Raja Yoga
The first to write a compendium (compilation) on Yoga was Sage Patanjali who is believed to have lived in 200 B.C. or earlier. This work of Sage Patanjali, known as Yoga Sutras or Yoga Darshana is regarded as the most precise and scientific text ever written on Yoga.
DEFINITION
Sage Patanjali defines Yoga as “Yogaschitta vrtti nirodah” – “Yoga is restraining the mind-stuff from taking various forms”. In other words, “ Yoga is the elimination of the modifications of the mind and making it one-pointed. “Chitta” (mind-stuff) means individual consciousness, which includes the conscious, the subconscious, and the unconscious states of mind. These three states of the individual mind is called “Chitta”. The waves of thought in the “Chitta” are called “Vrttis”. “Nirodah” means restraining or eliminating. So, restraining the modifications of the “Chitta” is the subject matter or the end goal of Yoga.
Restraining the Chitta (mind-stuff) appears to be very simple. But, in practice, it is a very difficult task The aspirant will know the complexity and depth of the subject matter only while going through the verses, one by one, in all 196 verses, divided into 4 chapters. The work does not contain any techniques to help the beginners. This implies that the Yoga Sutras are not meant for beginners and that a teacher is necessary to pursue the studies seriously. The beginning verse “Atha Yoganusanam” (Now, therefore, complete instructions on Yoga) itself is a clear indication to it. The word “Atha” (now, therefore) signifies that the student ought to have acquired adequate knowledge in Yoga before studying the Yoga Sutras.
Sage Patanjali prescribes 8 paths or stages for achieving mastery over the mind.
They are -
1) YAMA – Non-injury, Truthfulness, Non-stealing,
(Self-restraints) Moral discipline, and Non-covetousness.
2) NIYAMA – Cleanliness (internal and external puri-
(Fixed observances) fication), Contentment, Mortification (austerities), Study, and worship of God
.
3) ASANA – Posture (sitting)
4) PRANAYAMA – Regulated Breathing (Controlling the
motion of exhalation and inhalation)
)
5) PRATYAHARA – Conscious withdrawal of senses from
external objects.
6) DHARANA - Concentration
7) DHYANA - Meditation
SAMADHI – Super-consciousness (One-pointedness)
Yoga Sutras define human problems (their causes, resultant sufferings) with scientific precision and provides clear cut solutions to them. This Yoga expounded by Sage Patanjali is known as “Raja Yoga”, or “Patanjali Yoga” or “Ashtanga Yoga” (Yoga of 8 steps).