One Term at a Time · 10
Raga
राग
Attachment to pleasure.
The pull toward what pleases you.
The way it colors how you see.
Swamiji on Raga
Our summary of the lecture passage in the film below. These are our words, not Swamiji's.
Raga is attachment, the pull toward what pleases you. In this Bhagavad Gita passage Swamiji sets it apart from kama, desire itself. Raga is what happens as you begin to feel close to the object of your desire: the delight arising from that closeness colors your vision. He takes the word apart. Raga comes from the Sanskrit ranjana, that which puts an anjana, an eye cosmetic, in your eyes. An object that was distant comes nearer and your eyes begin to shine, a little anointed. Bring it closer still and, he jokes, your eyes would explode. Wealth, or any situation you think desirable, works the same way: as it approaches, raga develops and your vision grows colored. Then he names the error underneath. The idea that happiness is somewhere out there and coming to you is mistaken. Objects and circumstances do not hold happiness. The mind credits them with a joy that rises from within, simply because it does not yet understand.
Happiness emerges out of your own heart.
See also: Dvesha, Vairāgya, Vāsanā, The Four Paths, Lesson 16: The Four Qualifications: Viveka, Vairagya, Shat-Sampat, Mumukshuttwa
One Term at a Time
One Sanskrit term at a time: a short definition, then Swamiji using the word in a lecture.
Start at the beginning: Vāsanā
- 01Vāsanāthe trace a desire leaves behind
- 02Vairāgyathe loosening of a grip
- 03Satsaṅgathe company you keep
- 04Vivekatelling the real from what only looks real
- 05Brahmanthe one reality behind every object
- 06Māyāwhy the world seems so real
- 07Jnanathe wisdom that sees through it
- 08Sadhanathe practice that carries you there
- 09Vicharaasking who you really are
- 10Ragathe pull toward what pleases you
- 11Dveshathe push away from what displeases you
- 12Samskarathe impression each like and dislike leaves on the mind
- 13Karmaaction and the result produced by action
- 14Gunathe three fundamental modes or qualities of nature
- 15Pranalife force; vital energy
- 16Samadhideep absorption in truth
- 17Jivaindividual self
- 18Chittamental process
- 19Japarepetition of mantra
- 20Dhyanameditation
- 21Muktiliberation
- 22Dharanaconcentration
- 23Atmasoul
- 24Bhavanafeeling
- 25Jnanithe wise one
- 26Sthita-prajnaone established in wisdom
- 27Aham brahmasmiI am Brahman
- 28Pranayamabreathing exercises
- 29Bhaktidevotion
- 30Sattwaa harmonious, focused state
- 31Rajasa restless, distracted state
- 32Tamasinertia
- 33Shravanalistening
- 34Mananareflection
- 35NididhyasanaVedantic meditation
- 36Tapasausterity
- 37Pratyaharawithdrawal of the senses
- 38Swadhyayastudy of scriptures
- 39Ishvara Pranidhanasurrender to God
- 40Shauchapurity
- 41Santoshacontentment
- 42Ahimsanon-violence
- 43Satyatruthfulness
- 44Asteyanon-stealing
- 45Brahmacharyacelibacy
What is The Four Paths?
Swami Jyotirmayananda's teaching on the four paths of yoga, in his own words, one short lesson at a time.
What it does for you
Swamiji teaches that the personality has four sides: action, emotion, will and reason. Each path cultivates one of them, and the course covers all four, so none is left out.
- Karma Yogaaction
unfolds one’s hidden potentialities
- Bhakti Yogaemotion
cultures the feelings and brings about emotional integration in the personality
- Raja Yogawill
allows one to develop a strong will and a controlled mind
- Jnana Yogareason
trains and renders the reason sharp and subtle
In order to succeed, all these four must be cultivated in a balanced and integrated manner.
Swami Jyotirmayananda, The Four Paths, Lesson 3
It is free and comes by email: a lesson every other day, 19 core lessons on action, devotion, meditation and wisdom, then 10 lessons called Going Deeper.
Every lesson is Swamiji's own text, so you learn the four paths from him, not from a summary.
Swamiji teaches raga in Lesson 16 of The Four Paths.
Prefer to look first? Read Lesson 1 of The Four Paths.