The path to liberation begins with Yama, the first limb of Yoga. It is the discipline of restraint, guiding the mind and actions towards purity. There are five sacred Yamas: Ahimsa, the vow of non-harm in thought, word, and deed; Satya, the commitment to truthfulness; Asteya, the renunciation of stealing and greed; Brahmacharya, the mastery of desires and moderation of the senses; and Aparigraha, the freedom from possessiveness. These are not mere rules but keys to inner harmony, dissolving the impurities that bind the soul to suffering.
Yama is the firm foundation upon which the yogic journey unfolds. Without it, higher wisdom remains elusive, like water slipping through unsteady hands. Just as a tree stands strong upon deep roots, so must the yogi be grounded in moral discipline before ascending toward samadhi. Through Yama, the mind is cleansed, and the heart becomes a vessel of divine presence. Thus, let your practice begin here, with unwavering dedication to righteousness, for only through purity of conduct may the soul move towards eternal peace.
