Thirty Minor Upanishads: 22. Śāṇdilya-Upa... | Internet Sacred Text Archive

Hinduism

ŚĀṆDILYA-UPANISHAḌ

OF

AṬHARVAṆAVEḌA

Chapter I

Om. Śāṇdilya questioned Aṭharvan thus: "Please tell me about the eight aṅgas (parts) of Yoga which is the means of attaining to Āṭmā."

Aṭharvan replied: "The eight aṅgas of yoga are yama, niyama, āsana, prāṇāyāma, praṭyāhāra, ḍhāraṇā, ḍhyāna, and samāḍhi. Of these, yama is of ten kinds: and so is niyama. There are eight āsanas. Prāṇāyāma is of three kinds; praṭyāhāra is of five kinds: so also is ḍhāraṇā. Ḍhyāna is of two kinds, and samāḍhi is of one kind only.

"Under yama (forbearance) are ten: 1 ahimsā, saṭya, asṭeya brahmacharya, ḍayā, ārjava, kshamā, ḍhṛṭi, miṭāhāra, and śaucha. Of these, ahimsā is the not causing of any pain to any living being at any time through the actions of one's mind, speech, or body. Saṭya is the speaking of the truth that conduces to the well-being of creatures, through the actions of one's mind, speech, or body. Asṭeya is not coveting of another's property through the actions of one's mind, speech, or body. Brahmacharya is the refraining from sexual intercourse in all places and in all states in mind, speech or body. Ḍayā is kindliness towards all creatures in all places. Ārjava is the preserving of equanimity of mind, speech, or body in the performance or non-performance of the actions ordained or forbidden to be done. Kshamā is the bearing patiently of all pleasant or unpleasant things, such as praise or blow. Dhṛṭi is

the preserving of firmness of mind during the period of gain or loss of wealth or relatives. Miṭāhāra is the taking of oily and sweet food, leaving one-fourth of the stomach empty. Śaucha is of two kinds, external and internal. Of these, the external is the cleansing of the body by earth and water; the internal is the cleansing of the mind. This (the latter) is to be obtained by means of the aḍhyāṭma-viḍyā (science of Self).