Raja Yoga & Patanjali — Questions & Answers
Questions about Raja Yoga, Patanjali's Yoga Sutras and the eight-limbed framework commonly called Ashtanga Yoga.
Questions & Answers
What is Raja Yoga?
Raja Yoga is a term used in several yoga traditions for a path emphasizing mastery of the mind and meditation. Its historical usage is broader than a single modern system.
What is Ashtanga Yoga in Patanjali's system?
Patanjali's eight-limbed framework consists of yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana and samadhi.
What is Yama?
Yama refers to ethical disciplines in Patanjali's eight-limbed framework. The traditional list includes restraints such as non-harming, truthfulness, non-stealing, continence and non-possessiveness.
What is Niyama?
Niyama refers to observances or disciplines. The classical list includes purity, contentment, austerity, study and devotion or surrender to the Divine.
What is Dharana?
Dharana is concentration or the binding of attention to a chosen object or place.
What is Dhyana?
Dhyana is meditation or sustained flow of attention toward the chosen object.
What is Samadhi?
Samadhi is a state of profound meditative absorption described in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. The Yoga Sutras discuss different forms and characteristics of samadhi.
What is the difference between Dharana and Dhyana?
Dharana emphasizes holding attention on an object, while Dhyana describes a more continuous flow of attention toward that object.
What is the difference between Dhyana and Samadhi?
Dhyana refers to sustained meditation, while samadhi describes deeper forms of meditative absorption. Patanjali's terminology should be understood from the relevant sutras rather than reduced to a single modern definition.
What is Yoga according to Patanjali?
Patanjali defines yoga in terms of the restraint or cessation of the fluctuations of the mind. The exact Sanskrit wording and its interpretation should be studied with the Yoga Sutras and commentaries.