3. Raja Yoga: The Path of Mind Control

(or the Yoga of Consciousness)

By stilling the mind, by calming down all the turbulent agitations of the mind, by single-pointed meditation on Self, the Jiva will realize Kaivalya, will realize that he is ever the pure Soul, always untainted, tainted, immutable and eternal (and ever apart and distinct from nature).

Raja Yoga Story:

Though Raja Yoga is said to be the sovereign yoga as the name itself implies, Bhakti and Jnana Yogas are no inferior to it. Regarding this, there is anecdote of Changadeva who did (Hatha) yogic practices and conquered death even. However, he felt humbled by the power of Bhakti and Jnana of Jnaneswar and his brothers and sister. He became the staunchest disciple of Jnanadev.

Thus, each Yoga is supreme in itself; the goal of all the yogas is ultimately the same. Each, of the yogas, eventually coalesce and blend with each other and lose their distinctions. The aim of each one of them is to make man perfect, leading him on the path congenial and in conformity with and suiting each one’s particular temperament, meritedness (adhikara) etc., The fruit and goal of all yogas is the same, i.e to lead man to the state of perfection and to make him god-like in this nature.