Object of Raja Yoga

Object of Raja Yoga

by Swami Sivananda

Then, the seer rests in his own nature.

Notes

Although the mind is one, it passes into many conditions or states, as it is made up of three qualities, Gunas, viz., Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. All these qualities enter into a variety of combinations. So, the modifications or Vrittis of the mind are also various. Peace of mind (Santa Vritti) is a Sattvic Vritti. Lust is a Rajasic Vritti. Laziness is a Tamasic Vritti. Anger is a Ghora Vritti.

Internal fight is ever going on between Gunas, Sattva, Rajas and Tamas; between good Vrittis and evil Vrittis. This is the internal warfare between Suras and Asuras.

When the lake is in a boisterous state on account of the turbulent waves, you can hardly see the bottom of the lake. When the waves subside, you can clearly see the bottom of the lake. Even so when the mind is in an agitated condition on account of various Vrittis, you can hardly rest in your own nature. You cannot see or realise your own Self. But when the Vrittis subside, you can rest in your own state. You do not identify yourself with the Vrittis now. Then means when all the Vrittis subside or done through Chitta Vritti Nirodha.

By suppressing the transformations of the mind, the Sadhaka acquires great Siddhis. He becomes an adept or a great Siddha. Yoga is a complete suppression of the tendency of the mind to transform itself into objects, thoughts, etc. It demands continuous and steady practice. Then comes unlimited strength, peace, bliss and knowledge. This leads to Asamprajnata Samadhi and Kaivalya, the highest stage of Raja Yoga.

Object of Raja Yoga – Mind Control, Meditation, and Self-Realization

Object of Raja Yoga is to control the mind and lead it toward complete stillness, clarity, and self-realization. Raja Yoga is called the royal path because it deals directly with the mind, which is the center of human experience. Every thought, emotion, desire, fear, memory, and reaction rises in the mind. If the mind is restless, life becomes restless. If the mind is disciplined, life becomes peaceful and purposeful.

The mind is usually scattered. It runs toward sense objects, remembers past events, imagines future situations, and reacts to pleasure and pain. This movement makes a person weak and dependent on outer conditions. One small insult can disturb peace, one desire can create attachment, and one fear can stop progress. Therefore, the first need in spiritual life is to understand and train the mind.

Object of Raja Yoga teaches that real freedom begins when mental movements are brought under control. The aim is not to destroy the mind, but to purify and steady it. An uncontrolled mind is like a wild horse that pulls the person in many directions. A trained mind becomes a powerful instrument that helps in meditation, wisdom, self-control, and spiritual awakening.

Raja Yoga gives a systematic method for this inner training. It includes moral discipline, personal purity, posture, breath control, withdrawal of senses, concentration, meditation, and finally absorption in the highest truth. These steps are not separate from one another. Each step prepares the seeker for the next. Ethical living purifies conduct, posture steadies the body, breath control calms energy, and meditation leads the mind inward.

Object of Raja Yoga is not merely physical fitness or relaxation. Many people connect yoga only with bodily postures, but Raja Yoga goes much deeper. The body is important because it supports practice, but the final goal is mastery over the mind. A flexible body without a disciplined mind is not enough. True yogic progress is seen in calmness, patience, purity, concentration, and freedom from ego.

One major goal of this path is concentration. A scattered mind cannot understand truth deeply. It wastes energy in many thoughts, desires, worries, and distractions. Concentration gathers this energy and directs it toward one point. A concentrated mind can study better, work better, meditate better, and make wiser decisions. This is why concentration is considered a foundation of higher spiritual practice.

Object of Raja Yoga also includes the control of senses. The senses constantly pull the mind outward through sights, sounds, tastes, touches, and smells. If the mind follows every attraction, it becomes weak and dependent. Raja Yoga teaches withdrawal, not as hatred of the world, but as freedom from slavery to sense objects. A seeker learns to use the senses wisely without being controlled by them.

Meditation is the heart of Raja Yoga. In meditation, the seeker sits quietly and observes or focuses the mind. At first, thoughts may come again and again. This should not create discouragement. The mind has been restless for a long time, so patience is necessary. With steady practice, thoughts become slower, emotions become softer, and awareness becomes clearer.

Raja Yoga also helps in emotional purification. Anger, jealousy, fear, greed, and pride disturb the mind and block inner peace. Through regular practice, a person begins to notice these emotions before they become harmful actions. This awareness creates space between impulse and response. In that space, wisdom can guide behavior. This is how meditation slowly improves daily life.

Object of Raja Yoga becomes practical when the seeker applies it beyond the meditation seat. If meditation does not improve speech, conduct, relationships, and duties, then practice remains incomplete. A true seeker becomes more truthful, kind, disciplined, humble, and patient. Inner silence should appear as outer harmony. Spiritual practice must transform character.

The path also teaches that the true self is different from the mind. Thoughts come and go, emotions rise and fall, and 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 restless mind becomes weaker, peace becomes deeper.

This path requires regularity. Occasional practice cannot bring strong results. A few sincere minutes every day are more useful than long practice done only sometimes. The seeker should choose a clean place, sit steadily, regulate the breath gently, and practice with patience. Over time, the mind begins to obey. Discipline becomes natural, and inner strength increases.

Good conduct is necessary for success in Raja Yoga. If a person meditates but continues with lies, harsh speech, greed, uncontrolled desire, and harmful habits, the mind will remain disturbed. Truthfulness, non-violence, purity, moderation, contentment, and self-study create the right foundation. A pure life supports a pure mind.

In the end, Object of Raja Yoga is the complete mastery of the mind and realization of the true self. It teaches that peace is not found by running after endless outer pleasures, but by turning inward with discipline and awareness. Through ethical living, concentration, meditation, breath control, and self-observation, the seeker rises above restlessness and discovers inner freedom. Raja Yoga is a royal path because it leads the human being from mental bondage to spiritual illumination.

Law of Resistance