Skip to main content

What is Satya?


What is Satya? Here’s everything you need to know about the second yama: Truthfulness.

Satya or 'truthfulness' is the second of the Yamas of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. All aspects of our life can benefit from applying the teachings of Satya, and as we'll learn – it means a whole lot more than 'not telling lies'. The word 'sat' literally translates as 'true essence' or 'true nature'.

Satya is a Sanskrit word that means "truth" or "essence". It is also a virtue in Indian religions that refers to being truthful in one's thoughts, speech, and actions. In Yoga, satya is one of five yamas, or virtuous restraints, that prevent falsehood and distortion of reality in one's expressions and actions.

Satya is the second of the five yamas in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, and it translates to "truthfulness". The word "sat" translates to "true essence" or "true nature". Satya means seeing and communicating things as they actually are, not as we wish them to be. It follows ahimsa (non-violence), the highest-ranking yama, which means that we need to honor the principle of non-harming first and should tell the truth only if it doesn't cause harm, or in such a way that causes the least harm. 

In Jainism, satya demands total honesty in behavior. This means not stealing things, and not acquiring things other than by totally honest means. In the modern context, this is also taken to mean being totally honest in paying taxes or not cheating in an exam. 

Gandhi chose satya (“truth”) and ahimsa (nonviolence, or love) as the polar stars of his political movement. 

Yama is a Sanskrit word that means "restraint", "moral discipline", or "moral vow". It's also known as "twin", "binder", "moral rule or duty", "self-control", "forbearance", and "cessation". In the Yoga system of Indian philosophy, Yama is the first of eight stages that lead to samādhi, or the state of perfect concentration.

Yama is also a list of "don't"s that represent commitments that affect one's relations with others and self. The five Yamas are:

  • Ahimsa: Non-violence
  • Satya: Truthfulness
  • Asteya: Non-stealing
  • Brahmacharya: Right use of energy 

Yama is also universal, meaning that these vows apply to everyone, regardless of their current situation or where they are heading.

 

 

 

 

 

  

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Lazarus, Come Out!

Heroes in the Bible:  Lazarus, Come Out! Scripture Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? John 11:25 Have you ever wondered why God’s timing feels so different from ours? When Jesus learned that Lazarus was sick, He didn’t rush to his side. Instead, He waited two days before going to Bethany, where Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Why would Jesus delay when His friend was in such desperate need? Jesus’ response reminds us that God’s plans are always purposeful. “This sickness,” He said, “is not unto death, but for the glory of God.” What situations in your life feel delayed, but may be an opportunity for God’s glory to shine? When Jesus arrived, Martha expressed her faith, saying, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” Jesus answered her with one of the most profound declarati...
Post a Comment
Read more

International Tiger Day

Celebrating the Majestic Tiger: A Call to Action on International Tiger Day July 29th marks International Tiger Day, a global event dedicated to raising awareness about the conservation of one of the world's most iconic and endangered species. As the largest of the big cats, tigers hold a special place in the hearts and minds of people around the world. Their sheer power, grace, and distinct striped pattern make them a symbol of strength, beauty, and the delicate balance of our natural world. Unfortunately, the tiger's remarkable presence is under severe threat. Over the past century, tiger populations have declined by a staggering 95%, with only an estimated 3,900 tigers remaining in the wild today. Habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict have all contributed to the dwindling numbers of this magnificent creature, pushing several subspecies to the brink of extinction. International Tiger Day serves as a crucial reminder of the urgent need for global action to ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Down Memory Lane

Making holes in a rubber at school Using a hair clip on the finger. Rolling up the straps of school bags Diverting the water into the sink air holes Cough Syrup Dum Dum Airport, Calcutta (Kolkata) 1952 A cobblers tool A Can opener. Spools of thread Bottle Opener Record Player Wheat grinder Hand Made Speaker System Chips - Bobby Rings A Hand Fan Instrument box Photograph Negatives DD National Programs Watching TV in groups Video Game Hair Trimmer Chocolates Stool to sit on (Peera) Babies walker James played during childhood. Breakfast before school (Chapati and Sugar) Musical Tapes Handpump for water Rode side Movie Letter Post Box Cold Drinks (Mirinda, Pepsi, 7Up Oil Lamps Frozen water Ice, Peppsi Railway signal light Catipult, Battery, Whistle, Stones tossing game, Bulbs, Hericine ONIDA TV Devil Old Doordarshan Ad - 90's Advertisement Takht-e Rostam Buddhist Stupa Carved Into The Ground Bipin Behari Ganguly Street - Calcutta 1978 British Soldier at a sidewalk shoe store - Calcutta...
Post a Comment
Read more