Raja Yoga : 6.2.

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6. Three Classes of Aspirants :2.

According to Raja Yoga, there are three types of aspirants - 1. Uttama, 2. Madhyama and 3. Adhama Adhikaris.


To three classes of aspirants Raja Yoga prescribes three kinds of Sadhana.


1. To the Uttama Adhikari (first-class aspirant) Raja Yoga prescribes Abhyasa and Vairagya.

He practices meditation on the Self; he practices Chitta-Vritti-Nirodha (restraining the modification of the mind-stuff) and soon enters into Samadhi.

This is practice (Abhyasa) sustained by Vairagya.


2. To the Madhyama Adhikari (middling aspirant) Raja Yoga prescribes the Kriya Yoga - Tapas, Svadhyaya and Ishvarapranidhana.

Tapas is austerity.

Egolessness and selfless service are the greatest forms of Tapas.

Humility and desirelessness are the greatest forms of austerity.

Practice these through ceaseless, untiring, selfless service.

Practice the three kinds of Tapas mentioned in the Gita.

Disciplinary practices like fasting, etc., also come under Tapas.

Svadhyaya is study of spiritual literature and also Japa of your Ishta Mantra.

Ishvarapranidhana is self-surrender to the Lord and doing all actions as Ishvararpana, as offering unto the Lord.

These three form the Sadhanas of the Madhyama Adhikari who enters into deep meditation very soon and attains Kaivalya Moksha.


3. To the Adhama Adhikari, lowest kind of aspirant, Raja Yoga prescribes Ashtanga Yoga or the eightfold Sadhana - Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi.

Swami Sivananda
To be continued.....



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