Eight Limbs of Ashtanga Yoga

1. Yama (Principles or moral code)
*Ahimsa – A principle of non-violence
*Satya – A principle of Truthfulness
*Asteya – A principle of nonstealing
*Brahmacharya – Continence / Celibacy
*Aparigah – A principle of non-hoarding or non-possessiveness

2. Niyama (Personal Disciplines)
*Shoucha – Purity
*Santosh – Contentment
*Tapa – Endurance
*Swadhyaya – Self-study
*Ishwar Pranidhan – Dedication and Devotion towards God

3. Asana (Yoga Positions or Yogic Postures)
A stable and comfortable posture of the body helps to attain mental equilibrium.

4. Pranayama (Yogic Breathing)
Extension and control of breath.

5. Pratyahara (Withdrawal of Senses)
Mental preparation to increase the power of the mind.

6. Dharana (Concentration on Object)
The concentration of the mind on one object and its field.

7. Dhyan (Meditation)
By drawing the mind from all external objects Focusing it on one point and meditating on it.

8. Samadhi (Salvation)
State of Super bliss, joy, and merging individual consciousness into universal consciousness. The union between Jivatman and Paramatman. Union of Shiva and Shakti in Sahasrar Chakra (the top of the head). Realizing the Brahman (pure consciousness) or Realization of God is the ultimate achievement of Human Birth.

Karma Yoga is a spiritual path in Hindu philosophy that focuses on selfless action—doing your duties without attachment to the results.

The idea comes mainly from the Bhagavad Gita, where it’s taught as one of the main ways to achieve spiritual growth.

In simple terms:

Karma Yoga means:

• Do your work sincerely
• Don’t obsess over the outcome
• Offer the results to something higher (like God, truth, or the greater good)

Key principles:

• Action without attachment: You act, but you don’t tie your happiness to success or failure
• Duty (dharma): You fulfill your responsibilities in life
• Selflessness: You act for the benefit of others, not just yourself
• Inner peace: Letting go of results reduces stress and ego

Example:

Imagine studying for an exam:

• Karma Yoga → You study with full effort, but don’t get anxious about the grade
• You focus on the process, not just the result

Why it matters:

Karma Yoga is meant to:

• Reduce stress and overthinking
• Build discipline and clarity
• Help you act ethically without selfish motives
• Lead to spiritual freedom (liberation)

Here are few original Sanskrit verses of the Karma Yoga teachings from the Bhagavad Gita:

1. Chapter 2, Verse 47

कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि॥

The Core Definition of Karma Yoga

“You have a right to perform your prescribed duty,
but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions.”

Meaning:
Focus on effort, not on results. This is the foundation of Karma Yoga.

2. Chapter 2, Verse 48

योगस्थः कुरु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा धनञ्जय।
सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्योः समो भूत्वा समत्वं योग उच्यते॥

 Equanimity is Yoga

“Be steadfast in yoga, O Arjuna. Perform your duty and abandon attachment to success or failure.”

Meaning:
Stay mentally balanced whether you succeed or fail.

3. Chapter 2, Verse 50

बुद्धियुक्तो जहातीह उभे सुकृतदुष्कृते।
तस्माद्योगाय युज्यस्व योगः कर्मसु कौशलम्॥

Skill in Action

“One who is engaged in Karma Yoga becomes free from good and bad results. Yoga is skill in action.”

Meaning:
True skill is not just efficiency—it is working without mental disturbance.

4. Chapter 3, Verse 8

नियतं कुरु कर्म त्वं कर्म ज्यायो ह्यकर्मणः।
शरीरयात्रापि च ते न प्रसिद्ध्येदकर्मणः॥

Action is Better than Inaction

“Perform your prescribed duty, for action is better than inaction.”

Meaning:
Avoid laziness or escapism. Right action is necessary.

5. Chapter 3, Verse 19

तस्मादसक्तः सततं कार्यं कर्म समाचर।
असक्तो ह्याचरन्कर्म परमाप्नोति पूरुषः॥

Work for the Welfare of the World

“Therefore, without attachment, perform your duty, for by doing work without attachment, one attains the Supreme.”

Meaning:
Selfless work leads to spiritual growth.

6. Chapter 3, Verse 21

यद्यदाचरति श्रेष्ठस्तत्तदेवेतरो जनः।
स यत्प्रमाणं कुरुते लोकस्तदनुवर्तते॥

Lead by Example

“Whatever a great person does, others follow.” 

Meaning:
Your actions influence society—so act responsibly.

7. Chapter 3, Verse 30

मयि सर्वाणि कर्माणि संन्यस्याध्यात्मचेतसा।
निराशीर्निर्ममो भूत्वा युध्यस्व विगतज्वरः॥

Offer All Actions to the Divine

“Dedicate all actions to Me, with your mind focused on the Self, free from desire and ego.”

Meaning:
Turn work into spiritual practice by surrender.

8. Chapter 4, Verse 20

त्यक्त्वा कर्मफलासङ्गं नित्यतृप्तो निराश्रयः।
कर्मण्यभिप्रवृत्तोऽपि नैव किञ्चित्करोति सः॥

Detachment Brings Freedom

“Giving up attachment to results, always content, independent—such a person does not act, even while acting.”

Meaning:
Externally active, internally free.

9. Chapter 4, Verse 18

कर्मण्यकर्म यः पश्येदकर्मणि च कर्म यः।
स बुद्धिमान्मनुष्येषु स युक्तः कृत्स्नकर्मकृत्॥

See Action in Inaction

“One who sees inaction in action and action in inaction is wise.”

Meaning:
Deep awareness: ego-less action is true non-action.

10. Chapter 9, Verse 27

यत्करोषि यदश्नासि यज्जुहोषि ददासि यत्।
यत्तपस्यसि कौन्तेय तत्कुरुष्व मदर्पणम्॥

Offer Everything

“Whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer—do it as an offering to Me.”

Meaning:
Make every part of life sacred.