Raja YOG, also known as the “Royal Path,” is one of the classical paths of YOG outlined by sage Patanjali in his YOG Sutras. It is a systematic approach to spiritual growth that involves the mastery of the mind and the attainment of inner stillness and control. Raja YOG is often referred to as the YOG of Meditation, as it emphasizes meditation as the primary means to attain self-realization and union with the divine.
The foundational principle of Raja YOG is the control of the mind through various practices. The practitioner learns to still the fluctuations of the mind and enter a state of inner stillness, where clarity, peace, and higher awareness can be experienced. Through mastery of the mind, one gains control over the senses, emotions, and thoughts, ultimately attaining a state of profound concentration and heightened spiritual awareness.
True spirituality lies in the profound realization that we are not separate from the divine. It is the recognition that our true nature is inherently divine, and through self-discovery, we unveil the infinite love, wisdom, and peace that reside within us.
Raja YOG consists of eight limbs, known as Ashtanga YOG, which provide a comprehensive framework for spiritual practice:
Yama (Restraints): Yama represents moral and ethical principles that guide one’s behavior towards others. It includes non-violence (ahimsa), truthfulness (satya), non-stealing (asteya), sexual restraint (brahmacharya), and non-greediness (aparigraha).
Niyama (Observances): Niyama comprises personal observances that foster self-discipline and inner purification. It includes cleanliness (shaucha), contentment (santosha), self-discipline (tapas), self-study (svadhyaya), and surrender to a higher power (Ishvara pranidhana).
Asana (Physical postures): Asana refers to the practice of physical postures to promote physical health, balance, and prepare the body for meditation. It involves holding steady and comfortable poses that enhance bodily awareness and stability.
Pranayama (Breath control): Pranayama focuses on regulating and controlling the breath, which is seen as the vital life force. Through specific breathing techniques, practitioners learn to expand and control their pranic energy, leading to increased vitality, clarity, and inner calmness.
Pratyahara (Withdrawal of senses): Pratyahara is the withdrawal of the senses from external distractions and stimuli. By turning the attention inward, practitioners cultivate inner focus and develop the ability to detach from sensory experiences, leading to greater concentration and introspection.
Dharana (Concentration): Dharana involves developing focused concentration on a single object, such as a mantra, image, or the breath. The practice helps quiet the mind, eliminate distractions, and prepare for deeper states of meditation.
Dhyana (Meditation): Dhyana is the continuous flow of concentrated awareness without any distraction. It is a state of deep absorption where the meditator merges with the object of meditation, experiencing a profound sense of unity and inner stillness.
Samadhi (Union): Samadhi is the ultimate goal of Raja YOG, representing a state of profound union with the divine, where the practitioner transcends the limitations of the individual self and experiences the oneness of all existence. It is a state of pure bliss, where the distinction between the meditator, the process of meditation, and the object of meditation dissolves. Samadhi has many forms.
Raja YOG is a comprehensive path that encompasses moral and ethical principles, physical postures, breath control, withdrawal of senses, concentration, meditation, and the ultimate state of union. Through disciplined practice and self-transformation, practitioners of Raja YOG aim to purify their minds, attain higher states of consciousness, and realize their true nature.
Various scriptures, including the YOG Sutras of Patanjali, highlight the significance of Raja YOG. The YOG Sutras provide a detailed framework for understanding and practicing Raja YOG, emphasizing the need for discipline, self-control, and inner exploration. Other spiritual texts and teachings from revered sages and masters, such as Swami Vivekananda and Swami Sivananda, provide valuable insights and practical guidance on the path of Raja YOG.
- By embracing Raja YOG, individuals can cultivate a harmonious relationship between body, mind, and spirit, leading to self-discovery, inner peace, and the realization of the divine within.
- In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna imparts profound teachings on Raja YOG. Here are a few key verses that highlight his wisdom:
- Bhagavad Gita 6.10: “A person is said to have achieved YOG, the union with the Self, when the perfectly disciplined mind becomes steady in meditation, and when all desires and attachments have been relinquished.”
- Bhagavad Gita 6.17: “For him who has conquered the mind, the mind is the best of friends; but for one who has failed to do so, his mind will remain the greatest enemy.”
- Bhagavad Gita 6.20: “When the mind is disciplined and controlled, freed from restless desires and wavering thoughts, it becomes fit for meditation and attains tranquillity.”
- Bhagavad Gita 6.46: “A YOGi is greater than the ascetic, greater than the empiricist, and greater than the fruitive worker. Therefore, O Arjuna, become a YOGi!”
In these verses, Krishna emphasizes the importance of disciplining the mind and attaining control over desires and attachments. He describes the YOGi as one who has mastered the mind, finding peace and tranquillity through meditation. Krishna encourages Arjuna, and all seekers, to embrace the path of Raja YOG to achieve spiritual growth and union with the Self.
Krishna’s teachings in the Bhagavad Gita highlight the significance of Raja YOG as a means to attain self-realization, control the mind, and establish a deeper connection with the divine. His words inspire seekers to cultivate discipline, detachment, and focus, leading to the ultimate realization of the true Self and the path of liberation.
“Raja YOG is the sum of all YOGs and it is surely the fastest way to GOD” – Sadhavi