History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v7.c94.212.2

v7.c94.212.2

These five constitute for a yogin a great *vrata* when practised without reference to species, place, time and occasions (or exigencies). As provided by Manu, yamas have to be observed by all but there are exceptions. The observance of yamas would be called *vrata*, but the rigorous observance of yamas without allowing exceptions is called by the Y. S. *mahāvrata* which has to be observed by yogins without exception at all stages. The observance of yamas and niyamas is a first step for the soul's ultimate success in winning Liberation or Isolation (kaivalya), since, unless the soul is purged of all sexual and egoistic desires, it cannot live the divine or spiritual life that the higher stages of yoga require. What is meant may be briefly exemplified as follows: Smṛtis recognize some exceptions to all these in the case of ordinary people. For example, it is the kṣatriya's duty to fight and therefore it was provided by Manu (VII. 87, 89) that a kṣatriya should not run away from battle and that kṣatriyas fighting and dying in battle on both sides went to heaven. Vide Yāj. I. 324. So *hiṁsā* was allowed to a kṣatriya but if he wanted to follow the Yoga discipline he had to give up hiṁsā. Similarly, Smṛtis excused untruth on five occasions (vide Gautama 23. 29, Vasiṣṭha 16 36, Ādiparva 82 16, Śāntiparva 34. 25 and 165. 30, quoted in H of Dh vol III. p 353 and notes 536, 537) Manu in IV.