Raja Yoga Selection Number 91, for Saturday, June 9, 2012

[from Discourse II: "Sadhana Pada- On Spiritual Disciplines"]
II.32. SAUCA-SAMTOSA-TAP-SAVDHYAYESVARA-PRANIDHANANI.
'The niyamas consists of cleanliness, contentment, austerity, self study,
and self surrender'.

Commentary:
The 'niyamas' are observances which cultivate positive qualities.
They involve purification, stilling the mind, self-discipline, inquiry
into the nature of the Self, and surrendering the personal will, or ego,
to the Supreme will.
Aside from cleanliness, one should cultivate indifference toward the body. Cleanliness means internal as well as external purification. A
proper diet based on vegetarianism and natural foods, specialized yogic
cleansing techniques, and the Yoga exercises keep the body internally
pure and free from obstructions. Cleanliness also extends to the mind.
Only when it is it is purified of all dross can it be a pure mirror for
the reflection of the Self.

* More Patanjali Yoga Sutra verses with
commentary by Swami Vishnu-devananda
available at:
http://www.sivananda.org/publications/quotes/rajayoga_quote.html