When there is no target
to gaze, there are no bondages of the mind, where there are no restrictions of
place and time, when there are no restrictions of breath and when Dharna
(focus) and Dhyan (Meditation) happen without hard efforts, this state is happening
in thriving Raja Yoga. ||14||
During our journey of
yoga, when following symptoms are visible then thriving Raja Yoga happens:
- There is no target or goal or task including gazing on any object or thought remains.
- During this journey there are no imprisonments of our own mind, this means a total freedom from mind.
- One experiences self beyond time and place or one transcends the time and space.
- One does not feel the mind to control or guide prana or breathe.
- Dharna (focus) happens on its own.
- Dhyan (Meditation) happens without any hard efforts
Fortunate are those who
walk on this path. Raja yoga has been described by many scriptures in different
ways but this is royal yoga.
One is raised to Râja
Yoga undoubtedly after successful Kumbhaka which results in rising of Kundalini
thus Sushumna becomes pure. ||75|| chapter II (HYP)
Hatha Yoga Pradipika,
Upon mastering Kumbhaka,
the mind rest and one attain Raja Yoga.
||75|| chapter II (HYP)
Shrimand Bhagvad Gita,
Patanjali Yog Sutra, Hatha Yoga Pradipika and several other scriptures talk
about Raja yoga. Raja Yoga is also known as Royal Union or Royal Yoga or
Classical Yoga or Ashtanga Yoga. This is also said to be the King of Yoga or
yoga for kings. The ultimate achievement is enlightenment or Kaivalya. How to
master the mind and its movements and go beyond the mind is said in Raja Yoga.
Raja yoga is also referred as Ashtanga yoga (eight limbed yoga). Raja Yoga is
one of the four major paths of yoga. This is also sometimes referred as path
for the mind awakening, meditation and yogic psychology.
Adi Shankaracharya
says in ‘Vivekchudamani'(Crest-Jewel of Wisdom) for Raja Yoga a deserving
practioner is that who qualifies to acquire:
- Viveka (decimation)
- Vairagya (freedom from desire / detachment)
- Shat-Sampatti (six virtues: Sama (balance), Dama (control), Uparati (Cessation from objects), Titiksha (endurance) and Shraddha (trust)
- Mumukshuta (Longing for self-realization)
For Raja Yoga, Patanjali guides for eight steps;
Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi.
In Bhagvad Gita,
Krishna says that Yogi is the best among all. So be a yogi. Chapter 6.
na न = no
dṛṣṭi दृष्टि =
vision, crystal vision
lakṣyāṇi लक्ष्याणि =
aim, objective, goal
na न = no
citta चित्त = mind, higher mind, base of mind
bandho बन्धो = holding, binding
na न = no
deśa देश = country, place, region
kālau कालौ = era, time
na न = no
ca च = and
vāyurodhaḥ वायुरोधः =
breath barrier, wind hold,
na न = no
dhāraṇā धारणा = focus, concentration
dhyāna ध्यान = meditation, dhyan
pariśramo परिश्रमो = hard work, trouble, exertion
vā वा = a question, so
samedhamāne समेधमाने = thriving, prospering
sati सति = female, virtious woman
rājayoge राजयोगे = raja yoga
अशेषदृश्योज्झितदृङ्मयानाम
अवस्थितानामिह राजयोगे।
न जागरो नापि सुषुप्तिभावो
न जीवितं नो मरणं विचित्रम्॥ १५॥
aśeṣadṛśyojjhitadṛṅmayānāmavasthitānāmiha rājayoge |
na jāgaro nāpi suṣuptibhāvo na jīvitaṁ no
maraṇaṁ vicitram || 15||
इस प्रकार जो राजयोग में स्थित हो जाते हैं, वह द्रश्य के बंधन से मुक्त, उनके लिए न तो जाग्रत अवस्था, न ही सुषुप्ति अवस्था का भाव रहता है. और न ही जीवन का और न ही का मृत्यु का बंधन रहता है। यह विस्मयकारी है ||15||
Thus, who established in
Raja Yoga, there will be no distractions from scene and the mind? For him there
will be no expression of wakening state, no expression of deep sleep state. No
bondage of Life or death, this is surprise!||15||
When
one is free from bondages of life and death they have obtained total presence
of Raja yoga.
Krishna
says that true life is not bondage. Expectations, desires, attachments are
bondage. One who lives in hopes deeply desirous of new birth after death. Such
birth becomes bondage. Ignorance is bondage.
True love is freedom. True action
is freedom. True life is freedom. One
attains total freedom from this bondage during Raja Yoga.
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