"PATANJALI"

Zélia de Toledo Piza         

    Concerning Patanjali, there great controversy exists in relation to the time when he lived. The Encyclopedia Larousse says IV centuries before Christ. Mircea Elliade gives the space among the century II before Christ and the third or fifth century after Christ. Helena Petrovna Blavatsky says that studious of the East puts him at 200 aC., but the Occultists put him at 700 aC. His moral code is registered in the Yamas and Niyamas.

 

Yamas - they are the five interdictions, in other words, that which we should not practice

Ahimsa - not to kill - no violence - Keep your temper - never fight

Asteyam - not to steal

Satya-graha - not to lie

Brahmacharya - not to degenerate the sex

Aparigraha - not to attach to the things of the world

 

Niyamas - they are the five prescriptions, in other words, that which the disciple should practice

Sadhana - purity

Santosa - happiness

Saucham - serenity

Svadhyaya - study

Ishwara Pranidhana - harmonization with the Universe