Contents

FOREWORD By Swami Shivapremananda

Chapters

1. The Eight Limbs of Yoga

2. Stories on the main five Yamas or Restraints

3. The five Niyamas or Observances

4. Stories on the Lesser Known Yamas and Niyamas (The Laws of Life, or restraints and observances)

5. The Three Gunas (Attitudes of Mind)

6. The Chakras (The Seven Main Energy Centres)

7. Guidance on the Yamas and Niyamas (Explanations about the Laws of Life)

8. Information about the chakras (Energy Centres)

9. Appendix

Full Contents

1. The Eight Limbs of Yoga

   Introduction to the Eight Limbs of Yoga

   1. Yamas, The Restraints

      • My Aunt’s Chaotic household
      • The Kumars and the Chaudarys

   2. Niyamas, The Observances

      • A Change of Heart

   3. Asana, Physical exercise

      • Anil Will Not Always Win the Match

   4. Pranayama, Breathing exercises

      • Father Explains the Importance of Deep Breathing

   5. Pratyahara, Sense Withdrawal

      • Ramesh Meditates in the Hayloft

   6. Dharana, Concentration

      • Guptanada Counts the Boats

   7. Dhyana, Meditation

      • Mother's Quiet Time

   8. Samadhi, Bliss

      • The Young Monk Sticks to His Plan

2. Stories on the main five Yamas or Restraints

   1. Satya, Truth

      • The Prince who Did Not Speak
      • The Pebble

   2. Aparigraha, Non-greed

      • The Avaricious Aunt
      • The Missing Flour
      • Young Ramesh is Turned Upside-down

   3. Asteya, Non-stealing

      • Raja is Stolen

   4. Ahimsa, Non-violence

      • Who can Jump the Highest?

   5. Bramacharya, Sexual Self Control

      • My Sister has an Admirer

3. The five Niyamas or Observances

   1. Saucha, Cleanliness

      • Going Through the Golden Gates

   2. Santosa, Contentment

      • Ramesh and the Parrot’s Feathers

   3. Tapas, Discipline

      • The Student Gets a Thorn in his Foot
      • The Charioteer and his horses

   4. Svadhyaya, Self-study

      • Ramesh Learns More About Himself

   5. Isvara Pranidhana, Devotion to God

      • The Special Bread
        

4. Stories on the Lesser Known Yamas and Niyamas

   1. Tolerance, Forgiveness and Understanding

      • The Angry Young Man

   2. Endurance, Forbearance and Obedience

      • Arun Uses His Imagination

   3. Compassion and Sympathy

      • Aunt Ushma Becomes Very Ill

   4. Sincerity and Earnest Endeavour

      • Anil is at Home on the Farm

   5. Penance and Retribution for Wrong-Doing

      • The Mad Mule

   6. Faith

      • Ramesh Rebels

   7. Charity and Non-Gossip

      • Raja Gets Soaked

   8. Modesty and Simplicity

      • When Mother Made Her Choice

   9. Prayer and Meditation

      • The Old Scribe and His Tattered Parchment

   10. Unselfish Action, Self-sacrifice, Help to Others

       • Father Saves a Drowning Woman

5. The Three Gunas

   Introduction to the Three Gunas

   1. Tamas, Inertia

      • Is Bhola Lazy?

   2. Rajas, Restless Activity

      • Jayant is Not a Natural Scribe

   3. Sattwa, Blissfulness, Peace

      • A Good way to start the day

6. The Chakras

   Introduction to the Chakras

   1. The Base Chakra

      • Traveller's Tales

   2. The Sacral Chakra

      • How A Young Man Avoided Romance

   3. The Solar Plexus Chakra

      • The Appeal of a Little Goat Kid

   4. The Heart Chakra

      • Guptananda’s Days Off

   5. The Throat Chakra

      • The Toy Horse

   6. The Third Eye Chakra

      • Meditation in the Hayloft

   7. The Crown Chakra

      • The Glowing Swami

7. Guidance on the Yamas and Niyamas

   1. Guidance on Truth
   2. Guidance on Greed
   3. Guidance on Stealing
   4. Guidance on Non-violence
   5. Guidance on Sexual Self Control
   6. Guidance on Cleanliness
   7. Guidance on Contentment
   8. Guidance on Discipline
   9. Guidance on Self-Study
   10. Guidance on Devotion to God
   11. Guidance on Tolerance, Forgiveness and Understanding
   12. Guidance on Endurance, Forbearance and Obedience
   13. Guidance on Compassion and Sympathy
   14. Guidance on Sincerity and Earnest Endeavour
   15. Guidance on Penance
   16. Guidance on Faith
   17. Guidance on Charity and Non-gossip
   18. Guidance on Modesty and Simplicity
   19. Guidance on Prayer and Meditation
   20. Guidance on Unselfish Action, Self Sacrifice and Help to Others

    

8. Information about the chakras (Energy Centres)

1. Information (info) about the Base Chakra (Muladhara Chakra)
2. Information (info) about the Sacral Chakra (Svadhistana Chakra
3. Information (info) about the Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura Chakra)
4. Information (info) about the Heart Chakra (Anahata Chakra)
5. Information (info) about the Throat Chakra (Vishuddha Chakra)
6. Information (info) about the Third Eye Chakra (Ajna Chakra)
7. Information (info) about the Crown Chakra (Sahasrara Chakra)

 

9. Appendix

   • Acknowledgements
   • Bibliography
   • Cross reference list for stories about
     The Human Values of LOVE, PEACE, TRUTH, RIGHT ACTION, NON-VIOLENCE