Yogic zones (aṣṭāṅgayoga-nirūpaṇa) - Verse 31

Sūta said: Thus the restraints (yamas) are succinctly mentioned. I shall now tell you the observances (niyamas). They are ten in number: (1) cleanliness (śauca), (2) sacrifice (ijyā), (3) penance (tapas), (4) charitable gift (dāna), (5) study of the Vedas (svādhyāya) (6) restraint on the organs of generation (upasthanigraha), (7) holy rites (vrata), (8) fast (upavāsa), silence (mauna), and holy bath (snāna). According to some, observances (niyama) mean (1) absence of craving (anīhā), (2) cleanliness (śauca), (3) satisfaction (tuṣṭi), (4) penance (tapas), (5) muttering of Śiva’s mantra (japa), (6) meditation on Śiva and (7) postures such as padmaka. Of these cleanliness is twofold: (1) external and (2) internal. Of the two the internal is superior to the external.