Raja Yoga, the kingly path, reigns as the sovereign journey of the soul toward its eternal home. Its crown lies in stillness, its throne in the heart, and its kingdom in the vast expanse of inner peace. Rooted in the timeless Yoga Sutras of Maharishi Patanjali, Raja Yoga unfolds as an ascent toward mastery of the self, a luminous ladder leading to liberation.
“Atha yoga anushasanam”—“Now begins the discipline of yoga,” declares Patanjali, inviting seekers to embark on this sacred path. Raja Yoga, the “royal yoga,” is not a practice of the body alone but a quest to harmonize thought, breath, and spirit.
Eight golden steps define its essence, the Ashtanga or eight limbs of yoga. It begins with Yama and Niyama, the ethical roots that nourish the soul. Asana and Pranayama follow, aligning the body and breath, preparing the vessel for subtler journeys. Pratyahara withdraws the senses, Dharana focuses the mind, and Dhyana deepens into meditation. At last, Samadhi, the ultimate state of unity, unveils the eternal truth: “Aham Brahmasmi”—“I am Brahman.”
The sages spoke of Raja Yoga as the science of the mind. It is the art of turning inward, quieting the ceaseless chatter, and finding stillness at the core of being. “Manah prashamanopayah yoga ityabhidhiyate”—“Yoga is the method of calming the mind,” says the tradition. Through this calm, the light of the soul shines brightly, unclouded by illusion.
This path is for the seeker who yearns for the infinite, who dares to gaze beyond the veils of the material world. Raja Yoga teaches that the highest reality is within, that the kingdom of heaven is not a place but a state of being.
“Om Tat Sat”—the eternal truth resonates through Raja Yoga. It is not just a practice but a royal call to awaken, to reign over one’s inner world, and to merge with the divine. Let this path guide all toward eternal peace and bliss.
Article Crafted by Yoga Home Bali Team
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