=Yama {{!}} 8 Limbs of Yoga|url=https://www.unitedwecare.com/self-care/yoga/types-of-yoga/raja-yoga/8-limbs-of-yoga/yama|url-status=live|website=United We Care}}</ref><ref name=monierwilliamsyamas>Monier Monier-Williams, Sanskrit English Dictionary with Etymology, Oxford University Press, Entry for Yama, page 846</ref><ref>Sanskrit: क्व वोऽश्वाः क्वाभीशवः कथं शेक कथा यय । पृष्ठे सदो नसो'''र्यमः''' ॥२॥ ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/ऋग्वेद:_सूक्तं_५.६१ ऋग्वेद: सूक्तं ५.६१] Rigveda, Wikisource</ref> The word in the Rigveda means a "rein, curb", the act of checking or curbing, restraining such as by a charioteer or a driver.<ref name=monierwilliamsyamas/> The term evolves into a moral restraint and ethical duty in the [[Jain Agamas]].<ref name=monierwilliamsyamas/><ref>Michael Palmer and Stanley Burgess (2012), The Wiley-Blackwell Companion to Religion and Social Justice, [[John Wiley & Sons]], {{ISBN|978-1405195478}}, page 114</ref> The Yamas were explained in detail by [[Patanjali|Patañjali]] in the [[Yoga Sutras of Patanjali|''Yoga Sūtras of Patanjali'']] as the first step of the 8-fold path of yogic philosophy and practice for attaining enlightenment and union of the mind, body and soul.<ref name=":1" />

The English term Yamas is derived from the [[Sanskrit]] word, Yama, meaning "restraint," states Stephen Sturgess, particularly "from actions, words, or thoughts that may cause harm".<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=Yoga Meditation: Still Your Mind and Awaken Your Inner Spirit|last=Sturgess|first=Stephen|publisher=Watkins Publishing Limited|year=2014|isbn=978-1-78028-644-0|location=Oxford, UK|pages=18–19}}</ref>

==Yamas by source==

The number of Yamas varies with the source:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! No. !! 5 Yamas [[Yoga Sutras of Patanjali|''Yogasūtra'']] 2.30<ref>{{cite book |last1=Āgāśe |first1=K. S. |title=Pātañjalayogasūtrāṇi |date=1904 |publisher=Ānandāśrama |location=Puṇe |page=102 |url=https://archive.org/stream/patanjaliyoga/yoga_sutras_three_commentaries#page/n111/mode/2up}}</ref> cf. [[Ethics of Jainism]] !! 10 Yamas [[Shandilya Upanishad|Śāṇḍilya Upanishad]],<ref>K. N. Aiyar (1914), Thirty Minor Upanishads, Kessinger Publishing {{ISBN|978-1164026419}}, Chapter 22, pages 173-176</ref> [[Svātmārāma]]<ref name=svatmaram>{{cite book |title=The Hatha Yoga Pradipika |author=Svātmārāma |author-link=Svātmārāma |author2=Pancham Sinh |publisher=Forgotten Books |edition=5 |year=1997 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9sBFttVx6ukC |isbn=978-1605066370 |page=14 |quote=अथ यम-नियमाः अहिंसा सत्यमस्तेयं बरह्यछर्यम कश्हमा धृतिः दयार्जवं मिताहारः शौछम छैव यमा दश १७}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Lorenzen |first1=David |title=The Kāpālikas and Kālāmukhas |date=1972 |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=978-0520018426 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/kapalikaskalamuk0000lore/page/186 186–190] |url=https://archive.org/details/kapalikaskalamuk0000lore/page/186 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Merging with Śiva: Hinduism's contemporary metaphysics |last= Subramuniya |publisher=Himalayan Academy Publications |year=2003 |isbn=978-0945497998 |page=155 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JupkNVxfwHgC}}</ref>
|-
| 1
| colspan="2" | [[Ahiṃsā]] (अहिंसा): Nonviolence
|-
| 2
| colspan="2" | [[Satya]] (सत्य): Truthfulness (Not lying)
|-
| 3
| colspan="2" | [[Asteya]] (अस्तेय): Not stealing
|-
| 4
| colspan="2" | [[Brahmacharya]] (ब्रह्मचर्य): Chastity,<ref name="ad">Arti Dhand (2002), The dharma of ethics, the ethics of dharma: Quizzing the ideals of Hinduism, Journal of Religious Ethics, 30(3), pages 347-372</ref> marital fidelity, sexual restraint<ref name="brahmacarya2">'''[a]''' Louise Taylor (2001), A Woman's Book of Yoga, Tuttle, {{ISBN|978-0804818292}}, page 3; '''[b]'''Jeffrey Long (2009), Jainism: An Introduction, [[IB Tauris]], {{ISBN|978-1845116262}}, page 109; Quote: The fourth vow - brahmacarya - means for laypersons, marital fidelity and pre-marital celibacy; for ascetics, it means absolute celibacy; John Cort explains, "Brahmacharya involves having sex only with one's spouse, as well as the avoidance of ardent gazing or lewd gestures (...) - Quoted by Long, ibid, page 101</ref>
|-
| 5
| colspan="2" | [[Aparigraha]] (अपरिग्रहः): Non-avarice, non-possessiveness
|-
| 6 || — || [[Forgiveness#Hinduism|Kṣamā]] (क्षमा): Patience, forgiveness.<ref name=ss>Stuart Sovatsky (1998), Words from the Soul: Time East/West Spirituality and Psychotherapeutic Narrative, State University of New York, {{ISBN|978-0791439494}}, page 21</ref>
|-
| 7 || — || [[Dhrti]] (धृति): Fortitude, perseverance with the aim to reach the goal
|-
| 8 || — || [[Compassion#Hinduism|Dayā]] (दया): Compassion<ref name=ss/>
|-
| 9 || — || [[Ārjava]] (आर्जव): Non-hypocrisy, sincerity<ref>J Sinha, {{Google books|VCwmmWXJBqEC|Indian Psychology|page=142}}, Volume 2, Motilal Banarsidas, {{oclc|1211693}}, page 142</ref>
|-
| 10 || — || [[Mitahara|Mitāhāra]] (मिताहार): Measured diet
|}

At least sixty (60) ancient and medieval era Indian texts are known so far that discuss Yamas.<ref name=svb>SV Bharti (2001), ''Yoga Sutras of Patanjali'': With the Exposition of Vyasa, Motilal Banarsidas, {{ISBN|978-8120818255}}, Appendix I, pages 672-680</ref> Most are in Sanskrit, but some are in regional Indian languages. Of the sixty, the lists in eleven of these texts are similar, but not the same, as that of Patanjali's.<ref name=svb/> Other texts list between 1 and 10 ''Yamas'', however 10 is the most common.<ref name=svb/>

The order of listed yamas, the names and nature of each yamas, as well as the relative emphasis vary between the texts. Some texts use the reverse of [[Niyama]]s in other texts, as Yamas; for example, ''Vairagya'' (dispassion from hedonism, somewhat reverse of the niyama ''Tapas'') is described in verse 33 of Trishikhi Brahmana Upanishad in its list for Yamas.<ref name=svb/> Many texts substitute one or more different concepts in their list of Yamas. For example, in the ten Yamas listed by Yatidharma Sangraha, [[Akrodha]] (non-anger) is included as a Yamas.<ref name=svb/> Ahirbudhnya Samhita in verse 31.19 and Darshana Upanishad in verses 1.14-15 include ''[[Compassion#Hinduism|Dayā]]'' as a Yamas, and explain it as the ethical restraint of not jumping to conclusions, being compassionate to every being and considering suffering of others as one's own.<ref>Jean Varenne and Coltman Derek (1977), University Of Chicago Press, {{ISBN|978-0226851167}}, pages 197-202</ref> In verse 31.21, Ahirbudhnya Samhita includes [[Kshama|Kṣamā]] as the virtue of forgiveness and restraint from continued agitation from wrong others have done.<ref name=svb/> Mahakala Samhita in verses II.11.723 through II.11.738<ref>[http://sanskritdocuments.org/scannedbooks/forencoding/mahAkAlISamhitaGuhyakalikhandaPart2.pdf Mahakala Samhita] Government of India Archives (in Sanskrit), see pages 302 to 304 of the document</ref> lists many of the 10 Yamas above, but explains why it is a virtue in a different way. For example, the text explains ''Dayā'' (or Dayaa) is an ethical precept and the restraint from too much and too little emotions. It suggests ''Dayā'' reflects one's inner state, is the expression of kindness towards kin, friend, stranger and even a hostile person, and that one must remain good and kind no matter what the circumstances. Refraining from maintaining or teaching ethics gives excuse to deceit and even lying to one's guru to advance in position and life. This view for the Yamas of ''Dayā'' is shared in Shandilya Upanishad and Jabala Darshana Upanishad.<ref name=svb/><ref>K. V. Gajendragadkar (2007), Neo-upanishadic Philosophy, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, University of California Archives, {{oclc|1555808}}</ref> Atri Samhita in verse 48, lists ''Anrshamsya'' (आनृशंस्य)<ref>[http://spokensanskrit.de/index.php?script=HK&beginning=0+&tinput=AnRzaMsya+&trans=Translate&direction=AU AnRzaMsya] Sanskrit-English Dictionary, Koeln University, Germany</ref> as the restraint from cruelty to any living being by one's actions, words or in thoughts. Shivayoga Dipika in verse 2.9 substitutes ''Sunrta'' for ''Satya'', defining Sunrta as "sweet and true speech".<ref name=svb/>

The Yamas is the foundations of yoga and are a type of living and being.

[[Ahimsa]], [[Satya]], [[Asteya]], [[Mitahara]], [[Kshama|Kṣamā]], [[Compassion#Hinduism|Dayā]] are among the widely discussed Yamas ethical concepts by majority of these texts.<ref name="svb" />

==See also==
* [[Temperance (virtue)#Hinduism|Dama]]
* [[Niyama]]
* [[Samatva (Equanimity)]]
* [[Religious vows]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
* {{Cite web |last=Mishra |first=swaraj |date=11 October 2022 |title=The Yamas and Niyamas {{!}}Namaste Yoga School |url=https://namasteyogaschool.com/blog/the-yamas-and-niyamas/ |url-status=live |access-date=11 October 2022 |website=Namaste Yoga School}}

{{Yoga}}
{{Hindudharma}}
{{virtues}}

[[Category:Eight limbs of yoga]]
[[Category:Hindu philosophical concepts]]
[[Category:Ethical issues in religion]]
[[Category:Hindu ethics]]

Yamas - Revision history

Ajay Kumar: Created a new article