VI. The Different Stages of Yoga.

The constituent parts and progressive steps of Yoga, are composed of a series of bodily, mental and spiritual practices, the proper exercise of which conduces to the making of a perfect man, as a moral, intellectual and spiritual being, to be united to his Maker in the present and future worlds. These are called the eight stages of Yoga (अष्टाङ्ग योग), of which some are external (बहिरङ्ग) and others internal (अन्तरङ्गानि). The external ones are:

1st. Yama (यम); Forbearance or restraint of passions, feelings &c., including the best moral rules in all religions.
2nd. Niyama (नियम ); Particular rules and vows for the observance of the Yogi.
3rd. Asana (आसन); sedate position of the body to help deep meditation.
4th. Pránáyáma (प्राणायाम); Suppression and suspension of breath.
5th. Pratyáhára (प्रत्याहार), Restraint or control of senses and organs.

Among the internal practices are reckoned the following; viz.;

6th. Dhyána (ध्यान); Inward contemplation and meditation.
7th. Dháraná (धारणा); Steadiness of the mind in study.
8th. Samádhi (समाधि), Trance, the last stage of Yoga.

These again comprise some other acts under each of them, such as;

I. Yama (समयम) Restraint includes five acts under it;

1st. Ahimsá (अहिंसा); Universal innocence or hurting no animal creature.
2nd. Asteyam (अस्तेयं); Avoidance of theft or stealth.
3rd. Satyam (सत्यं); Observance of truth.
4th. Brahmacharyam (ब्रह्मचर्यं); consisting in purity and chastity.
5th. Aparigraha (अपरिग्रह); Disinterestedness.

II. Niyama (नियम पञ्चधा); Moral rules consisting of five-fold acts. Viz.;

1st. Saucham (शौचं); Personal cleanliness.
2nd. Santosha (सन्तोषः); contentment.
3rd. Tapas (तपस्); Devotion including self denial and self mortification.
4th. Sádhyáya (साध्याय); knowledge of all nature.
5th. Pranidhána (ईश्वर प्रनिधानं); Adoration of God.

III. Asana (आसन); Different modes of postures, tranquil posture (पद्मासन) &c.

IV. Pránáyáma (प्राणायामः); Rules of Respiration, three sorts, viz.;

1st. Rechaka (रेचकं); Expiration or Exhalation.
2nd. Púraka (पूरकं); Inspiration or Inhalation.
3rd. Kumbhaka (कुम्भकं अष्टधा); Suppression of breathing, eight ways.

V. Pratyáhára (प्रत्याहारः इन्द्रिय निग्रहः) Restraining the senses from their gratifications in many ways.

VI. Dhyána (ध्यान चित्तनिरोधः); Abstract contemplation, apart from the testimonies of:—

1. Pratyaxa (प्रत्यक्ष); Perceptions.
2. Pramána (प्रमाणं); Apprehensions.
3. Anumána (अनुमान); Inference.
4. Sabda (शब्दः); Verbal testimony.

VII. Dháraná (धारणा); Retentiveness.

VIII. Samádhi (समाधि); Absorption in meditation, in two ways;

1. Savikalpa (सबिकल्पः); With retention of self volition.
2. Nirvikalpa (निर्बिकल्पः); With loss of volition.

The Upáyas (उपायाः); Or the means spoken of before are;

1. Uposhana (उपोषणं); Abstinence.
2. Mitásana (मिताशनं); Temperance.
3. Ásrama (आश्रमः); Sheltered abodes.
4. Visráma (बिश्रामः) Rest and repose from labor.
5. Avarodha (अबरोधः); Self confinement in closets.
6. Asanam (अशनं); Subsistence on light food.

Beside these there are many vices called Apáyas or dóshas (अपायादोषाः) which are obstacles to meditation, and which we omit on account of their prolixity.