RAJA YOGA

Raja Yoga (Dhyana Yoga)

     Raja Yoga is called the ‘Dhyana Yoga’ since it involves Mind and it is the Yoga of Meditation. It involves awakened intelligence, or developing Buddhi. 'Dhi' stands for Buddhi in Vedas, and its power of truth perception. It gives us enormous power to understand the universe and the human being as integral unfoldings of cosmic intelligence. This higher intelligence arises through the energisation of speech and Prana and brings an extraordinary transformative power into the deepest level of the Mind. In Dhyana Yoga the light of truth floods the Mind and we come to know the unitary nature of all reality.

         Dhyana Yoga as depicted in the Vedic Yoga is slightly different from Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga Sutra.  Dhyana Yoga of Vedic Yoga does include the preliminary requirements like yama, niyama, pratyahara, but not as separate limbs of Yoga. Even Asana and Pranayama constitute an integral part of Dhyana Yoga, but not as separate limbs as in Ashtanga Yoga. Vedic Dhyana Yoga includes Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi, concentration, meditation and realization of Raja Yoga that are three aspects of merging the Mind into the Divine Self.

       For Dhyana Yoga, the expanse of the Sun or ‘truth- consciousness’ must be created. One must contact the Divine Self or 'Paramatman' within the heart. We should meditate on the Prana- energized Mantras and use them to move deeper into higher states of consciousness. The space of light or light of space must be opened for the realization process to continue. Meditate on Indra, Agni, Soma and surya; Gayathri mantra is highly suited for this purpose. It will make our inner light glow and make us literally shine for shining is one of the attriburtes of the Brahman. The spark is already there within us. It has to be kindled by Tapas, concentration, meditation, dhyan with pure heart and mind.

         Patanjali’s Raja Yoga has eight steps to attain Supreme Consciousness. Hence, it is called the Ashtanga Yoga. The eight steps are:

1.      Yama, 2.Niyama 3. Asana 4. Pranayama 5. Pratyahara, 6. Dharana 7. Dhyana (Meditation) and 8. Samadhi, or Superconsciousness.

     There are many books on Yoga and the best are the original Yoga Upanishads that are almost a dozen and each of them describes the different types of Yoga in minute detail. A good book on Yoga is by Shri S.Chaturvedi- "Yoga Pradeepa". Sudhakara Chaturvedi, now 107 (2002), a bachelor, an expert on Yoga, a Vedic scholar and a close associate of Gandhiji, is a living legend. He has edited a number of Volmes of Rk Veda Samhita and the Sama Veda. His book ‘Yoga Pradeepa’ (in Kannada) is an excellent Treatise on Yoga. It is authoritative, written in a very lucid, simple style and easy to understand. 

     According to Yoga Sutra, there are eight steps to Samadhi. The first two steps, i.e., Yama and Niyama are the ethical rules. Yama consists of five disciplines that are to be strictly practiced by all people at all times. Yama consists of:  i. Ahimsa ii. Continence (Brahmacharya)  iii. Satya (truth) iv. Asteya (non-stealing) and, v. Aparigraha. In aparigraha, one should not even accept gifts; if it is inevitable, some thing in return should be given, may be it is some sort of service, if not in kind.

        The terms, ‘ahimsa’ covers all aspects of piety, compassion and fellow-feeling for all the creatures of the world; one should not injure, or even think of hurting the feelings of the fellow-beings kaaya, vaacha, manasa and indriyas- i.e., in body, mind, words, thoughts, and deeds. Similarly, continence is such a difficult exercise. At the out set, it seems impossible for ordinary mortals to practice it. One should abstain from sex even with one’s own wife after begetting one child or two children; the couple should live like brother and sister for the purpose of sex is only for procreation and not for sport and self- indulgence. Since sexual activity is dwelling at lower plane involving not much of energy, one is easily aroused in sexual thoughts and activity at the least instigation of the mind or fantasies of the mind.

         Yoga demands diversion of sexual energies towards higher planes for, spiritual practices demand higher energy. Energy should not be dissipated in illusory fascinations and tantalizing dreams initiated by hidden desires. Concentration is affected by attractions of forms and figures, fascinations and wishful dreams. It is the confirmed fact according to the realized souls that continence gives enormous strength to practice japa, tapa, dharana or dhyana, and meditation. Since abstinence of sex gives a superior happiness all spiritual seekers should abstain from sexual thoughts, avoid company of opposite sex and lead a very pure life. Total purity of inner body, senses, mind and heart is the basic foundation of spiritual life.

        The two other ethical rules viz, Satya and Asteya are also very difficult to practice in ordinary day- to- day life. Not only one should not indulge in untruth, one should not even abate or support others to think of, or speak ‘asat’ or lies.  Asteya means not only coveting what rightly belongs to others, but also gaining anything by unfair means. So also, Aparigraha; here it is very difficult to practice self-less life. One should give away every thing that one does not need in spiritual way of life. Attachment is the greatest stumbling block in spiritual exercises.

     The second ethical principle of Niyama consists of:

i.                    Shoucha, purity of both body and mind: Discipline in life is the first requisite for a happy and successful life. Many people do not consider the importance of physical and mental purity and, thus indulge in sensuous life without care. The spread of Aids and such other dreadful diseases is alarming. If laziness is the cause of neglect of physical cleanliness, it is also true that a sense of happiness is derived from abandoning all routine duties like taking bath, prayer and meditation; this is the result of the prepondering tamasic guna of the person. But, the end result is diseases, illness of both body and mind. 

ii.                  Santosha or contentment: Some people are in the habit of complaining about everything. Since there is no harmony within, there is discontent everywhere for such people. They complain about their environment, about their surroundings, about their social circle. They also make it an excuse to abandon the spiritual exercises. Contentment with oneself, with what one has got, and santhosha in daily life is very important. It is the frame of the mind, the attitude and mental disposition that decides about the ultimate happiness; all mental energies should be directed towards dhyana, meditation and tapas in order get the full result.

iii.                Tapas: ‘Tapa’ is heat. When the physical and mental energies are directed towards understanding the Self, the body gets heated. This heat is the ‘unifying’ factor. It brings harmony. It removes all dirt; virtually it burns away all mental rubbish. When the body and mind is thus cleaned, it is ready for receiving the Divine Light. It is an essential part of the yoga. It facilitates easy flow, an unobstructed flow of energies. Nerves are cleansed by tapas.  All the nadis and the nerves should be cleansed by strict yogic practices. Shuddha Ahara or proper sattvic diet, and shudhdha vichara or good thoughts are important in tapas. Food here stands for food not only for the body but also for the senses. All the senses should be brought under control and should be fed only by pure thoughts, divine thoughts.

iv.                Svadhyaya: The Upanishads says ‘Shrotvyaha manthravyaaha’, meaning, ‘you hear or read and then reflect on what you have heard or read’. Making our own what we have heard or read is ‘Svadhyaya’. Study of Veda and Upanishads, as well as sacred works like Bhagavad Gita, Bible, Qur'on, Bhagavata, and other Puranas, and even works on Buddha, Mahavira, Confucius, Tao, are all very important. Study of one’s own mind is much more important than all these scriptures; it helps to dwell deep within oneself. Study of scriptures, sacred books and one’s own mind is stressed in Svadhyaya.  

v.                  ‘Isvara pranidhanam’is stressed by Sri Vyasa Muni. Self-surrender or offering all deeds to the Almighty is ‘Isvara pranidhana’. It removes ‘egotism’. Surrender your body, mind, and soul to Him.

      Thus, ethical culture is conditional in spiritual exercises. One should live a very pure and simple life. Purity is necessary for calming the mind. Only a pure mind can think of God in an unbroken stream. Upanishad says, “We must meditate on Brahman with a calm mind”. [Chandogya Upanishad 3.14.1 and Katha Upanishad 1.2.24 ]

       Prayer is a very important step in spirituality. One must pray for the welfare of others for it expands one’s mind and consciousness. Prayer done with concentration will do good to others; one must pray for those who are in trouble. One gets nearer to God in prayer.

           Just as the physical homeostasis developed and perfected by nature through the process of evolution, there is the mental homeostasis that is the mechanism of mind control through Sama and Dama; and, that helps to still the mind and the senses at the command of the Yogi. In fact, physical homeostasis is the mechanism of a built-in-equilibrium, thermostatic to begin with and homeostatic later, within the organism itself. It enabled the person to be free from botheration of control of the internal organs and released him to use the brain to other more important spiritual tasks, particularly Meditation. It is a necessary condition to forge ahead to higher and higher evolutionary scales. Man has to achieve for himself, by himself, through the organic capacities which nature has endowed him with, says Vedanta, a mental homeostasis (Yoga). The whole purpose here is to realize the Atman behind the Mind.

        Jnyana Yoga asserts that "Purusham Eva idam sarvam" and goes to the extent of saying that Man is the Creator. No one from outside is responsible for his creation. It is the Man who creates every cell, the tissue, the muscles the bones, the blood and whatever he need and discards whatever he finds useless, as well. It is worth contemplating on this Rk Vedic doctrine repeatedly implored by the Upanishads.  Even the origin of the 'germ cell' that causes the repeated births and deaths is created by Man by his 'desire' and 'will'. So also, 'mukti' or 'liberation' from bondage is within his own sweet 'will' and pleasure. Within this purview, Man is 'God', the Creator, the maker of his own destiny! To attain this spiritual perfection is the goal of Jnyana Yoga.

     Jnyana Yoga is thus, a highly intuitional, intellectual and devotional spiritual exercise. It needs the highest order of purity of Mind and control of the Senses. Patanjali's Ashtanga Yoga Sutras (aphorisms) are very useful in this spiritual exercise. Only those who strictly adhere to these Principles can ever make progress. Even if they fail to complete these in this life, the fruits of the labour will not go waste. It will place the aspirant in a better environment and provide better facilities in the next life and helps to achieve this end. The beginning has to be made now.

Asana

       Badarayana Brahma Sutra [4-1-7] lays down the rule that ‘worship is possible in a sitting posture’. But, care must be taken to see that the sitting position is firm, relaxed in body and mind, and suitable for meditation. The right position, or asana for meditation is ‘Padmasana’, sitting cross-legged with the body, neck and head straight allowing free circulation of blood.

     Asana or body posture in sitting for prayer, upasana, dhyana or meditation is very important for it will guard against wrong postures that may hurt. Long hours of sitting may strain the back and cause back pain. Almost all the yoga experts lay stress on ‘padmasana’ for a comfortable sitting posture. But, for some people even this is difficult. Ultimately, it is suggested by some yoga experts, that any convenient position that is comfortable may be adopted for the purpose of simple dhyana with ‘namasmarane’.

        The practice of Asanas is elaborately dealt in ‘Hatha Yoga’. Hatha Yoga is mainly concerned with the maintenance of health and attainment of longevity of the body. But it is cautioned here that too much of attention to the body might nullify the efforts towards the ultimate goal. One may end up in perfecting ‘yogasanas’ for body fitness neglecting the spiritual exercises.