Ishvara Pranidhana

Surrender to the divine. Fifth niyama of Ashtanga Yoga.

It does not require belief in a personal god. It can be understood as:

• Surrender of the ego to something greater than oneself
• Acceptance of the results of actions
• Recognition of the limits of personal control
• Dedication of practice to a transcendent purpose

Ishvara pranidhana completes the cycle of niyamas: from purification (saucha) to total surrender. It is the antidote to spiritual pride.