Although Rajayoga is an ancient science, in the course of time the veritable spiritual principles gradually transformed into variegated rituals and practices. Nowadays yoga has connotation of some physical or breathing exercises only. The Brihadaaranya Upnishad (III.5) states that an individual can achieve the ultimate knowledge only through meditation and self-contemplation, and certainly not by any other process. While bodily postures and breath control are useful and essential for the physical well-being, yoga, in its essence, is a mental discipline, a spiritual training and a noble way of life. The word yoga is derived from its Sanskrit root ‘yuj’, which means union. Yoga is, therefore, an art of uniting the self with the God (the Ultimate Truth) by focusing attention on Him. According to the Yogatattva Upnishad, the four types of yoga are Mantrayoga, Layayoga, Hathayoga and Rajayoga. The prefix ‘Raja’ means a king or a ruler. Accordingly Rajayoga is considered as the king of all yogic practices as it represents the integral yoga. It depicts a beautiful synthesis of knowledge (Jnan), devotion (Bhakti), service (Karma) and physical care (Hath) under precise scientific principles. Rajayoga is the yoga through which an individual becomes a sovereign over his mind and intellect, thereby ruling the physical sense organs and attaining total control over any situation. In fact, as a psychological science, it describes the principles and practices needed to gain control over mind and body, so as to route all our physical and metaphysical energies towards accomplishing the eternal bliss (or Samadhi).
The Gita is a condensed compendium of Rajayoga that portrays all aspects of yoga as a holistic approach. Rajayoga does not mandate the practice of breath control, painful physical postures or mantra-chanting. It also does not involve act of austerity, penance, relinquishment of household or retirement into the forest. Simply speaking, it is a disciplined mental exercise (meditation) the leads to the awareness of the metaphysical self ( soul-consciousness) and absorption of one’s mind in the willful, purposeful and loving remembrance of the God, the Almighty (i.e. manmana bhava or ecstatic union). The practice of awareness of His proximity through Rajayoga opens greater trajectories of human existence and leads to self-realization. The wisdom prevails, and the soul attains the personal first-hand vision and experience of the ultimate truth and the perennial realities. Yoga is a great unifying force. As an individual, we become aware of our existence and learn that we are not merely creations, but also the creators of our destiny and eternal milieu. By connecting ourselves with the Almighty, we are bound to our fellow humans, fellow creatures and with the nature.
The benefits of Rajayoga are immense. Not only does it facilitate an individual to climb to the zenith of spiritual experience, it also helps him to prudently discharge his household, professional and social duties. It endows us with equanimity, peace and mental relaxation. We get liberated of our past slip-ups of moral judgments and malevolence, ignoble deeds and predispositions, and negative habits. Once the mind is free from trifling issues, the self gains intuitive insight (or the third eye) and the purpose of life becomes crystal clear. The personality gets infused with divine traits and virtues. A person becomes more resilient, enduring and tolerant, and does not yield to any external pressure or internal conflicts. He rises above the corporeal barriers of caste, creed, colour, class and cult. He attains a perfect harmony between his thoughts, words and actions. Rajyoga meditation enlightens the self and leads to self-actualization.
The spiritual practice of yoga, however, demands strict adherence to certain set of laws. The eight limbs of Rajayoga are yama (abstinences), niyama (observances), asana (yoga postures), pranayama (breath control), pratyahara (willful withdrawal of the senses), dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation) and samadhi (blissful absorption). The yama (abstinences) and niyama (observations) are ethical, physical and spiritual principles among the eight limbs of Rajayoga, traditionally known as Ashtang yoga, that accelerate the journey of spiritual uplift. A Rajayogi becomes further equipped with self-study (swadhyaya), detachment (vairagya), withdrawal of mind from the sensory indulgence (pratyahara), meditation (dhyana) and selfless service (sewa). Meditation is a state of being in that place just beyond every day consciousness, which is where spiritual empowerment begins. To conclude, the practice of Rajayoga through the intellectual communion with the God (Ishwar pranidhana) brings about divinity within the self and guarantees victory over the vices. The soul attains its original sparkle and gleam (the satopradhan stage) and restores its inherent divinity.