Talk:Reducing Bad Karm and Adding Good Karm:Augmenting Good Karm:Practicing Yama-s and Niyama-s

By Vishal Agarwal

Yama and Niyamas form the two sets of preparatory virtues and practices for those who aspire to follow the spiritual discipline of yog. An evil and undisciplined person is naturally disinclined towards spirituality. Therefore, one must first strive to practice Yamas and Niyamas with effort and consciously so that his mind turns towards yog with ease. Numerous lists of virtues comprising Yama and Niyamas exist. Below are some illustrative lists –

The wise man must perform Yamas at all times, whereas the Niyamas are performed only at specific times. The person who performs only Niyamas and avoids Yamas becomes degraded. Atri Saṁhitā 1.47

Abstaining from cruelty, forgiveness, truth, ahiṁsā, charity, straightforwardness, love, cheerfulness, sweetness of character and gentleness – these are ten (10) Yamas. Atri Saṁhitā 1.48

Purity (internal and external), performance of yajñas, austerities, charity, studying holy scriptures, celibacy, *vratas* (religious vows), silence (vow of silence), fasting and bathing – these ten (10) are Niyamas. Atri Saṁhitā 1.49

Brahmacarya, compassion, forgiveness, charity, speaking the truth, straightforwardness, ahiṁsā, non-stealing, sweetness of character and controlling one’s senses – these are Yamas. Yājñavalkya Smṛti 3.312

Bathing, silence (vow of silence), fasting, worshipping the devas, study of scriptures, controlling one’s sexual organs, serving the guru, purity (external and internal), absence of anger and never being non-vigilant – these are the Niyamas. Yājñavalkya Smṛti 3.313