Unit 4: Ethics of Yoga and Mīmāṃsā

Yoga: Seven Principles of Yoga

The term "Seven Principles of Yoga" is not standard in classical Pātañjala Yoga (which has eight limbs). It likely refers to the Sapta Jñāna Bhūmikās (Seven Stages of Knowledge) from texts like the Yoga Vāsiṣṭha. These "principles" are actually stages of spiritual development.

Here are the Seven Stages (Bhūmikās):

1. Śubhecchā (Longing for Truth): The first stage. A deep dissatisfaction with worldly life and a strong desire to find the truth.
2. Vicāraṇā (Right Inquiry): The stage of actively seeking knowledge, studying scriptures, and questioning the nature of reality.
3. Tanumāsasā (Thinning of the Mind): Through inquiry and meditation, the mind's desires and agitations become "thin." The mind becomes more subtle and focused.
4. Sattvāpatti (Attainment of Purity): The mind becomes predominantly Sāttvic (pure, clear, and stable). The yogi is established in truth.
5. Asaṃśakti (Detachment): A stage of perfect detachment from the world and mental objects. The yogi performs actions without any attachment.
6. Padārthābhāvanā (Non-perception of Objects): The yogi no longer sees the world as a collection of separate objects, but sees the underlying reality (Brahman) everywhere.
7. Turīya (The Fourth State): The final stage of Jīvanmukti (liberation while living). This is the state of pure consciousness, beyond waking, dreaming, and deep sleep.

Yoga: Astāńga Yoga (The Eight Limbs of Yoga)

This is the core of the Yoga school, as codified by Patañjali in the Yoga Sūtras. The goal is Kaivalya (liberation), achieved through Citta-Vṛtti-Nirodha (the cessation of the modifications/fluctuations of the mind).

The Astāńga Yoga is the 8-limbed path to achieve this. The first two limbs, Yama and Niyama, form the ethical foundation of Yoga.

Mīmāṃsā Ethics: Nitya, Naimittika, and Kāmya Karma

The Pūrva Mīmāṃsā school is one of the orthodox (Vedic) schools. Its primary focus is on establishing the authority of the Vedas, especially the ritualistic (Karma-kāṇḍa) portions.

The Mīmāṃsā Worldview:

• Dharma: For Mīmāṃsā, Dharma is the performance of the rituals (Yajñas) prescribed in the Vedas.
• The Vedas are infallible and eternal. Their injunctions (commands) are the sole source of moral knowledge.
• Goal: The primary goal (at least in early Mīmāṃsā) is not Mokṣa, but Svarga (Heaven), which is a state of supreme bliss enjoyed as a reward for performing Vedic rituals.

Classification of Actions (Karma)

Mīmāṃsā ethics is a form of Deontology (duty-based ethics). Morality consists of following the Vedic commands. These commands are classified into different types of actions (Karma):

1. Nitya Karma (Daily/Regular Duties):
   • What it is: Obligatory duties that must be performed daily, like the Sandhyāvandanam (twilight prayers).
   • Consequence: Performing them does *not* produce any special merit or reward. However, not performing them (omission) leads to sin (pratyavāya).
   • Analogy: Like daily hygiene. You don't get a prize for brushing your teeth, but you get problems if you don't.
2. Naimittika Karma (Occasional Duties):
   • What it is: Obligatory duties that must be performed on specific occasions (nimitta), such as rituals for a birth (jātakarma), death (antyesti), or an eclipse.
   • Consequence: Same as Nitya Karma. No special reward, but omission leads to sin.
3. Kāmya Karma (Desire-based Actions):
   • What it is: These are optional actions performed to achieve a specific desire (kāma).
   • Example: Performing a Putrakāmeṣṭi yajña to have a son, or a sacrifice to gain wealth.
   • Consequence: Performing them leads to the desired reward (e.g., heaven, a son, wealth). Not performing them leads to no sin, as they are optional.