The Ethical Foundation of Harmony: A Conceptual Framework of Yama and Niyama in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras for Inner and Global Peace
Abstract: Contemporary global society faces unprecedented challenges, including escalating geopolitical conflicts, environmental degradation, and rising psychological distress. While socio-political and economic interventions are frequently deployed to address these issues, they often overlook the necessity of individual ethical transformation as a prerequisite for global harmony. This paper explores the foundational limbs of Patanjali's Asta?ga Yoga-Yama (social restraints) and Niyama (personal observances)-as a robust psychological and ethical framework for cultivating both inner and global peace. By analyzing these ancient principles through a modern sociopsychological lens, this study proposes a micro-to-macro paradigm wherein individual self-regulation naturally scales to societal equilibrium. The paper concludes with an analysis of potential research biases and the limitations of operationalizing ancient metaphysical concepts in modern empirical studies.
Keywords: Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, Yama and Niyama, Inner and Global Peace, Astanga Yoga, Societal Equilibrium, Psychospiritual Development
How to Cite?: Rakesh Kumar Mahajan, "The Ethical Foundation of Harmony: A Conceptual Framework of Yama and Niyama in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras for Inner and Global Peace", Volume 15 Issue 8, August 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1167-1170, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26817121203, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26817121203