Select the correct combination of traits denoting 'Yama' in Ashtang Yoga: L. Ahimsa and Asteya M. Tapas and Swadhyaya N. Brahmcharya and Aparigrah O. Shauch and Santosh

Q: Select the correct combination of traits denoting 'Yama' in Ashtang Yoga: L. Ahimsa and Asteya M. Tapas and Swadhyaya N. Brahmcharya and Aparigrah O. Shauch and Santosh

Select the correct combination of traits denoting 'Yama' in Ashtang Yoga: L. Ahimsa and Asteya M. Tapas and Swadhyaya N. Brahmcharya and Aparigrah O. Shauch and Santosh

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is (2):
The philosophical system of Ashtang Yoga, codified by Maharshi Patanjali, is structured on eight progressive limbs, where **Yama** is the very first and foundational limb. Yama, meaning 'restraint' or 'moral vow,' provides the ethical code for how an aspirant should interact with the world around them, essentially acting as a social compass. Patanjali outlines five specific Yamas: **Ahimsa** (non-violence), **Satya** (truthfulness), **Asteya** (non-stealing), **Brahmacharya** (continence or right use of energy), and **Aparigraha** (non-possessiveness or non-greed). Therefore, both combination **L (Ahimsa and Asteya)** and combination **N (Brahmcharya and Aparigrah)** correctly list traits that are part of this set of five universal moral principles, making **L & N** the accurate answer. Mastery of these ethical restraints is considered essential groundwork before progressing to the other limbs of yoga.

The incorrect option is (1):
This option combines L (Ahimsa and Asteya) with M (Tapas and Swadhyaya). While L correctly lists two of the five Yamas, M lists traits belonging to the second limb of Ashtang Yoga, known as **Niyama**. Niyama refers to the five personal observances or duties toward oneself, and the traits **Tapas** (austerity/self-discipline) and **Swadhyaya** (self-study/study of sacred texts) are explicitly classified as Niyamas, not Yamas. Therefore, combining an all-Yama set (L) with an all-Niyama set (M) makes this option incorrect.

The incorrect option is (3):
This option pairs M (Tapas and Swadhyaya) with N (Brahmcharya and Aparigrah). As previously discussed, M comprises two of the **Niyamas** (personal observances) while N comprises two of the **Yamas** (social restraints). This combination incorrectly groups two distinct limbs of Patanjali's eight-fold path into a single answer for the 'Yama' limb. An accurate answer must exclusively consist of the five principles of Yama.

The incorrect option is (4):
This option combines N (Brahmcharya and Aparigrah) with O (Shauch and Santosh). Although N correctly lists two of the five Yamas, O lists traits that belong to the second limb, **Niyama**. The traits **Shauch** (purity or cleanliness) and **Santosh** (contentment) are two of the five Niyamas. Because this option includes traits from a different limb, it fails to correctly identify a complete set of traits belonging *only* to Yama.