Raga

Raga (राग) means “attachment,” “passion,” or “desire.” It is the third of the five kleshas in Patanjali’s Yoga philosophy — the compulsive attraction toward pleasure and pleasant experiences.

Overview

Raga is not merely liking or preference but a deep-rooted, compulsive attraction that arises from past experience of pleasure. The Yoga Sutras (2.7) state: “Raga is that which follows upon experiencing pleasure.” It is the mind’s tendency to seek pleasure, creating a cycle of craving and temporary satisfaction that perpetuates suffering.

Philosophical Context

Raga operates in conjunction with dvesha (aversion) to form the twin forces that drive the mind’s restlessness. Together they constitute the primary emotional disturbances that meditation aims to still. Raga is rooted in avidya (ignorance) and asmita (ego) — it is the ego’s grasping at experiences for self-gratification. The practice of vairagya (dispassion) is the direct antidote to raga.

Interpretations

In Buddhist psychology, raga (Pali rāga, also lobha) is one of the three unwholesome roots of suffering, alongside dvesha (aversion) and moha (delusion), and is closely related to tanha (craving). The Jain tradition distinguishes raga (attachment to worldly objects) from dvesha (aversion) as the two fundamental kashayas (passions) that bind the soul. In Tantra, raga is sometimes transformed into prema (divine love) through spiritual practice, redirecting the energy of attachment toward the divine.

Verification Notes

• Yoga Sutras 2.7 defines raga.
• Buddhist parallel in Dhammapada and Samyutta Nikaya.
• Audited against Wikipedia and standard references (September 2026).