Raja Yoga

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Raja Yoga is an exact science. It aims at controlling all thought-

waves or mental modifications. It concerns with the mind, its

purification and control. Hence it is called Raja Yoga, i.e., king of

all Yogas. It is otherwise known as Ashtanga Yoga i.e., Yoga with

eight limbs.

 

The eight limbs of Ashtanga Yoga are: Yama (self-restraint), Niyama

(religious observances), Asana (posture), Pranayama (restraint of

breath), Pratyahara (abstraction of senses), Dharana (concentration),

Dhyana (meditation) and Samadhi (super-conscious state). Yama is

practice of Ahimsa (non-injury), Satya (truthfulness), Asteya (non-

stealing), Brahmacharya (celibacy) and Aparigraha (non-covetousness)

in thought, word and deed. This is the foundation of Yoga. Niyama is

observance of the five canons viz., Saucha (internal and external

purity), Santosha (contentment), Tapas (austerity). Svadhyaya (study

of religious books and repetition of Mantras) and Ishvara-Pranidhana

(worship of God and self-surrender). Cultivate Maitri (friendship

with equals), Karuna (mercy towards inferiors), Mudita (complaisancy

towards superiors), Upeksha (indifference towards wicked people). You

can eradicate jealousy and hatred and attain peace of mind. Ascend

the ladder of Yoga patiently through its different rungs and attain

the highest summit of the ladder, i.e., Asamprajnata Samadhi, wherein

all Samskaras (impressions) which bring about successive births are

absolutely fried up.

 

If you really aspire to unfold the lurking divinity within, if you

really want to get rid of the meshes of this Samsara, you must know

the technique of thought-control which is embodied in the system of

Raja Yoga. You must know the ways of right living, right thinking,

right speaking and right acting. You must practise the five rules of

Yama or right conduct or Sadachara. You must know how to withdraw the

mind from external objects and fix it on one point. You must know the

right method of concentration and meditation. Then alone you can be

really happy. Then and then alone, you will have power, independence

and suzerainty. Then and then alone, you will attain immortality,

freedom and perfection. A knowledge of the ways and habits of the

mind, its operations, the laws of the mind and the methods of mind-

control and mental discipline is very necessary if you want to enjoy

real happiness and peace of an unruffled and abiding nature.

 

Practise Raja Yoga, control the thoughts, discipline the mind,

meditate regularly and attain independence, immortality, freedom and

perfection.

 

(Source: Essence of Yoga by Sri Swami Sivananda)