Satya - The Second Yama of the Eight Limbs of Yoga
The second yama (social restraint) is satya, Sutra 2.36: Satyapratisthayam kriyaphala asrayatvam of Patañjali’s Yoga Sutras. When translated, this sutra means “[one who is] completely established in honesty, the results of their actions are supported.” In practical terms, it means honesty.
But it’s more than that. Satya is honesty which is not harmful or mean. It is honesty which abides in the principles of the first yama, ahimsa. It is important to acknowledge and remember there is a specific order to the yamas. The order carries the previous principles forward (ahimsa, satya, asteya, bramacharya, and aparigrahah). Since satya follows ahimsa in the order, it carries the principle of non-harming with it. Satya means speaking truth which is not harmful.
A common example would be when a friend asks, “Does this outfit look good on me?” There are different ways of telling the truth here. If you say “no,” then that truth may be a little harmful or cause some injury to your friend. Other ways to answer could be, “I think you have other outfits which are more flattering;” “I really like that other outfit you have;” or “That outfit doesn’t show off your best assets.” This is practicing satya.
Sutra 2.36 on satya goes on to state that “if you are able to practice honesty completely (if everything you speak is only the truth), then the results will be supported by your action.” This means that if you are committed to truth, and this commitment is solidified within you, then somehow or someway the result of whatever you are speaking or doing (even if by mistake) will manifest and your intentions will be carried out. In other words, if you are honest, then everything you say will come true.
When I am lecturing on the Yoga Sutras I use a fun, pop culture reference for satya: Everyone has seen the TV show Friends, right? Phoebe can never tell a lie, and somehow no one ever gets angry, upset, or offended by her because she speaks the truth in a kind (and funny) way. One of my favorite examples was in an episode where Ross says, “Hey Phoebe! The guys are coming over this weekend to help me move. Do you want to come and help?” Phoebe replies, “Oh, I’d love to, but I really don’t want to.” How can anyone get injured or upset when the truth is spoken like that?
So, channel your inner Phoebe and find the kindest way to speak the truth.
A note for context: My perspective is based in the Viniyoga/Desikachar lineage. Viniyoga is a traditional Indian lineage of Yoga taught by TKV Desikachar, who was the son of Krishnamacharya. My teacher, Chase Bossart, was a 20+ year private student of Mr. Desikachar. I have studied this text with Chase, word for Sanskrit word, for over three years.
Stay tuned to learn more about each of the five yamas, as well as the rest of the Eight Limbs in my upcoming blog articles.
Namaste,
Kelly