Yoga-sutra with Bhashya Vivarana (study)
by Susmi Sabu | 2013 | 55,404 words
This essay studies the enduring and relevance of Yoga in India, highlighting its evolution from a comprehensive philosophy to primarily a physical practice. It further underscores the importance of studying Yoga texts to understand its historical trajectory. Special attention is given to the Patanjala Yogasutra Bhashya Vivarana, a significant work ...
Description of Rajayoga
Rajayoga means the royal Yoga. It is considered as the king of all Yoga, because it is the most direct method aiming at the quickest realisation of the ultimate goal. Rajayoga leads an aspirant through a comprehensive system of practice. It is said that the yogin who practices this type of Yoga attains control over 228 his body and the inner and outer senses. It is also pointed out that rajayoga is not to be considered as the only method to attain the ultimate goal, because the other forms of Yoga have the same goal and achieve the same object. However, it has a composite approach. Rajayoga does not emphasise on any one aspect like posture and body training in hathayoga, chanting of mantras in mantrayoga, or the awakening of the kundalini in layayoga. The method of rajayoga was first introduced by Patanjali. It consists 70
.229 of physical and mental disciplines leading to samadhi. Rajayoga lays down eight disciplines for self-realisation, viz., yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana and samadhi.