Introduction to Raja Yoga

Introduction to Raja Yoga

by Swami Sivananda

What is Raja Yoga

Raja Yoga is the king of all Yogas. It concerns directly with the mind. In this Yoga there is no struggling with Prana or physical body. There are no Hatha Yogic Kriyas. The Yogi sits at ease, watches his mind and silences the bubbling thoughts. He stills the mind and restrains the thought-waves and enters into the thoughtless state or Asamprajnata Samadhi. Hence the name Raja Yoga. Though Raja Yoga is a dualistic philosophy and treats of Prakriti and Purusha, it helps the student in Advaitic Realisation of oneness eventually. Though there is the mention of Purusha, ultimately the Purusha becomes identical with the Highest Self or Brahman of the Upanishads. Raja Yoga pushes the student to the highest rung of the spiritual ladder, Advaitic Realisation of Brahman.

The Author

Patanjali Maharshi is the exponent of Yoga Philosophy. Now Patanjali is regarded as the last of the Avataras. You will find in Yajnavalkya Smriti that Hiranyagarbha was the original teacher of Yoga. Patanjali Maharshi is only a compiler or explainer of the Yogic precepts, doctrines and tenets taught by Hiranyagarbha.

Yoga Sutras

Patanjali Yoga Philosophy is written in Sutras. A ‘Sutra’ is a terse verse. It is an aphoristic saying. It is pregnant with deep, hidden significance. Rishis of yore have expressed the philosophical ideas and their realisation in the form of Sutras only. It is very difficult to understand the meaning of the Sutras without the help of a commentary, a gloss or a teacher who is well-versed in Yoga. A Yogi with full realisation can explain the Sutras beautifully. Literally, Sutra means a thread. Just as various kinds of flowers with different colours are nicely arranged in a string to make a garland, just as rows of pearls are beautifully arranged in a string to form a necklace, so also Yogic ideas are well arranged in Sutras. They are arranged into Chapters.

Introduction to Raja Yoga – Mind Control, Meditation, and Inner Realization

Introduction to Raja Yoga begins with the understanding that the mind is the central instrument of human life. Every experience, thought, emotion, desire, fear, memory, and decision appears through the mind. If the mind is restless, life becomes restless. If the mind is calm and disciplined, life becomes peaceful, purposeful, and spiritually meaningful. Raja Yoga is called the royal path because it directly trains the mind and leads it toward self-realization.

Raja Yoga is not limited to physical postures or outer exercises. Its main focus is inner mastery. It teaches that the human being suffers because the mind is uncontrolled and scattered. The mind runs toward sense objects, remembers past pain, worries about the future, and becomes attached to pleasure, praise, success, and possession. This movement creates bondage. Raja Yoga gives a systematic path to calm these mental movements and discover the deeper self.

Introduction to Raja Yoga also shows that the mind can become either a friend or an enemy. An uncontrolled mind pulls a person toward anger, greed, jealousy, fear, laziness, and confusion. A controlled mind supports concentration, patience, wisdom, compassion, and spiritual awareness. Therefore, the first duty of a seeker is not to control the world, but to control the mind. Inner victory is greater than outer victory.

The path of Raja Yoga is often explained through eight limbs. These are moral restraint, personal discipline, posture, breath control, withdrawal of the senses, concentration, meditation, and deep absorption. Each step prepares the seeker for the next. Moral living purifies conduct, personal discipline purifies habits, posture steadies the body, breath control balances energy, and meditation leads the mind inward.

Introduction to Raja Yoga begins practically with ethical living. Without truthfulness, non-violence, purity, self-control, and simplicity, meditation cannot become deep. A person may sit quietly for some time, but if daily life is filled with anger, dishonesty, greed, and uncontrolled desires, the mind will remain disturbed. Therefore, character is the foundation of this path.

Posture is also important because the body affects the mind. A restless or uncomfortable body makes meditation difficult. A steady and comfortable posture helps the seeker sit for practice without distraction. However, the aim of posture is not display or competition. It is preparation for inner stillness. The body should become a helpful instrument, not an obstacle.

Breath control plays a major role in calming the mind. Breath and mind are closely connected. When a person is angry or afraid, breathing becomes irregular. When breathing is calm, the mind naturally becomes quieter. Through gentle and proper breath practice, the seeker learns to balance energy and prepare for concentration. Breath becomes a bridge between body and mind.

Introduction to Raja Yoga also includes withdrawal of the senses. The senses constantly pull attention outward through sights, sounds, tastes, touches, and smells. If the mind follows every attraction, it remains weak and scattered. Withdrawal does not mean hatred of the world. It means freedom from slavery to sense objects. The seeker learns to use the senses wisely without being controlled by them.

Concentration is the next important step. A scattered mind cannot understand truth deeply. It wastes energy in many directions. Concentration gathers the mind and fixes it on one point, such as breath, a sacred sound, a divine form, or a noble idea. With regular practice, attention becomes steady, and the mind gains strength.

Meditation is the heart of Raja Yoga. In meditation, the mind becomes quiet, focused, and inward-looking. At first, thoughts may rise again and again. This is natural because the mind has been restless for a long time. The seeker should not become discouraged. Each time the mind wanders, it is gently brought back. Slowly, thoughts lose their force, and awareness becomes clearer.

Introduction to Raja Yoga teaches that the true self is different from the mind. Thoughts come and go, emotions rise and fall, desires appear and disappear, but there is an awareness that observes all these changes. Raja Yoga helps the seeker rest in that witnessing awareness. When identification with the mind becomes weaker, inner freedom begins.

This path requires patience and regularity. Occasional practice gives limited results. A few sincere minutes every day are better than long practice done only sometimes. The seeker should practice with humility, discipline, and faith. Progress may be slow in the beginning, but every effort purifies the mind and strengthens willpower.

In the end, Raja Yoga is a complete path of inner transformation. It teaches moral purity, bodily steadiness, breath control, sense discipline, concentration, meditation, and self-realization. Its purpose is not escape from life, but mastery over the mind while living wisely. Through sincere practice, a person moves from restlessness to peace, from confusion to clarity, and from ego-bound life to spiritual freedom.

Law of Retribution