Three types of aspirants

Raja Yoga is the royal road to freedom from misery.... Practice from today. Never miss a day. Remember, each day brings you nearer to the end of earthly existence as human being. The cause of this misery is Avidya. When the sun of discrimination arises within, the Purusha realises that He is distinct from Prakriti, that He is independent and unaffected. Raja Yoga gives you a most practical method of bringing about this exalted state.

According to Raja Yoga, there are three types of aspirants: Uttama, Madhyama, and Adhama Adhikaris. To three classes of aspirants, Raja Yoga prescribes three kinds of Sadhana. 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.

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.


To the Adhama Adhikari, lowest kind of aspirant, Raja Yoga prescribes Ashtanga Yog, or the eightfold Sadhana: Yam, Niyam, Asana, Pranayam, Pratyahar, Dharana, Dhyan, and Samadhi.