Raja yoga is the royal path of meditation, which trains the mind directly through disciplined stages of practice.

Who systematised raja yoga?

Patanjali, in his aphorisms on yoga.

Name the eight limbs of raja yoga.

The restraints, the observances, posture, breath control, withdrawal of the senses, concentration, meditation and absorption.

What are the restraints and the observances?

The restraints are non-violence, truthfulness, not stealing, continence and non-possessiveness, and the observances are purity, contentment, austerity, self-study and devotion to God.

Why do posture and breath control come early in the eight limbs?

A steady comfortable body and a regulated breath settle the system so that the mind can be held still in the later stages.

AQA A-Level Religious Studies 7062

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Hinduism: Expression of Religious Identity

Raja Yoga and the Eight Limbs

2 things to know
Component 2

Overview

Recall questions on the aim Patanjali sets, the eight limbs, the restraints and observances and why posture and breath come early.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started

Key term

State the aim of raja yoga in Patanjali's terms.

Key term

Distinguish concentration, meditation and absorption.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
Define raja yoga.
Model answer
Raja yoga is the royal path of meditation, which trains the mind directly through disciplined stages of practice.
2
Who systematised raja yoga?
Model answer
Patanjali, in his aphorisms on yoga.
3
State the aim of raja yoga in Patanjali's terms.
Model answer
To still the movements of the mind so that the true self is no longer hidden by them.
4
Name the eight limbs of raja yoga.
Model answer
The restraints, the observances, posture, breath control, withdrawal of the senses, concentration, meditation and absorption.
5
What are the restraints and the observances?
Model answer
The restraints are non-violence, truthfulness, not stealing, continence and non-possessiveness, and the observances are purity, contentment, austerity, self-study and devotion to God.
6
Why do posture and breath control come early in the eight limbs?
Model answer
A steady comfortable body and a regulated breath settle the system so that the mind can be held still in the later stages.

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Raja Yoga and the Eight Limbs

Overview

What you need to know

State the aim of raja yoga in Patanjali's terms.

Distinguish concentration, meditation and absorption.

Questions from this subtopic

Define raja yoga.

Who systematised raja yoga?

State the aim of raja yoga in Patanjali's terms.

Name the eight limbs of raja yoga.

What are the restraints and the observances?

Why do posture and breath control come early in the eight limbs?

Other ways to work this

What is inside Levo

The 3-step method, run for you

Cram a whole paper in one sitting

Blank Blitz makes facts automatic

Build It gets the exam shape right

Test It catches misconceptions

Brain Breaks between sessions

Every question in Hinduism: Expression of Religious Identity, on a schedule.