Raja Yoga Explained

Raja Yoga translates from Sanskrit to mean Royal Yoga. It is the eight-limbed path outlined in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras as well as a tradition of Samkyha philosophy. Sage Kapila was considered the founder of the samkyha tradition and it is from his teachings from which Raja yoga was passed to modern yogis. Almost all modern yoga practiced has some kind of relationship to Raja yoga or Hatha yoga, and yogis of the time did not call it Raja yoga, but aptly just ‘yoga.’ The term Raja yoga was first introduced in the the Hatha Yoga Pradipkia near the 15th century to describe a yoga philosophy that differs form the teachings of Yogi Swatmarama. At its core, Raja yoga is the cultivation of meditation or Dhyana, practiced by yogis once called the Brahma Kumaris.

Raja yoga is often referred to as the eight-limbed path or Ashtanga yoga (meaning the same in Sanskrit). It is also sometimes called kriya yoga, as Patanjali refers to it by this name in the Sutras. The foundational teaching, and one of the very first lines of the Yoga Sutras is yogaś citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ, translated: "Yoga limits the oscillations of the mind". This is the primary concern of the tradition. It is thought that by practicing the eight limbs in a methodical and disciplined manner, that one can remove the wanderings of the mind long enough to concentrate on Brahman, or the Universal Oneness of which we are all a part. This state of consciousness is called Samadhi or Nirvana.

The eight limbs utilized to arrive at samadhi are:

• Yama – a code of conduct found almost exclusively alongside Niyama as a code of social conduct. These are something to not-observe or abstain from. The yamas include: Ahimsa, or nonviolence; Satya, or truthfulness; Asteya, or non-stealing also non-covetousness; Bramacharya, or moderation; and Aparigraha, or non-attachment, also non-posessiveness;
• Niyama – a code of conduct found always with Yama, which is an observance to obey or be mindful of. Swami Vivekananda describes these as the second step to achieving Nirvana. These are: Santosha, or contentment, being happy with what you already have; Hri, or feeling remorse for mistakes or misdeeds; Dana, or giving without thought of recognition or reward; Astikya, or faith in one’s guru as the teacher showing the way to enlightenment; Ishvarapujana, or worshiping the divine, and a return to the source through daily meditation; Siddhanta shravana, or studying the teachings of the wise; Mati, or cognition, and developing a spiritual intellect; Vrata, or vows; Japa, or mantra meditation and repetition, and finally : Tapas, or the ability to endure opposites such as hunger and thirst heat and cold, dark and light.
• Asana – an integration of the mind-body complex into one via physical activity.
• Pranayama – the regulation, direction and control of the breath or life force, often called Prana or Chi. This also leads to the integration of the mind-body complex.
• Pratyahara – the withdrawal or abstraction of the five senses from the objects of their perception. This allows the attention to draw inward and away from the ‘things’ of the manifest world.
• Dharana – concentration, and one-pointedness.
• Dhyana – meditation that eventually leads to the last step, which is. . .
• Samadhi – blissful awareness when the yogi joins his Atman with Paramatman.

The Bhagavad Gita outlines the same goal as Raja yoga for the practitioner: “Those who aspire to the state of yoga should seek the Self in inner solitude through meditation. With body and mind controlled they should constantly practice one-pointedness, free from expectations and attachment to material possessions.”

When Patanjali talks about the oscillations of the mind in the first few lines of the Yoga Sutras, he is referring to the state of non-love. Anything that exists outside of love creates duality. Sri Yukteswar, the guru of Paramahansa Yogananda said, “The Virture of Love, the Heart’s natural love, is the principal requisite to attain a holy life. When this love, the heavenly gift of Nature, appears in the heart, it removes all causes of excitation from the system and cools it down to a perfectly normal state; and, invigorating the vital powers, expels all foreign matters- the germs of diseases-by natural ways (perspiration and so forth). It thereby makes man perfectly healthy in body and mind, and enables him to understand properly the guidance of Nature. " The eight-limbed path is just a list of tools to help us attain a ‘holy life.’ Raja yoga, often called the Royal Yoga, has the same aim.

In fact, the Sutras themselves are often called ‘terse’ verse. They are aphoristic by nature and only reveal their deep, abiding significance through profound study or the help of a learned guru. Sutra means ‘thread’ in Sanskrit, and the teachings of Raja yoga are simply threads weaving together a greater wisdom than is immediately apparent upon reading them or practicing the first few stages of yoga.

When one endeavors to practice even the yamas and niyamas, it causes the practitioner to become aware of his actions at a very deep level. It brings all the processes by which the ego fools the mind into thinking it is apart from the world, to the surface. Later, when one begins (as in the traditional practice of Raja yoga, yama and niyama preceed asana practice) asana, the movements start as simply physical postures seeming much like gymnastics. It is only with enduring practice that we begin to see feel the asana working on deeper levels to free the samskaras in the body and mind. This is true of each of the proceeding layers of Raja yoga, until finally, we can begin to practice meditation. At first, it seems like a torturous sitting. We can hardly sit for a minute, let alone many more, but eventually the thread of our practice weaves the consciousness into higher and higher states. We realize that the subtle teachings of the Sutras and the yogic masters who put forth these tools have a weighty effect on our energy, and our mental state. One day this increased energetic state leads to the utmost awareness: Samadhi.

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Thanks for the lesson. There is so much more to yoga than asanas. Reading your post has made me more anxious to learn about yoga. Im doing a little research now on the eight limbs, also Patanjali and his contributions.

I enjoyed your article on Raja Yoga! Nice post YogiDiva!

Yoga has many beautiful faces on one heavenly body
Imho
Cheers

raja yoga is just another name to samadhi

Thank you for sharing!

“Raja Yoga” in the Hatha yoga text means “Samadhi” and has no reference to Patanjali system.

The association Raja Yoga/ Patanjali has been created by Vivekananda in his book (Raja Yoga).

Raja Yoga; everything happens off the backdrop of the indescribable stillness and silence, meditations seems to brings awareness to this. Patanjali’s 8 limbs are an attempt to allow the spontaneous to occur.

Patanjali’s Yoga sutras have two portions- the yoga darshanam ie the philosophy and the yoga sadhana -the discipline to be followed. The yoga darshanam has been rejected by Vedanta -(Bhagavad Gita being a summarised version of the vedantic teachings).

The Sadhana outlined in the yoga sutras have, however, been whole heartedly embraced by the Vedanta teachers as the means to “citta suddhi” -purification of the mind.

Further Vedanta says clearly that

(a) All sadhana including the eight limbs are action and while they are necessary , nay essential for purifying the mind, they cannot confer liberation.
(b) Liberation can be gained only through knowledge which is a study of the scriptures.

This is the view of vedanta. Every school has its own views -Raja yoga talks about meditation as the means; while its sub schools hatha and kundalini have different paths outlined as the means.

As stated above: Patanjali?s 8 limbs are an ?attempt? to allow the ?spontaneous? to occur.

How can the spontaneous be made to happen?

With approximately 7 billion specks of human consciousness wondering planet Earth there will be 7 billion different ways to realize of true inner nature, no matter the apparent method each will eventually dissolve on itself, even conceptual of Vedanta.

The dualistic Darshana has been rejected by the Vedanta and the Hatha Yogi as well (Goraknath darshana is Tantric). But the Methodology (Ashtanga) has been used both by Vedantin and Tantric.
In Tantra the Darshan change, and also to the 25 Tattva of the Samkhya are added other tattva, so the that Purusha and Prakriti (dualistic samkhya view) are not seen anymore as the ultimate dualistic point.

@Ray_killeen
Yes the 8 limbs of Patanjali are an “attempt”, a method , a system, like it is the 6 limbs of Goraksha, or the Jnana yoga of the Vedanta etc etc. Different system for different individuals and different Darshan to try to give a “vision” of the experience (Samkhya-Tantra-Vedanta).

Consider the absurdity of conceptually intellectualizing that which you can only be, how can a system discover what you are or create a conceptually understanding of it, yet you are it, so close to it that utilizing any system/means simply drives a wedge of separation, there?s no way out of the dream that is not part of the dream, recognize the false as false all concepts dissolve. Programed minds tend to tighten the shackles of bondage whereas deprogramed minds loosen the hold, both are a spontaneous occurrence due to cause and effect dependent on previous moments that have occurred, therefore when reaching outside ourselves may not be working openness to trusting no way may appear. All are wallowing in a quagmire of uncertainty/confusion yet some have inklings they?ve figured something out; Woke from a dream dreaming a dream is happening, realizing there was no way out of the dream that is not part of the dream the abyss of nothing-ness appeared?awakened by the innate knowledge of not two expressed as the human emotion “unconditional love” everything-ness appeared, the dream continues with kindness and compassion in the wake of the happening, neti, neti

Raja Yoga, also known as the "Royal Path," is one of the classical paths of yoga outlined by the sage Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras. Raja Yoga focuses on the systematic cultivation of mental and spiritual discipline, leading to self-realization and union with the divine. The term "Raja" means "royal" or "kingly," underscoring its emphasis on the mastery of the mind and self-control. Here are key aspects of Raja Yoga:

Core Principles of Raja Yoga:

  1. Eight Limbs (Ashtanga Yoga):

    • Raja Yoga is often referred to as Ashtanga Yoga, meaning "Eight Limbs." These limbs are outlined in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras and provide a comprehensive guide for ethical and spiritual living. The Eight Limbs are:
      1. Yamas (Ethical Guidelines): Principles for social behavior, including non-violence, truthfulness, and non-attachment.
      2. Niyamas (Self-Disciplines): Personal observances, such as contentment, self-discipline, and self-study.
      3. Asanas (Postures): Physical postures to prepare the body for meditation.
      4. Pranayama (Breath Control): Conscious regulation of the breath to control life force energy (prana).
      5. Pratyahara (Withdrawal of the Senses): Turning inward by withdrawing the senses from external stimuli.
      6. Dharana (Concentration): Focusing the mind on a single point or object.
      7. Dhyana (Meditation): Sustained concentration leading to a meditative state.
      8. Samadhi (Union with the Divine): The ultimate state of blissful union with the divine.
  2. Mind Mastery:

    • Raja Yoga places a significant emphasis on mastering the mind. The practice involves observing and understanding the fluctuations of the mind and ultimately attaining control over its tendencies.
  3. Concentration and Meditation:

    • Dharana (concentration) and Dhyana (meditation) are integral components of Raja Yoga. Concentration involves focusing the mind on a single point, while meditation is the sustained state of deep concentration leading to self-realization.
  4. Inner Exploration (Svadhyaya):

    • Raja Yoga encourages self-study (Svadhyaya), which involves introspection, self-reflection, and the study of sacred texts. This self-awareness is crucial for personal growth and understanding.
  5. Ethical Living:

    • The practice of Yamas and Niyamas guides practitioners toward ethical and moral living. Ethical conduct is seen as a foundation for spiritual progress.
  6. Non-Attachment (Vairagya):

    • Practitioners of Raja Yoga cultivate non-attachment to material possessions, desires, and outcomes. Detachment is considered essential for achieving a balanced and peaceful state of mind.
  7. Universal Morality (Sarvabhauma Yama):

    • Raja Yoga emphasizes universal morality, recognizing that ethical principles extend beyond cultural or societal boundaries. The Yamas are seen as universally applicable guidelines for virtuous living.
  8. Integration with Other Yogic Paths:

    • Raja Yoga is integrative, incorporating elements of other yogic paths, such as Karma Yoga (the path of selfless action), Bhakti Yoga (the path of devotion), and Jnana Yoga (the path of knowledge). The Eight Limbs provide a structured framework that can be adapted to various spiritual temperaments.

Raja Yoga is considered a systematic and scientific approach to spiritual growth, offering a roadmap for individuals seeking self-realization and inner peace. The practice involves disciplined self-control, ethical living, and the cultivation of mental focus, ultimately leading to the state of Samadhi—union with the divine.