Raja Yoga (Esoteric)
Raja Yoga (royal yoga) is a tantric yoga system emphasizing meditation and mental control.
Overview
Raja Yoga (Sanskrit raja yoga, “royal yoga”) is a tantric system of yoga that emphasizes the practice of ashtanga yoga (eight-limbed yoga) — the systematic practice of ethical conduct, physical postures, breath control, sense withdrawal, concentration, meditation, and absorption. It is distinguished from hatha yoga (which emphasizes physical purification) and kundalini yoga (which emphasizes energy awakening) by its focus on the systematic training of the mind.
Philosophical Context
The Yoga Sutras (by Patanjali, c. 2nd century CE) is the foundational text of raja yoga, describing the eight limbs (ashtanga) of yoga: yama (ethical restraints), niyama (observances), asana (postures), pranayama (breath control), pratyahara (sense withdrawal), dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation), and samadhi (absorption). The Yoga Bhashya (by Vyasa, c. 4th century CE) provides a detailed commentary on the Yoga Sutras. The Hatha Yoga Pradipika (by Svatmarama, 15th century) describes raja yoga as the “king of yogas” because it leads directly to liberation.
Interpretations
In tantra tradition, raja yoga is the meditation component of the tantric practice — it is performed after the physical purification of hatha yoga and the energy awakening of kundalini yoga. In modern yoga, raja yoga has been popularized by the Yoga Alliance and other organizations as the “classical” or “orthodox” form of yoga. In philosophy, raja yoga is distinguished from jnana yoga (knowledge) and karma yoga (action) as the path of meditation.
Verification Notes
- Yoga Sutras 2.28-4.34 on the eight limbs of yoga.
- Yoga Bhashya by Vyasa on the Yoga Sutras.
- Haatha Yoga Pradipika on raja yoga as the king of yogas.
- Audited against Wikipedia and yoga references (September 2026).